Summary:
This analysis examines six elementary schools in Tampa’s 33619 zip code, all part of the Hillsborough County School District, serving Pre-K through 5th grade (with one exception through 8th grade) in an area where five out of six schools face significant socioeconomic challenges, with Free/Reduced Lunch rates above 70%.
The standout story is Kenly Elementary School, which achieved a remarkable turnaround, jumping from the 4th percentile (0 stars) in 2023-2024 to the 44th percentile (2 stars) by 2025-2026, and now leads the area in 5th-grade proficiency with 78% in Science, 71% in ELA, and 71% in Math. In contrast, Palm River Elementary School struggles the most, with only 29% proficiency in 5th-grade Math and 41% in ELA. Lamb Elementary is the most consistent traditional performer, maintaining a 2-star rating and exceeding district averages in Math across all three tested grades. The Literacy/Leadership/Technology Academy is a clear outlier with an 8.7% Free/Reduced Lunch rate and the lowest chronic absenteeism (19.7%), while achieving strong results in advanced subjects like Geometry (81% proficient) and Civics (95% proficient).
Chronic absenteeism is a severe crisis here, with four schools exceeding 43%—far above the state average of 31.4%—and Lamb Elementary reaching an alarming 53.5%. Spending does not guarantee success: Kenly Elementary spends the most per student ($16,204) and performs well, but Palm River Elementary spends the second most ($15,349) yet underperforms. Clair-Mel Elementary School faces a severe resource challenge with a student-teacher ratio of 36.7:1—more than double any other school—combined with high poverty (77.24% FRL) and low academic scores, indicating a critical need for additional support.
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