Wilson Elementary School

Wilson Elementary School is a small PK-5 school in Plant City, FL, serving 329 students as part of the Hillsborough district, where 71% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school faces significant challenges, including a high chronic absenteeism rate of 34.9%—the highest among nearby schools like Lincoln Elementary Magnet School (16.1%) and Walden Lake Elementary School (23.1%). Despite spending $14,204 per student—more than many higher-performing neighbors—Wilson's academic outcomes remain low, with a 2-star state ranking in the 33rd percentile.

The most puzzling trend at Wilson is the dramatic drop in English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency between 3rd and 4th grade. In the most recent year, 64% of 3rd graders were proficient in ELA, outperforming the district and state averages, but by 4th grade, that number plummeted to 34%—26 points below the state average. This pattern has persisted for two years, suggesting a critical issue in the transition to more complex reading. In contrast, math scores are more stable and competitive with the district average, though not a standout compared to similar schools like Trapnell Elementary School or Knights Elementary School.

Wilson is located in a cluster of low-performing, high-poverty schools in central Plant City, including Burney Elementary School, Jackson Elementary School, and Bryan Elementary School, all with free/reduced lunch rates above 70% and state rankings in the bottom 25%. Just a few miles away, schools like Walden Lake and Lincoln Magnet serve wealthier populations and rank in the top 30-50% of the state. On a positive note, Wilson's poverty rate has dropped significantly from 88.6% to 71.1% over two years, which could signal a demographic shift that may eventually improve outcomes if chronic absenteeism and the 4th-grade ELA slump are addressed.