Best Public Schools in Zip Code 34652

Zip code 34652 in New Port Richey, Florida, is home to four schools within the Pasco County school district, including three elementary schools (Richey Elementary School, Anclote Elementary School, and James M. Marlowe Elementary School) and one high school (Gulf High School), with no middle schools in the area.

There is a stark performance gap among the elementary schools. James M. Marlowe Elementary School is the standout performer, earning a 2-star rating and ranking in the 39th percentile statewide, while the other two elementary schools rank in the bottom 5th percentile. Marlowe consistently beats district and state averages, especially in 5th-grade math where 64% of students are proficient. In contrast, Richey Elementary School is the most challenged, with the lowest state ranking (5th percentile), the highest chronic absenteeism rate (44.4%), and the highest poverty rate (72.27% free/reduced lunch). Interestingly, Anclote Elementary School serves a nearly identical high-poverty population as Richey but outperforms it in every subject, suggesting school culture and instruction make a real difference. Gulf High School struggles academically, with low proficiency in Algebra 1 (30%) and 9th-grade ELA (41%), but boasts a strong 92.4% graduation rate, slightly above the state average.

Chronic absenteeism is a major issue across the zip code, with three of four schools exceeding the state average of 31.4%. The data shows a near-perfect inverse correlation between absenteeism and academic performance: Marlowe has the lowest absenteeism (22.9%) and the best scores, while Richey has the highest absenteeism (44.4%) and the worst scores. Spending per student varies widely, from $14,594 at Marlowe to $10,707 at Gulf High, but money alone doesn't guarantee success—Marlowe and Richey spend similar amounts yet have opposite outcomes. For parents, this means that while poverty and attendance are challenges, schools like Marlowe and Anclote demonstrate that strong leadership and targeted instruction can overcome these obstacles.