Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School

Q: Is Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School a good school?

Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School ranks 759 th of 1216 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

759^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,216 Florida Middle Schools

Better than 38% of Florida middle schools

Summary

Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School is a public school in Tampa, FL, serving 595 students in grades 6-8 within the Hillsborough district, where over half of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

This school presents a fascinating paradox: it excels dramatically in advanced math while struggling with general math proficiency. In the 2024-2025 school year, students achieved a 99% proficiency rate in Algebra 1 and a perfect 100% in Geometry, matching top-performing magnet schools like Walker Middle Magnet School and far exceeding nearby Davidsen Middle School (74% Algebra 1) and Hill Middle School (90% Algebra 1). However, only 24% of 7th graders were proficient in math, compared to 53% statewide. This "barbell effect" suggests the school effectively accelerates top students but needs to improve instruction for the majority. The school also faces a chronic absenteeism rate of 33.2%, higher than nearby high-performers like Martinez Middle School (16.0%) and Walker Middle Magnet School (11.6%).

Notably, the school spends more per student ($11,712) than top-performing neighbors like Farnell Middle School ($8,235) and Martinez Middle School ($8,592), yet its overall state ranking dropped from the 54th percentile to the 38th percentile in the most recent year. This indicates that resource allocation and instructional strategy matter as much as funding. Geographically, the school sits between vastly different performers—just 2.1 miles from Davidsen Middle School (similar demographics, 27th percentile) and 2.48 miles from Walker Middle Magnet School (97th percentile). For parents, this school offers exceptional advanced math opportunities but requires attention to general math support and attendance.

595

Students ?

18.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,712

Per pupil spending ?

51.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

14303 Citrus Pointe Dr
Tampa, FL 33625

(813) 792-5125

District: Hillsborough

Students who attend Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School usually attend:

High:

Sickles High School

Feeder schools for Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School:

Elementary:	Bellamy Elementary School
	Citrus Park Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

66.6%

White:

17.0%

African American:

6.4%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 54th percentile in 2016 → 38th in 2026

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 16 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school58%

District avg58%

Florida avg61%

759^th of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Bottom 38%▼ down 16 pts since 2016

From top 46% (2016) to bottom 38% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

18^th of 41Middle 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	40.8	759 of 1216	37.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	52.4	558 of 1205	53.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	45.2	655 of 1196	45.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	48.7	584 of 1177	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2022	48.3	570 of 1148	50.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	44.0	638 of 1136	43.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	52.6	521 of 1099	52.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	48.5	540 of 1035	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2017	51.0	501 of 1031	51.4%	★★★☆☆
2016	52.8	460 of 997	53.9%	★★★☆☆
2014	47.0	534 of 999	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2013	48.9	501 of 956	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2012	49.8	465 of 897	48.2%	★★☆☆☆
2011	57.9	410 of 891	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2010	65.8	301 of 839	64.1%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Geometry92%+36 vs state

Algebra 191%+28 vs state

Civics68%-9 vs state

Math54%-5 vs state

English Language Arts52%-9 vs state

Science47%-5 vs state

1.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★0

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★2

Rate Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a citizen
Monday, December 18, 2017

I'm fearful for our boy - bullying is rampant & the principal ignores pleas for help from the student being bullied. Admin calling the students who complain names, e.g., "liar", tattle tale, etc., instead of stopping the bullies. Close Quote

Schools Near Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School

Load more schools when map is moved

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 Geometry (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 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School	Public	6-8	14303 Citrus Pointe Dr	Tampa	33625	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 792-5125	595	31	18.9	51.4%	101 (17.0%)	38 (6.4%)	396 (66.6%)	37 (6.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (3.7%)	40.8	759^th of 1216 public middle schools	37.6%		52.4	558^th of 1205 public middle schools	53.7%	201	44.0	59.0	54.0	50.0	24.0	67.0	47.0	91.0	92.0	68.0	$11,712	$1,440	$10,272
Davidsen Middle School	Public	6-8	10501 Montague St	Tampa	33626	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 558-5300	969	45	21.7	48.8%	193 (19.9%)	44 (4.5%)	673 (69.5%)	35 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	23 (2.4%)	36.3	828^th of 1216 public middle schools	31.9%		30.6	880^th of 1205 public middle schools	27.0%	52	51.0	54.0	46.0	50.0	32.0	60.0	46.0	88.0	94.0	64.0	$9,773	$1,333	$8,439
Hill Middle School	Public	6-8	5200 Ehrlich Rd	Tampa	33624	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 975-7325	820	42	19.3	42.2%	215 (26.2%)	72 (8.8%)	463 (56.5%)	29 (3.5%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	38 (4.6%)	46.6	671^st of 1216 public middle schools	44.8%		46	658^th of 1205 public middle schools	45.4%	13	58.0	50.0	57.0	58.0	27.0	71.0	53.0	88.0		77.0	$10,348	$1,137	$9,210
Walker Middle Magnet School	Public, Magnet	6-8	8282 N Mobley Rd	Odessa	33556	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	No	(813) 631-4726	1,039	50	20.8	20.9%	415 (39.9%)	37 (3.6%)	369 (35.5%)	139 (13.4%)	6 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	72 (6.9%)	92.8	37^th of 1216 public middle schools	97.0%		94.2	34^th of 1205 public middle schools	97.2%	3	87.0	87.0	90.0	95.0		97.0	80.0	98.0	100.0	94.0	$9,692	$771	$8,920
Farnell Middle School	Public	6-8	13912 Nine Eagles Dr	Tampa	33626	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 356-1640	1,184	50	23.7	20.9%	602 (50.8%)	50 (4.2%)	289 (24.4%)	158 (13.3%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	83 (7.0%)	81.7	174^th of 1216 public middle schools	85.7%		82	187^th of 1205 public middle schools	84.5%	13	82.0	78.0	71.0	81.0	50.0	85.0	73.0	97.0	100.0	89.0	$8,235	$527	$7,708
Webb Middle School	Public	6-8	6035 Hanley Rd	Tampa	33634	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 872-5351	782	34	23.3	62.0%	43 (5.5%)	50 (6.4%)	658 (84.1%)	11 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (2.6%)	20.9	1027^th of 1216 public middle schools	15.5%		21.1	987^th of 1205 public middle schools	18.1%	40	39.0	24.0	44.0	39.0	21.0	46.0	42.0	92.0		42.0	$9,344	$1,401	$7,942
Pierce Middle School	Public	6-8	5511 N Hesperides St	Tampa	33614	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 872-5344	858	39	22.0	67.4%	41 (4.8%)	77 (9.0%)	719 (83.8%)	12 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	8 (0.9%)	15.2	1088^th of 1216 public middle schools	10.5%		15.7	1064^th of 1205 public middle schools	11.7%	24	38.0	31.0	36.0	48.0	20.0	43.0	18.0	93.0		53.0	$10,185	$1,655	$8,530
Martinez Middle School	Public	6-8	5601 W Lutz Lake Fern Rd	Lutz	33558	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 558-1190	1,104	50	22.2	15.9%	605 (54.8%)	37 (3.4%)	257 (23.3%)	126 (11.4%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	75 (6.8%)	90.2	69^th of 1216 public middle schools	94.3%		91.2	64^th of 1205 public middle schools	94.7%	5	83.0	86.0	83.0	90.0	67.0	92.0	81.0	99.0		96.0	$8,592	$530	$8,063
Buchanan Middle School	Public	6-8	1001 W Bearss Ave	Tampa	33613	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 975-7600	928	41	22.4	62.7%	86 (9.3%)	222 (23.9%)	571 (61.5%)	13 (1.4%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	34 (3.7%)	15.8	1082^nd of 1216 public middle schools	11.0%		17.7	1038^th of 1205 public middle schools	13.9%	44	31.0	36.0	31.0	41.0	24.0	48.0	28.0	65.0		40.0	$9,574	$1,286	$8,288
Excelsior Prep Charter Middle School	Public, Charter	6-8	2156 University Square Mall	Tampa	33612	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(813) 644-9060	38	2	25.3	92.1%	1 (2.6%)	16 (42.1%)	21 (55.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	30.2	908^th of 1216 public middle schools	25.3%		31.7	863^rd of 1205 public middle schools	28.4%	45	50.0	50.0	43.0	48.0	61.0	50.0	0.0			56.0	$10,136	$740	$9,396

Frequently Asked Questions about Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School

How many students attend Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 595 students attended Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School.

What district is Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School in?

Hillsborough

What is the racial makeup of Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School?

Students at Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School are 67% Hispanic, 17% White, 6% African American, 6% Asian, 4% Two or more races.

Is Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School a good school?

Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School ranks 759^th of 1216 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What high school do graduates of Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School attend?

Students who attend Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School usually go on to attend Sickles High School

Rate Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida Middle School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Tampa, FL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School!

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.