Summary:
The 11 schools in zip code 33563 (Plant City, FL) are part of the Hillsborough County School District, serving elementary through high school grades in a community with significant socioeconomic challenges, as reflected by an average free/reduced lunch rate of 63.6%.
For academic excellence, Lincoln Elementary Magnet School stands out as the top elementary performer, achieving a 3-star rating and the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (16.1%) in the area, while Plant City High School boasts an impressive 97.2% graduation rate, far exceeding district and state averages. A notable paradox exists at the middle school level: Tomlin Middle School and Marshall Middle Magnet School are both ranked in the bottom 30% of Florida middle schools (1-star), yet they are powerhouses in advanced math, with 95% of students proficient in the Geometry EOC compared to just 54% district-wide. In contrast, Burney Elementary School spends the most among traditional schools ($17,656 per student) but ranks in the bottom 6% of Florida elementary schools, while Advantage Academy Of Hillsborough and Lincoln Magnet are the only schools with healthy attendance rates below 17%.
Chronic absenteeism is a systemic crisis, with the average rate across schools at 38.5%—well above the state average of 31.4%—and extreme outliers like Simmons Career Center (62.3%) and Simmons Exceptional Center (83.7%) highlighting severe engagement challenges. Spending disparities are stark, with alternative schools spending $21,332 to $53,078 per student versus $8,715 to $17,656 for traditional schools, yet higher spending does not guarantee better outcomes. Overall, families should consider that while some schools like Lincoln Magnet and Plant City High excel in specific areas, the district's 36th percentile ranking and high absenteeism rates suggest that targeted programs, such as advanced math at the middle schools, may offer unique opportunities despite broader performance struggles.
Thank you for your feedback!