Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 34947

This analysis examines three elementary schools in the 34947 zip code of Fort Pierce, Florida, serving grades Pre-K through 5 (with two extending to 8th grade) within the St. Lucie school district, which holds a 2-star rating and ranks 38th out of 70 districts statewide.

Fairlawn Elementary School is the standout performer, consistently ranking in the top 12% of Florida elementary schools with a 4-star rating. It achieves exceptional academic results, with 85% of 3rd graders proficient in Math and 66% in ELA, far exceeding district and state averages. Despite having the lowest per-student spending ($11,935) and a moderate free/reduced lunch rate (57.12%), Fairlawn’s low chronic absenteeism (14.0%) and strong student-teacher ratio (15.9:1) contribute to its success. In contrast, Samuel S. Gaines Academy of Emerging Technologies presents a mixed profile: while its overall state ranking is average (2-star), it excels in advanced coursework, with 91% proficiency in Algebra 1 and 97% in Geometry, far above district norms. However, its standard grade-level ELA and Math scores lag behind, and it has the highest per-student spending ($14,851) without corresponding overall performance. Chester A. Moore Elementary School is the most challenged, with a 0-star rating, the highest chronic absenteeism (35.1%), and the highest free/reduced lunch rate (73.4%). Its test scores are consistently the lowest, with only 34% of 3rd graders proficient in ELA and 51% in Math, signaling a need for targeted intervention.

Key takeaways include that spending does not directly correlate with performance—Fairlawn achieves top results with lower funding—and chronic absenteeism is a powerful indicator of academic struggles. Samuel S. Gaines functions as a "specialist" school, excelling in advanced subjects while underperforming in standard ones, while Chester A. Moore shows a declining trajectory over three years, dropping from the 33rd to the 8th percentile. These insights highlight the importance of school leadership and resource allocation over simple demographic factors.