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Gulf Coast Academy Of Science And Technology

Q: Is Gulf Coast Academy Of Science And Technology a good school?

Gulf Coast Academy Of Science And Technology ranks 215 th of 1216 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades 6-8

215^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,216 Florida Middle Schools

Better than 82% of Florida middle schools

Summary

Gulf Coast Academy Of Science And Technology in Spring Hill, FL, is a small public magnet middle school serving 217 students in grades 6-8, and it stands out as a top-tier performer within the Hernando school district, which overall ranks in the bottom half of Florida.

This school’s academic results are dramatically higher than those of nearby schools. For example, in 7th Grade Math, GCAST scored 78% proficient, while the closest physical school, Fox Chapel Middle School, scored just 36%. In Civics, GCAST achieved a remarkable 98% proficiency rate, a full 26 points above the state average. This success is paired with exceptionally low chronic absenteeism—only 5.1% of students are chronically absent, compared to 52.8% at Fox Chapel and 59.4% at D. S. Parrott Middle School. The school also has a lower percentage of students from low-income families (26.27% free/reduced lunch) compared to nearby schools, which often exceed 50-65%. It is important to note that GCAST’s success is not driven by higher spending; it spends less per student ($10,076) than many struggling area schools.

GCAST has a long history of high performance, earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger for nine consecutive years before a slight dip to a 4-star rating in the last two years. While still excellent, this decline coincides with some volatility in its student population’s economic background. The school acts as a magnet for highly engaged families, creating a virtuous cycle of high achievement that is difficult for traditional neighborhood schools to replicate. For parents seeking a focused, high-achieving environment, GCAST offers a stark contrast to the challenges seen at nearby schools like Powell Middle School and Fox Chapel Middle School, which face significant struggles with poverty and attendance.

217

Students ?

18.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,076

Per pupil spending ?

26.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

10444 Tillery Rd
Spring Hill, FL 34608

(352) 688-5092

District: Hernando

Racial breakdown:

White:

63.6%

Hispanic:

22.6%

Two or more races:

6.0%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Gulf Coast Academy Of Science And Technology to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 94th percentile in 2016 → 82nd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (79% vs 62% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 18% of Florida middle schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Hernando

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 12 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school79%

District avg59%

Florida avg62%

215^th of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Top 18%▼ down 12 pts since 2016

From top 6% (2016) to top 18% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 6Middle Schools in the Hernando

46^th of 70Hernando among Florida districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	77.8	215 of 1216	82.3%	★★★★☆
2025	82.4	180 of 1205	85.1%	★★★★☆
2024	89.6	87 of 1196	92.7%	★★★★★
2023	90.8	72 of 1177	93.9%	★★★★★
2022	93.5	46 of 1148	96.0%	★★★★★
2021	93.1	55 of 1136	95.2%	★★★★★
2019	91.6	60 of 1099	94.5%	★★★★★
2018	92.9	55 of 1035	94.7%	★★★★★
2017	91.3	78 of 1031	92.4%	★★★★★
2016	91.7	56 of 997	94.4%	★★★★★
2014	88.4	81 of 999	91.9%	★★★★★
2013	87.0	87 of 956	90.9%	★★★★★
2012	93.4	33 of 897	96.3%	★★★★★
2011	87.6	79 of 891	91.1%	★★★★★
2010	90.6	43 of 839	94.9%	★★★★★
2009	88.6	60 of 780	92.3%	★★★★★
2008	90.0	50 of 740	93.2%	★★★★★
2007	92.7	32 of 736	95.7%	★★★★★
2006	92.8	29 of 675	95.7%	★★★★★
2005	81.1	94 of 602	84.4%	★★★★☆
2004	51.8	307 of 593	48.2%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Civics98%+21 vs state

Algebra 198%+35 vs state

English Language Arts78%+16 vs state

Math75%+17 vs state

Science61%+9 vs state

3.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Ever since my son attended Gulf Coast Academy 10 years ago, I have closely observed the quality, style and effectiveness of education at GCA. I have watched students who hated school get turned around because "somebody cared"; I have seen students get inspired by hands-on learning and explore subjects on their own initiative; I have seen parents gladly inconvenience themselves and rearrange their schedules because they were excited about the changes they saw in their children. AWESOME WORK! Close Quote

Schools Near Gulf Coast Academy Of Science And Technology

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)					FAST Math (2026)					Statewide Science Science (2026)		EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Geometry (2026)	EOC Civics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Gulf Coast Academy Of Science And Technology	Public, Charter	6-8	10444 Tillery Rd	Spring Hill	34608	Hernando County	Hernando	Yes	No	No	No	(352) 688-5092	217	12	18.0	26.3%	138 (63.6%)	9 (4.1%)	49 (22.6%)	5 (2.3%)	3 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (6.0%)	77.8	215^th of 1216 public middle schools	82.3%		82.4	180^th of 1205 public middle schools	85.1%	35			76.0	81.0	77.0			71.0	78.0	85.0		61.0	98.0		98.0	$10,076	$08	$10,068
Fox Chapel Middle School	Public	6-8	9412 Fox Chapel Ln	Spring Hill	34606	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7025	815	45	18.1	65.2%	428 (52.5%)	53 (6.5%)	276 (33.9%)	7 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	50 (6.1%)	33.3	869^th of 1216 public middle schools	28.5%		25.8	931^st of 1205 public middle schools	22.7%	62			53.0	53.0	50.0			41.0	36.0	49.0		49.0	82.0		76.0	$11,048	$871	$10,176
Powell Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	4100 Barclay Ave	Brooksville	34609	Hernando County	Hernando	No	Yes	No	No	(352) 797-7095	1,041	55	18.9	52.6%	520 (50.0%)	78 (7.5%)	355 (34.1%)	24 (2.3%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	60 (5.8%)	47.7	657^th of 1216 public middle schools	46.0%		45	670^th of 1205 public middle schools	44.4%	13			59.0	55.0	56.0			61.0	55.0	62.0		47.0	93.0		66.0	$9,210	$226	$8,984
West Hernando Middle School	Public	6-8	14325 Ken Austin Pkwy	Brooksville	34613	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7035	666	38	17.5	55.6%	325 (48.8%)	72 (10.8%)	212 (31.8%)	11 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	44 (6.6%)	52.9	578^th of 1216 public middle schools	52.5%		50.3	589^th of 1205 public middle schools	51.1%	11			57.0	58.0	61.0			51.0	52.0	85.0		58.0	78.0		71.0	$12,853	$1,256	$11,596
Crews Lake Middle School.	Public	6-8	15144 Shady Hills Rd	Spring Hill	34610	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 346-1600	709	43	16.4	48.7%	488 (68.8%)	34 (4.8%)	140 (19.7%)	5 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	40 (5.6%)	34.2	856^th of 1216 public middle schools	29.6%		32.5	855^th of 1205 public middle schools	29.0%	1			48.0	52.0	46.0			42.0	37.0	62.0		49.0	79.0		76.0	$11,277	$1,099	$10,177
Hudson Academy	Public, Magnet	4-8	14540 Cobra Way	Hudson	34669	Pasco County	Pasco	No	Yes	No	Yes	(727) 774-8200	920	53	17.2	65.5%	587 (63.8%)	55 (6.0%)	201 (21.8%)	7 (0.8%)	11 (1.2%)	4 (0.4%)	55 (6.0%)	26.5	964^th of 1216 public middle schools	20.7%		21.5	982^nd of 1205 public middle schools	18.5%	18	47.0	43.0	45.0	45.0	51.0	47.0	39.0	39.0	35.0	45.0	35.0	44.0	77.0	100.0	78.0	$10,439	$1,191	$9,248
D. S. Parrott Middle School	Public	6-8	19220 Youth Dr	Brooksville	34601	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7075	745	38	19.6	63.8%	422 (56.6%)	110 (14.8%)	149 (20.0%)	7 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (7.7%)	32	887^th of 1216 public middle schools	27.1%		37	789^th of 1205 public middle schools	34.5%	98			45.0	44.0	51.0			44.0	42.0	59.0		47.0	80.0	100.0	65.0	$10,328	$1,073	$9,255
Brooksville Engineering Science And Technology (B.E.S.T.)	Public, Charter	6-8	835 School St	Brooksville	34601	Hernando County	Hernando	Yes	No	No	No	(352) 544-2373	88	6	14.6	45.5%	56 (63.6%)	5 (5.7%)	20 (22.7%)	2 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (5.7%)	64.8	397^th of 1216 public middle schools	67.4%		67.8	348^th of 1205 public middle schools	71.1%	49			76.0	77.0	64.0			64.0	55.0	78.0		50.0	96.0		82.0	$10,520	$00	$10,520
Bayonet Point Middle School	Public	6-8	11125 Little Rd	New Port Richey	34654	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 774-7400	668	34	19.5	62.7%	308 (46.1%)	74 (11.1%)	238 (35.6%)	3 (0.4%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	42 (6.3%)	21.4	1022^nd of 1216 public middle schools	16.0%		16	1056^th of 1205 public middle schools	12.4%	34			46.0	33.0	44.0			29.0	22.0	63.0		34.0	88.0		84.0	$10,139	$979	$9,160
River Ridge Middle School	Public	6-8	11646 Town Center Rd	New Port Richey	34654	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	No	(727) 774-7200	1,026	57	18.0	33.7%	743 (72.4%)	37 (3.6%)	155 (15.1%)	24 (2.3%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	65 (6.3%)	47.1	666^th of 1216 public middle schools	45.2%		46.1	657^th of 1205 public middle schools	45.5%	9			57.0	64.0	56.0			50.0	35.0	66.0		51.0	80.0	100.0	95.0	$8,988	$309	$8,681

Frequently Asked Questions about Gulf Coast Academy Of Science And Technology

How many students attend Gulf Coast Academy Of Science And Technology?

In the 2024-25 school year, 217 students attended Gulf Coast Academy Of Science And Technology.

Is Gulf Coast Academy Of Science And Technology a good school?

Gulf Coast Academy Of Science And Technology ranks 215^th of 1216 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Gulf Coast Academy Of Science And Technology?

Students at Gulf Coast Academy Of Science And Technology are 64% White, 23% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 4% African American, 2% Asian, 1% American Indian.

What district is Gulf Coast Academy Of Science And Technology in?

Hernando

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.