Summary:
This analysis examines three elementary schools in zip code 34668 (Port Richey, FL), all part of the Pasco County School District, serving grades PK-5 in a predominantly low-income area where free/reduced lunch rates range from 70% to 78%.
Among these schools, Chasco Elementary School stands out as the top performer, earning a 1-star rating (19th percentile) and leading in Math proficiency (44% average). Gulf Highlands Elementary School shows the most dramatic improvement, jumping from the 2nd percentile to the 18th percentile, and boasts the highest Science proficiency rate (58%), nearly matching the state average. In contrast, Fox Hollow Elementary School is the lowest-performing school, with the lowest state ranking (5th percentile, 0 stars), the highest student-teacher ratio (15.9:1), and the lowest test scores across all subjects. A key finding is that spending does not equal success: Chasco spends the most per student ($14,340) and performs best, while Gulf Highlands spends the least ($13,291) but outperforms Fox Hollow, which spends $14,091 per student.
The most critical challenge across all three schools is a crisis-level chronic absenteeism rate, with Gulf Highlands at 47.9%, Fox Hollow at 45.7%, and Chasco at 42.2%—all far exceeding the state average of 31.4%. This is almost certainly the primary barrier to academic improvement, as low test scores are likely a direct consequence of students missing class. For parents, this means that while Chasco offers the strongest academic foundation and Gulf Highlands shows promising gains in Science, any school choice in this area must be paired with a strong commitment to daily attendance to overcome the systemic challenges these schools face.
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