Summary:
In zip code 34698, there is one middle school, Dunedin Highland Middle School, serving grades 6 through 8 with 842 students in the Pinellas district, a 4-star rated district ranked 15th out of 70 in Florida.
Dunedin Highland Middle School is a standout for its exceptional advanced math programs, achieving 100% proficiency in Geometry and 95-97% in Algebra 1, far exceeding district and state averages. The school also excels in Civics (87% proficient) and 8th-grade Science (71% proficient), consistently outperforming both the district and state. Its state ranking has improved from the 67th percentile (3 stars) in 2023-2024 to the 73rd percentile (4 stars) in 2025-2026, showing a positive trajectory. With a chronic absenteeism rate of 23.7%—notably lower than the district’s 30.6% and state’s 31.4%—and a free/reduced lunch rate of 39.9%, the school demonstrates strong performance despite moderate economic challenges.
A critical finding is a severe "7th-grade math dip," with only 27% proficiency in 2025-2026, compared to 66% in 6th grade and 80% in 8th grade, a pattern seen in the prior year as well. This contrasts sharply with the school’s advanced math success, suggesting a need to support students in standard grade-level math. Overall, Dunedin Highland Middle School offers strong ELA, science, and civics programs, with per-student spending of $11,092, but parents should be aware of the math performance gap for 7th graders.
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