Summary:
This analysis examines four public elementary schools in the 33710 zip code of St. Petersburg, Florida, serving grades PK-5 within the Pinellas County School District: Westgate Elementary School, Pasadena Fundamental Elementary School, Azalea Elementary School, and Northwest Elementary School.
Pasadena Fundamental Elementary School is the clear standout, earning a 5-star rating for three consecutive years and ranking in the top 6% of Florida elementary schools. Its academic proficiency rates are the highest in the area, with 89% of 3rd graders proficient in ELA and 93% in math, far exceeding district and state averages. Pasadena also boasts an exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of 8.1%, compared to rates of 23-29% at the other three schools. In contrast, Westgate Elementary School shows the most dramatic improvement, jumping from a 3-star to a 4-star rating and climbing from the 57th to the 77th percentile in state ranking, with notable gains in 5th-grade math and science. Azalea Elementary School and Northwest Elementary School perform similarly, generally near district averages, though Azalea has the highest per-student spending ($16,929) and the lowest student-teacher ratio (12.9:1) without achieving top academic results.
A key takeaway is that higher spending does not guarantee better performance; Pasadena Fundamental spends the least per student ($11,278) yet achieves the best outcomes, suggesting factors like school culture and parental involvement are critical. The "fundamental" model at Pasadena, which emphasizes family commitment, appears highly effective. Meanwhile, Westgate's rapid turnaround signals successful interventions, making it a school to watch. Overall, parents in 33710 have a clear top performer in Pasadena, a rising star in Westgate, and two solid, mid-range options in Azalea and Northwest.
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