Summary:
In zip code 34684 of Palm Harbor, Florida, three elementary schools serve students from kindergarten through 5th grade within the highly-rated Pinellas County School District, which holds a 4-star rating and ranks in the 79th percentile statewide.
Lake St. George Elementary School is the standout performer, earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the 92nd percentile among Florida elementary schools. It leads all local schools in academic metrics, with average ELA proficiency at 77.3% and math proficiency at 83.7%—both well above district and state averages. Its 5th-grade science proficiency of 88% is particularly impressive. Curlew Creek Elementary School is a strong, consistent 4-star school that ranks in the 77th percentile, with solid test scores and the lowest chronic absenteeism rate at 15.8%. Highland Lakes Elementary School is the lowest-performing school in the area, dropping to a 3-star rating and the 61st percentile, with a notable decline in 5th-grade performance where ELA and math proficiency fall below state averages.
A key strength across all three schools is their remarkably low chronic absenteeism rates, which hover around 16%—roughly half the district and state averages of over 30%. This indicates a strong culture of attendance. Interestingly, per-student spending does not directly correlate with performance, as Lake St. George achieves top results with slightly less funding than Curlew Creek. While Highland Lakes has the highest percentage of students on free/reduced lunch at 39.64%, Lake St. George demonstrates that other factors like teaching quality and school culture can drive success regardless of socioeconomic makeup. For parents, Lake St. George offers the strongest academic outcomes, while Curlew Creek provides reliable, above-average performance with excellent attendance.
Thank you for your feedback!