Summary:
This analysis examines four elementary schools in the 33782 zip code of Pinellas Park, Florida, serving approximately 1,885 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade (with one charter school extending to 8th grade), all part of the Pinellas County school district.
Pinellas Central Elementary School is the standout performer, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 74th percentile statewide—a remarkable turnaround from a 3-star rating just two years prior. It leads in English Language Arts (66.3% proficient) and math (75% proficient), and its 5th graders achieve 77% proficiency in science. In contrast, Cross Bayou Elementary School is the most challenged, with a 1-star rating and the lowest test scores across all subjects. Skyview Elementary School and Plato Academy Pinellas Park Charter School both hold 2-star ratings, with Skyview outperforming Plato Academy in core subjects like ELA (52.7% vs. 49%) and math (58% vs. 60.3%). However, Plato Academy uniquely excels in advanced coursework, achieving near-perfect proficiency (96-100%) in Algebra 1 and Geometry End-of-Course exams.
A key finding is that higher spending does not guarantee better results. Cross Bayou spends the most per student ($19,172) yet has the lowest performance, while Plato Academy spends the least ($8,560) and outperforms Cross Bayou in nearly every metric. Chronic absenteeism is a shared challenge, ranging from 26.4% at Cross Bayou to 31.4% at Skyview, all at or below the state average. Socioeconomic factors, as measured by free/reduced lunch rates, do not fully predict outcomes: Pinellas Central (63% eligible) achieves top results, while Skyview (64% eligible) performs moderately. This suggests that effective teaching and leadership can overcome economic barriers, making school-specific data crucial for parents evaluating options in this area.
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