Best Public Schools in Zip Code 62540

The 62540 zip code area is home to two schools - South Fork Elementary School and South Fork Junior Senior High School, both part of the South Fork School District 14. While the high school performs better academically, both schools face challenges, with low proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math compared to state averages.

South Fork Junior Senior High School stands out with a relatively high 4-year graduation rate of 89.0% and a low dropout rate of 2.4% for the 2024-2025 school year. However, the school's proficiency rates on standardized assessments, including ACT, PreACT Secure, and SAT, are still below the state averages. In contrast, South Fork Elementary School struggles with a high chronic absenteeism rate of 25.4%, which may contribute to its significantly lower proficiency rates in ELA and Math.

Both schools serve economically disadvantaged student populations, with a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. Despite the higher than average per-student spending, the academic outcomes indicate that the resources may not be effectively translating into improved student learning and performance. Addressing the challenges faced by these schools, such as attendance issues and low academic achievement, will likely require a comprehensive approach involving targeted interventions, resource allocation, and community engagement.