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Independence Academy

Q: Is Independence Academy a good school?

Independence Academy ranks 1137 th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades K-8

1137^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 49% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Independence Academy in Dover, FL, is a public K-8 school serving 811 students in the Hillsborough district, offering a unique blend of elementary and middle school education in one building. This school stands out for its exceptional performance in advanced high school-level courses, with 91% of students proficient in Biology and 88% in Civics—scores that are 17 and 11 points higher than the state average, respectively. However, the school shows a notable contrast in its standard middle school math and science results, where 8th grade science proficiency drops to just 27%, well below the district's 50%, suggesting that while top-tier students thrive, the general curriculum for the broader middle school population may need attention.

Compared to nearby schools like Bailey Elementary School, which is just 0.4 miles away, Independence Academy serves a significantly different demographic, with only 15.78% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch versus Bailey's 63.14%. This economic advantage may contribute to its higher overall state ranking (49th percentile) compared to Bailey's 10th percentile, but it also highlights a challenge: the school's overall performance is not as strong as its demographic profile might suggest, especially when compared to Walden Lake Elementary School, which has a higher poverty rate (39.43%) but a much higher state rank (69th percentile).

Despite spending less per student ($9,138) than the average of nearby schools ($12,622) and having larger class sizes (20.2:1 student-teacher ratio versus the nearby average of 16.4:1), Independence Academy maintains manageable chronic absenteeism rates (26.9% in 2023-2024) that are lower than the district average. The school's primary strength lies in its ability to accelerate advanced learners, but its main challenge is to replicate that success across all subjects and grades, ensuring that every student benefits from a consistently high-quality education.

811

Students ?

20.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,138

Per pupil spending ?

15.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

12902 E Us Highway 92
Dover, FL 33527

(813) 473-8600

District: Hillsborough

Racial breakdown:

White:

53.4%

Hispanic:

32.9%

African American:

6.7%

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At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 32nd percentile in 2023 → 49th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 49th (2026) from a 32nd-percentile low (2023)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school61%

District avg59%

Florida avg63%

Elementary school

1,137^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Bottom 49%▼ down 20 pts since 2016

From top 31% (2016) to bottom 49% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

Middle school

700^th of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Bottom 42%▬ steady since 2019

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

63^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)

Elementary school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	50.1	1137 of 2240	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2025	47.7	1165 of 2258	48.4%	★★☆☆☆
2024	47.9	1145 of 2256	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	33.1	1522 of 2240	32.1%	★★☆☆☆
2022	34.2	1464 of 2219	34.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	38.5	1353 of 2247	39.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	57.4	901 of 2182	58.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	50.0	1058 of 2118	50.0%	★★★☆☆
2017	60.5	814 of 2112	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2016	68.2	641 of 2087	69.3%	★★★☆☆
2014	56.6	895 of 2064	56.6%	★★★☆☆
2013	56.9	861 of 2029	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2012	49.8	1001 of 1984	49.5%	★★☆☆☆
2011	48.4	1088 of 1985	45.2%	★★☆☆☆
2010	60.4	810 of 1919	57.8%	★★★☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	44.9	700 of 1216	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	52.6	554 of 1205	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	53.7	532 of 1196	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	49.2	574 of 1177	51.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	45.3	610 of 1148	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	43.9	641 of 1136	43.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	44.0	629 of 1099	42.8%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Biology 191%+17 vs state

Civics88%+11 vs state

Algebra 167%+4 vs state

English Language Arts63%+3 vs state

Math52%-10 vs state

Science52%-4 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, July 24, 2017

My daughters attended last year (1st & 2nd grade) and will attend again this year. We love this school and the teachers and staff that work there. It really feels like a family and the staff go above and beyond to care for our children! We love the clubs and the after school program as well as the summer camp offered to students. The only con is the drop off line at the beginning of the year taking some time. However now I know that will pass in a few weeks :) Close Quote

Schools Near Independence Academy

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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 Biology 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 Biology 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Independence Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	12902 E Us Highway 92	Dover	33527	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	Yes	No	No	No	(813) 473-8600	811	40	20.2	15.8%	433 (53.4%)	54 (6.7%)	267 (32.9%)	20 (2.5%)	2 (0.2%)	5 (0.6%)	30 (3.7%)	50.1	1137^th of 2240 public elementary schools	49.2%		47.7	1165^th of 2258 public elementary schools	48.4%	28	65.0	67.0	64.0	71.0	54.0	61.0	60.0	57.0	42.0	46.0	47.0	61.0	67.0	27.0	67.0	91.0	88.0	$9,138	$60	$9,079
Bailey Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4630 Gallagher Rd	Dover	33527	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 707-7531	719	45	15.8	63.1%	295 (41.0%)	26 (3.6%)	365 (50.8%)	4 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	27 (3.8%)	16	2021^st of 2240 public elementary schools	9.8%		23.8	1803^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	20.2%	218	35.0	44.0	37.0				45.0	53.0	37.0				45.0					$11,783	$1,482	$10,300
Lopez Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	200 N Kingsway Rd	Seffner	33584	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 744-8000	511	34	14.9	63.2%	192 (37.6%)	82 (16.0%)	202 (39.5%)	4 (0.8%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (5.7%)	34.8	1529^th of 2240 public elementary schools	31.7%		41.4	1314^th of 2258 public elementary schools	41.8%	215	54.0	59.0	52.0				59.0	55.0	47.0				45.0					$13,846	$1,989	$11,857
McDonald Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	501 W Pruett Rd	Seffner	33584	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 744-8154	526	35	15.2	74.0%	211 (40.1%)	73 (13.9%)	189 (35.9%)	9 (1.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (8.2%)	18.5	1969^th of 2240 public elementary schools	12.1%		35.6	1483^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	34.3%	486	31.0	39.0	51.0				37.0	50.0	58.0				36.0					$13,592	$2,360	$11,233
Dover Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3035 Nelson Ave	Dover	33527	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 757-9457	530	32	16.6	71.5%	25 (4.7%)	9 (1.7%)	494 (93.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	9.3	2152^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	3.9%		16.1	2011^th of 2258 public elementary schools	10.9%	141	34.0	29.0	34.0				38.0	44.0	46.0				27.0					$12,573	$1,712	$10,862
Colson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1520 Lakeview Ave	Seffner	33584	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 744-8031	511	33	15.6	60.1%	141 (27.6%)	105 (20.5%)	235 (46.0%)	9 (1.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (3.9%)	30.3	1659^th of 2240 public elementary schools	25.9%		20.7	1884^th of 2258 public elementary schools	16.6%	225	47.0	58.0	53.0				53.0	51.0	39.0				55.0					$14,231	$1,949	$12,282
Seffner Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	109 Cactus Rd	Seffner	33584	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 744-8171	437	22	20.2	55.6%	104 (23.8%)	74 (16.9%)	223 (51.0%)	11 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	23 (5.3%)	17.6	1986^th of 2240 public elementary schools	11.3%		13.9	2062^nd of 2258 public elementary schools	8.7%	76	46.0	50.0	44.0				45.0	51.0	29.0				35.0					$11,946	$1,455	$10,491
Mango Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4220 Hwy 579	Seffner	33584	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 744-8208	740	45	16.4	72.2%	101 (13.6%)	274 (37.0%)	325 (43.9%)	8 (1.1%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (4.2%)	11.5	2116^th of 2240 public elementary schools	5.5%		9.2	2163^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	4.2%	47	33.0	43.0	31.0				40.0	51.0	35.0				36.0					$12,943	$2,145	$10,798
Cork Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3501 N Cork Rd	Plant City	33565	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 757-9353	715	46	15.6	58.0%	317 (44.3%)	15 (2.1%)	363 (50.8%)	4 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (2.2%)	23.4	1835^th of 2240 public elementary schools	18.1%		26.6	1738^th of 2258 public elementary schools	23.0%	97	50.0	44.0	50.0				56.0	42.0	44.0				46.0					$11,784	$1,499	$10,285
Thonotosassa Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	10050 Skewlee Rd	Thonotosassa	33592	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 987-6987	405	21	19.1	76.8%	144 (35.6%)	101 (24.9%)	124 (30.6%)	11 (2.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (5.9%)	10.3	2141^st of 2240 public elementary schools	4.4%		13.4	2074^th of 2258 public elementary schools	8.1%	67	45.0	39.0	30.0				47.0	43.0	23.0				29.0					$12,893	$1,706	$11,187

Frequently Asked Questions about Independence Academy

What is the racial makeup of Independence Academy?

Students at Independence Academy are 53% White, 33% Hispanic, 7% African American, 4% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

What district is Independence Academy in?

Hillsborough

How many students attend Independence Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 811 students attended Independence Academy.

Is Independence Academy a good school?

Independence Academy ranks 1137^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Independence Academy!

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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.