Summary:
The five public schools in zip code 33773 (Largo, FL) are part of the highly-rated Pinellas County School District and serve students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, including three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.
For parents, the standout school in the area is Southern Oak Elementary School, which has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (23.4%) in the zip code and has historically been the strongest elementary performer, though it recently dropped to a 2-star rating. In contrast, Fuguitt Elementary School spends the most per student ($15,084) but has the lowest and fastest-declining state ranking among elementary schools, highlighting that higher spending does not guarantee better results. FitzGerald Middle School is a math powerhouse, with 100% of its Geometry students and 81% of its Algebra 1 students scoring proficient—far exceeding district and state averages—though it struggles with standard grade-level math proficiency. Pinellas Park High School is a concern, with a 43.3% chronic absenteeism rate and test scores 15-20 points below district averages, yet it maintains a strong 94% graduation rate. Walsingham Elementary School and Southern Oak share similar demographics and spending, but Southern Oak has historically outperformed, suggesting school-specific leadership makes a tangible difference.
Key metrics show an average economic disadvantage rate of 57.4% across the five schools, with enrollment ranging from 366 students at Walsingham to 1,691 at Pinellas Park High. Chronic absenteeism emerges as a critical issue, directly linked to lower academic performance, while the wide variance in per-student spending ($9,675 to $15,084) does not consistently correlate with success. Overall, parents should consider FitzGerald for advanced math, Southern Oak for consistent elementary performance, and be aware of the high absenteeism challenges at Pinellas Park High and Fuguitt Elementary.
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