Summary:
Zip code 33635 in Tampa, Florida, is home to two elementary schools serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade (with one extending to eighth grade), offering families distinct educational paths within the Hillsborough County School District.
Hillsborough Academy Of Math And Science stands out as a high-performing academic powerhouse with a focus on advanced coursework, achieving exceptional proficiency rates in Algebra 1 (95%), Geometry (89%), and Biology (89%) that far exceed district and state averages. This K-8 charter-style school has a larger enrollment of 819 students and a higher student-to-teacher ratio of 22.7:1, but it boasts an excellent chronic absenteeism rate of just 12.3%. In contrast, Lowry Elementary School excels in operational efficiency and student support, with a much smaller class size (14.5:1) and higher per-student spending ($11,638 vs. $8,926). Lowry consistently outperforms Hillsborough Academy in core elementary subjects, such as 3rd-grade math (74% vs. 65%) and 4th-grade math (75% vs. 63%), demonstrating the benefits of its smaller, more individualized learning environment.
Key metrics reveal a clear trade-off for families. Lowry Elementary ranks higher overall at 830th out of 2,240 schools (63rd percentile, 3 stars), while Hillsborough Academy ranks 1,096th (51st percentile, 3 stars), likely due to its middle school grades. Both schools have relatively low poverty rates, with 28.08% of Lowry students and 31.75% of Hillsborough Academy students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. The most striking difference is in student engagement: Hillsborough Academy's chronic absenteeism rate (12.3%) is less than half of Lowry's (23.0%), suggesting a more committed family culture at the charter school. Ultimately, Hillsborough Academy Of Math And Science offers a high-pressure, accelerated track for advanced learners, while Lowry Elementary School provides a well-funded, supportive environment with strong foundational skills and smaller classes.
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