Tropical Elementary School

Q: Is Tropical Elementary School a good school?

Tropical Elementary School ranks 727 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Tropical Elementary School is a public elementary school in Plantation, Florida, serving 839 students in grades PK-5 and part of the Broward County School District, which is ranked 30th out of 68 districts in the state.

Tropical Elementary consistently outperforms the Broward County and Florida state averages in standardized test scores, with 57% of 3rd graders, 65% of 4th graders, and 61% of 5th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to the county averages of 57%, 57%, and 60%, respectively. In math, the school had 58% of 3rd graders, 63% of 4th graders, and 74% of 5th graders proficient or better, exceeding the county averages of 65%, 63%, and 61%. Tropical Elementary's 5th-grade science proficiency rate of 56% was also higher than the Broward County (52%) and Florida (53%) averages. The school's diverse student population, with 34.09% White, 19.67% African American, 38.26% Hispanic, and 3.69% Asian students, is a key differentiating factor compared to nearby schools like Meadowbrook Elementary (71.35% Hispanic) and Nova Blanche Forman Elementary (64.24% African American).

However, Tropical Elementary has seen a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 4.6% in 2019-2020 to 24.8% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the nearby Meadowbrook Elementary (35.6%) and Nova Blanche Forman Elementary (22.0%). The school's spending per student has also increased, from $9,861 in 2019-2020 to $12,214 in 2022-2023, which is higher than some nearby schools like Nova Blanche Forman Elementary ($11,134) and Davie Elementary School ($11,970).

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

1500 SW 66th Ave
Plantation, FL 33317

(754) 323-7750

District: Broward

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

Per Pupil Expenditures: $12,214

Students who attend Tropical Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Seminole Middle School
High:	South Plantation High School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.1

Number of students: 839

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

38.3%

White:

34.1%

African American:

19.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 52.6%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Tropical Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Tropical Elementary School ranks better than 67.8% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 70^th among 189 ranked elementary schools in the Broward School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 65.83. (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 Student population at Tropical Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (38.3%), White (34.1%), African American (19.7%). (See more...)

Compare Details 52.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Tropical Elementary School is 16.1, which is the 54^th best among 189 elementary schools in the Broward School District. (See more...)

Compare Tropical Elementary School employs 52 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Tropical Elementary School is $12,214, which is the 90^th highest among 189 elementary schools in the Broward School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Broward:

SchoolDigger ranks Broward 30^th 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
2006	83.21	243^rd	1688	85.6%
2007	75.41	410^th	1786	77.0%
2008	74.62	419^th	1789	76.6%
2009	73.70	445^th	1847	75.9%
2010	73.30	486^th	1919	74.7%
2011	70.29	587^th	1985	70.4%
2012	78.18	389^th	1984	80.4%
2013	74.48	463^rd	2029	77.2%
2014	70.63	565^th	2064	72.6%
2016	71.86	563^rd	2087	73.0%
2017	70.19	609^th	2112	71.2%
2018	73.61	518^th	2118	75.5%
2019	77.58	453^rd	2182	79.2%
2021	67.86	688^th	2247	69.4%
2022	67.32	684^th	2219	69.2%
2023	72.79	565^th	2240	74.8%
2024	65.83	727^th	2256	67.8%

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
Sunday, August 14, 2011

Excellent school!!!! Close Quote

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	529	83	16	23	0	n/a	n/a	0	651
1989	597	76	13	41	0	n/a	n/a	0	727
1990	614	86	6	46	0	n/a	n/a	0	752
1991	609	96	7	54	0	n/a	n/a	0	766
1992	628	84	10	61	0	n/a	n/a	0	783
1993	632	81	17	68	2	n/a	n/a	0	800
1994	616	92	19	60	4	n/a	n/a	0	791
1995	548	105	22	98	2	n/a	n/a	0	775
1996	548	105	22	98	2	n/a	n/a	0	775
1997	560	106	24	103	5	n/a	n/a	0	798
1998	568	102	17	103	3	n/a	n/a	0	793
1999	572	109	19	124	2	n/a	n/a	0	826
2000	600	121	17	139	0	n/a	n/a	0	877
2001	620	150	19	166	4	n/a	n/a	0	959
2002	539	183	24	211	3	n/a	n/a	0	960
2003	539	183	24	211	3	n/a	n/a	0	960
2004	541	169	31	219	4	n/a	n/a	0	964
2005	532	168	25	231	5	n/a	n/a	0	961
2006	463	157	26	229	5	n/a	n/a	0	880
2007	420	149	31	208	6	n/a	n/a	33	847
2008	389	132	36	206	3	n/a	n/a	38	804
2009	375	140	38	207	1	n/a	n/a	45	806
2010	397	129	37	237	1	n/a	n/a	41	842
2011	403	150	34	302	3	2	29	0	923
2012	385	166	40	297	3	3	20	0	914
2013	403	173	43	311	4	2	22	0	958
2014	389	165	44	318	3	2	31	0	952
2015	396	167	57	335	5	2	34	0	996
2016	368	167	54	294	1	1	33	0	918
2017	346	168	43	303	3	2	24	0	889
2018	358	171	43	349	3	1	28	0	953
2019	365	185	35	376	3	1	39	0	1004
2020	389	168	39	359	1	0	35	0	991
2021	319	143	36	305	0	1	27	0	831
2022	314	194	27	323	0	1	33	0	892
2023	286	165	31	321	1	0	35	0	839

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	651	29.0	22.4	10.1
1989	727	34.0	21.3	10.9
1990	752	30.0	25.0	13.4
1991	766	33.0	23.2	16.2
1992	783	33.0	23.7	12.6
1993	800	35.0	22.9	14.9
1994	791	35.0	22.6	15.3
1995	775	39.0	19.9	16.1
1996	775	39.0	19.9	16.1
1997	798	38.0	21.0	16.5
1998	793	40.0	19.8	18.2
1999	826	43.0	19.2	24
2000	877	42.0	20.9	23.4
2001	959	48.0	20.0	26
2002	960	50.0	19.2	31.6
2003	960	50.0	19.2	31.6
2004	964	53.0	18.2	30.9
2005	961	57.0	16.9	33.3
2006	880	59.0	14.9	32.2
2007	847	54.0	15.7	32.9
2008	804	58.5	13.7	32.1
2009	806	65.5	14.9	33.5
2010	842	52.0	16.1	37.7
2011	923	63.0	14.6	38.9
2012	914	57.8	15.8	42.8
2013	958	65.0	14.7	44.4
2014	952	64.0	14.8	46
2015	996	68.0	14.6	50.2
2016	918	65.0	14.1	48
2017	889	65.0	13.6	47.6
2018	953	65.0	14.6	51.3
2019	1004	62.0	16.1	46.9
2020	991	61.0	16.2	47.3
2021	831	57.0	14.5	44.6
2022	892	54.5	16.3	44.5
2023	839	52.0	16.1	52.6

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	651	29.0	22.4	10.1
1989	727	34.0	21.3	10.9
1990	752	30.0	25.0	13.4
1991	766	33.0	23.2	16.2
1992	783	33.0	23.7	12.6
1993	800	35.0	22.9	14.9
1994	791	35.0	22.6	15.3
1995	775	39.0	19.9	16.1
1996	775	39.0	19.9	16.1
1997	798	38.0	21.0	16.5
1998	793	40.0	19.8	18.2
1999	826	43.0	19.2	24
2000	877	42.0	20.9	23.4
2001	959	48.0	20.0	26
2002	960	50.0	19.2	31.6
2003	960	50.0	19.2	31.6
2004	964	53.0	18.2	30.9
2005	961	57.0	16.9	33.3
2006	880	59.0	14.9	32.2
2007	847	54.0	15.7	32.9
2008	804	58.5	13.7	32.1
2009	806	65.5	14.9	33.5
2010	842	52.0	16.1	37.7
2011	923	63.0	14.6	38.9
2012	914	57.8	15.8	42.8
2013	958	65.0	14.7	44.4
2014	952	64.0	14.8	46
2015	996	68.0	14.6	50.2
2016	918	65.0	14.1	48
2017	889	65.0	13.6	47.6
2018	953	65.0	14.6	51.3
2019	1004	62.0	16.1	46.9
2020	991	61.0	16.2	47.3
2021	831	57.0	14.5	44.6
2022	892	54.5	16.3	44.5
2023	839	52.0	16.1	52.6

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	$231 (2.7%)	$8,334 (97.3%)	$8,565
2019	$391 (4.4%)	$8,565 (95.6%)	$8,956
2020	$618 (6.3%)	$9,243 (93.7%)	$9,861
2021	$934 (8.3%)	$10,336 (91.7%)	$11,269
2022	$1,649 (14.9%)	$9,390 (85.1%)	$11,040
2023	$1,756 (14.4%)	$10,458 (85.6%)	$12,214

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 453^rd of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 565^th of 2240 Elementary schools	4.5%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Tropical Elementary School)	73	57	16%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Broward)	60	54	6%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Tropical Elementary School)	73	62	11%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Broward)	65	58	7%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Tropical Elementary School)	73	67	6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Broward)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Tropical Elementary School)	81	71	10%
4th Grade Mathematics (Broward)	67	61	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Tropical Elementary School)	71	64	7%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Broward)	59	58	1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Tropical Elementary School)	71	61	10%
5th Grade Mathematics (Broward)	64	53	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Tropical Elementary School)	54	54
5th Grade Science (Broward)	49	46	3%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1004	839	16.4%
African American	185	165	10.8%
American Indian	3	1	66.7%
Asian	35	31	11.4%
Hispanic	376	321	14.6%
Pacific Islander	1	0	100%
White	365	286	21.6%
Two or More Races	39	35	10.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	46.9%	52.6%	5.7%

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-5	1500 SW 66th Ave	Plantation	33317	Broward County	Broward	No	No	No	No	(754) 323-7750	839	52	16.1	52.6%	286 (34.1%)	165 (19.7%)	321 (38.3%)	31 (3.7%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (4.2%)	65.8	727^th of 2256 public elementary schools	67.8%		72.8	565^th of 2240 public elementary schools	74.8%	162	57.0	65.0	61.0				58.0	63.0	74.0				56.0				$12,214	$1,756	$10,458
Plantation Park Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	875 SW 54th Ave	Plantation	33317	Broward County	Broward	No	No	No	No	(754) 323-7150	512	33	15.5	52.1%	176 (34.4%)	120 (23.4%)	178 (34.8%)	14 (2.7%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	22 (4.3%)	59.6	872^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	61.3%		66.6	706^th of 2240 public elementary schools	68.5%	166	65.0	64.0	49.0				73.0	61.0	39.0				50.0				$12,147	$1,660	$10,487
Imagine Schools Plantation Campus	Public, Charter	K-8	8200 Peters Rd	Plantation	33324	Broward County	Broward	Yes	No	No	No	(954) 358-4200	406	25	16.2	2.5%	220 (54.2%)	31 (7.6%)	135 (33.3%)	6 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.4%)	89	211^th of 2256 public elementary schools	90.6%		75.6	497^th of 2240 public elementary schools	77.8%	286	76.0	67.0	82.0	74.0	63.0	63.0	92.0	76.0	84.0	86.0	73.0	63.0	73.0	53.0	95.0	93.0	$9,619	$10	$9,609
Meadowbrook Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2300 SW 46th Ave	Fort Lauderdale	33317	Broward County	Broward	No	No	No	Yes	(754) 323-6500	719	49	14.6	81.5%	69 (9.6%)	125 (17.4%)	513 (71.3%)	5 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.0%)	21.9	1848^th of 2256 public elementary schools	18.1%		18.7	1944^th of 2240 public elementary schools	13.2%	96	36.0	37.0	38.0				40.0	52.0	42.0				30.0				$14,099	$3,759	$10,340
Nova Blanche Forman Elementary	Public	K-5	3521 Davie Rd	Davie	33314	Broward County	Broward	No	No	No	Yes	(754) 323-6600	769	45	17.2	71.9%	83 (10.8%)	494 (64.2%)	127 (16.5%)	34 (4.4%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	27 (3.5%)	61.8	823^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	63.5%		58.5	875^th of 2240 public elementary schools	60.9%	52	53.0	54.0	62.0				77.0	69.0	61.0				43.0				$11,134	$1,933	$9,200
Somerset Academy Davie Charter School	Public, Charter	K-5	3788 Davie Rd	Davie	33314	Broward County	Broward	Yes	No	No	Yes	(954) 584-5528	150	0	25.0	50.7%	46 (30.7%)	26 (17.3%)	65 (43.3%)	9 (6.0%)	1 (0.7%)	1 (0.7%)	2 (1.3%)	94.3	65^th of 2256 public elementary schools	97.1%		97.4	13^th of 2240 public elementary schools	99.4%	52	64.0	100.0	88.0				88.0	96.0	100.0				92.0				$10,279	$1,169	$9,110
Nova Dwight D. Eisenhower Elementary	Public	K-5	6501 SW 39th St	Davie	33314	Broward County	Broward	No	No	No	Yes	(754) 323-6650	748	40	18.7	71.8%	57 (7.6%)	466 (62.3%)	145 (19.4%)	38 (5.1%)	6 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (4.8%)	66.4	712^th of 2256 public elementary schools	68.4%		60	840^th of 2240 public elementary schools	62.5%	128	71.0	68.0	62.0				72.0	69.0	53.0				37.0				$10,386	$1,750	$8,636
Davie Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7025 SW 39th St	Davie	33314	Broward County	Broward	No	No	No	Yes	(754) 323-5400	680	37	18.3	77.8%	117 (17.2%)	78 (11.5%)	430 (63.2%)	26 (3.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	28 (4.1%)	21.9	1849^th of 2256 public elementary schools	18.0%		34.3	1487^th of 2240 public elementary schools	33.6%	362	38.0	35.0	37.0				48.0	53.0	33.0				30.0				$11,970	$2,839	$9,132
Peters Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	851 NW 68th Ave	Plantation	33317	Broward County	Broward	No	No	No	Yes	(754) 322-7900	623	39	15.9	73.5%	67 (10.8%)	359 (57.6%)	155 (24.9%)	15 (2.4%)	4 (0.6%)	2 (0.3%)	21 (3.4%)	56	945^th of 2256 public elementary schools	58.1%		46.7	1168^th of 2240 public elementary schools	47.9%	223	58.0	53.0	53.0				69.0	63.0	48.0				53.0				$13,240	$2,524	$10,715
Ben Gamla Charter School South Broward	Public, Charter	K-8	6340 Sunset Dr	Miami	33143	Miami-Dade County	Broward	Yes	No	No	Yes	(954) 587-8348	267	10	26.7	83.1%	50 (18.7%)	136 (50.9%)	61 (22.8%)	1 (0.4%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (6.7%)	63.1	796^th of 2256 public elementary schools	64.7%		52.4	1036^th of 2240 public elementary schools	53.8%	240	58.0	63.0	67.0	69.0	68.0	56.0	74.0	61.0	60.0	67.0	57.0	23.0	30.0	38.0	70.0	77.0	$10,205	$1,195	$9,010

Frequently Asked Questions about Tropical Elementary School

Is Tropical Elementary School a good school?

Tropical Elementary School ranks 727^th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Tropical Elementary School?

Students at Tropical Elementary School are 38% Hispanic, 34% White, 20% African American, 4% Two or more races, 4% Asian.

How many students attend Tropical Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 839 students attended Tropical Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Tropical Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Seminole Middle School
High : South Plantation High School

What district is Tropical Elementary School in?

Broward

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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.