Summary:
In zip code 34614 (Weeki Wachee, FL), there is a single school, Winding Waters K-8, a large combined elementary and middle school serving grades PK through 8 with 1,613 students in the Hernando district.
Winding Waters K-8 presents a story of extremes. Its most striking feature is a 95% proficiency rate in Algebra 1, dramatically higher than the state average of 63%, suggesting a highly effective advanced math program for select students. However, foundational elementary math (3rd-5th grade) lags significantly, with 5th grade math at just 43% proficiency compared to the state's 62%. English Language Arts (ELA) also shows a split: 8th grade ELA ties the state average at 60%, but 7th grade ELA is a major concern at only 43% proficiency versus the state's 62%. The school's overall state ranking is in the 28th percentile (1 star), though it has shown slight improvement. A critical challenge is a chronic absenteeism rate of 34.3%, higher than the state average of 31.4%, which likely impacts learning across most subjects.
For parents, this school offers a unique environment where a student's experience can vary greatly by grade and subject. The advanced middle school math program is a clear standout, but the elementary grades and 7th grade ELA require attention. The school serves a majority economically disadvantaged population (52.45% free/reduced lunch) and has a slightly higher student-teacher ratio of 18.9. Performance can be volatile from year to year, making it important to look at current grade-level data. While the school faces significant challenges, its success in advanced math demonstrates pockets of excellence that could benefit motivated students.
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