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San Jose Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-5
204th
SchoolDigger Rank ?
of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools
Better than 91% of Florida elementary schools
Summary

San Jose Elementary School in Dunedin, FL, is a mid-sized public school serving 336 students from Pre-K through 5th grade, and it has become a standout success story within the Pinellas County School District. Over the past six years, the school has transformed from a below-average performer (44th percentile in 2018-2019) to a top-tier institution (91st percentile in 2025-2026), placing it in the top 10% of all Florida elementary schools. This remarkable growth sets it apart from nearby schools like Dunedin Elementary School (22nd percentile) and Ozona Elementary School, while rivaling elite options like Curtis Fundamental Elementary (99th percentile) in academic achievement.

What makes San Jose Elementary particularly impressive is its ability to achieve high test scores while serving a student population where 40% qualify for free or reduced-price lunch—a higher rate than top-performing peers like Elisa Nelson Elementary (12%) and Curtis Fundamental (20%). For example, San Jose's 3rd-grade ELA proficiency (91%) is nearly identical to Curtis Fundamental's (92%), despite serving more economically disadvantaged students. The school invests heavily in this success, spending $19,771 per student—nearly double the spending of Curtis Fundamental ($10,847)—and maintaining a low student-teacher ratio of 12:1, which is lower than both Curtis Fundamental (15.3:1) and Elisa Nelson (14.5:1). This suggests a strategic focus on smaller class sizes and support staff.

However, the school faces a notable challenge: a chronic absenteeism rate of 29.6% (2023-2024), which is dramatically higher than Curtis Fundamental (6.1%) and Elisa Nelson (9.2%). This paradox—achieving top-tier results despite high absenteeism—indicates that interventions are highly effective for attending students, but it remains an area for improvement. Overall, San Jose Elementary is a rising star in Dunedin, offering a compelling option for parents seeking a school that combines strong academics with a supportive, well-funded environment.

336
Students ?
12.0
Student/teacher ratio ?
$19,771
Per pupil spending ?
40.2%
Free/discounted lunch ?
 1670 San Helen Dr
       Dunedin, FL  34698

(727) 469-5956

District: Pinellas


Students who attend San Jose Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Palm Harbor Middle School
High:    Dunedin High School
Racial breakdown:

White:
71.4%
Hispanic:
11.3%
African American:
8.6%
more
 See top rated Florida elementary schools

 Compare San Jose Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!
At a glance
Ranking trend: Improving — 65th percentile in 2016 → 91st in 2026
Strengths
Test scores above the Florida average (81% vs 62% meeting standards)
Ranks in the top 9% of Florida elementary schools
Ranking is trending up — up 26 percentile points since 2016
Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?
This school81%
District avg69%
Florida avg62%
204th of 2,240
Florida public elementary schools ?
Top 9%▲ up 26 pts since 2016
From top 35% (2016) to top 9% (2026)
See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →
SchoolDigger rating ?
15th of 88Elementary Schools in the Pinellas
15th of 70Pinellas 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

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankFlorida percentileRating
202687.3204 of 224090.9%★★★★★
202581.3386 of 225882.9%★★★★☆
202485.7291 of 225687.1%★★★★☆
202373.8534 of 224076.2%★★★★☆
202264.2757 of 221965.9%★★★☆☆
202168.6670 of 224770.2%★★★★☆
201943.51232 of 218243.5%★★☆☆☆
201842.61226 of 211842.1%★★☆☆☆
201757.1890 of 211257.9%★★★☆☆
201664.2727 of 208765.2%★★★☆☆
201435.61366 of 206433.8%★★☆☆☆
201345.11117 of 202944.9%★★☆☆☆
201242.81158 of 198441.6%★★☆☆☆
201162.2800 of 198559.7%★★★☆☆
201068.6607 of 191968.4%★★★☆☆
200969.2556 of 184769.9%★★★☆☆
200862.9687 of 178961.6%★★★☆☆
200769.3554 of 178669.0%★★★☆☆
200650.0867 of 168848.6%★★☆☆☆
By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?
Math81%+17 vs state
Science81%+21 vs state
English Language Arts80%+20 vs state

5.0
9 ratings · 8 written reviews
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What people are saying
by a parent
Thursday, August 26, 2021

Open Quote San Jose Elementary is such a gift to our family and to so many others. All 3 of my children attend San Jose, as did my husband, AND my mother in law. The teachers, administrators, and staff truly care about their students, and work hard each and every day to support them in unique and fun ways. We are proud to be San Jose Hawks! Close Quote


by a teacher
Thursday, May 20, 2021

Open Quote San Jose is a hidden gem. Teachers truly care about their students and work hard to ensure that every child works to their maximum potential! Close Quote


by a teacher
Thursday, May 20, 2021

Open Quote This is a great school! A hidden gem in Dunedin, Florida from pre-K through the fifth grade. I have worked here for 13 years. I plan to be here for many more. The staff is a family. We care about and support each other and We Love Our Students! We also have awesome classrooms for students with special needs. Our teachers are fantastic! They are loving, caring people, who give their all to their students, the school community and our after school programs. Take a tour and see for yourself. Make this the school of your choice for your child. Close Quote


by a teacher
Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Open Quote I have been in student, parent and teacher roles all at San Jose Elementary School and soon I will be in the grandparent role, too! I cannot wait to have the third generation at San Jose! They are an excellent school with the best staff EVER! Wait til you see the completion of the construction projects, too! Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Open Quote As a parent of San Jose Elementary, I love this school. The staff and teachers are so understanding and compassionate. Both of my daughters attend and have had the very best experience! They feel safe and happy attending school each day! Close Quote


by a teacher
Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Open Quote Supportive, inclusive and diverse community school with a wonderful campus, strong leadership and excellent staff. Everyone pitches in to help students achieve growth. Afterschool clubs like Music, STEM and also has gifted program. Hidden GEM in Dunedin. Close Quote


by a teacher
Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Open Quote San Jose Elementary School is a great place for students and teachers alike. We love our small neighborhood school and appreciate the opportunity to get to know our students and families and involve them in our activities. Close Quote


by a teacher
Wednesday, May 19, 2021

Open Quote I chose to work at San Jose Elementary because it is a small neighborhood school with dedicated and professional teachers! I love going to work there everyday! Close Quote





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Frequently Asked Questions about San Jose Elementary School

Students who attend San Jose Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Palm Harbor Middle School
High : Dunedin High School

Yes. San Jose Elementary School ranks in the top 9.1% of Florida elementary schools.

In the 2024-25 school year, 336 students attended San Jose Elementary School.

Students at San Jose Elementary School are 71% White, 11% Hispanic, 9% African American, 8% Two or more races.


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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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