Best Public Schools in Zip Code 33890

Zip code 33890 is home to a single school, Zolfo Springs Elementary School, a public elementary school serving grades PK through 5 with 512 students in the Hardee County School District, an area characterized by high poverty where 78.52% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Zolfo Springs Elementary School stands out as a strong performer in mathematics, significantly outpacing both its district and the state in 4th and 5th grade math proficiency. For the 2025-2026 school year, 4th graders achieved 70% proficiency (compared to the district's 57% and state's 65%), and 5th graders reached 66% proficiency (versus the district's 60% and state's 62%). This is a notable achievement given the district's low overall ranking (14th percentile). However, the school faces a serious challenge with chronic absenteeism, which sits at 36.9% for the 2023-2024 school year—significantly above the state average of 31.4%. Performance is less consistent in English Language Arts, where 3rd grade proficiency (50%) lags 10 points behind the state average (60%), while 5th grade ELA (59%) is closer to the state mark (61%). The school's state ranking has shown a positive trajectory, improving from the 35th percentile in 2023-2024 to the 46th percentile in 2025-2026.

The key takeaway for parents is that Zolfo Springs Elementary School is a "math school" that is achieving above-average results in that subject despite operating within a struggling district and serving a high-poverty community. The school's upward trend in state rankings suggests effective leadership and instruction are making a difference. However, the high chronic absenteeism rate is a critical concern, as it means many students are missing substantial instructional time, which likely limits overall school performance. Parents should also note the uneven academic profile, with math being a clear strength while early literacy in 3rd grade requires attention. The student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1 and per-student spending of $11,916 provide additional context for the school's resources.