Watergrass Elementary School

Summary:

Watergrass Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Wesley Chapel, Florida, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 865. The school is part of the Pasco District, which is ranked 42 out of 68 districts in Florida and is rated 2 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

Watergrass Elementary has a more diverse student population compared to nearby schools, with a higher percentage of Hispanic (29.71%) and African American (13.18%) students. The school has consistently ranked in the middle range of Florida elementary schools, placing it in the middle 50% of the state. However, Watergrass has seen a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 11.0% in 2018-2019 to 25.7% in 2022-2023, which is notably higher than the state and district averages. Academically, the school generally performs on par or slightly below the Pasco District and Florida state averages in English Language Arts and Math proficiency, but its 5th grade Science proficiency is higher than the district and state.

Watergrass Elementary's spending per student has decreased from $9,371 in 2020-2021 to $8,275 in 2022-2023, which is lower than the state average of around $8,500 per student. While Watergrass performs similarly to the district and state, some nearby schools, such as Union Park Charter Academy and Academy at the Farm, demonstrate higher academic achievement, particularly in math and science. By addressing the challenges of rising chronic absenteeism and learning from the successes of these higher-performing schools, Watergrass Elementary has the potential to improve student outcomes and better serve its community.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 32750 Overpass Rd
       Wesley Chapel, FL  33545


(813) 346-0600

District: Pasco

SchoolDigger Rank:
1084th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $8,275 Help


Students who attend Watergrass Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Thomas E. Weightman Middle School
High:    Wesley Chapel High School

Student/teacher ratio:  18.1 Help
Number of students:  865

Racial breakdown:

White:
44.6%
Hispanic:
29.7%
African American:
13.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  40.7% Help


 See top rated Florida elementary schools

 Compare Watergrass Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Watergrass Elementary School ranks better than 52% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 25th among 57 ranked elementary schools in the Pasco School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 50.28. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Watergrass Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (44.6%), Hispanic (29.7%), African American (13.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 40.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Watergrass Elementary School is 18.1. 53 elementary schools in the Pasco School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Watergrass Elementary School employs 47.6 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Watergrass Elementary School is $8,275. 49 elementary schools in the Pasco School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Watergrass Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Pasco:

SchoolDigger ranks Pasco 42nd of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Watergrass Elementary School?

Rank History for Watergrass Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2011 60.00 838th 1985 57.8%
2012 44.37 1125th 1984 43.3%
2013 45.89 1097th 2029 45.9%
2014 55.30 916th 2064 55.6%
2016 54.84 936th 2087 55.2%
2017 60.03 825th 2112 60.9%
2018 62.03 774th 2118 63.5%
2019 62.41 786th 2182 64.0%
2021 61.70 816th 2247 63.7%
2022 54.35 962nd 2219 56.6%
2023 51.97 1047th 2240 53.3%
2024 50.28 1084th 2256 52.0%
See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Watergrass Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

by a parent
Thursday, October 18, 2018

Open Quote I absolutely love this school. Came from a highly rated elementary school that my older boys went to for 6 years and I can say Watergrass elementary is much better. My youngest started there in 2nd grade and is in his 3rd year. His grades went to excellent and is now on advanced class. The staff is just wonderful!!! Close Quote



Enrollment information for Watergrass Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2010 203 95 14 140 1 n/a n/a 20 473
2011 204 84 13 156 4 3 26 0 490
2012 215 84 13 164 1 1 23 0 501
2013 260 94 14 170 1 4 26 0 569
2014 345 118 21 217 1 5 33 0 740
2015 380 122 18 228 1 4 32 0 785
2016 276 109 16 177 1 3 37 0 619
2017 280 126 14 195 0 1 42 0 658
2018 266 115 11 191 0 2 36 0 621
2019 274 118 12 171 2 2 37 0 616
2020 298 111 11 154 3 1 40 0 618
2021 273 87 6 160 5 0 51 0 582
2022 339 94 10 210 4 0 60 0 717
2023 386 114 27 257 5 0 76 0 865

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Watergrass Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2010 473 38.5 12.2 56.3
2011 490 39.7 12.3 53.9
2012 501 41.3 12.1 53.9
2013 569 46.0 12.3 54.3
2014 740 52.0 14.2 46.6
2015 785 60.0 13.0 49.4
2016 619 51.0 12.1 53.6
2017 658 46.0 14.3 48.6
2018 621 46.0 13.5 55.7
2019 616 41.5 14.8 47.9
2020 618 41.7 14.8 46.8
2021 582 41.3 14.0 49
2022 717 43.2 16.5 45
2023 865 47.6 18.1 40.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Watergrass Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2010 473 38.5 12.2 56.3
2011 490 39.7 12.3 53.9
2012 501 41.3 12.1 53.9
2013 569 46.0 12.3 54.3
2014 740 52.0 14.2 46.6
2015 785 60.0 13.0 49.4
2016 619 51.0 12.1 53.6
2017 658 46.0 14.3 48.6
2018 621 46.0 13.5 55.7
2019 616 41.5 14.8 47.9
2020 618 41.7 14.8 46.8
2021 582 41.3 14.0 49
2022 717 43.2 16.5 45
2023 865 47.6 18.1 40.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Watergrass Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $515 (5.9%) $8,198 (94.1%) $8,713
2019 $554 (6.6%) $7,848 (93.4%) $8,401
2020 $464 (5.5%) $7,930 (94.5%) $8,394
2021 $840 (9.0%) $8,532 (91.0%) $9,371
2022 $1,272 (14.8%) $7,322 (85.2%) $8,594
2023 $1,446 (17.5%) $6,830 (82.5%) $8,275

Data source: Florida Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Watergrass Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 786th of 2182 Elementary schoolsRanks 1047th of 2240 Elementary schools
 10.7%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Watergrass Elementary School)7863
 15%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pasco)6053
 7%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5853
 5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Watergrass Elementary School)6759
 8%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Pasco)5952
 7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)6258
 4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Watergrass Elementary School)6959
 10%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Pasco)5957
 2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5857
 1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Watergrass Elementary School)7258
 14%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Pasco)6256
 6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6461
 3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Watergrass Elementary School)5354
 1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Pasco)5551
 4%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5655
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Watergrass Elementary School)5846
 12%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Pasco)5745
 12%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6052
 8%
5th Grade Science (Watergrass Elementary School)5149
 2%
   5th Grade Science (Pasco)5349
 4%
   5th Grade Science (Florida)5351
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students616865
 40.4%
African American118114
 3.4%
American Indian25
 150%
Asian1227
 125%
Hispanic171257
 50.3%
Pacific Islander20
 100%
White274386
 40.9%
Two or More Races3776
 105.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients47.9%40.7%
 7.2%


Schools Near Watergrass Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Watergrass Elementary School

Watergrass Elementary School ranks 1084th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

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

Middle : Thomas E. Weightman Middle School
High : Wesley Chapel High School

Students at Watergrass Elementary School are 45% White, 30% Hispanic, 13% African American, 9% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

In the 2022-23 school year, 865 students attended Watergrass Elementary School.


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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.





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