Summary:
The 34609 zip code area in Hernando, Hernando school district, is home to 7 schools, including 4 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 2 high schools. The district is ranked 48 out of 67 in Florida and has an overall 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.
The standout school in this area is Challenger K-8 School Of Science And Math, a magnet school that has consistently ranked among the top 15% of elementary schools in Florida, earning a 5-star rating. The school's test scores are significantly higher than the district and state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. In contrast, the other schools in the area, such as Powell Middle School, have lower overall rankings and ratings, despite some individual strengths like a high proficiency rate in Civics.
Across the schools in this zip code, there are some common challenges, including high chronic absenteeism rates, which are significantly higher than the state average, and serving a predominantly economically disadvantaged population, with free/reduced lunch rates ranging from 36.4% to 70.77%. Spending per student also varies, but does not necessarily correlate with performance, suggesting that factors beyond just funding, such as school leadership, curriculum, and instructional practices, play a significant role in student outcomes.
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