Summary
Stowers Elementary School in Lithia, FL, is a high-performing public school serving 867 students in grades PK through 5, part of the Hillsborough district, and has earned a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger for eight consecutive years. This school stands out for its consistent, broad-based excellence, particularly in math, where proficiency rates for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders range from 84% to 88%—far above district and state averages. Stowers also boasts an exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of 12.1%, which is dramatically lower than the district average of 31.3% and the lowest among comparable nearby schools, signaling strong student engagement and family support.
While Stowers is a top-tier school, it operates in a highly competitive neighborhood of elite schools. Nearby Bevis Elementary School (1.62 miles away) is the absolute star of the area, ranking in the 98th-99th percentile, but Stowers is a very close second, consistently ranking in the 90th-97th percentile. It outperforms other local schools like Fishhawk Creek Elementary (92nd-93rd percentile) and Lithia Springs Elementary (86th-93rd percentile). This creates a fascinating micro-market where families have multiple excellent options within a 2.5-mile radius, though Bevis has a slight edge in overall ranking and test scores.
An interesting finding is that Stowers achieves its high results through efficient resource allocation, spending $11,533 per student—higher than some peers like Bevis ($10,047) but lower than lower-performing schools like Cimino Elementary ($11,821). The school serves a relatively affluent community, with only 10.27% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, which is significantly lower than the district and state averages. While Stowers has seen a slight dip in its state ranking from the 97th percentile to the 90th in recent years, this reflects increasing competition from improving nearby schools rather than any decline in quality. Overall, Stowers remains a premier choice for families in Lithia, offering a strong school culture and outstanding academic programs.
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