Summary:
Zip code 33605 in Tampa, Florida, is served by 8 schools within the Hillsborough County School District, including 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, 1 high school, and 1 alternative school, in a community facing significant challenges with high poverty rates and chronic absenteeism.
The standout school in the area is Desoto Elementary School, which despite a 73% free/reduced lunch rate, is the highest-ranked school in the zip code with a 3-star rating and exceptional math scores—93% of 3rd graders and 92% of 4th graders are proficient, far exceeding district and state averages. Shore Elementary Magnet School shines in early literacy, with 70% of 3rd graders proficient in English Language Arts, 15 points above the district average. Among middle schools, Orange Grove Middle Magnet School is the top performer, showing strength in Algebra 1 (75% proficient) and Civics (73% proficient), while Franklin Middle Magnet School struggles with declining Algebra 1 scores. In contrast, Oak Park Elementary School and Washington Elementary School are the lowest-performing, ranked in the bottom 18% and 8% of Florida elementary schools, with chronic absenteeism rates of 53% and 60% respectively.
Key takeaways include that poverty is not destiny—Desoto Elementary proves school-level factors can overcome socioeconomic disadvantages. Chronic absenteeism is a crisis, averaging 43% across elementary schools, directly linked to low performance. Spending does not guarantee success, as Washington Elementary spends $19,019 per student but performs poorly, while Orange Grove Middle spends the least ($10,679) and performs well. The "magnet" effect is notable, with three of the four highest-performing traditional schools being magnet schools, suggesting specialized programs attract engaged families and provide better outcomes.
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