Summary:
The five public schools in zip code 33510 (Brandon, FL) serve students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade within the Hillsborough County School District, a district ranked 45th out of 70 in Florida, and are characterized by a significant performance gap between a standout elementary school and the rest of the area.
Limona Elementary School is the clear academic leader, earning a 3-star rating and consistently meeting or exceeding state averages in subjects like 5th-grade ELA and Science, while also having the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (28.8%) in the zip code. In contrast, Yates Elementary School is the most challenged, with a 0-star rating, the highest poverty rate (70.26% free/reduced lunch), and only 25% of 3rd graders proficient in ELA. Mann Middle School presents a paradox: while its overall rank is low (18th percentile), an impressive 86% of its Algebra 1 students are proficient, far exceeding state averages. Brandon High School also shows a striking contrast, boasting a high graduation rate of 95.6% despite low academic proficiency and a 1-star rating, suggesting a focus on credit recovery over rigorous mastery.
The most critical issue across the area is a chronic absenteeism crisis, with three schools—Brandon High (57.2%), Mann Middle (49.9%), and Yates Elementary (45.3%)—far exceeding the state average of 31.4%. This absenteeism strongly correlates with academic struggles, as Schmidt Elementary School (44.5% absenteeism) and Yates also have the highest spending per student ($13,179 and $12,912, respectively), indicating that funds are directed toward addressing the needs of a disadvantaged population rather than boosting test scores. Limona’s success, with its low absenteeism, provides a clear model: improving attendance is likely the most powerful lever for raising performance in this community.
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