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Buckhorn Elementary School

Q: Is Buckhorn Elementary School a good school?

Buckhorn Elementary School ranks 689 th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

689^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 69% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Buckhorn Elementary School in Valrico, FL, is a mid-sized school serving 667 students in grades PK through 5, and it consistently performs above the state average, though its state ranking has seen a slight dip in recent years. Part of the Hillsborough County School District, Buckhorn stands out for its exceptional 5th-grade cohort, which achieved 75% proficiency in English Language Arts and an impressive 88% in Math in the most recent school year—the highest math score among nearby schools and 26 points above the state average. However, the school shows a notable contrast with its 4th-grade class, which struggled in math with only 55% proficiency, a full 10 points below the state average, suggesting a specific area for improvement.

Buckhorn also distinguishes itself with a low chronic absenteeism rate of 22.2%, significantly better than the district average of 31.3% and far below nearby schools like Yates Elementary School (45.3%) and Kingswood Elementary School (42.4%). This indicates strong community engagement and a school culture that keeps students in class. With 38.23% of students receiving free or reduced lunch, Buckhorn sits in the middle of the economic spectrum for its area, offering moderate diversity compared to more polarized schools like Lithia Springs Elementary School (24.63%) and Yates (70.26%).

When compared to its closest rival, Valrico Elementary School, just over a mile away, Buckhorn’s strengths are grade-specific: Valrico excels in 4th grade with 85% proficiency in both ELA and math, while Buckhorn’s 5th grade outperforms Valrico’s. This creates an interesting dynamic where the best fit for a family may depend on their child’s grade level. Buckhorn’s per-student spending of $12,533 is above the district average, though not the highest in the area, reflecting solid funding without the extra compensatory resources seen at higher-needs schools like Alafia Elementary School.

667

Students ?

14.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,533

Per pupil spending ?

38.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2420 Buckhorn School Ct
Valrico, FL 33594

(813) 744-8240

District: Hillsborough

Students who attend Buckhorn Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Mulrennan Middle School
High:	Durant High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

48.7%

Hispanic:

31.3%

African American:

10.2%

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Compare Buckhorn Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 78th percentile in 2016 → 69th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (70% vs 62% meeting standards)

✓Above the Florida median (69th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 9 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school70%

District avg58%

Florida avg62%

689^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Top 31%▼ down 9 pts since 2016

From top 22% (2016) to top 31% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

46^th of 175Elementary 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	67.6	689 of 2240	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	61.9	832 of 2258	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	76.8	487 of 2256	78.4%	★★★★☆
2023	75.6	494 of 2240	77.9%	★★★★☆
2022	69.1	642 of 2219	71.1%	★★★★☆
2021	71.0	621 of 2247	72.4%	★★★★☆
2019	64.7	743 of 2182	65.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	73.4	524 of 2118	75.3%	★★★★☆
2017	72.6	564 of 2112	73.3%	★★★★☆
2016	76.1	462 of 2087	77.9%	★★★★☆
2014	73.4	496 of 2064	76.0%	★★★★☆
2013	62.7	730 of 2029	64.0%	★★★☆☆
2012	65.6	680 of 1984	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2011	73.1	520 of 1985	73.8%	★★★★☆
2010	82.1	278 of 1919	85.5%	★★★★☆
2009	86.6	176 of 1847	90.5%	★★★★★
2008	78.5	342 of 1789	80.9%	★★★★☆
2007	85.5	202 of 1786	88.7%	★★★★☆
2006	85.1	210 of 1688	87.6%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Science73%+13 vs state

Math72%+8 vs state

English Language Arts66%+6 vs state

3.5

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★1

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, September 10, 2021

I have two children who attend Buckhorn and we absolutely love the school, staff, and teachers! Everyone we have ever come in contact with truly cares about the success of their students. They are community orientated and the PTA is very involved. We wouldn't send our kids anywhere else! Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Buckhorn has great amount of money and donations from the PTA. But, for the education part would be scored as below average. The teachers have their hands tied when teaching within the classroom. Teachers are unable to teach grammar, spelling, correct way to solve math equations. They also do not focus on History and Science in the classrooms until second quarter then is but on hold again until the last quarter of school. This school is more focused on testing the children then teaching the children how to read, write and conduct math problems.

Examples of our frustrations:

Math is being taught is a different way of drawing dots instead of solving the problems through proven mathematical steps.

Buckhorn only teaches Florida History until they get into middle school. My child came home the other day and explained to me that the Ponce de León discovered America. I had to explain yes they landed in Florida first but the United States was developed in New England and the Florida became a state in 1895. So the discovery of America was done by the Pilgrims which developed the country so called the United States of America.

Buckhorn lacks constant focus in regards to English. They do not teach phonics nor spelling. In third grade the except all children to write paragraphs but yet they do not teach the basic foundation of grammar of the English language. When asking the past 5 years why the school does not teach spelling or grammar the school has explained most of the children will be writing on the computers in which has spell check. This comment has been made from teachers, vice principal and principal.

Our family has given 5 years to this school, but the only way my child has been able to succeed to pass the grades is by tutoring for proper instruction and home schooling at night. As our next child is enter elementary school we will be moving all children to another school due to the lack of support for my child in the past 5 years.

I hope this helps out any other parents looking to place their children in school. Close Quote

Schools Near Buckhorn Elementary 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 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 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 Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Buckhorn Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2420 Buckhorn School Ct	Valrico	33594	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 744-8240	667	46	14.6	38.2%	325 (48.7%)	68 (10.2%)	209 (31.3%)	14 (2.1%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.4%)	47 (7.0%)	67.6	689^th of 2240 public elementary schools	69.2%		61.9	832^nd of 2258 public elementary schools	63.2%	143	60.0	63.0	75.0				75.0	55.0	88.0				73.0				$12,533	$1,312	$11,221
Valrico Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	609 S Miller Rd	Valrico	33594	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 744-6777	733	50	14.7	46.1%	294 (40.1%)	90 (12.3%)	281 (38.3%)	22 (3.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (6.1%)	67.5	696^th of 2240 public elementary schools	68.9%		78.6	439^th of 2258 public elementary schools	80.6%	257	72.0	85.0	60.0				72.0	85.0	55.0				59.0				$12,313	$939	$11,375
Alafia Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3535 Culbreath Rd	Valrico	33596	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 744-8190	568	41	13.9	26.6%	280 (49.3%)	41 (7.2%)	191 (33.6%)	9 (1.6%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.5%)	43 (7.6%)	56.3	975^th of 2240 public elementary schools	56.5%		77.8	455^th of 2258 public elementary schools	79.8%	520	69.0	70.0	51.0				73.0	66.0	55.0				57.0				$12,726	$916	$11,811
Brooker Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	812 Dewolf Rd	Brandon	33511	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 744-8184	686	46	14.8	46.8%	287 (41.8%)	77 (11.2%)	242 (35.3%)	32 (4.7%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (6.6%)	56.7	967^th of 2240 public elementary schools	56.8%		58.5	917^th of 2258 public elementary schools	59.4%	50	54.0	57.0	66.0				65.0	70.0	70.0				61.0				$11,666	$1,271	$10,395
Navigator Academy Of Leadership Valrico	Public, Charter	K-8	1101 E Bloomingdale Ave	Valrico	33596	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	Yes	No	No	No	(813) 603-9340	906	36	25.5	9.3%	268 (29.6%)	148 (16.3%)	390 (43.0%)	57 (6.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	42 (4.6%)	47.1	1221^st of 2240 public elementary schools	45.5%		44.5	1235^th of 2258 public elementary schools	45.3%	14	67.0	61.0	60.0	57.0	73.0	56.0	65.0	52.0	70.0	57.0	58.0	9.0	45.0	34.0	45.0	75.0	$7,239	$393	$6,846
Nelson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5413 Durant Rd	Dover	33527	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 651-2120	630	36	17.5	48.1%	235 (37.3%)	99 (15.7%)	231 (36.7%)	27 (4.3%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	36 (5.7%)	41.9	1348^th of 2240 public elementary schools	39.8%		34.5	1517^th of 2258 public elementary schools	32.8%	169	51.0	66.0	61.0				51.0	64.0	48.0				55.0				$11,830	$1,412	$10,418
Cimino Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4329 Culbreath Rd	Valrico	33596	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 740-4450	789	55	14.2	30.4%	416 (52.7%)	66 (8.4%)	234 (29.7%)	22 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (6.5%)	73.2	549^th of 2240 public elementary schools	75.5%		72.5	571^st of 2258 public elementary schools	74.7%	22	75.0	71.0	66.0				77.0	71.0	74.0				65.0				$11,821	$1,031	$10,789
Lithia Springs Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4332 Lynx Paw Trl	Valrico	33596	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 744-8016	609	39	15.6	24.6%	402 (66.0%)	22 (3.6%)	95 (15.6%)	45 (7.4%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.3%)	42 (6.9%)	82.6	321^st of 2240 public elementary schools	85.7%		84.5	300^th of 2258 public elementary schools	86.7%	21	73.0	70.0	77.0				84.0	80.0	79.0				76.0				$10,910	$800	$10,111
Yates Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	301 Kingsway Rd	Brandon	33510	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 744-8177	548	35	15.8	70.3%	114 (20.8%)	117 (21.4%)	280 (51.1%)	6 (1.1%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	28 (5.1%)	14.2	2056^th of 2240 public elementary schools	8.2%		16.8	1989^th of 2258 public elementary schools	11.9%	67	25.0	37.0	40.0				27.0	43.0	51.0				48.0				$12,912	$1,972	$10,940
Kingswood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3102 S Kings Ave	Brandon	33511	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 744-8234	437	28	15.8	73.0%	90 (20.6%)	132 (30.2%)	189 (43.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	23 (5.3%)	16.1	2016^th of 2240 public elementary schools	10.0%		15.8	2017^th of 2258 public elementary schools	10.7%	1	35.0	53.0	42.0				44.0	51.0	39.0				34.0				$12,323	$1,651	$10,673

Frequently Asked Questions about Buckhorn Elementary School

How many students attend Buckhorn Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 667 students attended Buckhorn Elementary School.

What district is Buckhorn Elementary School in?

Hillsborough

What is the racial makeup of Buckhorn Elementary School?

Students at Buckhorn Elementary School are 49% White, 31% Hispanic, 10% African American, 7% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Buckhorn Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Buckhorn Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Mulrennan Middle School
High : Durant High School

Is Buckhorn Elementary School a good school?

Buckhorn Elementary School ranks 689^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Buckhorn Elementary School!

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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.