Summary:
In zip code 34476, there is one elementary school, Hammett Bowen Junior Elementary School, serving grades PK through 5 in Ocala, Florida, within the Marion County district.
Hammett Bowen Junior Elementary School is a large school with 1,010 students and a student-teacher ratio of 19.4. The school serves a community with significant economic need, as 50.5% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and spending per student is $10,384. A critical concern is the high chronic absenteeism rate of 29.8%, which is nearly equal to the state average and likely impacts academic progress. The school is part of a district ranked in the bottom 15% of Florida, but it consistently outperforms the district in most subjects, acting as a relative academic haven. However, it struggles to meet state averages, with only 3rd Grade Math (74% proficient) and 3rd Grade ELA (60% proficient) exceeding state benchmarks in the latest year.
A notable pattern is a "4th grade slump," where scores drop significantly, especially in math (50% proficient vs. 65% state). While the school's test scores have improved year-over-year, its state ranking percentile has dropped from the 58th to the 42nd percentile, indicating that other schools are improving faster. Science is a relative strength, with 5th Grade Science (54% proficient) outperforming the district by 4 points. For parents, this school offers strong early-grade math instruction and a supportive environment relative to the district, but the high absenteeism and 4th grade performance dip are key areas to monitor.
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