Summary:
Zip code 33558 in Lutz, FL, is home to two elementary schools serving grades PK-5 within the Hillsborough County School District, offering families a choice between a top-tier, elite institution and a strong, above-average neighbor.
McKitrick Elementary School is the standout performer, consistently ranking in the top 2% of all Florida elementary schools (98th percentile) with a 5-star rating. It boasts exceptional test scores—such as 90% of 3rd graders proficient in ELA and 93% of 4th graders proficient in Math—far exceeding district and state averages. Its chronic absenteeism rate is remarkably low at 8.8%, and it serves a student population with a 12.31% free/reduced lunch rate. In contrast, Schwarzkopf Elementary School is a solid, 4-star school ranking in the top 11-12% (89th percentile). While its test scores are well above average—with 89% of 5th graders proficient in Math—its chronic absenteeism rate of 17.1% is double that of McKitrick, and it serves a higher percentage of students eligible for free/reduced lunch (22.34%).
Key differences emerge when comparing the two. McKitrick has a lower student-teacher ratio (15.4:1) and spends slightly less per student ($10,504) than Schwarzkopf ($11,203), yet achieves significantly higher academic results. This suggests that Schwarzkopf's higher spending may be directed toward supporting a student population with greater needs. Notably, Schwarzkopf shows a particular strength in math, with 5th-grade proficiency nearly matching McKitrick's. Both schools demonstrate remarkable year-over-year consistency in their state rankings, indicating stable, effective systems. For parents in this zip code, the choice is between an elite, top-2% school (McKitrick) and a very strong, top-11% school (Schwarzkopf), with the performance gap correlating with differences in socioeconomic indicators and attendance rates.
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