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Nelson Elementary School

Q: Is Nelson Elementary School a good school?

Nelson Elementary School ranks 1348 th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1348^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 40% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Nelson Elementary School in Dover, FL, is a mid-sized elementary school serving 630 students in grades PK-5 within the Hillsborough district, located in a working-class community that contrasts with the more affluent suburbs nearby.

Nelson Elementary has historically been a solid, middle-of-the-pack performer, but it faces significant challenges compared to its neighbors. The school has a higher rate of economic disadvantage, with 48.1% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, and struggles with chronic absenteeism—32.6% of students were chronically absent in 2023-2024, a rate dramatically higher than top-performing schools like Bevis Elementary (11.9%) and Fishhawk Creek Elementary (13.5%). While Nelson's test scores typically fall in the 45-66% range, these nearby schools routinely achieve 75-90%+ proficiency. However, there are bright spots: 4th graders in 2025-2026 scored 66% proficient in ELA and 64% in Math, exceeding district averages, and 5th-grade science scores have shown a clear upward trend, reaching 55% proficiency in 2025-2026.

A persistent concern is the "5th-grade slump," where performance drops significantly from 4th to 5th grade, especially in Math—for example, from 64% proficiency in 4th grade to 48% in 5th grade in 2025-2026. This suggests a need for better support during the transition to upper elementary curriculum. Interestingly, per-student spending at Nelson ($11,830) is in the middle of the pack and higher than at Bevis ($10,047) and Fishhawk Creek ($10,769), indicating that funding alone isn't the issue. The school's key areas for improvement are addressing chronic absenteeism and the 5th-grade slump, while building on its strengths in 4th grade and science to create a more consistent experience for all students.

630

Students ?

17.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,830

Per pupil spending ?

48.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5413 Durant Rd
Dover, FL 33527

(813) 651-2120

District: Hillsborough

Students who attend Nelson Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Mulrennan Middle School
High:	Durant High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

37.3%

Hispanic:

36.7%

African American:

15.7%

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At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 55th percentile in 2016 → 40th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (56% vs 62% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 15 percentile points since 2016

!Math scores 10 pts below the Florida average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school56%

District avg58%

Florida avg62%

1,348^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Bottom 40%▼ down 16 pts since 2016

From top 45% (2016) to bottom 40% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

73^rd 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	41.9	1348 of 2240	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	34.5	1517 of 2258	32.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	47.7	1151 of 2256	49.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	51.6	1060 of 2240	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	48.6	1101 of 2219	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	46.7	1165 of 2247	48.2%	★★☆☆☆
2019	59.1	861 of 2182	60.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	50.8	1033 of 2118	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2017	52.3	1007 of 2112	52.3%	★★★☆☆
2016	55.3	932 of 2087	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2014	63.5	727 of 2064	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2013	62.5	737 of 2029	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2012	66.9	649 of 1984	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2011	73.1	524 of 1985	73.6%	★★★★☆
2010	64.7	705 of 1919	63.3%	★★★☆☆
2009	67.2	604 of 1847	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2008	72.0	486 of 1789	72.8%	★★★★☆
2007	69.8	537 of 1786	69.9%	★★★★☆
2006	69.5	524 of 1688	69.0%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts59%~ state avg

Science55%-5 vs state

Math54%-10 vs state

★

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Schools Near Nelson 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
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
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
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
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
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
Robinson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4801 Turkey Creek Rd	Plant City	33567	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 757-9424	522	36	14.6	69.9%	144 (27.6%)	44 (8.4%)	324 (62.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (1.9%)	35.5	1513^th of 2240 public elementary schools	32.5%		46.5	1195^th of 2258 public elementary schools	47.1%	318	49.0	46.0	59.0				55.0	59.0	63.0				47.0				$15,279	$2,140	$13,138
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
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
Bevis Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5720 Osprey Ridge Dr	Lithia	33547	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 740-4000	826	52	15.8	15.1%	478 (57.9%)	29 (3.5%)	166 (20.1%)	76 (9.2%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	74 (9.0%)	94.3	38^th of 2240 public elementary schools	98.3%		95.7	33^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	98.5%	5	87.0	90.0	84.0				91.0	91.0	88.0				84.0				$10,047	$705	$9,343

Frequently Asked Questions about Nelson Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Nelson Elementary School?

Students at Nelson Elementary School are 37% White, 37% Hispanic, 16% African American, 6% Two or more races, 4% Asian.

How many students attend Nelson Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 630 students attended Nelson Elementary School.

Is Nelson Elementary School a good school?

Nelson Elementary School ranks 1348^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Nelson Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Mulrennan Middle School
High : Durant High School

What district is Nelson Elementary 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.