Chester W. Taylor Junior Elementary School

Chester W. Taylor Junior Elementary School in Zephyrhills, FL, is a public school serving 676 students in grades PK-5 within the Pasco district, and it currently faces significant challenges, ranking in the 3rd percentile statewide with a 0-star rating after a steep decline from its historical performance as a 3-star school.

This school stands out for its stark contrast to nearby schools, particularly those in the Wesley Chapel area. For example, in 3rd grade ELA, only 32% of Taylor students were proficient, compared to 77% at Wiregrass Elementary School—a 45-point gap. Similarly, 4th grade math proficiency at Taylor (32%) is less than half that of Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel (80%). The school also has the highest chronic absenteeism rate in its comparison group at 38.5%, nearly double that of high-performing peers like Double Branch Elementary School (16.9%) and Union Park Charter Academy (17.6%). This absenteeism crisis is a critical driver of academic struggles, as the link between attendance and performance is clear: the three schools with the highest absenteeism—Taylor, West Zephyrhills Elementary School (45.6%), and Woodland Elementary School (46.6%)—are also the lowest-ranked.

Despite spending $10,426 per student—more than high-performing schools like Wiregrass ($9,782) and Double Branch ($8,949)—Taylor achieves far worse results, suggesting resources are used to address high needs rather than drive excellence. The school's decline accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, dropping from the 46th percentile in 2018-2019 to the 18th percentile in 2020-2021, and it has not recovered. While there was a brief bright spot in 4th grade math in 2022-2023 (46% proficiency), it was not sustained. For parents, the key takeaway is that addressing chronic absenteeism is the most critical lever for improvement, as the school's performance is deeply tied to attendance and economic challenges in the Zephyrhills area.