Best High Schools in Zip Code 34997

Zip code 34997 in Stuart, Florida, is home to two high schools within the Martin County School District: South Fork High School, a large traditional public school with 1,775 students, and Clark Advanced Learning Center, a much smaller magnet/charter school with 288 students. These two schools offer a stark contrast in educational models and outcomes, providing families with very different options within the same area.

Clark Advanced Learning Center is the standout school, consistently ranking in the top 4% of all Florida high schools with a 5-star rating. It achieves a perfect 100% graduation rate and exceptional test scores, including 93% proficiency in Algebra 1 and 96% in 10th-grade English Language Arts, far exceeding district and state averages. In contrast, South Fork High School holds a 3-star rating and a 94.7% graduation rate, but its academic performance often trails district averages, with only 36% proficiency in Algebra 1 and 57% in 10th-grade ELA. A major concern at South Fork is its chronic absenteeism rate of 42.6%, which is nearly double the district average and strongly linked to its lower test scores.

An interesting finding is the inverse relationship between spending and performance: South Fork High School spends $12,466 per student—$4,354 more than Clark Advanced Learning Center—yet achieves far worse academic results. This suggests Clark’s smaller, more selective model is highly efficient. Despite its overall struggles, South Fork shows a relative strength in US History, with 82% proficiency outperforming both district and state averages. For parents, this zip code presents a clear choice: Clark offers elite, high-performing academics, while South Fork provides a larger, more traditional school environment with specific challenges and a notable strength in history.