O. J. Semmes Elementary School

Summary:

O. J. Semmes Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 302 students in grades PK-5 in Pensacola, Florida, which is part of the Escambia School District. However, the school stands out as an underperforming institution compared to its surrounding counterparts.

O. J. Semmes has a significantly higher percentage of African American students (80.13%) compared to nearby schools like Scenic Heights Elementary (18.42%) and Cordova Park Elementary (62.69%). The school also struggles with high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 24.8% to 60.7% over the past 5 years, much higher than the 9.8% to 48.5% seen in surrounding schools. Academically, O. J. Semmes consistently underperforms the district and state averages on standardized tests, with only 12% of 5th graders proficient in math compared to 51% in the district and 56% statewide.

Interestingly, O. J. Semmes spends more per student ($15,080 in 2022-2023) than the surrounding schools, which range from $9,463 to $12,816 per student. This higher spending suggests the school is allocating resources to address the challenges it faces, such as the extremely high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 84.99% to 91.06% over the past 3 years. While the data points to significant room for improvement, addressing the root causes of chronic absenteeism and low academic achievement could help O. J. Semmes provide a better educational experience for its students.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

1250 E Texar Dr
Pensacola, FL 32503

(850) 595-6975

District: Escambia

SchoolDigger Rank:
2097^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $15,080

Students who attend O. J. Semmes Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	J. H. Workman Middle School
High:	Washington Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio: 14.3

Number of students: 302

Racial breakdown:

African American:

80.1%

Hispanic:

7.9%

White:

5.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 91.1%

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Compare O. J. Semmes Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details O. J. Semmes Elementary School ranks worse than 93% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 30^th among 35 ranked elementary schools in the Escambia School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 12.57. (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: African American (80.1%), Hispanic (7.9%), two or more races (5.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 91.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at O. J. Semmes Elementary School is 14.3, which is the 4^th best among 35 elementary schools in the Escambia School District. (See more...)

Compare O. J. Semmes Elementary School employs 21 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at O. J. Semmes Elementary School is $15,080, which is the 2^nd highest among 35 elementary schools in the Escambia School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

O. J. Semmes Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Escambia:

SchoolDigger ranks Escambia 51^st of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for O. J. Semmes Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	3.97	1654^th	1688	2.0%
2007	3.24	1757^th	1786	1.6%
2008	12.47	1651^st	1789	7.7%
2009	3.67	1816^th	1847	1.7%
2010	5.56	1862^nd	1919	3.0%
2011	16.08	1765^th	1985	11.1%
2012	15.38	1765^th	1984	11.0%
2013	5.60	1993^rd	2029	1.8%
2014	5.09	2027^th	2064	1.8%
2016	18.47	1777^th	2087	14.9%
2017	12.37	1958^th	2112	7.3%
2018	12.15	1964^th	2118	7.3%
2019	16.79	1920^th	2182	12.0%
2021	10.59	2111^th	2247	6.1%
2022	10.58	2089^th	2219	5.9%
2023	9.84	2134^th	2240	4.7%
2024	12.57	2097^th	2256	7.0%

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: 1)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent on FaceBook
Saturday, April 21, 2012

My son has went to 3 elem school's and this is the worse by far. Close Quote

Enrollment information for O. J. Semmes Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	139	572	4	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	716
1989	46	560	4	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	611
1990	61	571	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	632
1991	61	577	3	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	643
1992	56	603	4	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	663
1993	57	593	5	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	655
1994	57	583	7	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	648
1995	65	606	4	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	678
1996	65	606	4	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	678
1997	84	623	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	711
1998	112	666	3	2	2	n/a	n/a	0	785
1999	84	632	1	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	718
2000	59	579	3	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	643
2001	48	505	5	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	561
2002	24	421	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	448
2003	24	421	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	448
2004	35	437	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	473
2005	21	396	2	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	420
2006	11	348	0	3	2	n/a	n/a	0	364
2007	14	312	0	3	1	n/a	n/a	8	338
2008	10	302	0	5	0	n/a	n/a	16	333
2009	11	258	0	4	0	n/a	n/a	12	285
2010	19	284	3	5	0	n/a	n/a	15	326
2011	18	250	0	5	0	3	12	0	288
2012	32	334	0	11	0	0	18	0	395
2013	24	339	1	15	0	0	27	0	406
2014	42	380	0	12	0	1	18	0	453
2015	42	379	0	7	0	2	18	0	448
2016	43	358	1	6	1	4	15	0	428
2017	40	392	0	11	2	2	26	0	473
2018	57	405	0	17	0	1	23	0	503
2019	53	352	1	11	0	0	28	0	445
2020	46	381	0	21	0	0	27	0	475
2021	45	372	1	12	0	0	23	0	453
2022	42	336	1	25	2	0	16	0	422
2023	17	242	0	24	2	0	17	0	302

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 O. J. Semmes Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	716	42.0	17.0	73.7
1989	611	36.0	16.9	84
1990	632	37.0	17.0	85.6
1991	643	36.0	17.8	87.2
1992	663	36.0	18.4	78.9
1993	655	32.0	20.5	80.3
1994	648	37.0	17.5	80.4
1995	678	41.0	16.5	82.9
1996	678	41.0	16.5	82.9
1997	711	36.0	19.8	82.4
1998	785	39.0	20.1	81.4
1999	718	43.0	16.7	87.5
2000	643	42.0	15.3	92.2
2001	561	33.0	17.0	94.7
2002	448	33.0	13.6	95.3
2003	448	33.0	13.6	95.3
2004	473	29.0	16.3	96.4
2005	420	28.0	15.0	98.3
2006	364	31.0	11.7	90.4
2007	338	28.0	12.1	96.1
2008	333	28.5	11.7	100.3
2009	285	27.1	10.6	100
2010	326	23.5	13.8	103.9
2011	288	23.0	12.5	78.8
2012	395	30.0	13.1	99.2
2013	406	28.0	14.5	99.3
2014	453	35.0	12.9	99.3
2015	448	33.0	13.5	91.3
2016	428	32.0	13.3	90.4
2017	473	37.0	12.7	87.7
2018	503	40.0	12.5	88.5
2019	445	37.0	12.0	85.6
2020	475	36.0	13.1	87.2
2021	453	35.0	12.9	85
2022	422	33.0	12.7	86.3
2023	302	21.0	14.3	91.1

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 O. J. Semmes Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	716	42.0	17.0	73.7
1989	611	36.0	16.9	84
1990	632	37.0	17.0	85.6
1991	643	36.0	17.8	87.2
1992	663	36.0	18.4	78.9
1993	655	32.0	20.5	80.3
1994	648	37.0	17.5	80.4
1995	678	41.0	16.5	82.9
1996	678	41.0	16.5	82.9
1997	711	36.0	19.8	82.4
1998	785	39.0	20.1	81.4
1999	718	43.0	16.7	87.5
2000	643	42.0	15.3	92.2
2001	561	33.0	17.0	94.7
2002	448	33.0	13.6	95.3
2003	448	33.0	13.6	95.3
2004	473	29.0	16.3	96.4
2005	420	28.0	15.0	98.3
2006	364	31.0	11.7	90.4
2007	338	28.0	12.1	96.1
2008	333	28.5	11.7	100.3
2009	285	27.1	10.6	100
2010	326	23.5	13.8	103.9
2011	288	23.0	12.5	78.8
2012	395	30.0	13.1	99.2
2013	406	28.0	14.5	99.3
2014	453	35.0	12.9	99.3
2015	448	33.0	13.5	91.3
2016	428	32.0	13.3	90.4
2017	473	37.0	12.7	87.7
2018	503	40.0	12.5	88.5
2019	445	37.0	12.0	85.6
2020	475	36.0	13.1	87.2
2021	453	35.0	12.9	85
2022	422	33.0	12.7	86.3
2023	302	21.0	14.3	91.1

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 O. J. Semmes Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,630 (16.4%)	$8,304 (83.6%)	$9,934
2019	$1,647 (15.0%)	$9,343 (85.0%)	$10,989
2020	$1,825 (17.0%)	$8,902 (83.0%)	$10,727
2021	$2,522 (22.4%)	$8,727 (77.6%)	$11,249
2022	$3,412 (26.5%)	$9,458 (73.5%)	$12,871
2023	$4,708 (31.2%)	$10,372 (68.8%)	$15,080

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on O. J. Semmes 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 1920^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 2134^th of 2240 Elementary schools	7.3%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (O. J. Semmes Elementary School)	31	34	3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Escambia)	56	50	6%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (O. J. Semmes Elementary School)	55	43	12%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Escambia)	55	53	2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (O. J. Semmes Elementary School)	33	26	7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Escambia)	52	50	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (O. J. Semmes Elementary School)	42	36	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Escambia)	58	54	4%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (O. J. Semmes Elementary School)	34	20	14%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Escambia)	51	49	2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (O. J. Semmes Elementary School)	38	17	21%
5th Grade Mathematics (Escambia)	55	43	12%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (O. J. Semmes Elementary School)	29	31	2%
5th Grade Science (Escambia)	55	51	4%
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	445	302	32.1%
African American	352	242	31.3%
American Indian	0	2
Asian	1	0	100%
Hispanic	11	24	118.2%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	53	17	67.9%
Two or More Races	28	17	39.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	85.6%	91.1%	5.4%

Schools Near O. J. Semmes 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)	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 Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
O. J. Semmes Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1250 E Texar Dr	Pensacola	32503	Escambia County	Escambia	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 595-6975	302	21	14.3	91.1%	17 (5.6%)	242 (80.1%)	24 (7.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (5.6%)	12.6	2097^th of 2256 public elementary schools	7.0%		9.8	2134^th of 2240 public elementary schools	4.7%	37	37.0	18.0	46.0	42.0	23.0	12.0	31.0	$15,080	$4,708	$10,372
Cordova Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2250 Semur Rd	Pensacola	32503	Escambia County	Escambia	No	No	No	No	(850) 595-6830	637	38	16.7	43.0%	416 (65.3%)	127 (19.9%)	41 (6.4%)	9 (1.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (6.8%)	79.4	429^th of 2256 public elementary schools	81.0%		82.6	350^th of 2240 public elementary schools	84.4%	79	70.0	66.0	69.0	76.0	68.0	63.0	71.0	$9,463	$1,372	$8,092
N. B. Cook Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1310 N 12th Ave	Pensacola	32503	Escambia County	Escambia	No	Yes	No	No	(850) 595-6826	514	35	14.6	44.2%	265 (51.6%)	130 (25.3%)	54 (10.5%)	17 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (9.3%)	90.5	158^th of 2256 public elementary schools	93.0%		86.4	260^th of 2240 public elementary schools	88.4%	102	91.0	80.0	69.0	91.0	79.0	72.0	69.0	$11,218	$1,536	$9,683
Brentwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4820 N Palafox St	Pensacola	32505	Escambia County	Escambia	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 595-6800	407	23	17.6	86.0%	106 (26.0%)	225 (55.3%)	40 (9.8%)	3 (0.7%)	2 (0.5%)	2 (0.5%)	29 (7.1%)	16.8	1983^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	12.1%		16.5	1995^th of 2240 public elementary schools	10.9%	12	34.0	34.0	34.0	30.0	47.0	37.0	35.0	$11,167	$2,608	$8,560
A. K. Suter Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	501 Pickens Ave	Pensacola	32503	Escambia County	Escambia	No	No	No	No	(850) 595-6810	587	37	16.0	49.9%	359 (61.2%)	145 (24.7%)	29 (4.9%)	11 (1.9%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	41 (7.0%)	79.2	433^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	80.8%		81.7	372^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	83.4%	61	64.0	68.0	69.0	73.0	70.0	63.0	77.0	$10,473	$1,477	$8,996
C. A. Weis Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2701 N Q St	Pensacola	32505	Escambia County	Escambia	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 595-6888	466	32	14.5	92.7%	37 (7.9%)	362 (77.7%)	29 (6.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (7.7%)	21.2	1875^th of 2256 public elementary schools	16.9%		19	1935^th of 2240 public elementary schools	13.6%	60	34.0	21.0	39.0	36.0	34.0	61.0	47.0	$12,649	$3,593	$9,056
Reinhardt Holm Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6101 Lanier Dr	Pensacola	32504	Escambia County	Escambia	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 494-5610	453	30	15.1	82.1%	103 (22.7%)	284 (62.7%)	29 (6.4%)	5 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	30 (6.6%)	42.4	1283^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	43.1%		32.5	1543^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	31.1%	260	56.0	50.0	50.0	39.0	51.0	46.0	58.0	$12,816	$2,914	$9,902
Montclair Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	820 Massachusetts Ave	Pensacola	32505	Escambia County	Escambia	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 595-6969	379	23	16.4	90.8%	21 (5.5%)	312 (82.3%)	19 (5.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (6.9%)	16	2007^th of 2256 public elementary schools	11.0%		5.6	2194^th of 2240 public elementary schools	2.1%	187	29.0	31.0	36.0	32.0	44.0	38.0	38.0	$12,365	$3,799	$8,567
Oakcrest Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1820 Hollywood Ave	Pensacola	32505	Escambia County	Escambia	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 595-6980	491	30	16.3	74.9%	35 (7.1%)	277 (56.4%)	121 (24.6%)	6 (1.2%)	1 (0.2%)	27 (5.5%)	24 (4.9%)	9.3	2168^th of 2256 public elementary schools	3.9%		10.6	2123^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	5.2%	45	15.0	22.0	30.0	33.0	37.0	19.0	39.0	$12,583	$3,638	$8,947
Scenic Heights Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3801 Cherry Laurel Dr	Pensacola	32504	Escambia County	Escambia	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 494-5635	809	48	16.8	51.4%	415 (51.3%)	149 (18.4%)	145 (17.9%)	34 (4.2%)	2 (0.2%)	4 (0.5%)	60 (7.4%)	55.4	961^st of 2256 public elementary schools	57.4%		62	794^th of 2240 public elementary schools	64.6%	167	52.0	52.0	57.0	53.0	68.0	54.0	61.0	$10,324	$2,292	$8,032

Frequently Asked Questions about O. J. Semmes Elementary School

What schools do graduates of O. J. Semmes Elementary School attend?

Students who attend O. J. Semmes Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : J. H. Workman Middle School
High : Washington Senior High School

How many students attend O. J. Semmes Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 302 students attended O. J. Semmes Elementary School.

Is O. J. Semmes Elementary School a good school?

O. J. Semmes Elementary School ranks in the bottom 7.0% of Florida elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of O. J. Semmes Elementary School?

Students at O. J. Semmes Elementary School are 80% African American, 8% Hispanic, 6% White, 6% Two or more races.

What district is O. J. Semmes Elementary School in?

Escambia

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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.