The top reported proficiency rate is 55% in Science. The lowest is 26% in Math.
Original Research by School Decision on Brentwood Elementary School
Brentwood Elementary sits on North Palafox Street in Pensacola, serving children from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. Its location places it along one of the city's main corridors, in a part of Pensacola that is actively changing, with new housing and continued investment in the area around downtown. The school is a regular public elementary within the Escambia County School District.
The student body is a majority-Black school with a substantial Hispanic and white enrollment as well, and a small share of students identifying as two or more races. An overwhelming majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, which places Brentwood among schools serving communities with high rates of economic need. Data on English learner enrollment and special education rates were not available in what was provided.
State assessment results from Florida's FAST exams give a mixed picture, and parents should look at them carefully. In ELA, proficiency rates are consistent across third, fourth, and fifth grade, sitting at roughly the same level at each grade, though that level is modest relative to statewide expectations. Math tells a more uneven story: third grade is somewhat higher than fifth, where the proficiency rate drops to a notably low level. The fifth-grade science result, by contrast, is the strongest number in the dataset, with a majority of tested students reaching proficiency on the Florida Statewide Science Assessment. Trend data was not available, so it is not possible to say from these figures alone whether performance has been improving, holding steady, or declining. A parent who wants to understand the school's trajectory would be well served by asking the school directly about year-over-year results and what supports are in place for students who are below grade level in reading and math.
The comparison framework in the data could not produce a meaningful ranking for proficiency against neighboring districts, because Escambia County has only one district, so there is no peer group to compare against.
At the district level, a few things are worth knowing. Voters publicly renewed a dedicated half-cent sales tax for schools in late 2024, which publicly reported accounts say generates meaningful annual revenue for construction, renovations, and technology. For a family thinking about facility quality and long-term investment in the district's infrastructure, that is a stable funding signal. The district has also moved to remove a substantial number of library and instructional materials titles under state policy, including well-known literary works, and has updated its media center standards accordingly. Families with strong views in either direction about what reading material should be available in school libraries will want to factor this in. Publicly reported accounts also note that district governance is in transition, with a question on the ballot about whether the superintendent's position returns to an elected one, which could affect how the district is led and held accountable in the years ahead.
The housing market around the school's zip code reflects a home value that is well below the Florida statewide median and well below the national median, making this part of Pensacola one of the more accessible areas in the state for buyers. Rents have seen modest year-over-year growth. For families renting, the rent-to-income burden in this area is relatively manageable compared with many Florida markets.
Pensacola itself is a city in active growth, with new residential development downtown and in the surrounding county, a strong military and healthcare employment base anchored by Naval Air Station Pensacola and major health systems, and a walkable historic core along Palafox Street. The West Florida Public Libraries operate multiple branches across Escambia County, and the city maintains a parks system with downtown waterfront green space.
Brentwood is a school for families in a working-class, economically pressed neighborhood who want a public elementary option with a diverse student mix. The academic results, particularly in math, warrant real attention and direct conversation with school staff about how children who are behind grade level are supported.
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