Summary:
Zip code 33772 in Seminole, FL, is home to two elementary schools serving grades PK-5 within the Pinellas County school district, presenting a stark contrast in academic performance and resources.
Orange Grove Elementary School is a standout, ranking in the 99th percentile statewide with a 5-star rating. It achieves exceptional academic results, with 5th graders reaching 97% proficiency in both math and science, far exceeding state averages. In contrast, Seminole Elementary School holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 55th percentile, with 5th grade proficiency rates at 56% in math and 49% in ELA, well below district benchmarks. A key paradox is that Seminole Elementary spends significantly more per student ($16,359 vs. $12,630) and has a lower student-teacher ratio (11.9:1 vs. 15:1), yet its academic outcomes are dramatically lower. This suggests the additional funding is directed toward supporting a higher-needs population, as indicated by its 55.53% free/reduced lunch rate compared to Orange Grove's 36.3%.
Both schools outperform the district and state averages in chronic absenteeism, with Orange Grove at 18.2% and Seminole at 21.7% versus the district's 30.6%. However, a concerning trend at Seminole Elementary is a 5th-grade "drop-off," where proficiency declines sharply from earlier grades, while Orange Grove's 5th graders remain the highest-performing group. For parents, this data highlights that Orange Grove Elementary School offers elite academic performance, while Seminole Elementary School provides more resources per student but faces greater challenges in achieving comparable results.
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