Best Public Schools in Largo, FL

The city of Largo, Florida, is home to 18 schools within the highly-rated Pinellas County school district, serving a diverse range of students from elementary through high school, including charter, alternative, and correctional facilities. For parents, the standout traditional schools are Anona Elementary School and Oakhurst Elementary School, both earning 4-star ratings with exceptional test scores and the lowest chronic absenteeism rates in the city (14.5% at Oakhurst). At the high school level, Largo High School is a clear beacon of success, boasting the highest graduation rate in Largo at 97.5% and a strong state ranking, despite having the lowest per-student spending among standard high schools. In contrast, Fuguitt Elementary School faces significant challenges, with a sharp decline in its state ranking and the highest free/reduced lunch rate (65.73%), indicating a high-needs population.

Key metrics reveal a mixed landscape. The K-8 charter schools, such as Pinellas Preparatory Academy, show strong results in advanced math (88% proficient in Algebra 1), while others like Pinellas Academy Of Math And Science perform at or below district averages. A striking finding is a district-wide "7th grade math slump," where proficiency rates at schools like FitzGerald Middle School (19%) and Largo Middle School (10%) fall far below the state average of 53%. Chronic absenteeism is a strong predictor of performance, with top schools like Oakhurst having low rates, while Pinellas Park High School (43.3%) and alternative schools struggle with high absenteeism and low outcomes.

An interesting takeaway is that high spending does not guarantee high performance; Fuguitt Elementary spends the most per student ($15,084) but is low-performing, while Largo High School spends the least ($8,831) and excels. The alternative schools, including Dropout Prevention School and Pinellas County Jail, serve unique, high-needs populations with very low graduation rates and extremely high per-student spending (over $51,000 at the jail). Overall, Largo offers a range of educational options, with strong traditional schools and notable charter successes, but also clear areas needing support, particularly in middle school math and addressing chronic absenteeism.