Summary:
This analysis examines four elementary schools in zip code 34683 (Palm Harbor, FL), serving grades PK-5 (with one charter school extending to 8th grade), all part of the Pinellas County School District, a top-15 district in Florida.
The standout school in this area is Elisa Nelson Elementary, which ranks 14th out of 2,240 elementary schools in Florida (99th percentile) and has the highest test scores, with 98% of 3rd graders proficient in ELA and 96% of 5th graders proficient in Math. It also has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (9.2%) and the lowest percentage of students on free/reduced lunch (12.35%). Sutherland Elementary School is the most improved, jumping from 202nd to 93rd in state ranking, and excels in Math with 91% of 4th graders proficient. Ozona Elementary School is a consistent high performer, ranking in the 91st percentile or higher for three years. Plato Academy Palm Harbor Charter School is the only charter school and serves K-8, but its elementary test scores are significantly lower (e.g., 43% of 5th graders proficient in Science vs. 80-93% at other schools), despite having the lowest student-teacher ratio (11:1) and lowest spending per student ($8,429).
Key metrics show a clear tier of excellence: the three traditional public schools all rank in the top 10% of Florida, with Elisa Nelson Elementary leading in academic performance and efficiency (spending $12,485 per student, less than Ozona Elementary's $13,115). Chronic absenteeism is a key differentiator, with Elisa Nelson Elementary at 9.2% and Plato Academy at 17.1%, though all schools are well below district (30.6%) and state (31.4%) averages. For families prioritizing elementary education, the three traditional schools are excellent choices, with Elisa Nelson Elementary being the top pick for highest performance, while Plato Academy offers a unique K-8 charter option with a trade-off in elementary-level results.
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