Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary

Summary:

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary is a public elementary school in Riviera Beach, Florida, serving 540 students in grades PK-5. The school has a predominantly African American student body, with 90% of students identifying as such in the 2022-2023 school year. It is part of the Palm Beach school district, which is ranked 41 out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary has consistently struggled with high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 33.5% to 59.3% in recent years, significantly higher than the 7.8% to 39.1% rates at nearby schools like Gardens School Of Technology Arts Inc, Northboro Elementary School, and Lake Park Elementary School. The school's academic performance, as measured by standardized test scores, is also significantly lower than district and state averages, with only 16% of 3rd graders proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 54% in the district and 55% statewide.

While the school has a relatively high per-student spending, ranging from $10,523 to $13,623 over the past few years, it has consistently ranked among the lowest-performing elementary schools in Florida, suggesting that factors beyond just funding may be contributing to the persistent academic struggles. The school's location in a low-income community and the high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 87.41% to 94.03%, may also be factors impacting student performance. Addressing the unique challenges faced by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary will likely require a comprehensive, data-driven approach to improve student outcomes.

Detail:

Public, Magnet PK, KG-5

1501 Avenue U
Riviera Beach, FL 33404

(561) 882-7600

District: Palm Beach

SchoolDigger Rank:
2147^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $13,623

Students who attend Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary usually attend:

High:

William T. Dwyer High School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.6

Number of students: 540

Racial breakdown:

African American:

90.0%

White:

5.2%

Hispanic:

3.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 87.4%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary ranks worse than 95.2% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 126^th among 128 ranked elementary schools in the Palm Beach School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 10.36. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (90%), White (5.2%), Hispanic (3.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 87.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary is 15.6. 66 elementary schools in the Palm Beach School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary employs 34.5 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary is $13,623, which is the 65^th highest among 128 elementary schools in the Palm Beach School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Palm Beach:

SchoolDigger ranks Palm Beach 41^st of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	5.21	1636^th	1688	3.1%
2007	11.01	1657^th	1786	7.2%
2008	13.78	1627^th	1789	9.1%
2009	27.99	1434^th	1847	22.4%
2010	16.69	1687^th	1919	12.1%
2011	6.19	1930^th	1985	2.8%
2012	11.58	1847^th	1984	6.9%
2013	18.42	1763^rd	2029	13.1%
2014	10.26	1965^th	2064	4.8%
2016	10.00	1969^th	2087	5.7%
2017	14.31	1928^th	2112	8.7%
2018	10.83	1981^st	2118	6.5%
2019	21.45	1801^st	2182	17.5%
2021	10.79	2105^th	2247	6.3%
2022	15.67	1979^th	2219	10.8%
2023	13.99	2054^th	2240	8.3%
2024	10.36	2147^th	2256	4.8%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
2001	8	697	0	18	3	n/a	n/a	0	726
2002	3	544	1	13	2	n/a	n/a	0	563
2003	3	544	1	13	2	n/a	n/a	0	563
2004	1	529	2	7	0	n/a	n/a	0	539
2005	1	512	2	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	527
2006	0	535	1	10	0	n/a	n/a	0	546
2007	2	519	0	9	0	n/a	n/a	7	537
2008	0	551	1	12	0	n/a	n/a	3	567
2009	0	518	1	12	0	n/a	n/a	6	537
2010	3	466	3	13	1	n/a	n/a	0	486
2011	4	470	1	10	0	1	1	0	487
2012	6	487	0	12	0	1	2	0	508
2013	9	412	2	11	0	2	4	0	440
2014	6	389	1	16	0	1	3	0	416
2015	4	433	2	10	0	1	5	0	455
2016	7	520	3	16	0	1	4	0	551
2017	11	559	0	22	0	0	5	0	597
2018	8	540	1	20	3	3	2	0	577
2019	9	588	3	18	0	2	4	0	624
2020	22	574	4	18	1	2	4	0	625
2021	18	544	5	11	1	2	5	0	586
2022	27	521	4	22	1	0	2	0	577
2023	28	486	5	19	1	0	1	0	540

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2001	726	38.0	19.1	92.1
2002	563	34.0	16.6	97.5
2003	563	34.0	16.6	97.5
2004	539	36.0	15.0	96.8
2005	527	38.0	13.9	87.9
2006	546	37.0	14.8	92.7
2007	537	35.0	15.3	95.3
2008	567	39.0	14.5	88.3
2009	537	47.1	13.3	91
2010	486	33.0	14.7	90.3
2011	487	32.0	15.2	90.1
2012	508	38.0	13.3	93.9
2013	440	37.0	11.8	89.8
2014	416	33.0	12.6	95.7
2015	455	35.0	13.0	95.4
2016	551	44.0	12.5	96
2017	597	36.0	16.5	94
2018	577	42.0	13.7	92.5
2019	624	34.0	18.3	93.3
2020	625	35.0	17.8	91
2021	586	35.0	16.7	94
2022	577	31.0	18.6	92.9
2023	540	34.5	15.6	87.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2001	726	38.0	19.1	92.1
2002	563	34.0	16.6	97.5
2003	563	34.0	16.6	97.5
2004	539	36.0	15.0	96.8
2005	527	38.0	13.9	87.9
2006	546	37.0	14.8	92.7
2007	537	35.0	15.3	95.3
2008	567	39.0	14.5	88.3
2009	537	47.1	13.3	91
2010	486	33.0	14.7	90.3
2011	487	32.0	15.2	90.1
2012	508	38.0	13.3	93.9
2013	440	37.0	11.8	89.8
2014	416	33.0	12.6	95.7
2015	455	35.0	13.0	95.4
2016	551	44.0	12.5	96
2017	597	36.0	16.5	94
2018	577	42.0	13.7	92.5
2019	624	34.0	18.3	93.3
2020	625	35.0	17.8	91
2021	586	35.0	16.7	94
2022	577	31.0	18.6	92.9
2023	540	34.5	15.6	87.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,970 (19.2%)	$8,287 (80.8%)	$10,257
2019	$2,350 (22.6%)	$8,037 (77.4%)	$10,386
2020	$1,344 (12.6%)	$9,302 (87.4%)	$10,647
2021	$1,230 (11.7%)	$9,293 (88.3%)	$10,523
2022	$2,316 (20.0%)	$9,287 (80.0%)	$11,603
2023	$2,333 (17.1%)	$11,291 (82.9%)	$13,623

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 1801^st of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 2054^th of 2240 Elementary schools	9.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary)	38	35	3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Palm Beach)	54	54
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary)	63	43	20%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Palm Beach)	65	58	7%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary)	35	40	5%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Palm Beach)	62	62
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary)	52	42	10%
4th Grade Mathematics (Palm Beach)	67	59	8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary)	27	28	1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Palm Beach)	59	57	2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary)	37	20	17%
5th Grade Mathematics (Palm Beach)	65	50	15%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary)	25	32	7%
5th Grade Science (Palm Beach)	51	51
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	624	540	13.5%
African American	588	486	17.3%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	3	5	66.7%
Hispanic	18	19	5.6%
Pacific Islander	2	0	100%
White	9	28	211.1%
Two or More Races	4	1	75%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	93.3%	87.4%	5.9%

Schools Near Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)						FAST Math (2024)						Statewide Science Science (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1501 Avenue U	Riviera Beach	33404	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	Yes	(561) 882-7600	540	35	15.6	87.4%	28 (5.2%)	486 (90.0%)	19 (3.5%)	5 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	10.4	2147^th of 2256 public elementary schools	4.8%		14	2054^th of 2240 public elementary schools	8.3%	93	16.0	21.0	45.0				27.0	26.0	36.0				35.0				$13,623	$2,333	$11,291
Teen Parent Program - Pk	Public	PK-K	1160 Avenue N	Riviera Beach	33407	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	No	No	No	(561) 494-1592	19	0		15.8%	0 (0.0%)	8 (42.1%)	10 (52.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (5.3%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Lincoln Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1160 Avenue N	Riviera Beach	33404	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	No	No	Yes	(561) 494-1400	358	24	14.9	83.5%	36 (10.1%)	283 (79.1%)	28 (7.8%)	3 (0.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.0%)	14.8	2041^st of 2256 public elementary schools	9.5%		9.3	2146^th of 2240 public elementary schools	4.2%	105	26.0	24.0	30.0				38.0	42.0	47.0				23.0				$17,170	$3,365	$13,804
Washington Elementary Magnet School	Public	PK, KG-5	1709 W 30th St	Riviera Beach	33404	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	No	No	Yes	(561) 494-1200	253	16	16.3	84.6%	4 (1.6%)	226 (89.3%)	12 (4.7%)	6 (2.4%)	4 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	14.7	2042^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	9.5%		15.7	2010^th of 2240 public elementary schools	10.3%	32	28.0	32.0	42.0				29.0	38.0	32.0				35.0				$18,886	$3,545	$15,341
Potentials Charter School	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	1201 Australian Ave	Riviera Beach	33404	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	Yes	No	No	Yes	(561) 842-3213	27	1	21.6	48.1%	7 (25.9%)	10 (37.0%)	7 (25.9%)	1 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (7.4%)								(n/a)
West Riviera Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1057 W 6th St	Riviera Beach	33404	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	No	No	Yes	(561) 494-1900	487	28	17.3	82.8%	14 (2.9%)	322 (66.1%)	122 (25.1%)	1 (0.2%)	22 (4.5%)	3 (0.6%)	3 (0.6%)	4.3	2227^th of 2256 public elementary schools	1.3%		5.5	2196^th of 2240 public elementary schools	2.0%	31	16.0	16.0	18.0				30.0	32.0	20.0				16.0				$11,593	$1,884	$9,709
Lake Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	410 3rd St	Lake Park	33403	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	No	No	Yes	(561) 494-1300	389	32	12.1	83.0%	9 (2.3%)	321 (82.5%)	50 (12.9%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	5 (1.3%)	26.2	1737^th of 2256 public elementary schools	23.0%		40.1	1335^th of 2240 public elementary schools	40.4%	402	48.0	26.0	25.0				66.0	53.0	40.0				23.0				$17,226	$2,976	$14,250
Grove Park Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	8330 N Military Trl	West Palm Beach	33410	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	Yes	(561) 904-7700	511	36	14.1	78.7%	27 (5.3%)	296 (57.9%)	159 (31.1%)	12 (2.3%)	5 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.3%)	26	1739^th of 2256 public elementary schools	22.9%		17.7	1968^th of 2240 public elementary schools	12.1%	229	41.0	34.0	34.0				44.0	55.0	38.0				45.0				$15,084	$2,805	$12,278
Northmore Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4111 N Terrace Dr	West Palm Beach	33407	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	No	No	Yes	(561) 494-1700	628	43	14.6	73.2%	19 (3.0%)	226 (36.0%)	367 (58.4%)	1 (0.2%)	5 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (1.6%)	16.3	2000^th of 2256 public elementary schools	11.3%		19.7	1904^th of 2240 public elementary schools	15.0%	96	32.0	34.0	32.0				40.0	35.0	45.0				31.0				$14,569	$2,773	$11,796
Gardens School Of Technology Arts Inc	Public, Charter	K-8	9153 Roan Ln	Palm Beach Gardens	33403	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	Yes	No	No	Yes	(561) 290-7661	344	21	14.9	68.6%	75 (21.8%)	141 (41.0%)	92 (26.7%)	12 (3.5%)	3 (0.9%)	1 (0.3%)	20 (5.8%)	48.1	1136^th of 2256 public elementary schools	49.6%		49.7	1103^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	50.8%	33	40.0	69.0	50.0	53.0	47.0	56.0	49.0	69.0	50.0	65.0	60.0	42.0	38.0	46.0	76.0	65.0	$10,765	$825	$9,941

Frequently Asked Questions about Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary

What schools do graduates of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary attend?

Students who attend Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary usually go on to attend:

High : William T. Dwyer High School

Is Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary a good school?

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary ranks in the bottom 4.8% of Florida elementary schools.

How many students attend Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary?

In the 2022-23 school year, 540 students attended Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary.

What district is Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary in?

Palm Beach

What is the racial makeup of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary?

Students at Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary are 90% African American, 5% White, 4% Hispanic.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.