Summary:
In zip code 34601, Brooksville, Florida, there are two public elementary schools, Brooksville Elementary School and Moton Elementary School, both serving grades PK through 5 within the Hernando County School District, a district ranked in the bottom half of Florida.
Brooksville Elementary School stands out as the higher-performing school overall, consistently ranking higher in the state and achieving better proficiency rates in most subjects. For example, in 3rd grade ELA and Math, Brooksville outperformed Moton by 3 and 8 percentage points, respectively. A key differentiator is chronic absenteeism: Brooksville’s rate is 32%, significantly lower than Moton’s 42%, which is well above the state average. This gap likely contributes to the academic disparity. Interestingly, Moton Elementary School spends more per student ($11,802 vs. $11,158) but achieves lower overall results, suggesting funds may be directed toward higher-need students or used less efficiently. Moton does have a notable strength in 5th grade Science, where its 61% proficiency rate surpasses Brooksville’s 54% and district averages.
A critical takeaway is the divergent performance trends. While Brooksville’s state ranking has remained relatively stable, Moton’s ranking has dropped sharply from the 43rd percentile to the 24th percentile over recent years, a serious red flag. Both schools face systemic challenges within the district, as even Brooksville’s scores often fall below state averages, such as in 5th grade Math (39% vs. 62% statewide). For parents, Brooksville Elementary offers more consistent academic performance and lower absenteeism, while Moton Elementary shows a promising science program but requires attention to its declining overall trajectory and high absenteeism.
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