See the most-improved and top-ranked Tampa public elementary schools

See the most-improved and top-ranked Tampa public elementary schoolsPhoto: Unsplash
Hoodline
Published on August 21, 2019

How strong are the public elementary schools in Tampa?

With a fresh school year kicking off, we analyzed newly released data from Niche.com — which include comprehensive report cards, rankings and reviews — to identify those schools that made the biggest strides last year and those that lead their peers.

Bing Elementary School's overall rating improved the most among similar schools in Tampa, rising from a C to a C+, according to data from Niche.

For the 2019-2020 school year, the school, located at 6409 36th Ave. South, enrolls 607 students. Bing Elementary School serves a diverse population: 47% of students identify as Hispanic, 29% identify as black and 20% identify as white. Niche graded the school a C+ for academics (on an A-D scale).

The overall ranking comes from Niche's proprietary algorithms. A school's ranking might change due to many factors, including the relative rankings of similar schools and whether a school gained or lost peers due to openings or closings. Other numbers come from current public data from the U.S. government.

Academically, 41% of Bing Elementary School's students scored as proficient or above in math, and 38% did so in reading. That's compared to city averages of 49% in math and 49% in reading. The school's improved overall rating is notable in that it serves a less-affluent population, with 94% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, 20% more than the city average.

It's not the only school that's climbed Niche's rankings this year. Clair-Mel Elementary School saw its overall rating go from a C to a C+. The school is located at 1025 S. 78th St. and currently serves 573 students, of whom 48% identify as Hispanic and 40% identify as black.

Niche graded Clair-Mel Elementary School a C for academics on an A-D scale. The school's latest math proficiency was at 37%, and reading proficiency was 33%. It also serves a less-affluent population, with 97% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

West Tampa Elementary School also saw improvement in its overall rating, from C+ to B-. The school is located at 2700 W. Cherry St. and has 455 students currently enrolled, of whom 64% identify as Hispanic and 30% identify as black.

Niche graded West Tampa Elementary School a B- for academics on an A-D scale. Its latest math proficiency was at 47%, and reading proficiency was 47%. The school also serves a less-affluent community, with 96% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

While some public elementary schools in Tampa are moving up the ranks, others are consistently top-rated overall, including:

  • Chiles Elementary School, with an overall rating of A.
  • Grady Elementary School, with an A rating overall.
  • Deer Park Elementary School, rated A- overall.

Want more of the latest intel on Tampa schools? Hoodline also analyzed the latest Niche ratings for the city's public high schools.


This story was created automatically using data from Niche.com, then reviewed by an editor before publication. Click here for more about how and why Hoodline is automating local news. Got thoughts about what we're doing? Go here to share your feedback.