Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Explorer K-8

Public Grades PK, KG-8

1982^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 12% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Explorer K-8 in Spring Hill, FL, is a large combined elementary and middle school serving 1,544 students in pre-kindergarten through 8th grade, and is part of the Hernando County School District.

Explorer K-8 presents a complex picture for parents. Overall, the school has a 1-star rating and ranks in the 12th percentile statewide, a significant decline from a decade ago. Its test scores are generally below district and state averages, and a major concern is a very high chronic absenteeism rate of 42.9%. This is much higher than nearby top-performing schools like Challenger K-8 School Of Science And Math (14.3% absenteeism) and Chocachatti Elementary School (22.1%). However, the school shows a fascinating "two-tiered" academic system. While elementary math scores are very low (e.g., only 22% proficient in 5th grade math vs. a 62% state average), students in advanced courses perform exceptionally well. In fact, 88% of students were proficient in Algebra 1 and 72% in Geometry, far exceeding district and state averages. This suggests that while a select group of students is accelerated to elite levels, the majority struggle with grade-level fundamentals.

There are some positive signs, particularly in middle school. By 8th grade, students at Explorer K-8 match or exceed state averages in both English Language Arts (60%) and Math (65%). This upward trend from elementary grades could mean that students who stay at the school begin to catch up. It is also worth noting that the school's spending per student ($11,020) is comparable to higher-performing schools in the area, indicating that challenges are more about resource allocation and support systems than a lack of funding. The stark contrast with Challenger K-8, a 5-star school just over 3 miles away, highlights the powerful impact of attendance and socioeconomic factors on academic outcomes.

1,544

Students ?

16.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,020

Per pupil spending ?

65.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

10252 Northcliffe Blvd
Spring Hill, FL 34608

(352) 797-7094

District: Hernando

Students who attend Explorer K-8 usually attend:

High:

Frank W. Springstead High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

42.7%

Hispanic:

40.2%

African American:

9.8%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Explorer K-8 to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 40th percentile in 2016 → 12th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (49% vs 61% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (12th percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (38% vs 29% Florida)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school49%

District avg58%

Florida avg61%

Elementary school

1,982^nd of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Bottom 12%▼ down 28 pts since 2016

From bottom 40% (2016) to bottom 12% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

769^th of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Bottom 37%▼ down 14 pts since 2016

From top 50% (2016) to bottom 37% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

14^th of 14Elementary Schools in the Hernando

46^th of 70Hernando among Florida districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	17.7	1982 of 2240	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	17.4	1980 of 2258	12.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	24.2	1786 of 2256	20.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	26.1	1712 of 2240	23.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	29.4	1588 of 2219	28.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	31.2	1542 of 2247	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	34.9	1459 of 2182	33.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	37.7	1353 of 2118	36.1%	★★☆☆☆
2017	40.7	1267 of 2112	40.0%	★★☆☆☆
2016	40.2	1261 of 2087	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2014	34.5	1398 of 2064	32.3%	★★☆☆☆
2013	39.0	1256 of 2029	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2012	27.9	1497 of 1984	24.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	33.8	1386 of 1985	30.2%	★★☆☆☆
2010	49.5	1043 of 1919	45.6%	★★☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	40.4	769 of 1216	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	38.8	762 of 1205	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	38.7	736 of 1196	38.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	35.8	760 of 1177	35.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	31.6	789 of 1148	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	34.0	755 of 1136	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	38.0	700 of 1099	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	44.5	582 of 1035	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2017	44.4	572 of 1031	44.5%	★★☆☆☆
2016	50.4	494 of 997	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2014	35.6	646 of 999	35.3%	★★☆☆☆
2013	43.6	562 of 956	41.2%	★★☆☆☆
2012	35.0	601 of 897	33.0%	★★☆☆☆
2011	52.9	458 of 891	48.6%	★★☆☆☆
2010	60.2	352 of 839	58.0%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Algebra 188%+25 vs state

Geometry72%+16 vs state

Civics63%-14 vs state

English Language Arts50%-11 vs state

Math44%-18 vs state

Science41%-15 vs state

1.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★0

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

Rate Explorer K-8

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, October 25, 2019

Most teachers and administration aren't dealing with the children appropriately. They are not nice to children or their parents. If your child gets in some kind of trouble ( or just sent to an office) they have the child in an office with a administrator, they have your child write a statement like they are in a police station. A statement that can be used against them and be prosecuted , without the parents knowledge. At times to intimidate the child they will have a police officer in the office. The parents aren't aware of whats going on with their child. The students aren't given their rights. No child should be left alone with an administrator or policeman to write out a legal statement without their parents present. Close Quote

Schools Near Explorer K-8

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)						FAST Math (2026)						Statewide Science Science (2026)		EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Geometry (2026)	EOC Civics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Explorer K-8	Public	PK, KG-8	10252 Northcliffe Blvd	Spring Hill	34608	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7094	1,544	95	16.2	65.1%	659 (42.7%)	151 (9.8%)	621 (40.2%)	17 (1.1%)	4 (0.3%)	4 (0.3%)	88 (5.7%)	17.7	1982^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	11.5%		17.4	1980^th of 2258 public elementary schools	12.3%	2	50.0	42.0	38.0	56.0	51.0	60.0	52.0	37.0	22.0	40.0	51.0	65.0	42.0	40.0	88.0	72.0	63.0	$11,020	$1,091	$9,929
Gulf Coast Elementary School	Public, Charter	K-5	10444 Tillery Rd	Spring Hill	34608	Hernando County	Hernando	Yes	No	No	No	(352) 688-5092	106	6	17.6	35.8%	63 (59.4%)	2 (1.9%)	34 (32.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (6.6%)	61.6	840^th of 2240 public elementary schools	62.5%		53.4	1029^th of 2258 public elementary schools	54.4%	189	71.0	86.0	61.0				79.0	71.0	50.0				59.0					$11,619	$247	$11,372
Spring Hill Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6001 Mariner Blvd	Spring Hill	34609	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7030	829	46	18.0	61.6%	392 (47.3%)	60 (7.2%)	312 (37.6%)	5 (0.6%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	57 (6.9%)	47.5	1211^th of 2240 public elementary schools	45.9%		42	1296^th of 2258 public elementary schools	42.6%	85	58.0	55.0	67.0				62.0	65.0	43.0				61.0					$10,644	$1,101	$9,544
John D. Floyd Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3139 Dumont Ave	Spring Hill	34609	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7055	920	56	16.4	61.2%	441 (47.9%)	59 (6.4%)	365 (39.7%)	19 (2.1%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	33 (3.6%)	32.8	1591^st of 2240 public elementary schools	29.0%		40.3	1347^th of 2258 public elementary schools	40.3%	244	61.0	59.0	46.0				63.0	61.0	37.0				37.0					$11,848	$1,110	$10,737
Deltona Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2055 Deltona Blvd	Spring Hill	34606	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7040	854	56	15.2	70.0%	439 (51.4%)	34 (4.0%)	340 (39.8%)	4 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (4.3%)	18.1	1974^th of 2240 public elementary schools	11.9%		26.6	1734^th of 2258 public elementary schools	23.2%	240	41.0	54.0	48.0				40.0	50.0	36.0				34.0					$11,705	$1,190	$10,516
Challenger K-8 School Of Science And Math	Public, Magnet	K-8	13400 Elgin Blvd	Spring Hill	34609	Hernando County	Hernando	No	Yes	No	No	(352) 797-7024	1,456	90	16.1	28.4%	941 (64.6%)	46 (3.2%)	333 (22.9%)	41 (2.8%)	3 (0.2%)	2 (0.1%)	90 (6.2%)	89.3	146^th of 2240 public elementary schools	93.5%		89.4	185^th of 2258 public elementary schools	91.8%	39	82.0	75.0	84.0	89.0	90.0	87.0	88.0	81.0	80.0	89.0	91.0	90.0	85.0	75.0	97.0	100.0	93.0	$10,960	$485	$10,475
Suncoast Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	11135 Quality Dr	Spring Hill	34609	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7085	967	54	17.9	62.2%	471 (48.7%)	55 (5.7%)	361 (37.3%)	14 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	66 (6.8%)	71.4	592^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	73.6%		60.5	865^th of 2258 public elementary schools	61.7%	273	76.0	63.0	64.0				82.0	76.0	61.0				69.0					$10,431	$1,224	$9,207
Shady Hills Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	18000 Shady Hills Rd	Spring Hill	34610	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	Yes	(772) 774-4100	444	36	12.2	59.9%	308 (69.4%)	13 (2.9%)	89 (20.0%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (7.2%)	46.9	1226^th of 2240 public elementary schools	45.3%		48	1159^th of 2258 public elementary schools	48.7%	67	49.0	51.0	47.0				73.0	69.0	68.0				57.0					$13,843	$1,454	$12,389
Westside Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5400 Applegate Dr	Spring Hill	34606	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7080	512	36	14.2	72.9%	283 (55.3%)	36 (7.0%)	156 (30.5%)	5 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (6.3%)	38.7	1439^th of 2240 public elementary schools	35.8%		44.3	1239^th of 2258 public elementary schools	45.1%	200	44.0	60.0	55.0				59.0	66.0	52.0				53.0					$13,531	$1,134	$12,397
Chocachatti Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	4135 California St	Brooksville	34604	Hernando County	Hernando	No	Yes	No	No	(352) 797-7067	783	50	15.6	36.4%	473 (60.4%)	37 (4.7%)	199 (25.4%)	11 (1.4%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	60 (7.7%)	85.1	263^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	88.3%		85.3	287^th of 2258 public elementary schools	87.3%	24	85.0	68.0	76.0				80.0	81.0	86.0				78.0					$11,527	$508	$11,018

Frequently Asked Questions about Explorer K-8

How many students attend Explorer K-8?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,544 students attended Explorer K-8.

Is Explorer K-8 a good school?

Explorer K-8 ranks in the bottom 11.5% of Florida elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Explorer K-8 attend?

Students who attend Explorer K-8 usually go on to attend:

High : Frank W. Springstead High School

What district is Explorer K-8 in?

Hernando

What is the racial makeup of Explorer K-8?

Students at Explorer K-8 are 43% White, 40% Hispanic, 10% African American, 6% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

Rate Explorer K-8!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida Elementary School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Spring Hill, FL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Explorer K-8!

Latest Florida data All new data »

2024–25 attendance dataNewAug 18, 2026

2025–26 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataMar 20, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

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.