Summary:
In zip code 34472, there is one high school, Lake Weir High School, serving grades 9 through 12 in Ocala, Florida, with a total enrollment of 1,447 students.
Lake Weir High School is part of the Marion County school district, which ranks in the bottom 10% of Florida districts. The school has a graduation rate of 89.5%, which is higher than the district average of 84.7% but below the state average of 92.2%. However, academic proficiency is a major concern, with only 19% of students proficient in Algebra 1 and Geometry, compared to state averages of 63% and 56%, respectively. The school performs relatively better in US History (57% proficient) and Biology 1 (52% proficient), though these still lag behind state averages. Chronic absenteeism is a significant issue, with 40.4% of students missing 10% or more of the school year, which is higher than both the district (35.2%) and state (31.4%) rates. The school's state ranking has been declining over the past three years, dropping from the 29th percentile to the 20th percentile.
The most notable finding is the paradox between the school's relatively strong graduation rate and its very low academic proficiency, particularly in math and English. This suggests that while students are completing graduation requirements, many may not be fully prepared for college or careers. The high chronic absenteeism rate is likely a key factor driving the low test scores. The school spends $9,818 per student, but this investment has not translated into competitive academic results, indicating that the challenges of high poverty (59.36% free/reduced lunch) and absenteeism may require more targeted interventions. The declining state ranking over three years is a concerning trend that warrants attention from parents and the district.
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