Summary:
Zip code 34614 in Weeki Wachee, FL, is home to two public schools within the Hernando County School District: Winding Waters K-8 (serving grades PK-8) and Weeki Wachee High School (serving grades 9-12). Both schools serve a significant population of economically disadvantaged students, with Winding Waters K-8 having a slightly higher rate of free/reduced lunch eligibility at 52.45% compared to Weeki Wachee High School's 47.6%.
A standout finding is the exceptional Algebra 1 performance at Winding Waters K-8, where 95% of students scored proficient on the End-of-Course exam—32 points above the state average. This creates a stark contrast with the school's overall 1-star rating and below-average performance in most other subjects. Meanwhile, Weeki Wachee High School boasts a strong 95.6% graduation rate, exceeding both district and state averages, despite its students scoring well below state averages on core exams like Algebra 1 (35% vs. 63%) and Geometry (50% vs. 56%). This paradox suggests the high school may effectively support students through alternative pathways to graduation, even as it struggles to raise overall academic proficiency.
Chronic absenteeism is a critical issue across both schools, with Weeki Wachee High School reporting an alarming 48.9% rate and Winding Waters K-8 at 34.3%, both well above the state average of 31.4%. This likely drives the schools' low academic rankings. Winding Waters K-8 shows a slight upward trend in its state percentile ranking over three years, while Weeki Wachee High School's ranking has been more volatile, indicating inconsistent improvement. The district itself is ranked 46th out of 70 in Florida, earning a 2-star rating.
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