Summary:
Zip code 33776 in Seminole, FL, is home to two high schools serving grades 9-12 within the Pinellas school district: the large, traditional Seminole High School (1,394 students) and the smaller, specialized Richard O Jacobson Technical High School At Seminole (546 students).
The standout school in this area is clearly Richard O Jacobson Technical High School At Seminole, which outperforms Seminole High School across nearly every academic and operational metric. Jacobson Tech boasts a near-perfect 98.3% graduation rate, a low 24.6% chronic absenteeism rate, and significantly higher proficiency in core subjects like Algebra 1 (43% vs. 20%), Biology 1 (84% vs. 72%), and US History (83% vs. 73%). It is ranked in the 73rd percentile (4 stars) for 2025-2026, compared to Seminole High's 50th percentile (2 stars). This success is achieved despite having a slightly higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students (35.71% vs. 32.71% free/reduced lunch) and nearly identical per-student spending ($9,799 vs. $9,431), suggesting its specialized, hands-on technical curriculum is highly effective at engaging students.
The most critical red flag for Seminole High School is its chronic absenteeism rate of 45.3%, which is nearly double the district average of 30.6% and the state average of 31.4%. This high absenteeism likely explains much of its lower test scores and ranking compared to Jacobson Tech. While Seminole High still maintains a strong 96.3% graduation rate, its stagnation in state rankings (hovering around the 50th percentile) contrasts sharply with Jacobson Tech's upward trajectory (66th to 75th percentile). The data strongly suggests that the smaller learning environment at Jacobson Tech fosters better student outcomes, while Seminole High faces a serious attendance crisis that requires immediate intervention to prevent further decline.
Thank you for your feedback!