Summary:
Zip code 34711 in Clermont, Florida, is home to three high schools within the Lake school district, offering a diverse range of educational environments from a large traditional public school to a small academy and an alternative center.
East Ridge High School is the largest school in the area with 2,683 students, and it performs near the middle of the pack statewide, ranking in the 61st percentile. However, its most striking issue is a chronic absenteeism rate of 51.7%, which is far above the district and state averages and is a major concern for parents. In contrast, Pinecrest Lakes Middle/High Academy is a standout performer, ranking in the top 11% of Florida high schools despite having a very high student-to-teacher ratio of 52.4:1. It achieves excellent academic results and has a low chronic absenteeism rate of 11.6%, suggesting a highly engaged student body and effective academy structure. Lincoln Park Education Center is a small alternative school that faces significant challenges, ranking in the bottom 25% of the state with a 1-star rating, despite spending over $28,000 per student—more than three times the amount spent at the other schools.
Key takeaways for parents include the stark contrast between the two smaller schools: Pinecrest Lakes achieves top-tier results with limited resources, while Lincoln Park struggles despite high spending, likely due to its focus on high-needs students. All three schools have graduation rates at or above the state average, but this masks underlying academic gaps, as Lincoln Park's 9th-grade English proficiency is only 40%. Overall, families in zip code 34711 have a clear choice between the high-performing academy, the large traditional school with an absenteeism problem, and the alternative center for students requiring intensive support.
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