Summary:
This analysis examines four elementary schools in Tampa’s 33605 zip code, all part of the Hillsborough County School District, which serves grades PK-5 in a diverse urban area facing significant socioeconomic challenges.
Desoto Elementary School stands out as the top performer, earning a 3-star rating and ranking in the 51st percentile statewide—far exceeding its local peers and the district average. Despite a high poverty rate, Desoto achieves exceptional math scores (93% and 92% proficiency in 3rd and 4th grade) and benefits from the highest per-student spending ($21,515) and lowest student-teacher ratio (10.8:1) in the area. In contrast, Oak Park Elementary School is the lowest-performing school with a 0-star rating, ranking in the bottom 8% of Florida elementary schools, and struggles with a 53.1% chronic absenteeism rate. Washington Elementary School shows dramatic improvement, jumping from the bottom 3% to the 18th percentile in one year, with 4th-grade math proficiency rising from 48% to 76%. Shore Elementary Magnet School provides consistent, middle-of-the-pack performance with a 2-star rating and the lowest poverty rate (63.33%).
Key takeaways include a strong correlation between chronic absenteeism and low performance—Oak Park and Washington have absenteeism rates nearly double the state average (31.4%), while Shore and Desoto are below it. The spending-performance relationship is not linear: Desoto (highest spender) excels, but Washington (second-highest spender) underperforms, while Shore (lowest spender) outperforms Washington. This suggests resource allocation matters as much as total spending. Overall, Desoto demonstrates that targeted resources can overcome socioeconomic barriers, while absenteeism remains the critical challenge for Oak Park and Washington.
Thank you for your feedback!