Summary:
The seven schools in Tampa's 33602 zip code, part of the Hillsborough County School District, serve primarily elementary grades and include two alternative schools, but lack traditional middle or high schools, creating a diverse educational landscape with stark contrasts in performance and resources.
Rampello K-8 Magnet School stands out as the clear academic leader, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the top 20% statewide, while spending the least per student ($11,114). In stark contrast, Patricia Sullivan Metropolitan Ministries Partnership School has experienced a dramatic decline, dropping from a 4-star to a 1-star rating in just two years, despite having the highest spending per student ($29,681) and the highest poverty rate (88.24%). Channelside Academy of Math and Science struggles with the largest class sizes (22.1:1) and high poverty (67.58%), while Hillsborough Virtual School presents a paradox with zero chronic absenteeism and a 98.5% graduation rate, yet mixed test scores, excelling in subjects like US History (90% proficient) but struggling in elementary math. Medical Academy at D.W. Waters shows surprising strength in Biology (100% proficient) despite a 50.8% chronic absenteeism rate, while Tampa Heights Elementary Magnet and Graham Elementary School round out the area with lower performance metrics.
The most critical takeaway is that higher spending does not guarantee success, as the top-performing Rampello spends the least, while high-poverty schools like Patricia Sullivan and Graham ($24,548 per student) receive more funding but still struggle academically. The average poverty rate across the area is nearly 58%, and three schools exceed the already high district chronic absenteeism rate of 31.3%. Parents should carefully consider each school's unique profile, as the zip code offers everything from a high-performing magnet to a rapidly declining partnership school, with no single option fitting all needs.
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