Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 33604

There are four elementary schools serving students from Pre-K through 5th or 8th grade in Tampa's zip code 33604, all part of the Hillsborough County School District, an area where schools generally face significant challenges with poverty and chronic absenteeism.

Seminole Heights Elementary School is the standout performer in the area, ranking in the 24th percentile statewide and earning a 2-star rating. It has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (23.5%) and the lowest poverty rate (57.33%) among the four schools, and it consistently posts the strongest test scores, often meeting or exceeding district averages. In contrast, Dr. Carter G. Woodson K-8 School is the lowest-ranked school (2nd percentile) with a 0-star rating, the highest chronic absenteeism (52.6%), and the lowest spending per student ($11,316). Sulphur Springs K-8 School presents a fascinating paradox: despite having the highest poverty rate (84.51%) and the second-highest absenteeism (55.6%), it achieved 100% proficiency in Algebra 1 EOC for two consecutive years, showing a remarkable strength in advanced math. Oak Grove Elementary School falls in the middle of the pack, with performance that generally mirrors the area's challenges.

The most critical finding is that chronic absenteeism is the strongest predictor of academic performance in this zip code, with the two schools having the highest absenteeism rates also being the lowest performers. While Seminole Heights spends the most per student ($16,231) and gets the best results, Sulphur Springs spends more than Dr. Carter G. Woodson but still struggles, indicating that poverty and attendance issues can overwhelm increased funding. A warning sign is that Seminole Heights is the only school showing a clear downward trend in its state ranking, dropping from the 44th percentile to the 24th percentile over two years, suggesting even the area's best school needs attention to maintain its performance.