Palm Beach County Students Shine on Statewide Tests: A Detailed Look at Performance

Palm Beach County’s educational landscape has witnessed significant progress, particularly as students engage with the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) exams. This year marks the third iteration of these assessments, which have replaced the previous Florida Standards Assessments.

Key Highlights from the 2023 FAST Exams

Overall Performance

• Third Graders

  • Reading: Palm Beach County students performed at the state average, with 57% reading at grade level.
  • Math: They exceeded the state average with 64% of students scoring at grade level or higher.

• Seventh Graders

  • In reading, 60% of students surpassed the state average of 57%.
  • In stark contrast, the district’s math performance fell short, with only 42% achieving grade-level proficiency, compared to the state average of 50%.
• Tenth Graders
  • Notably, 59% of district students excelled in reading, slightly surpassing the state average of 58%.

Top Performers in Elementary Schools

Leading Schools in Reading

Here are the top five elementary schools for third-grade reading proficiency:

1. Morikami Park (Delray Beach) – 96%
2. Equestrian Trails (Wellington) – 89%
3. Addison Mizner School (Boca Raton) – 88%
4. Beacon Cove Intermediate School (Jupiter) – 88%
5. Western Academy Charter (Loxahatchee) – 88%

Leading Schools in Math

The top schools for third-grade math performance are:

1. Morikami Park – 97%
2. Timber Trace Elementary (Palm Beach Gardens) – 95%
3. Panther Run (Lake Worth Beach) – 94%
4. Beacon Cove Intermediate School – 93%
5. Equestrian Trails – 91%

Middle School Performance Overview

Seventh Graders: A Split Performance

Reading Proficiency

• Top Scoring Schools:
  1. North Grade K-8 (Lake Worth Beach) – 100%
  2. Addison Mizner School – 96%
  3. Bak Middle School of the Arts (West Palm Beach) – 94%
  4. Somerset Academy Boca Middle – 93%
  5. Western Academy Charter School – 92%

Math Proficiency

• Top Performing Schools:
  1. North Grade K-8 – 100%
  2. Western Academy Charter School – 97%
  3. Bak Middle School of the Arts – 94%
  4. Somerset Academy Canyons Middle (Boynton Beach) – 78%
  5. Franklin Academy (Palm Beach Gardens) – 78%

High School Reading Achievement

Tenth Graders’ Performance

• Top Schools for High School Reading:
  1. Dreyfoos School of the Arts (West Palm Beach) – 94%
  2. Suncoast High (Riviera Beach) – 92%
  3. Spanish River High (Boca Raton) – 81%
  4. Palm Beach Virtual Franchise – 80%
  5. Pahokee Middle-Senior High – 76%

Conclusion

The results of this year’s FAST exams underscore the commitment of Palm Beach County schools to educational excellence. With noteworthy performances in both reading and math, the district continues to build on its strengths while identifying areas for improvement.

For a comprehensive breakdown of individual school performances and to explore further insights into educational initiatives within Palm Beach County, visit the Florida Department of Education’s official website.

Related Readings

• Statewide Test Results: Florida Schools 2024 Overview
• Improving Student Performance: Strategies for Success

By analyzing these results, educators, parents, and stakeholders can collaborate effectively to enhance student learning experiences in the coming years.