Summary:
The six public schools in zip code 34683 (Palm Harbor, FL), part of the highly-rated Pinellas County School District, serve a community that places a premium on education, with all schools earning 4 or 5 stars and chronic absenteeism rates less than half the state average. Elisa Nelson Elementary is the standout academic powerhouse, ranking 14th in Florida (99th percentile) with the lowest chronic absenteeism (9.2%) and highest test scores, while Sutherland Elementary is a rising star, jumping over 100 spots in state ranking to 93rd (96th percentile). At the high school level, Palm Harbor University High is a consistent high achiever with a perfect 100% graduation rate and strong Biology (88%) and ELA (77%) proficiency, far exceeding state averages.
Key metrics reveal a clear performance hierarchy among elementary schools. In 5th-grade math, Elisa Nelson Elementary (96%) and Sutherland Elementary (90%) dominate, while Ozona Elementary (notably the highest spender at $13,115 per student) and Plato Academy Palm Harbor Charter School lag behind. A notable "middle school dip" appears at Palm Harbor Middle School, where chronic absenteeism (24.1%) is the highest in the zip code and 7th-grade math proficiency (32%) falls well below the state average (53%), despite the school maintaining a 4-star rating.
Interesting contradictions emerge with spending and performance. Plato Academy Palm Harbor Charter School presents a paradox: it excels in advanced exams (100% Geometry) but struggles with grade-level proficiency (43% in 5th-grade science) and has seen its state ranking drop from the 82nd to 58th percentile, losing its 5-star rating. Overall, the community's strong emphasis on attendance and achievement is evident, with all schools outperforming district and state averages on chronic absenteeism, and four out of six holding 5-star ratings, making this an exceptional educational environment for families.
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