Summary:
This analysis examines five elementary-level schools in zip code 33545 (Wesley Chapel, FL), serving grades Pre-K through 5th (with two schools extending to 8th grade) within the Pasco school district, which holds a 2-star rating and ranks 37th out of 70 districts in Florida.
Kirkland Ranch K-8 is the standout school in the area, achieving a 4-star rating and ranking in the 79th percentile statewide—far outperforming its peers. It excels in math and English Language Arts, with 100% proficiency in Geometry and 92% in Algebra 1. In contrast, New River Elementary School faces the most challenges, with a 1-star rating and proficiency rates significantly below district and state averages, particularly in Math and ELA. Wesley Chapel Elementary School is the most consistent traditional K-5 school, maintaining 2-star or 3-star ratings and ranking near the 50th percentile. Innovation Preparatory Academy shows a mixed profile: it excels in high school-level EOC exams (93% in Biology, 93% in Geometry) but struggles in elementary FAST Math, especially in 5th grade (28% proficient vs. 62% state average). Watergrass Elementary School performs in the middle range, with proficiency rates generally below state averages.
Key metrics reveal significant disparities. Enrollment ranges from 724 to 1,274 students, with student-teacher ratios from 15.6:1 to 19.6:1. Spending per student varies from $8,626 to $10,954, but higher spending does not correlate with better results—Wesley Chapel Elementary spends the most but ranks lower than Kirkland Ranch K-8, which spends less. Chronic absenteeism is below the state average of 31.4% for all schools with data, ranging from 21.2% at Wesley Chapel Elementary to 26.4% at New River Elementary. The data strongly suggests that school structure (K-8 vs. K-5) and socioeconomic factors are primary drivers of academic outcomes, with Kirkland Ranch K-8 being a high-performing outlier offering a clear "school of choice" for families.
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