The top reported proficiency rate is 81% in Math. The lowest is 69% in Science.
Original Research by School Decision on Central Park Elementary School
Central Park Elementary sits on North Nob Hill Road in Plantation, a planned suburban city in the geographic center of Broward County, west of Fort Lauderdale. The school serves prekindergarten through fifth grade as a regular public school in the Broward district, with an enrollment that puts it on the larger end for its grade band.
The student body is meaningfully diverse. Hispanic students make up the largest share, followed by white students, then Black students, with smaller Asian and multiracial populations. Roughly a third of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, so the school draws from a mix of economic backgrounds without being heavily concentrated in either direction. Data on English learner and special education populations were not available in the data we reviewed.
On Florida's FAST assessments, the math results are a clear strength. Third graders tested at a high proficiency rate statewide, and fourth and fifth graders were also well above the midpoint. Reading and ELA show a somewhat different picture: third grade came in at a solid level, fifth grade came in near that same range, but fourth grade dipped noticeably below the others. Science proficiency for fifth graders landed at a similar level to fourth-grade ELA. These are not alarming numbers, but the fourth-grade ELA figure and the science result are worth asking the school about directly, particularly whether there are any targeted support structures for students who are not yet reading at grade level. Trend data across years was not available, so it is not possible from this data to say whether performance has been improving, holding steady, or softening.
No program-specific offerings, magnet designation, gifted tracks, or enrichment pathways were listed in the data provided, so families with those questions should contact the school. The Broward district brief search did not surface confirmed parent-relevant changes, so district-level context is limited here.
The housing market around Central Park Elementary reflects Plantation's position as one of South Florida's more established suburban cities. Home values in the surrounding zip code are roughly in line with the Florida statewide median and the national median, though they have pulled back modestly year over year. Rents have been nearly flat over the same period. The estimated monthly housing cost is substantial relative to income by national measures, and rent consumes a high share of median household income, which reflects broader South Florida affordability pressures rather than anything specific to Plantation. Families renting or buying here are entering a tight but not unusual market for the region.
Plantation itself is a city built on a deliberate master plan dating to the 1930s, and that structure is still visible. Neighborhoods vary considerably, from large-lot, older-Florida residential areas where new homes can sit near equestrian uses, to newer mixed-use apartment developments in Midtown. The city is car-dependent by most measures, though its wide, tree-lined residential streets are comfortable for kids on bikes and families walking. A true walkable town center has not historically existed here, but that is changing: the redevelopment of the former Fashion Mall site into a mixed-use district called Plantation Walk, along with the Midtown Square project and several others along State Road 7, reflects a city in a visible transition toward denser, more connected development. Major employers in Plantation span corporate technology, healthcare, and financial services, so many families in the area work close to home.
The recreation infrastructure is genuinely strong. Plantation Central Park, adjacent to the school's broader neighborhood, includes Olympic-size pools, courts, baseball fields, and a multi-mile walking and biking path. The Parks and Recreation Department runs dozens of parks across the city, including an equestrian center and an aquatic complex. The public library sits within a botanical garden park alongside the city's historical museum, giving families accessible civic anchors.
For a family choosing within Broward, Central Park Elementary offers solid math outcomes, a diverse peer environment, and a community with real recreational depth. The fourth-grade reading gap and science results are worth a direct conversation with the school before drawing conclusions.
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