Best High Schools in Zip Code 34654

Zip code 34654 in New Port Richey, Florida, is home to two high schools within the Pasco school district: the large, traditional River Ridge High School (serving grades 9-12 with 1,798 students) and the small, specialized Pace Center For Girls (serving grades 6-12 with just 55 students). These two schools offer vastly different educational experiences, making it essential for parents to understand their distinct missions and performance profiles.

River Ridge High School is the area's primary comprehensive high school, earning a consistent 3-star rating from Schooldigger. It boasts a near-perfect graduation rate of 99.7%, significantly outperforming both the district and state averages. However, this success is tempered by a high chronic absenteeism rate of 38.8%, suggesting many students struggle with attendance despite ultimately graduating. Academically, the school shows clear strengths in Biology 1 (79% proficient) and US History (78% proficient), but has a critical weakness in Algebra 1, where only 44% of students are proficient—well below the district and state averages. In contrast, Pace Center For Girls is a gender-specific alternative school designed for intensive support, reflected in its very low student-teacher ratio of 7.8:1 and higher per-student spending of $11,720. Its data profile is limited, lacking test scores and a graduation rate, which is typical for schools serving students with significant academic or personal challenges.

The key takeaway for parents is the stark contrast between these two schools. River Ridge High School offers a standard, high-volume education with strong graduation outcomes but notable attendance and math proficiency issues. Pace Center For Girls provides a highly individualized, resource-intensive environment for girls who need a different path, as evidenced by its extremely high chronic absenteeism rate of 75.9%—a figure that highlights the challenges the program is designed to address. While both schools serve the same zip code, they cater to fundamentally different student needs, making it crucial for families to align their choice with their child's specific academic and social-emotional requirements.