Tropical Elementary School

Q: Is Tropical Elementary School a good school?

Tropical Elementary School ranks 547 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Tropical Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Merritt Island, Florida, serving grades PK-6 with a student population of 671. This school stands out as a high-performing institution, consistently achieving strong academic results and maintaining a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger, ranking among the top 25% of Florida elementary schools.

Tropical Elementary School's academic performance is particularly impressive, with students consistently outperforming the Brevard County and Florida state averages in standardized test scores across all grade levels and subjects. In the 2023-2024 school year, 69% of 5th-grade students were proficient or better in Statewide Science, compared to 58% in Brevard County and 53% statewide. The school's 4th-grade English Language Arts (ELA) and Math proficiency rates were 77%, significantly higher than the Brevard County and Florida averages. Additionally, the school's 6th-grade Math proficiency rate was 76%, compared to 66% in Brevard County and 56% statewide.

Tropical Elementary School's diverse student population, with 77.2% White, 9.69% Hispanic, and 8.79% two or more races, is higher than some nearby schools, such as Lewis Carroll Elementary (80.19% White) and Robert L. Stevenson Elementary (85.38% White). However, the school's relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at 51.27%, is an interesting point of comparison to nearby schools like Endeavour Elementary (72.11%) and Cambridge Elementary Magnet (78.38%).

Detail:

Public PK, KG-6

885 S Courtenay Pkwy
Merritt Island, FL 32952

(321) 454-1080

District: Brevard

SchoolDigger Rank:
547^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,333

Students who attend Tropical Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Thomas Jefferson Middle School
High:	Merritt Island High School

Student/teacher ratio: 18.1

Number of students: 671

Racial breakdown:

White:

77.2%

Hispanic:

9.7%

Two or more races:

8.8%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 51.3%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Tropical Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Tropical Elementary School ranks better than 75.8% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 24^th among 66 ranked elementary schools in the Brevard School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 74.01. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (77.2%), Hispanic (9.7%), two or more races (8.8%). (See more...)

Compare Details 51.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Tropical Elementary School is 18.1. 59 elementary schools in the Brevard School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Tropical Elementary School employs 37 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Tropical Elementary School is $9,333. 55 elementary schools in the Brevard School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Tropical Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Brevard:

SchoolDigger ranks Brevard 22^nd of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Tropical Elementary School.

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Rank History for Tropical Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	93.43	15^th	199	92.5%
2005	94.53	13^th	202	93.6%
2006	87.83	160^th	1688	90.5%
2007	92.18	61^st	1786	96.6%
2008	92.35	63^rd	1789	96.5%
2009	90.51	91^st	1847	95.1%
2010	89.39	116^th	1919	94.0%
2011	87.33	174^th	1985	91.2%
2012	89.21	148^th	1984	92.5%
2013	85.57	229^th	2029	88.7%
2014	83.32	307^th	2064	85.1%
2016	87.22	215^th	2087	89.7%
2017	86.53	231^st	2112	89.1%
2018	78.92	415^th	2118	80.4%
2019	72.04	582^nd	2182	73.3%
2021	72.17	598^th	2247	73.4%
2022	76.60	487^th	2219	78.1%
2023	79.08	427^th	2240	80.9%
2024	74.01	547^th	2256	75.8%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Saturday, December 30, 2017

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Enrollment information for Tropical Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	822	10	10	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	854
1989	907	12	7	16	2	n/a	n/a	0	944
1990	987	12	9	14	2	n/a	n/a	0	1024
1991	1026	9	14	21	5	n/a	n/a	0	1075
1992	1029	7	14	26	5	n/a	n/a	0	1081
1993	1029	7	14	16	5	n/a	n/a	0	1071
1994	1048	3	16	15	7	n/a	n/a	0	1089
1995	966	7	15	24	6	n/a	n/a	0	1018
1996	966	7	15	24	6	n/a	n/a	0	1018
1997	956	8	9	15	2	n/a	n/a	0	990
1998	966	8	18	20	0	n/a	n/a	0	1012
1999	947	7	20	27	1	n/a	n/a	0	1002
2000	906	6	21	30	2	n/a	n/a	0	965
2001	865	11	13	29	4	n/a	n/a	0	922
2002	780	9	13	42	2	n/a	n/a	0	846
2003	780	9	13	42	2	n/a	n/a	0	846
2004	764	9	16	45	1	n/a	n/a	0	835
2005	774	15	18	39	0	n/a	n/a	0	846
2006	773	15	16	44	3	n/a	n/a	0	851
2007	706	7	21	43	0	n/a	n/a	37	814
2008	646	15	21	38	2	n/a	n/a	36	758
2009	633	15	21	32	2	n/a	n/a	37	740
2010	612	8	27	27	4	n/a	n/a	34	712
2011	549	7	26	57	2	0	49	0	690
2012	527	6	27	53	1	0	54	0	668
2013	501	9	24	62	1	0	46	0	643
2014	513	19	19	68	3	1	51	0	674
2015	583	19	14	59	2	1	58	0	736
2016	591	31	18	64	3	2	56	0	765
2017	596	31	18	78	0	1	63	0	787
2018	599	29	15	80	1	2	70	0	796
2019	608	36	14	92	1	1	73	0	825
2020	605	31	11	84	0	1	72	0	804
2021	510	27	10	73	0	1	60	0	681
2022	505	20	7	50	0	0	60	0	642
2023	518	16	11	65	0	2	59	0	671

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Tropical Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	854	44.0	19.4	7.8
1989	944	50.0	18.8	9.9
1990	1024	53.0	19.3	13.3
1991	1075	56.0	19.1	13.1
1992	1081	55.0	19.6	11.4
1993	1071	55.0	19.5	12.5
1994	1089	55.0	19.8	11.8
1995	1018	53.0	19.2	15.6
1996	1018	53.0	19.2	15.6
1997	990	52.0	19.0	11.8
1998	1012	53.0	19.1	11.4
1999	1002	53.0	18.9	15.2
2000	965	52.0	18.6	16.1
2001	922	50.0	18.4	15.9
2002	846	47.0	18.0	16.1
2003	846	47.0	18.0	16.1
2004	835	46.0	18.2	13.8
2005	846	49.0	17.3	19
2006	851	53.0	16.1	18.6
2007	814	49.0	16.6	17.2
2008	758	48.0	15.8	19.8
2009	740	51.1	15.7	24.3
2010	712	45.5	15.6	28.6
2011	690	45.8	15.0	32.6
2012	668	44.8	14.9	32.2
2013	643	44.0	14.6	31.9
2014	674	46.0	14.6	35.3
2015	736	48.0	15.3	43.2
2016	765	50.0	15.3	46.8
2017	787	52.0	15.1	47.1
2018	796	54.0	14.7	42.2
2019	825	52.0	15.8	44.8
2020	804	51.0	15.7	44.5
2021	681	47.0	14.4	49.3
2022	642	43.0	14.9	50
2023	671	37.0	18.1	51.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Tropical Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	854	44.0	19.4	7.8
1989	944	50.0	18.8	9.9
1990	1024	53.0	19.3	13.3
1991	1075	56.0	19.1	13.1
1992	1081	55.0	19.6	11.4
1993	1071	55.0	19.5	12.5
1994	1089	55.0	19.8	11.8
1995	1018	53.0	19.2	15.6
1996	1018	53.0	19.2	15.6
1997	990	52.0	19.0	11.8
1998	1012	53.0	19.1	11.4
1999	1002	53.0	18.9	15.2
2000	965	52.0	18.6	16.1
2001	922	50.0	18.4	15.9
2002	846	47.0	18.0	16.1
2003	846	47.0	18.0	16.1
2004	835	46.0	18.2	13.8
2005	846	49.0	17.3	19
2006	851	53.0	16.1	18.6
2007	814	49.0	16.6	17.2
2008	758	48.0	15.8	19.8
2009	740	51.1	15.7	24.3
2010	712	45.5	15.6	28.6
2011	690	45.8	15.0	32.6
2012	668	44.8	14.9	32.2
2013	643	44.0	14.6	31.9
2014	674	46.0	14.6	35.3
2015	736	48.0	15.3	43.2
2016	765	50.0	15.3	46.8
2017	787	52.0	15.1	47.1
2018	796	54.0	14.7	42.2
2019	825	52.0	15.8	44.8
2020	804	51.0	15.7	44.5
2021	681	47.0	14.4	49.3
2022	642	43.0	14.9	50
2023	671	37.0	18.1	51.3

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Tropical Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$366 (5.0%)	$6,897 (95.0%)	$7,263
2019	$390 (5.4%)	$6,867 (94.6%)	$7,256
2020	$423 (5.5%)	$7,261 (94.5%)	$7,684
2021	$685 (8.2%)	$7,631 (91.8%)	$8,315
2022	$1,267 (13.4%)	$8,169 (86.6%)	$9,436
2023	$1,602 (17.2%)	$7,731 (82.8%)	$9,333

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Tropical Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 582^nd of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 427^th of 2240 Elementary schools	7.6%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Tropical Elementary School)	63	57	6%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Brevard)	64	58	6%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Tropical Elementary School)	57	51	6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Brevard)	61	59	2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Tropical Elementary School)	66	75	9%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Brevard)	61	60	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Tropical Elementary School)	66	65	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Brevard)	64	60	4%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Tropical Elementary School)	77	72	5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Brevard)	60	61	1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Tropical Elementary School)	68	71	3%
5th Grade Mathematics (Brevard)	60	56	4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Tropical Elementary School)	64	79	15%
5th Grade Science (Brevard)	56	57	1%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Tropical Elementary School)	75	77	2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Brevard)	60	64	4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Tropical Elementary School)	85	70	15%
6th Grade Mathematics (Brevard)	67	66	1%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	825	671	18.7%
African American	36	16	55.6%
American Indian	1	0	100%
Asian	14	11	21.4%
Hispanic	92	65	29.3%
Pacific Islander	1	2	100%
White	608	518	14.8%
Two or More Races	73	59	19.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	44.8%	51.3%	6.4%

Schools Near Tropical Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)						FAST Math (2024)						Statewide Science Science (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Tropical Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	885 S Courtenay Pkwy	Merritt Island	32952	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 454-1080	671	37	18.1	51.3%	518 (77.2%)	16 (2.4%)	65 (9.7%)	11 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	59 (8.8%)	74	547^th of 2256 public elementary schools	75.8%		79.1	427^th of 2240 public elementary schools	80.9%	120	59.0	77.0	67.0	72.0			54.0	77.0	62.0	76.0			69.0				$9,333	$1,602	$7,731
Mila Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	288 W Merritt Ave	Merritt Island	32953	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	Yes	(321) 454-1070	433	33	13.2	70.2%	210 (48.5%)	83 (19.2%)	69 (15.9%)	7 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	62 (14.3%)	23.9	1801^st of 2256 public elementary schools	20.2%		26.6	1691^st of 2240 public elementary schools	24.5%	110	39.0	33.0	26.0	57.0			42.0	39.0	32.0	51.0			43.0				$13,510	$3,233	$10,276
Emma Jewel Charter Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	705 Blake Ave	Cocoa	32922	Brevard County	Brevard	Yes	No	No	Yes	(321) 634-5462	341	17	20.2	83.0%	10 (2.9%)	269 (78.9%)	31 (9.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	29 (8.5%)	7.9	2192^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	2.8%		12.8	2086^th of 2240 public elementary schools	6.9%	106	33.0	25.0	28.0	34.0	52.0	41.0	29.0	23.0	8.0	26.0	64.0	27.0	28.0	18.0	73.0	67.0	$11,424	$2,393	$9,030
Golfview Elementary Magnet School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-6	1530 S Fiske Blvd	Rockledge	32955	Brevard County	Brevard	No	Yes	No	Yes	(321) 633-3570	441	32	13.7	74.1%	107 (24.3%)	184 (41.7%)	98 (22.2%)	4 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	47 (10.7%)	24.5	1780^th of 2256 public elementary schools	21.1%		23	1803^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	19.5%	23	44.0	35.0	36.0	57.0			46.0	31.0	33.0	53.0			29.0				$12,500	$3,000	$9,500
Audubon Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1201 N Banana River Dr	Merritt Island	32952	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	Yes	(321) 452-2085	450	34	13.2	57.8%	286 (63.6%)	28 (6.2%)	62 (13.8%)	15 (3.3%)	1 (0.2%)	6 (1.3%)	52 (11.6%)	74.8	532^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	76.4%		58.3	880^th of 2240 public elementary schools	60.7%	348	75.0	44.0	61.0	68.0			74.0	65.0	71.0	82.0			68.0				$12,606	$2,816	$9,790
Lewis Carroll Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1 Skyline Blvd	Merritt Island	32953	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 452-1234	626	41	15.1	38.0%	502 (80.2%)	13 (2.1%)	59 (9.4%)	10 (1.6%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (6.4%)	83.1	337^th of 2256 public elementary schools	85.1%		79.6	415^th of 2240 public elementary schools	81.5%	78	76.0	60.0	73.0	82.0			77.0	63.0	68.0	94.0			72.0				$10,040	$1,430	$8,610
Hans Christian Andersen Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	3011 S Fiske Blvd	Rockledge	32955	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 633-3610	567	40	14.1	56.3%	297 (52.4%)	111 (19.6%)	86 (15.2%)	5 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	67 (11.8%)	53.8	999^th of 2256 public elementary schools	55.7%		43.8	1232^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	45.0%	233	56.0	53.0	58.0	52.0			46.0	47.0	64.0	64.0			67.0				$10,262	$1,502	$8,759
Endeavour Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	905 Pineda St	Cocoa	32922	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	Yes	(321) 633-3545	717	47	15.2	72.1%	71 (9.9%)	251 (35.0%)	345 (48.1%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (6.4%)	5.9	2213^th of 2256 public elementary schools	1.9%		6.4	2186^th of 2240 public elementary schools	2.4%	27	28.0	18.0	21.0	26.0			26.0	29.0	23.0	23.0			22.0				$13,240	$4,656	$8,584
Robert L. Stevenson Elementary School	Public	K-6	1450 Martin Blvd	Merritt Island	32952	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 454-3550	506	29	17.4	21.3%	432 (85.4%)	5 (1.0%)	30 (5.9%)	13 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	25 (4.9%)	94.6	59^th of 2256 public elementary schools	97.4%		94.5	53^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	97.6%	6	76.0	87.0	89.0	91.0			86.0	96.0	79.0	89.0			97.0				$8,971	$1,328	$7,644
Cambridge Elementary Magnet School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-6	2000 Cambridge Dr	Cocoa	32922	Brevard County	Brevard	No	Yes	No	Yes	(321) 633-3550	495	27	18.3	78.4%	102 (20.6%)	126 (25.5%)	223 (45.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	43 (8.7%)	21.9	1850^th of 2256 public elementary schools	18.0%		30	1609^th of 2240 public elementary schools	28.2%	241	22.0	37.0	32.0	38.0			31.0	39.0	45.0	36.0			56.0				$10,957	$2,748	$8,208

Frequently Asked Questions about Tropical Elementary School

Is Tropical Elementary School a good school?

Tropical Elementary School ranks 547^th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Tropical Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 671 students attended Tropical Elementary School.

What district is Tropical Elementary School in?

Brevard

What is the racial makeup of Tropical Elementary School?

Students at Tropical Elementary School are 77% White, 10% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 2% African American, 2% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Tropical Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Tropical Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Thomas Jefferson Middle School
High : Merritt Island High School

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.