Summary:
In zip code 32301, there is one elementary school, Frank Hartsfield Elementary School, serving grades PK through 5 in Tallahassee, Florida, within the Leon County school district.
Frank Hartsfield Elementary School serves 353 students and has a high level of economic need, with 67.71% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. The school shows a positive trend in its state ranking, moving from the 10th percentile to the 24th percentile over three years. A standout feature is the dramatic improvement in 3rd-grade test scores, with English Language Arts proficiency jumping from 22% to 64% and Math from 52% to 67% between the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years. However, this success does not carry over to upper grades, as 4th-grade ELA proficiency drops to 33% and 5th-grade Science to 37%, both well below state averages. The school spends a notable $14,104 per student and maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.6:1, yet chronic absenteeism affects 32.1% of students, which is slightly above the state average and likely a key factor in the performance decline in later grades.
For parents, Frank Hartsfield Elementary presents a mixed picture. While the school has strong early-grade instruction and is investing heavily in resources, the significant drop in proficiency from 3rd to 4th grade suggests that students may struggle to build on early gains. The high chronic absenteeism rate is a critical concern that could undermine academic progress. The school's gradual improvement in state ranking is encouraging, but the volatility in test scores and the "leaky pipeline" in upper elementary grades indicate that targeted support for 4th and 5th graders may be needed to ensure consistent achievement across all grade levels.
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