Summary:
The 61882 zip code is home to two small schools, Deland-Weldon Elementary School and Deland-Weldon Middle School, both part of the Deland-Weldon CUSD 57 district. These schools serve a relatively low-income student population, with over 45% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. While the elementary school has a slightly higher enrollment of 105 students, the middle school is quite small, with only 21 students enrolled.
Academically, the schools' performance on standardized tests is mixed, with some grade levels performing above the state average in ELA and Math, while others are below. The chronic absenteeism rates at both schools are also higher than the state average, which can negatively impact student learning and progress. Interestingly, the per-student spending at the elementary school ($17,056) is significantly higher than the middle school ($12,480), likely due to the smaller size of the middle school.
Overall, these small, rural schools face unique challenges in serving their low-income student populations. Targeted interventions, community engagement, and strategic resource allocation will be crucial in supporting the academic and social-emotional needs of students in this area. Addressing the root causes of chronic absenteeism and ensuring equitable funding across the district could also be important areas for improvement.
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