Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 33714

This analysis examines three elementary schools in zip code 33714 (St. Petersburg, FL), all part of the Pinellas County school district, serving grades PK-5 in a community where economic disadvantage rates are high, ranging from 69% to 74% free/reduced lunch eligibility.

John M. Sexton Elementary School is the clear standout, achieving results that often exceed district and state averages despite serving a similar demographic as its peers. It holds a 4-star rating and a 74th percentile state ranking, with 3rd-grade ELA proficiency at 85% (17 points above the district) and 3rd-grade math at 81% (10 points above the district). Its chronic absenteeism rate of 31.6% is the lowest in the area and aligns with state averages. In contrast, Lealman Avenue Elementary School faces the most significant challenges, with a 1-star rating, an 18th percentile state ranking, the highest chronic absenteeism at 45.1%, and the lowest test scores across all metrics. New Heights Elementary School shows a mixed profile, with a recent ranking improvement to the 41st percentile but inconsistent performance, such as a 71% 4th-grade math score alongside a 47% 4th-grade ELA score in 2024-2025.

A critical finding is that per-student spending does not correlate with performance: Sexton spends $17,899 per student, while Lealman spends $17,413 and New Heights spends $15,035. Chronic absenteeism emerges as a powerful predictor of outcomes, with the lowest-absenteeism school (Sexton) achieving the best results and the highest-absenteeism school (Lealman) struggling the most. This suggests that while resources are directed to challenged schools, effective strategies—particularly around attendance and instructional quality—are key to improving performance in this area.