Summary:
In zip code 33596, there is one middle school, Mulrennan Middle School, serving grades 6 through 8 in Valrico, Florida, with a total enrollment of 1,027 students.
Mulrennan Middle School is a standout within the Hillsborough school district, which is ranked 45th out of 70 districts in Florida. The school consistently outperforms its district in nearly every subject and grade level, making it a relative bright spot. For example, in 8th Grade Science, the school scored 59% proficiency compared to the district's 48%. The school also excels in advanced coursework, achieving a 100% proficiency rate in Geometry and an 84% proficiency rate in Algebra 1, dramatically higher than both district and state averages. Its state ranking has shown a positive trend, moving from the 58th percentile to the 60th percentile, and it currently holds a 3-star rating. Additionally, the school has a lower chronic absenteeism rate (27.3%) than both the district and state averages, and shows strong improvement in Civics proficiency, jumping from 67% to 80% year-over-year.
However, a critical area of concern is a severe weakness in 7th-grade math. Proficiency rates for 7th Grade Math (FAST) have remained at just 26% for two consecutive years, roughly half the state average of 50-53%. This dramatic drop from 6th-grade scores, which are above state averages, suggests a systemic issue with the 7th-grade math curriculum or instruction. This creates a "tale of two schools" dynamic, where the school excels in advanced high-school level courses but struggles significantly with grade-level math for 7th graders. With a student-teacher ratio of 20.2:1 and spending of $9,741 per student, the school appears to have resources, but the 7th-grade math performance is a key area for parents to investigate further.
Thank you for your feedback!