Westside Elementary School

Q: Is Westside Elementary School a good school?

Westside Elementary School ranks 1220 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Westside Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Spring Hill, Florida, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 523. The school is part of the Hernando District, which is ranked 44 out of 68 districts in Florida and is rated 2 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

Westside Elementary has a higher percentage of White students (60.23%) compared to the nearby schools, which have a more diverse student population. The school has seen a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 18.9% in 2019-2020 to 34.0% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the nearby schools. Westside Elementary's test scores in English Language Arts and Math are generally lower than the Hernando District and Florida state averages, particularly in the upper grades (4th and 5th). The school has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at 75.72% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the nearby schools. However, Westside Elementary has the highest spending per student among the nearby schools, at $13,091 in 2022-2023.

Westside Elementary's statewide ranking has steadily declined over the years, from a high of 614 out of 2,118 Florida elementary schools in 2017-2018 (4 stars) to 1,220 out of 2,256 in 2023-2024 (2 stars). The school's performance declines in the upper grades, suggesting potential challenges in maintaining academic progress as students advance. Interestingly, Gulf Coast Elementary, a nearby public charter school, outperforms Westside Elementary across multiple metrics, including test scores, chronic absenteeism, and statewide ranking, despite serving a similar demographic of students.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

5400 Applegate Dr
Spring Hill, FL 34606

(352) 797-7080

District: Hernando

SchoolDigger Rank:
1220^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $13,091

Students who attend Westside Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Fox Chapel Middle School
High:	Weeki Wachee High School

Student/teacher ratio: 13.7

Number of students: 523

Racial breakdown:

White:

60.2%

Hispanic:

25.2%

African American:

6.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 75.7%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Westside Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Westside Elementary School ranks worse than 54.1% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 5^th among 14 ranked elementary schools in the Hernando School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 44.93. (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 (60.2%), Hispanic (25.2%), African American (6.9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 75.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Westside Elementary School is 13.7, which is the lowest among 14 elementary schools in the Hernando School District! (See more...)

Compare Westside Elementary School employs 38 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Westside Elementary School is $13,091, which is the highest among 14 elementary schools in the Hernando School District!

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Hernando:

SchoolDigger ranks Hernando 44^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Westside Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	37.67	1095^th	1688	35.1%
2007	39.28	1152^nd	1786	35.5%
2008	41.46	1109^th	1789	38.0%
2009	56.38	846^th	1847	54.2%
2010	57.76	873^rd	1919	54.5%
2011	49.34	1064^th	1985	46.4%
2012	32.62	1372^nd	1984	30.8%
2013	32.97	1407^th	2029	30.7%
2014	28.73	1537^th	2064	25.5%
2016	61.50	791^st	2087	62.1%
2017	61.46	800^th	2112	62.1%
2018	69.53	614^th	2118	71.0%
2019	55.16	962^nd	2182	55.9%
2021	52.15	1043^rd	2247	53.6%
2022	34.92	1448^th	2219	34.7%
2023	46.66	1172^nd	2240	47.7%
2024	44.93	1220^th	2256	45.9%

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

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Westside Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	727	39	8	35	1	n/a	n/a	0	810
1989	781	43	9	44	3	n/a	n/a	0	880
1990	840	58	11	40	2	n/a	n/a	0	951
1991	592	61	9	49	0	n/a	n/a	0	711
1992	554	33	6	52	2	n/a	n/a	0	647
1993	553	44	3	38	2	n/a	n/a	0	640
1994	569	45	1	43	0	n/a	n/a	0	658
1995	677	33	5	71	1	n/a	n/a	0	787
1996	677	33	5	71	1	n/a	n/a	0	787
1997	680	48	3	75	0	n/a	n/a	0	806
1998	741	42	5	72	0	n/a	n/a	0	860
1999	706	45	4	74	2	n/a	n/a	0	831
2000	656	33	5	65	3	n/a	n/a	0	762
2001	688	32	7	68	2	n/a	n/a	0	797
2002	750	43	3	78	2	n/a	n/a	0	876
2003	750	43	3	78	2	n/a	n/a	0	876
2004	709	45	6	79	1	n/a	n/a	0	840
2005	751	46	3	96	1	n/a	n/a	0	897
2006	720	56	8	87	4	n/a	n/a	0	875
2007	702	60	12	127	5	n/a	n/a	52	958
2008	695	46	8	131	6	n/a	n/a	54	940
2009	627	39	7	102	1	n/a	n/a	61	837
2010	584	32	3	124	1	n/a	n/a	44	788
2011	538	40	5	127	1	0	39	0	750
2012	423	48	5	77	0	0	23	0	576
2013	414	44	5	67	0	0	23	0	553
2014	419	48	2	82	0	0	29	0	580
2015	380	58	6	88	0	0	32	0	564
2016	360	57	4	103	0	0	36	0	560
2017	332	45	4	88	0	0	36	0	505
2018	321	56	4	93	1	0	29	0	504
2019	352	42	5	121	0	0	44	0	564
2020	367	38	5	129	2	1	37	0	579
2021	332	35	5	122	2	0	32	0	528
2022	336	40	5	132	2	0	31	0	546
2023	315	36	5	132	1	0	34	0	523

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 Westside Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	810	39.0	20.7	30.4
1989	880	44.0	20.0	33.8
1990	951	47.0	20.2	34.8
1991	711	38.0	18.7	45.7
1992	647	33.0	19.6	47.8
1993	640	33.0	19.4	43.3
1994	658	34.0	19.4	41.3
1995	787	40.0	19.7	49
1996	787	40.0	19.7	49
1997	806	40.0	20.2	50
1998	860	47.0	18.3	44.3
1999	831	45.0	18.5	60.4
2000	762	42.0	18.1	58.8
2001	797	46.0	17.3	61
2002	876	46.0	19.0	60.6
2003	876	46.0	19.0	60.6
2004	840	49.0	17.1	65.1
2005	897	58.0	15.5	64.7
2006	875	61.0	14.3	61.4
2007	958	69.0	13.9	65.2
2008	940	78.5	12.0	67.8
2009	837	68.7	13.6	74.1
2010	788	57.0	13.8	73.9
2011	750	58.0	12.9	74.8
2012	576	43.0	13.3	74.8
2013	553	46.0	12.0	77.4
2014	580	46.0	12.6	82.6
2015	564	46.0	12.2	85.3
2016	560	46.0	12.1	86.4
2017	505	41.0	12.3	87.5
2018	504	40.0	12.6	78.8
2019	564	38.0	14.8	68.4
2020	579	41.0	14.1	72.7
2021	528	39.0	13.5	72.5
2022	546	38.0	14.3	74.5
2023	523	38.0	13.7	75.7

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 Westside Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	810	39.0	20.7	30.4
1989	880	44.0	20.0	33.8
1990	951	47.0	20.2	34.8
1991	711	38.0	18.7	45.7
1992	647	33.0	19.6	47.8
1993	640	33.0	19.4	43.3
1994	658	34.0	19.4	41.3
1995	787	40.0	19.7	49
1996	787	40.0	19.7	49
1997	806	40.0	20.2	50
1998	860	47.0	18.3	44.3
1999	831	45.0	18.5	60.4
2000	762	42.0	18.1	58.8
2001	797	46.0	17.3	61
2002	876	46.0	19.0	60.6
2003	876	46.0	19.0	60.6
2004	840	49.0	17.1	65.1
2005	897	58.0	15.5	64.7
2006	875	61.0	14.3	61.4
2007	958	69.0	13.9	65.2
2008	940	78.5	12.0	67.8
2009	837	68.7	13.6	74.1
2010	788	57.0	13.8	73.9
2011	750	58.0	12.9	74.8
2012	576	43.0	13.3	74.8
2013	553	46.0	12.0	77.4
2014	580	46.0	12.6	82.6
2015	564	46.0	12.2	85.3
2016	560	46.0	12.1	86.4
2017	505	41.0	12.3	87.5
2018	504	40.0	12.6	78.8
2019	564	38.0	14.8	68.4
2020	579	41.0	14.1	72.7
2021	528	39.0	13.5	72.5
2022	546	38.0	14.3	74.5
2023	523	38.0	13.7	75.7

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 Westside Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,091 (11.4%)	$8,470 (88.6%)	$9,561
2019	$838 (9.5%)	$7,938 (90.5%)	$8,776
2020	$1,031 (11.0%)	$8,363 (89.0%)	$9,393
2021	$1,366 (13.1%)	$9,027 (86.9%)	$10,393
2022	$1,690 (16.0%)	$8,877 (84.0%)	$10,567
2023	$2,364 (18.1%)	$10,728 (81.9%)	$13,091

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Westside 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 962^nd of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1172^nd of 2240 Elementary schools	8.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Westside Elementary School)	54	49	5%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Hernando)	57	54	3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Westside Elementary School)	69	51	18%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Hernando)	62	57	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Westside Elementary School)	53	36	17%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Hernando)	59	56	3%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Westside Elementary School)	53	61	8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Hernando)	62	60	2%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Westside Elementary School)	57	37	20%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Hernando)	52	49	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Westside Elementary School)	62	35	27%
5th Grade Mathematics (Hernando)	54	44	10%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Westside Elementary School)	64	50	14%
5th Grade Science (Hernando)	55	55
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	564	523	7.3%
African American	42	36	14.3%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	5	5
Hispanic	121	132	9.1%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	352	315	10.5%
Two or More Races	44	34	22.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	68.4%	75.7%	7.3%

Schools Near Westside 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 English Language Arts 9th 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
Westside Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5400 Applegate Dr	Spring Hill	34606	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7080	523	38	13.7	75.7%	315 (60.2%)	36 (6.9%)	132 (25.2%)	5 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (6.5%)	44.9	1220^th of 2256 public elementary schools	45.9%		46.7	1172^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	47.7%	48	53.0	42.0	41.0					65.0	59.0	45.0				54.0				$13,091	$2,364	$10,728
Deltona Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2055 Deltona Blvd	Spring Hill	34606	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7040	843	51	16.5	72.0%	457 (54.2%)	42 (5.0%)	277 (32.9%)	5 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	59 (7.0%)	34.6	1500^th of 2256 public elementary schools	33.5%		51.4	1066^th of 2240 public elementary schools	52.4%	434	54.0	48.0	43.0					62.0	43.0	32.0				44.0				$11,675	$2,279	$9,397
Explorer K-8	Public	PK, KG-8	10252 Northcliffe Blvd	Spring Hill	34608	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7094	1,617	106	15.2	68.8%	751 (46.4%)	172 (10.6%)	558 (34.5%)	19 (1.2%)	7 (0.4%)	3 (0.2%)	107 (6.6%)	24.2	1786^th of 2256 public elementary schools	20.8%		26.1	1712^th of 2240 public elementary schools	23.6%	74	40.0	31.0	33.0	52.0	46.0	21.0	85.0	52.0	27.0	23.0	50.0	44.0	56.0	42.0	31.0	75.0	66.0	$10,302	$1,961	$8,341
Shady Hills Elementary School	Public	K-5	18000 Shady Hills Rd	Spring Hill	34610	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	Yes	(772) 774-4100	471	32	14.8	76.6%	348 (73.9%)	16 (3.4%)	79 (16.8%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	24 (5.1%)	48.7	1119^th of 2256 public elementary schools	50.4%		51	1075^th of 2240 public elementary schools	52.0%	44	52.0	45.0	45.0					44.0	61.0	71.0				57.0				$11,329	$2,238	$9,092
Suncoast Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	11135 Quality Dr	Spring Hill	34609	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7085	899	57	15.7	63.8%	487 (54.2%)	46 (5.1%)	287 (31.9%)	17 (1.9%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	59 (6.6%)	49.1	1111^th of 2256 public elementary schools	50.8%		59.7	849^th of 2240 public elementary schools	62.1%	262	60.0	54.0	47.0					62.0	63.0	41.0				49.0				$9,670	$1,707	$7,964
Gulf Coast Elementary School	Public, Charter	K-5	10444 Tillery Rd	Spring Hill	34608	Hernando County	Hernando	Yes	No	No	No	(352) 688-5092	110	3	36.6	30.0%	69 (62.7%)	3 (2.7%)	30 (27.3%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (5.5%)	72.7	578^th of 2256 public elementary schools	74.4%		70.5	620^th of 2240 public elementary schools	72.3%	42	76.0	45.0	65.0					68.0	68.0	70.0				65.0				$10,938	$3,387	$7,551
Pasco Virtual Instruction Program	Public, Virtual	K-8	8916 Angeline School Way	Land O Lakes	34638	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	Yes	No	(813) 346-1900	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Hudson Primary Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	14302 Cobra Way	Hudson	34669	Pasco County	Pasco	No	Yes	No	Yes	(727) 774-4700	647	39	16.7	90.0%	463 (71.6%)	34 (5.3%)	97 (15.0%)	6 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	45 (7.0%)								(n/a)	32.0							32.0										$11,677	$3,034	$8,644
John D. Floyd Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3139 Dumont Ave	Spring Hill	34609	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7055	948	57	16.6	63.0%	482 (50.8%)	52 (5.5%)	337 (35.5%)	17 (1.8%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	58 (6.1%)	33.3	1530^th of 2256 public elementary schools	32.2%		42.7	1264^th of 2240 public elementary schools	43.6%	266	53.0	39.0	43.0					54.0	36.0	42.0				49.0				$10,465	$1,819	$8,646
Dr. Mary Giella Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	14710 Shady Hills Rd	Spring Hill	34610	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 794-5800	596	34	17.5	75.7%	428 (71.8%)	10 (1.7%)	117 (19.6%)	2 (0.3%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (5.9%)	29.6	1635^th of 2256 public elementary schools	27.5%		38.9	1364^th of 2240 public elementary schools	39.1%	271	43.0	47.0	48.0					53.0	50.0	29.0				34.0				$9,500	$1,887	$7,613

Frequently Asked Questions about Westside Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Westside Elementary School?

Students at Westside Elementary School are 60% White, 25% Hispanic, 7% African American, 7% Two or more races.

What schools do graduates of Westside Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Fox Chapel Middle School
High : Weeki Wachee High School

How many students attend Westside Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 523 students attended Westside Elementary School.

What district is Westside Elementary School in?

Hernando

Is Westside Elementary School a good school?

Westside Elementary School ranks 1220^th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

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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.