Summary:
This analysis examines six elementary schools in zip code 34711 (Clermont/Minneola, FL), serving grades PK-5 through PK-8, all part of the Lake district, which ranks in the 54th percentile statewide.
Pinecrest Lakes Academy is the clear academic leader, earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the 99th percentile statewide, with test scores often exceeding 90% proficiency. It achieves this despite having the largest class sizes (23.3:1) and the lowest per-student spending ($8,148). In contrast, Aurelia M. Cole Academy is the largest school (1,500 students) but the lowest-ranked, sitting in the 47th percentile with a 2-star rating. It faces significant challenges, including the highest chronic absenteeism rate (35.7%) and the highest percentage of students on free/reduced lunch (43.4%). Cypress Ridge Elementary School stands out as an efficient overachiever, ranking in the 88th percentile with the lowest economic disadvantage rate (16.23%) and a low chronic absenteeism rate (9.6%). Imagine Schools at South Lake boasts a perfect chronic absenteeism record (0.0%) and ranks second locally.
Key takeaways include that money does not equal success, as the two highest-spending schools—Pine Ridge Elementary School ($11,904/student) and Lost Lake Elementary School ($10,772/student)—rank in the bottom half locally. Chronic absenteeism strongly correlates with performance, with the top two schools having the lowest rates. Math proficiency is a key differentiator, with a 52-point gap in 7th-grade Math between Pinecrest Lakes (83%) and Aurelia M. Cole (31%).
Thank you for your feedback!