Summary:
In zip code 33773, there is one middle school, FitzGerald Middle School, serving grades 6 through 8 in Largo, Florida, with a total enrollment of 910 students.
FitzGerald Middle School presents a striking contrast in academic performance. The school is a standout in advanced math, with 100% of students proficient in Geometry and 81% proficient in Algebra 1 on end-of-course exams, far exceeding both the Pinellas district and state averages. However, it struggles significantly with grade-level math, particularly in 7th grade, where only 8% of students were proficient in the 2024-2025 school year—a dramatic gap compared to the district (33%) and state (50%). This "two schools" phenomenon suggests resources may be concentrated on advanced tracks, leaving many students behind. The school's state ranking has been inconsistent, earning a 3-star rating in 2024-2025 but dropping to 2 stars in both 2023-2024 and 2025-2026.
Key metrics reveal additional challenges. The school spends $10,009 per student, yet core subject proficiency in ELA (58%) and math (40%) falls below district and state averages. Chronic absenteeism is high at 31.3%, likely contributing to poor performance. With 54.73% of students receiving free or reduced lunch, the school serves a majority low-income population. While advanced math programs excel, the overall picture shows a school with significant disparities that parents should investigate further, especially regarding grade-level math support and attendance initiatives.
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