Summary:
This analysis examines four elementary-level schools in the 33549 zip code of Lutz, Florida, all of which are K-8 institutions serving a combined enrollment of nearly 3,000 students within the Hillsborough school district.
The standout performer is Lutz Preparatory School, which earns a 5-star rating and ranks in the 97th percentile statewide, dramatically outperforming its peers with 88% proficiency in both ELA and Math. In contrast, Lutz K-8 School and Maniscalco K-8 School are solid 4-star performers, while Learning Gate Community School is a consistent 3-star school. A key finding is that spending does not equal performance: Maniscalco K-8 has the highest per-student spending ($13,515) but is outperformed by Lutz Preparatory, which spends $5,136 less per student. Chronic absenteeism is a clear differentiator, with the top-performing schools having rates below 16%, while the lower-performing schools have rates near 24%.
Lutz Preparatory School is an outlier, not the norm, and its exceptional results are not representative of the entire area. The other three schools perform at a level more consistent with a high-performing suburban district. Families moving to the 33549 zip code should not expect the same results from all four schools, as the data shows significant disparities in performance, demographics, and resources.
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