The top reported proficiency rate is 29% in Math. The lowest is 6% in Social studies.
Original Research by School Decision on Adelante Schools
Adelante Schools operates as a single-school charter district in Marion County, serving kindergarten through eighth grade at Emma Donnan Elementary and Middle. This is a relatively new district, formed in recent years, and its small enrollment of roughly a few hundred students makes it one of the smaller public school systems in the county.
The student body is racially and ethnically diverse. White students make up about a quarter of the population. Black students account for a sizable share, and Hispanic students represent a comparable portion. Smaller numbers of students are Asian, Native American, or identify with two or more races. Data on the share of students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals, receive special education services, or are English learners was not available from the source, so a parent would want to ask the school directly for those figures.
Academically, the district’s state test results for the most recent school year show low proficiency rates across the board. In math, fewer than three in ten students scored at the proficient level or above. In English language arts, about one in five students met that bar. Science and social studies results were even lower. Overall, Adelante Schools’ proficiency index placed it below the midpoint among Marion County’s districts, meaning a substantial portion of its peers posted stronger results. The district does not serve high school grades, so no graduation rate is reported.
Chronic absenteeism is a significant concern. The share of students who are chronically absent—missing enough school days to affect learning—places the district in the bottom quartile among county districts. This is a red flag that families should discuss with school leadership, as it often correlates with academic struggles and may point to underlying challenges in student engagement or community support.
On the spending side, Adelante Schools’ per-pupil current expenditure is in the upper range when compared with other Marion County districts. That suggests a relatively high level of financial investment per student, though the source data does not detail how those funds are allocated. A parent might want to understand whether that spending is directed toward instruction, support services, or other priorities.
The district consists of a single school building, Emma Donnan Elementary and Middle. The school’s website and any published materials were not available in the data provided, so details about the academic program, extracurricular offerings, or specific instructional approaches are not accounted for here. No recent policy changes, curriculum shifts, or referendum efforts were found in a search of publicly reported information.
For a parent considering Adelante Schools, the picture is one of a small, diverse, and relatively new charter district with low academic proficiency and high chronic absenteeism, but with above-average per-pupil spending. The academic pathway through elementary and middle school appears to be a work in progress. Families who value a close-knit setting and are willing to engage actively with the school may want to investigate further what supports are in place for struggling students and how the school is addressing attendance. Without data on special education, English learner services, and free lunch eligibility, a thorough conversation with the school’s administration is essential to understand the full student experience.
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