Summary:
Zip code 33711 in St. Petersburg, Florida, is home to a single high school, Gibbs High School, which serves grades 9 through 12 with an enrollment of 1,125 students and is part of the Pinellas County school district.
Gibbs High School faces significant challenges, most notably a chronic absenteeism rate of 50.2% for the 2023-2024 school year, which is nearly double the district average of 30.6% and the state average of 31.4%. This attendance crisis is likely a major factor behind the school's consistently low academic performance, as it has earned a 2-star state ranking for three consecutive years, currently sitting in the 35th percentile. The most dramatic academic gap is in Algebra 1, where only 20% of students are proficient compared to 64% in the district and 63% statewide. Other subjects also lag behind, with Geometry at 42% proficiency (district: 59%), Biology 1 at 53% (district: 75%), and 9th-grade English Language Arts at 50% (district: 63%). Despite spending $13,757 per student, which is a significant amount, these outcomes suggest that current resources are not translating into competitive results.
There are a few notable bright spots and areas for further investigation. US History is a standout subject, with 72% of students proficient, nearly matching the district (75%) and state (74%) averages, indicating effective instruction in that area. The graduation rate of 90.1% is below the district average of 93.4% but still relatively high. However, year-over-year data shows volatility, such as Algebra 1 proficiency dropping from 35% to 20% while Geometry rose from 38% to 42%, which warrants a closer look at curriculum or cohort changes. For parents, the most critical takeaway is that addressing the high chronic absenteeism rate would likely be the single most impactful step to improve overall student outcomes at Gibbs High School.
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