Summary:
In zip code 33511 of Brandon, Florida, three elementary schools—Mintz Elementary School, Brooker Elementary School, and Kingswood Elementary School—serve grades PK through 5 within the Hillsborough School District, which holds a 2-star rating and ranks in the 36th percentile statewide.
Brooker Elementary School is the standout performer, earning a 3-star rating and ranking in the 57th percentile for 2025-2026. It consistently exceeds district and state averages in nearly all subjects, such as 5th Grade Math (70% proficiency vs. 58% district and 62% state). With the lowest free/reduced lunch rate (46.79%) and a favorable student-teacher ratio (14.8), Brooker offers a well-functioning environment. In contrast, Kingswood Elementary School faces significant challenges, with a 1-star rating, a 10th percentile rank, the highest chronic absenteeism (42.4%), and the highest poverty rate (73% free/reduced lunch). Its test scores are well below averages, despite having the highest per-student spending ($12,323). Mintz Elementary School sits in the middle, with a 1-star rating and moderate poverty (58.81%), but its test scores are below district and state averages, even though its chronic absenteeism (24.3%) is better than the district norm.
Key takeaways include that higher spending does not guarantee better performance—Kingswood spends the most but performs the worst. Chronic absenteeism is a powerful indicator of struggle, as Kingswood’s rate is nearly double that of Mintz and Brooker. Brooker’s consistent outperformance across two years makes it the top choice, while Mintz shows mixed signals with decent attendance but below-average results. This zip code illustrates a stark academic divide, offering families very different options within a small area.
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