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Pierce Middle School

Public Grades 6-8

1088^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,216 Florida Middle Schools

Better than 11% of Florida middle schools

Summary

Pierce Middle School in Tampa, FL, serves 858 students in grades 6-8 within the Hillsborough County School District, and is located in an area where 67% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school currently holds a 1-star rating, ranking in the 11th percentile statewide, which places it among the lowest-performing middle schools in Florida. A critical challenge is its extremely high chronic absenteeism rate of 45.4%—far above the district average of 31.3% and state average of 31.4%—which is likely a major factor driving the school's consistently low academic performance across core subjects like 8th grade science (18% proficient) and 7th grade math (20% proficient).

Despite these struggles, Pierce shows a striking "Algebra 1 paradox": while only 20% of 7th graders and 43% of 8th graders are proficient in standard math, an outstanding 93% of students taking Algebra 1 passed the EOC exam, far exceeding district and state averages of 63%. This suggests that a small, select group of students receives exceptional support in advanced coursework, but the majority of the student body is not achieving grade-level proficiency. The school also has a high student-teacher ratio of 22:1, which is slightly higher than nearby high-performing schools like Coleman Middle School (19.8:1) and Wilson Middle School (21:1).

When compared to demographically similar peers, Pierce's performance is notably worse than Orange Grove Middle Magnet School, which has a lower poverty rate (56%) but achieves much higher proficiency in 7th grade ELA (64% vs. 31%) and 8th grade ELA (68% vs. 36%). The contrast with high-performing schools just miles away is stark: Coleman (92nd percentile) and Wilson (88th percentile) have chronic absenteeism rates of just 15-16% and proficiency rates of 80-90% in most subjects. Notably, Pierce's per-student spending of $10,185 is in line with peers like Hill Middle School ($10,348), indicating that the core issues are not financial but relate to attendance, engagement, and instructional effectiveness for the general student population.

858

Students ?

22.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,185

Per pupil spending ?

67.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5511 N Hesperides St
Tampa, FL 33614

(813) 872-5344

District: Hillsborough

Feeder schools for Pierce Middle School:

Elementary:	Alexander Elementary School
	Cannella Elementary School
	Crestwood Elementary School
	Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

83.8%

African American:

9.0%

White:

4.8%

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At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 24th percentile in 2016 → 11th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (40% vs 62% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (11th percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (45% vs 31% Florida)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school40%

District avg58%

Florida avg62%

1,088^th of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Bottom 11%▼ down 13 pts since 2016

From bottom 24% (2016) to bottom 11% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

37^th of 41Middle Schools in the Hillsborough

45^th of 70Hillsborough 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)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	15.2	1088 of 1216	10.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	15.7	1064 of 1205	11.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	17.5	1032 of 1196	13.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	17.4	1009 of 1177	14.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	24.1	902 of 1148	21.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	23.0	892 of 1136	21.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	25.6	853 of 1099	22.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	24.4	795 of 1035	23.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	23.4	813 of 1031	21.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	24.9	762 of 997	23.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	21.4	811 of 999	18.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	23.6	747 of 956	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	22.9	701 of 897	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	26.6	683 of 891	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	27.5	636 of 839	24.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	23.2	615 of 780	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	24.8	585 of 740	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	28.2	550 of 736	25.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	27.1	506 of 675	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	27.8	470 of 602	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	33.9	421 of 593	29.0%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Algebra 193%+30 vs state

Civics53%-24 vs state

Math41%-18 vs state

English Language Arts35%-26 vs state

Science18%-34 vs state

1.8

4 ratings · 4 written reviews

5★0

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★3

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, February 9, 2023

No tienen Ética profesional, no saben resolver problemas con los estudiantes. Luego de mi hija a ver peleado con una nińa en la escuela, aún siguen los acosos constantemente de parte de las nińas y ellos no toman acción. Close Quote

by a citizen
Sunday, July 1, 2018

I attended Pierce middle school in the 90s. It was trash school then and doesn’t seem to have improved much at all. I’m lucky I made it out without being beaten or stabbed. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, July 2, 2010

Very satisfied with the school. Teachers will work with your child and administrators are good. Some people get a misperception of the school based from hear say. Close Quote

by a citizen
Wednesday, April 7, 2010

My daughter attended this school and unfortunately my grandson is now attending - but this will be his ONLY year at this school. He was an A student and on the Dean's Honor Roll for the previous 2 years at his previous school (also in Hillsborough County). This is one of the worst schools in the district and it's no wonder, given the attitude of the teachers. I certainly hope the new bill passes regarding teacher raises if it will eliminate the poor teachers at Pierce. The downside is it probably won't make a bit of difference to the ones who need to be bounced and will only affect those who are struggling to teach children with no interest in learning or who have learning disabilities. It's Murphy's Law. I am reminded of the quote: "Those who can, do . . . those who can't, teach." I don't think this could apply more to the teachers at Pierce. Shame on you all and on the Board for allowing it to happen. I can guarantee this is not their only complaint! Close Quote

Schools Near Pierce Middle School

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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	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 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th 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
Pierce Middle School	Public	6-8	5511 N Hesperides St	Tampa	33614	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 872-5344	858	39	22.0	67.4%	41 (4.8%)	77 (9.0%)	719 (83.8%)	12 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	8 (0.9%)	15.2	1088^th of 1216 public middle schools	10.5%		15.7	1064^th of 1205 public middle schools	11.7%	24	38.0	31.0	36.0	48.0	20.0	43.0	18.0	93.0		53.0	$10,185	$1,655	$8,530
Webb Middle School	Public	6-8	6035 Hanley Rd	Tampa	33634	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 872-5351	782	34	23.3	62.0%	43 (5.5%)	50 (6.4%)	658 (84.1%)	11 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (2.6%)	20.9	1027^th of 1216 public middle schools	15.5%		21.1	987^th of 1205 public middle schools	18.1%	40	39.0	24.0	44.0	39.0	21.0	46.0	42.0	92.0		42.0	$9,344	$1,401	$7,942
Memorial Middle School	Public	6-8	4702 N Central Ave	Tampa	33603	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 872-5230	973	42	23.1	67.4%	61 (6.3%)	188 (19.3%)	692 (71.1%)	10 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	21 (2.2%)	18.4	1050^th of 1216 public middle schools	13.7%		14	1074^th of 1205 public middle schools	10.9%	24	40.0	33.0	34.0	49.0	21.0	46.0	31.0	90.0		62.0	$10,420	$1,400	$9,019
Stewart Middle Magnet School	Public, Magnet	6-8	1125 W Spruce St	Tampa	33607	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	Yes	(813) 276-5691	793	38	21.0	55.6%	108 (13.6%)	339 (42.7%)	300 (37.8%)	11 (1.4%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (4.3%)	37.1	820^th of 1216 public middle schools	32.6%		36.9	790^th of 1205 public middle schools	34.4%	30	53.0	45.0	53.0	37.0	32.0	60.0	50.0	91.0	93.0	65.0	$10,709	$1,230	$9,479
Coleman Middle School	Public	6-8	1724 S Manhattan Ave	Tampa	33629	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 872-5335	860	43	19.8	13.0%	572 (66.5%)	29 (3.4%)	154 (17.9%)	55 (6.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	49 (5.7%)	87.9	92^nd of 1216 public middle schools	92.4%		89.5	83^rd of 1205 public middle schools	93.1%	9	86.0	77.0	81.0	86.0	63.0	89.0	86.0	100.0	100.0	90.0	$9,848	$849	$8,999
Orange Grove Middle Magnet School	Public, Magnet	6-8	3415 N 16th St	Tampa	33605	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	Yes	(813) 276-5717	497	23	21.6	56.1%	83 (16.7%)	260 (52.3%)	129 (26.0%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	22 (4.4%)	43.3	725^th of 1216 public middle schools	40.4%		49	606^th of 1205 public middle schools	49.7%	119	57.0	64.0	68.0	42.0	13.0	58.0	47.0	75.0		73.0	$10,679	$1,176	$9,502
Young Middle Magnet School	Public, Magnet	6-8	1807 E Dr Martin Luther King	Tampa	33610	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	Yes	(813) 276-5739	307	17	17.5	75.6%	9 (2.9%)	215 (70.0%)	61 (19.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (7.2%)	33.7	861^st of 1216 public middle schools	29.2%		34.9	819^th of 1205 public middle schools	32.0%	42	46.0	43.0	48.0	61.0	33.0	63.0	35.0	100.0		49.0	$14,974	$1,839	$13,136
Sligh Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	2011 E Sligh Ave	Tampa	33610	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	Yes	(813) 276-5596	761	35	21.7	76.9%	37 (4.9%)	509 (66.9%)	191 (25.1%)	5 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	16 (2.1%)	29.3	924^th of 1216 public middle schools	24.0%		20.3	1000^th of 1205 public middle schools	17.0%	76	41.0	45.0	45.0	47.0	40.0	59.0	42.0	82.0		65.0	$10,401	$1,657	$8,743
Wilson Middle School	Public	6-8	1005 W Swann Ave	Tampa	33606	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 276-5682	598	28	21.0	16.1%	401 (67.1%)	38 (6.4%)	96 (16.1%)	23 (3.8%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (6.4%)	83.8	144^th of 1216 public middle schools	88.2%		83.6	162^nd of 1205 public middle schools	86.6%	18	86.0	76.0	75.0	84.0	56.0	83.0	74.0	97.0	100.0	93.0	$10,244	$615	$9,628
Ferrell Middle Magnet School	Public, Magnet	6-8	4302 N 24th St	Tampa	33610	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	Yes	(813) 276-5608	437	22	20.0	55.6%	74 (16.9%)	173 (39.6%)	146 (33.4%)	14 (3.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (6.4%)	50.7	608^th of 1216 public middle schools	50.0%		61.8	430^th of 1205 public middle schools	64.3%	178	53.0	66.0	58.0	60.0	35.0	71.0	49.0	99.0		77.0	$11,181	$1,141	$10,039

Frequently Asked Questions about Pierce Middle School

How many students attend Pierce Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 858 students attended Pierce Middle School.

Is Pierce Middle School a good school?

Pierce Middle School ranks in the bottom 10.5% of Florida middle schools.

What is the racial makeup of Pierce Middle School?

Students at Pierce Middle School are 84% Hispanic, 9% African American, 5% White, 1% Asian.

What district is Pierce Middle School in?

Hillsborough

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Latest Florida data All new data »

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

2024–25 school spending dataMar 20, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

2024–25 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2025

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.