O. J. Semmes Elementary School

Summary:

O. J. Semmes Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 302 students in grades PK-5 in Pensacola, Florida, which is part of the Escambia School District. However, the school stands out as an underperforming institution compared to its surrounding counterparts.

O. J. Semmes has a significantly higher percentage of African American students (80.13%) compared to nearby schools like Scenic Heights Elementary (18.42%) and Cordova Park Elementary (62.69%). The school also struggles with high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 24.8% to 60.7% over the past 5 years, much higher than the 9.8% to 48.5% seen in surrounding schools. Academically, O. J. Semmes consistently underperforms the district and state averages on standardized tests, with only 12% of 5th graders proficient in math compared to 51% in the district and 56% statewide.

Interestingly, O. J. Semmes spends more per student ($15,080 in 2022-2023) than the surrounding schools, which range from $9,463 to $12,816 per student. This higher spending suggests the school is allocating resources to address the challenges it faces, such as the extremely high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 84.99% to 91.06% over the past 3 years. While the data points to significant room for improvement, addressing the root causes of chronic absenteeism and low academic achievement could help O. J. Semmes provide a better educational experience for its students.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1250 E Texar Dr
       Pensacola, FL  32503


(850) 595-6975

District: Escambia

SchoolDigger Rank:
2097th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $15,080 Help


Students who attend O. J. Semmes Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    J. H. Workman Middle School
High:    Washington Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.3 Help
Number of students:  302

Racial breakdown:

African American:
80.1%
Hispanic:
7.9%
White:
5.6%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  91.1% Help


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 Compare O. J. Semmes Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details O. J. Semmes Elementary School ranks worse than 93% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 30th among 35 ranked elementary schools in the Escambia School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 12.57. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (80.1%), Hispanic (7.9%), two or more races (5.6%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 91.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at O. J. Semmes Elementary School is 14.3, which is the 4th best among 35 elementary schools in the Escambia School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare O. J. Semmes Elementary School employs 21 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at O. J. Semmes Elementary School is $15,080, which is the 2nd highest among 35 elementary schools in the Escambia School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

O. J. Semmes Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Escambia:

SchoolDigger ranks Escambia 51st of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Rank History for O. J. Semmes Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 3.97 1654th 1688 2.0%
2007 3.24 1757th 1786 1.6%
2008 12.47 1651st 1789 7.7%
2009 3.67 1816th 1847 1.7%
2010 5.56 1862nd 1919 3.0%
2011 16.08 1765th 1985 11.1%
2012 15.38 1765th 1984 11.0%
2013 5.60 1993rd 2029 1.8%
2014 5.09 2027th 2064 1.8%
2016 18.47 1777th 2087 14.9%
2017 12.37 1958th 2112 7.3%
2018 12.15 1964th 2118 7.3%
2019 16.79 1920th 2182 12.0%
2021 10.59 2111th 2247 6.1%
2022 10.58 2089th 2219 5.9%
2023 9.84 2134th 2240 4.7%
2024 12.57 2097th 2256 7.0%
See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

O. J. Semmes Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Facebook Profile Picture by a parent on FaceBook
Saturday, April 21, 2012

Open Quote My son has went to 3 elem school's and this is the worse by far. Close Quote



Enrollment information for O. J. Semmes Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 139 572 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 716
1989 46 560 4 1 0 n/a n/a 0 611
1990 61 571 0 0 0 n/a n/a 0 632
1991 61 577 3 2 0 n/a n/a 0 643
1992 56 603 4 0 0 n/a n/a 0 663
1993 57 593 5 0 0 n/a n/a 0 655
1994 57 583 7 1 0 n/a n/a 0 648
1995 65 606 4 3 0 n/a n/a 0 678
1996 65 606 4 3 0 n/a n/a 0 678
1997 84 623 1 3 0 n/a n/a 0 711
1998 112 666 3 2 2 n/a n/a 0 785
1999 84 632 1 1 0 n/a n/a 0 718
2000 59 579 3 2 0 n/a n/a 0 643
2001 48 505 5 3 0 n/a n/a 0 561
2002 24 421 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 448
2003 24 421 0 3 0 n/a n/a 0 448
2004 35 437 0 1 0 n/a n/a 0 473
2005 21 396 2 1 0 n/a n/a 0 420
2006 11 348 0 3 2 n/a n/a 0 364
2007 14 312 0 3 1 n/a n/a 8 338
2008 10 302 0 5 0 n/a n/a 16 333
2009 11 258 0 4 0 n/a n/a 12 285
2010 19 284 3 5 0 n/a n/a 15 326
2011 18 250 0 5 0 3 12 0 288
2012 32 334 0 11 0 0 18 0 395
2013 24 339 1 15 0 0 27 0 406
2014 42 380 0 12 0 1 18 0 453
2015 42 379 0 7 0 2 18 0 448
2016 43 358 1 6 1 4 15 0 428
2017 40 392 0 11 2 2 26 0 473
2018 57 405 0 17 0 1 23 0 503
2019 53 352 1 11 0 0 28 0 445
2020 46 381 0 21 0 0 27 0 475
2021 45 372 1 12 0 0 23 0 453
2022 42 336 1 25 2 0 16 0 422
2023 17 242 0 24 2 0 17 0 302

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at O. J. Semmes Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 716 42.0 17.0 73.7
1989 611 36.0 16.9 84
1990 632 37.0 17.0 85.6
1991 643 36.0 17.8 87.2
1992 663 36.0 18.4 78.9
1993 655 32.0 20.5 80.3
1994 648 37.0 17.5 80.4
1995 678 41.0 16.5 82.9
1996 678 41.0 16.5 82.9
1997 711 36.0 19.8 82.4
1998 785 39.0 20.1 81.4
1999 718 43.0 16.7 87.5
2000 643 42.0 15.3 92.2
2001 561 33.0 17.0 94.7
2002 448 33.0 13.6 95.3
2003 448 33.0 13.6 95.3
2004 473 29.0 16.3 96.4
2005 420 28.0 15.0 98.3
2006 364 31.0 11.7 90.4
2007 338 28.0 12.1 96.1
2008 333 28.5 11.7 100.3
2009 285 27.1 10.6 100
2010 326 23.5 13.8 103.9
2011 288 23.0 12.5 78.8
2012 395 30.0 13.1 99.2
2013 406 28.0 14.5 99.3
2014 453 35.0 12.9 99.3
2015 448 33.0 13.5 91.3
2016 428 32.0 13.3 90.4
2017 473 37.0 12.7 87.7
2018 503 40.0 12.5 88.5
2019 445 37.0 12.0 85.6
2020 475 36.0 13.1 87.2
2021 453 35.0 12.9 85
2022 422 33.0 12.7 86.3
2023 302 21.0 14.3 91.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio O. J. Semmes Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 716 42.0 17.0 73.7
1989 611 36.0 16.9 84
1990 632 37.0 17.0 85.6
1991 643 36.0 17.8 87.2
1992 663 36.0 18.4 78.9
1993 655 32.0 20.5 80.3
1994 648 37.0 17.5 80.4
1995 678 41.0 16.5 82.9
1996 678 41.0 16.5 82.9
1997 711 36.0 19.8 82.4
1998 785 39.0 20.1 81.4
1999 718 43.0 16.7 87.5
2000 643 42.0 15.3 92.2
2001 561 33.0 17.0 94.7
2002 448 33.0 13.6 95.3
2003 448 33.0 13.6 95.3
2004 473 29.0 16.3 96.4
2005 420 28.0 15.0 98.3
2006 364 31.0 11.7 90.4
2007 338 28.0 12.1 96.1
2008 333 28.5 11.7 100.3
2009 285 27.1 10.6 100
2010 326 23.5 13.8 103.9
2011 288 23.0 12.5 78.8
2012 395 30.0 13.1 99.2
2013 406 28.0 14.5 99.3
2014 453 35.0 12.9 99.3
2015 448 33.0 13.5 91.3
2016 428 32.0 13.3 90.4
2017 473 37.0 12.7 87.7
2018 503 40.0 12.5 88.5
2019 445 37.0 12.0 85.6
2020 475 36.0 13.1 87.2
2021 453 35.0 12.9 85
2022 422 33.0 12.7 86.3
2023 302 21.0 14.3 91.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for O. J. Semmes Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $1,630 (16.4%) $8,304 (83.6%) $9,934
2019 $1,647 (15.0%) $9,343 (85.0%) $10,989
2020 $1,825 (17.0%) $8,902 (83.0%) $10,727
2021 $2,522 (22.4%) $8,727 (77.6%) $11,249
2022 $3,412 (26.5%) $9,458 (73.5%) $12,871
2023 $4,708 (31.2%) $10,372 (68.8%) $15,080

Data source: Florida Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on O. J. Semmes Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1920th of 2182 Elementary schoolsRanks 2134th of 2240 Elementary schools
 7.3%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (O. J. Semmes Elementary School)3134
 3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Escambia)5650
 6%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5853
 5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (O. J. Semmes Elementary School)5543
 12%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Escambia)5553
 2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)6258
 4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (O. J. Semmes Elementary School)3326
 7%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Escambia)5250
 2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5857
 1%
4th Grade Mathematics (O. J. Semmes Elementary School)4236
 6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Escambia)5854
 4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6461
 3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (O. J. Semmes Elementary School)3420
 14%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Escambia)5149
 2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5655
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (O. J. Semmes Elementary School)3817
 21%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Escambia)5543
 12%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6052
 8%
5th Grade Science (O. J. Semmes Elementary School)2931
 2%
   5th Grade Science (Escambia)5551
 4%
   5th Grade Science (Florida)5351
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students445302
 32.1%
African American352242
 31.3%
American Indian02
Asian10
 100%
Hispanic1124
 118.2%
Pacific Islander00
White5317
 67.9%
Two or More Races2817
 39.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients85.6%91.1%
 5.4%


Schools Near O. J. Semmes Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about O. J. Semmes Elementary School

Students who attend O. J. Semmes Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : J. H. Workman Middle School
High : Washington Senior High School

O. J. Semmes Elementary School ranks in the bottom 7.0% of Florida elementary schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 302 students attended O. J. Semmes Elementary School.

Students at O. J. Semmes Elementary School are 80% African American, 8% Hispanic, 6% White, 6% Two or more races.


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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.





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