Summary:
Zip code 33565 in Plant City, Florida, is home to two public elementary schools, Cork Elementary School and Knights Elementary School, both serving grades PK-5 within the Hillsborough County School District.
For parents comparing schools, Knights Elementary stands out as the stronger academic performer. It consistently outperforms Cork Elementary across nearly all grade levels and subjects, and it is the only school in the zip code to exceed the district average in several areas, including 5th Grade Science (57% vs. 55% district) and 5th Grade Math (61% vs. 58% district). Knights also has a higher state ranking, placing in the 34th percentile compared to Cork's 18th percentile, and its ranking has shown a positive upward trend after a dip. This success comes with a higher per-student spending of $12,954 and a slightly lower student-teacher ratio of 14.8, suggesting a more resource-intensive approach that is yielding results. In contrast, Cork Elementary has seen its state ranking decline for three consecutive years, though it has a notably lower chronic absenteeism rate (23.9%) than both Knights (29.6%) and the district average (31.3%).
Key metrics highlight the differences. Knights Elementary shows a clear strength in mathematics, with 5th graders achieving 61% proficiency—nearly matching the state average. Its average ELA and math proficiency rates (52.3% and 54.7%) also surpass Cork's (48% and 47.3%). While both schools have a 2-star district rating, the data indicates that Knights Elementary is on a positive trajectory, making it a compelling choice for families prioritizing academic performance and upward momentum.
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