Brooker Creek Elementary School

Brooker Creek Elementary School in Tarpon Springs, FL, is a high-performing public school serving 501 students in grades PK through 5 within the Pinellas district, and it consistently ranks among the top 3% of all elementary schools in Florida.

This school stands out for its exceptional academic results, with proficiency rates in math and English Language Arts that are 15 to 30 percentage points higher than district and state averages. For example, 96% of fourth graders and 90% of fifth graders are proficient in math, a clear strength of the school. Brooker Creek also has a very low chronic absenteeism rate of just 10.3%, which is about one-third of the district average and a strong indicator of student engagement. While nearby Tarpon Springs Fundamental Ele has slightly higher test scores in some areas, Brooker Creek achieves its elite results as a standard public school, not a specialized magnet program. In contrast, Tarpon Springs Elementary School, just a few miles away, has a chronic absenteeism rate of 36.7% and test scores that are 30 to 40 percentage points lower, highlighting the stark differences in school performance across the area.

Brooker Creek is also notable for its efficient use of resources, spending $12,820 per student—less than several nearby schools that perform far worse, such as Highland Lakes Elementary School ($14,146 per student). The school serves a community with a low level of economic disadvantage, as only 14.57% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to 74.82% at Tarpon Springs Elementary. This combination of high academic achievement, low absenteeism, and efficient spending makes Brooker Creek a model of excellence and a top choice for families in the area.