Elementary Schools in Hillsborough

This analysis examines 177 elementary schools in the Hillsborough County school district, which includes a mix of traditional public, charter, and magnet schools serving grades PK-8, with student populations ranging from under 500 to over 1,800.

The top-performing schools in the district are consistently high-achieving, with Grady Elementary School, Bryant Elementary School, McKitrick Elementary School, and Bevis Elementary School all ranking in the 98th or 99th percentile statewide. These schools share very low chronic absenteeism rates (below 12%) and high test score proficiency, often exceeding 90% in math and reading. In contrast, schools like Potter Elementary School, Twin Lakes Elementary School, and Woodmont Charter School rank in the 1st or 2nd percentile, with chronic absenteeism rates exceeding 38% and proficiency rates often below 30%. The data shows a strong link between low free/reduced lunch percentages and high performance, with top schools like Lutz Preparatory School (0.9% FRL) and Valrico Lake Advantage Academy (10.81% FRL) outperforming schools with higher FRL rates.

Notably, per-student spending does not guarantee success; Riverview Elementary School spends $16,385 per student but ranks in the 25th percentile, while Bryant Elementary School spends $10,511 and ranks in the 99th. Charter and magnet school performance varies widely, with Kenneth E. Adum Pk-8 Magnet School achieving 99% proficiency in Algebra 1 and ranking in the 97th percentile, while Woodmont Charter School struggles with a 63.7% chronic absenteeism rate. An interesting outlier is Sulphur Springs K-8 School, which ranks in the 14th percentile overall but achieves 100% proficiency in Algebra 1, highlighting how advanced programs can create pockets of excellence within challenged schools.