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

Paul R. Smith Middle School

Public, Magnet Grades 6-8

1061^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,216 Florida Middle Schools

Better than 13% of Florida middle schools

Summary

Paul R. Smith Middle School in Holiday, FL, serves 830 students in grades 6-8 within the Pasco County School District, and it is a school of stark contrasts: it excels in advanced math for a select group of students while the majority struggle significantly in core subjects, a trend reflected in its current 1-star rating (13th percentile statewide).

The school's most notable strength is its exceptional performance in advanced math courses. In the 2025-2026 school year, 75% of students were proficient in Algebra 1, far exceeding the district (62%) and state (63%) averages, and Geometry proficiency reached an impressive 90% in 2022-2023. However, this success masks a critical weakness: grade-level math proficiency is alarmingly low. For example, only 12% of 7th graders and 26% of 6th graders met grade-level math standards, compared to state averages of 53% and 60%, respectively. This "bimodal" math profile—where a small group excels while the majority falls behind—is a key concern. The school also underperforms in English Language Arts and 8th-grade science, where just 30% of students are proficient versus 52% statewide. Chronic absenteeism is another major issue, with 30.8% of students missing significant school, a rate higher than nearby higher-performing schools like Seven Springs Middle School (20.8%) and Farnell Middle School (20.6%).

Interestingly, Paul R. Smith spends $10,050 per student—more than top-performing neighbors like Seven Springs ($8,602) and Farnell ($8,235)—yet outcomes remain low, suggesting funding allocation may need re-evaluation. The school's performance also contrasts sharply with Tarpon Springs Middle School, just 1.96 miles away in the Pinellas district, which significantly outperforms Paul R. Smith in nearly every subject (e.g., 8th-grade science: 68% vs. 30%). With a high-needs population (63.98% qualifying for free or reduced lunch) and a decade-long decline in state ranking, the school faces urgent challenges in supporting its struggling majority while maintaining its advanced math pipeline.

830

Students ?

17.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,050

Per pupil spending ?

64%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1410 Sweetbriar Dr
Holiday, FL 34691

(727) 246-3200

District: Pasco

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

High:

Anclote High School

Feeder schools for Paul R. Smith Middle School:

Elementary:	Gulf Trace Elementary School
	Gulfside Elementary School
	Sunray Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

47.7%

Hispanic:

29.4%

Two or more races:

10.7%

See top rated Florida middle schools

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

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 35th percentile in 2016 → 13th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (41% vs 62% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (13th percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 22 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school41%

District avg62%

Florida avg62%

1,061^st of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Bottom 13%▼ down 22 pts since 2016

From bottom 35% (2016) to bottom 13% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

16^th of 16Middle Schools in the Pasco

37^th of 70Pasco 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	17.4	1061 of 1216	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	19.6	1009 of 1205	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	20.7	990 of 1196	17.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	27.9	871 of 1177	26.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	26.3	868 of 1148	24.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	29.9	802 of 1136	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	31.1	791 of 1099	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	30.6	731 of 1035	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	29.8	730 of 1031	29.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	35.1	649 of 997	34.9%	★★☆☆☆
2014	42.2	584 of 999	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2013	43.5	563 of 956	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2012	42.5	539 of 897	39.9%	★★☆☆☆
2011	39.8	580 of 891	34.9%	★★☆☆☆
2010	39.6	557 of 839	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2009	43.2	488 of 780	37.4%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Algebra 175%+12 vs state

Civics66%-11 vs state

English Language Arts46%-16 vs state

Science30%-22 vs state

Math27%-32 vs state

1.0

1 rating

5★0

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

Rate 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

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near 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 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 Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Paul R. Smith Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	1410 Sweetbriar Dr	Holiday	34691	Pasco County	Pasco	No	Yes	No	Yes	(727) 246-3200	830	47	17.8	64.0%	396 (47.7%)	84 (10.1%)	244 (29.4%)	12 (1.4%)	2 (0.2%)	3 (0.4%)	89 (10.7%)	17.4	1061^st of 1216 public middle schools	12.7%		19.6	1009^th of 1205 public middle schools	16.3%	52				46.0	47.0	44.0				26.0	12.0	33.0		30.0	75.0		66.0	$10,050	$1,148	$8,902
Tarpon Springs Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	501 N Florida Ave	Tarpon Springs	34689	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	Yes	No	No	(727) 943-5511	649	34	19.0	46.1%	379 (58.4%)	84 (12.9%)	132 (20.3%)	14 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (6.2%)	52.4	588^th of 1216 public middle schools	51.6%		59.5	469^th of 1205 public middle schools	61.1%	119				60.0	60.0	66.0				53.0		52.0		68.0	75.0	96.0	83.0	$11,086	$624	$10,463
East Lake Middle School Academy Of Engineering	Public, Magnet	6-8	1200 Silver Eagle Dr	Tarpon Springs	34688	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	Yes	No	No	(727) 942-5419	392	20	19.6	11.2%	304 (77.6%)	9 (2.3%)	48 (12.2%)	17 (4.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.6%)	90.7	61^st of 1216 public middle schools	95.0%		92.1	52^nd of 1205 public middle schools	95.7%	9				84.0	88.0	88.0				80.0		92.0		91.0	90.0	100.0	97.0	$9,772	$238	$9,533
Gulf Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	6419 Louisiana Ave	New Port Richey	34653	Pasco County	Pasco	No	Yes	No	Yes	(727) 774-8000	796	51	15.6	60.9%	390 (49.0%)	87 (10.9%)	240 (30.2%)	18 (2.3%)	4 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (7.2%)	32.8	877^th of 1216 public middle schools	27.9%		15.8	1062^nd of 1205 public middle schools	11.9%	185				45.0	54.0	49.0				46.0	39.0	52.0		46.0	97.0		85.0	$12,617	$1,790	$10,826
Seven Springs Middle School	Public	6-8	2441 Little Rd	Trinity	34655	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	No	(727) 774-6700	1,498	77	19.5	25.6%	984 (65.7%)	64 (4.3%)	261 (17.4%)	94 (6.3%)	3 (0.2%)	3 (0.2%)	89 (5.9%)	69	342^nd of 1216 public middle schools	71.9%		71.1	316^th of 1205 public middle schools	73.8%	26				73.0	74.0	64.0				68.0	42.0	75.0		62.0	81.0	100.0	88.0	$8,602	$511	$8,090
Joseph L. Carwise Middle School	Public	6-8	3301 Bentley Dr	Palm Harbor	34684	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 724-1442	859	49	17.5	31.1%	566 (65.9%)	54 (6.3%)	170 (19.8%)	31 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	37 (4.3%)	72.3	300^th of 1216 public middle schools	75.3%		76.8	249^th of 1205 public middle schools	79.3%	51				68.0	74.0	72.0				73.0	50.0	74.0		64.0	79.0	100.0	85.0	$11,539	$509	$11,030
Palm Harbor Middle School	Public	6-8	1800 Tampa Rd	Palm Harbor	34683	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 669-1146	1,017	49	20.7	27.9%	750 (73.7%)	30 (2.9%)	187 (18.4%)	17 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (3.2%)	69.2	340^th of 1216 public middle schools	72.0%		66.7	361^st of 1205 public middle schools	70.0%	21				78.0	73.0	65.0				65.0	32.0	75.0		61.0	76.0	100.0	83.0	$9,217	$326	$8,892
Chasco Middle School	Public	6-8	7702 Ridge Rd	Port Richey	34668	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 774-1300	622	36	17.3	64.3%	284 (45.7%)	66 (10.6%)	219 (35.2%)	7 (1.1%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (7.1%)	19	1042^nd of 1216 public middle schools	14.3%		19.4	1013^th of 1205 public middle schools	15.9%	29	49.0	51.0	35.0	35.0	36.0	44.0	39.0	52.0	31.0	29.0	15.0	45.0	33.0	41.0	56.0		57.0	$10,652	$1,045	$9,607
Chi Chi Rodriquez Academy	Public	4-8	3030 N McMullen Booth Rd	Clearwater	33761	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 791-3522	90	7	12.8	53.3%	49 (54.4%)	18 (20.0%)	20 (22.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (3.3%)	8	1129^th of 1216 public middle schools	7.2%		8.2	1125^th of 1205 public middle schools	6.6%	4				8.0	25.0	30.0				13.0	35.0	16.0		23.0			63.0	$14,664	$943	$13,722
River Ridge Middle School	Public	6-8	11646 Town Center Rd	New Port Richey	34654	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	No	(727) 774-7200	1,026	57	18.0	33.7%	743 (72.4%)	37 (3.6%)	155 (15.1%)	24 (2.3%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	65 (6.3%)	47.1	666^th of 1216 public middle schools	45.2%		46.1	657^th of 1205 public middle schools	45.5%	9				57.0	64.0	56.0				50.0	35.0	66.0		51.0	80.0	100.0	95.0	$8,988	$309	$8,681

Frequently Asked Questions about Paul R. Smith Middle School

What district is Paul R. Smith Middle School in?

Pasco

How many students attend Paul R. Smith Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 830 students attended Paul R. Smith Middle School.

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

Students who attend Paul R. Smith Middle School usually go on to attend Anclote High School

Is Paul R. Smith Middle School a good school?

Paul R. Smith Middle School ranks in the bottom 12.7% of Florida middle schools.

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

Students at Paul R. Smith Middle School are 48% White, 29% Hispanic, 11% Two or more races, 10% African American, 1% Asian.

Rate Paul R. Smith Middle School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida Middle School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Holiday, FL

Sign up for updates!

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

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.