Cork Elementary School

Summary:

Cork Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Plant City, Florida, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of around 690. The school is part of the Hillsborough School District, which is ranked 45th out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger. Over the past several years, Cork Elementary has consistently been ranked in the bottom half of Florida elementary schools, typically in the 1300-1500 range out of around 2,200 schools.

Cork Elementary has a significantly higher Hispanic student population (around 51%) compared to the nearby schools, which tend to have a more even mix of White, African American, and Hispanic students. The school has also struggled with high chronic absenteeism rates, reaching as high as 27.4% in the 2021-2022 school year, notably higher than the nearby schools, which range from 13-22% chronic absenteeism. Academically, Cork Elementary's performance, as measured by proficiency rates on state assessments, is consistently lower than the Hillsborough district and Florida state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in 2023-2024, Cork's 5th grade science proficiency was 44%, compared to 47% for Hillsborough and 53% for the state.

When comparing Cork Elementary to the nearby schools in the Hillsborough district, it becomes clear that Cork is underperforming academically compared to its peers. For example, Lincoln Elementary Magnet School, which is just 4.6 miles away, consistently outperforms Cork Elementary by 10-20 percentage points on state assessments. The high rates of chronic absenteeism and free/reduced lunch at Cork Elementary may be contributing factors to the school's lower academic performance, but the school's 5th grade math proficiency rate of 55% in 2023-2024 was closer to the district and state averages, indicating that with the right interventions and support, the school could potentially improve in other subject areas as well.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 3501 N Cork Rd
       Plant City, FL  33565


(813) 757-9353

District: Hillsborough

SchoolDigger Rank:
1537th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,846 Help


Students who attend Cork Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Tomlin Middle School
High:    Strawberry Crest High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.6 Help
Number of students:  690

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
51.0%
White:
43.0%
Two or more races:
3.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  64.5% Help


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 Compare Cork Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
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Compare Details Cork Elementary School ranks worse than 68.1% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 93rd among 179 ranked elementary schools in the Hillsborough School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 33.05. (See more...)
Help
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
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (51%), White (43%), two or more races (3.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 64.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Cork Elementary School is 14.6, which is the 60th best among 179 elementary schools in the Hillsborough School District. (See more...)
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Compare Cork Elementary School employs 47 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Cork Elementary School is $10,846, which is the 81st highest among 179 elementary schools in the Hillsborough School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Hillsborough:

SchoolDigger ranks Hillsborough 45th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Cork Elementary School?

Rank History for Cork Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 50.94 854th 1688 49.4%
2007 57.28 804th 1786 55.0%
2008 51.00 926th 1789 48.2%
2009 50.80 967th 1847 47.6%
2010 54.85 933rd 1919 51.4%
2011 59.78 845th 1985 57.4%
2012 66.65 652nd 1984 67.1%
2013 60.27 792nd 2029 61.0%
2014 51.74 995th 2064 51.8%
2016 39.04 1286th 2087 38.4%
2017 40.04 1286th 2112 39.1%
2018 46.62 1135th 2118 46.4%
2019 48.03 1123rd 2182 48.5%
2021 36.17 1415th 2247 37.0%
2022 36.19 1412th 2219 36.4%
2023 40.28 1330th 2240 40.6%
2024 33.05 1537th 2256 31.9%
See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

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

Cork Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.7)
67%

0%

0%

0%

33%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Open Quote Lazy teachers, terrible school. Close Quote


by a parent
Sunday, July 18, 2010

Open Quote I love this school. My daughter came from another state and started at Limona Elementary for 1st grade. They changed her teacher within 2 weeks without any notice and the teacher never sent work home or spelling test to let me know how she was doing. Then we had to move her in the middle of the year to Cork and it was the best thing for her. Her reading and writing went up and she continued after her first grading period to bring up her N's to S and E's. She stayed an Honor Roll student and by last grading period had all E's and 1 S. She also was Cougar of the month. I never want to move because I'm scared there is no other school better then Cork. The staff is also very friendly and welcoming. Teachers stay in contact with the parents to let you know whats going on and what your child needs help with. My daughter likes her teacher so much she even writes about her in her daily journal at school and I believe that says a lot about the way teachers treat our children, with love and encouragement. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Cork Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 691 104 7 57 4 n/a n/a 0 863
1989 712 115 10 64 2 n/a n/a 0 903
1990 775 102 7 87 4 n/a n/a 0 975
1991 808 102 9 95 5 n/a n/a 0 1019
1992 798 111 7 96 5 n/a n/a 0 1017
1993 745 99 5 90 2 n/a n/a 0 941
1994 742 85 1 89 2 n/a n/a 0 919
1995 626 61 0 93 4 n/a n/a 0 784
1996 626 61 0 93 4 n/a n/a 0 784
1997 649 64 6 95 4 n/a n/a 0 818
1998 625 70 3 108 4 n/a n/a 0 810
1999 628 56 5 110 4 n/a n/a 0 803
2000 601 78 6 113 2 n/a n/a 0 800
2001 619 63 7 124 3 n/a n/a 0 816
2002 599 53 4 139 1 n/a n/a 0 796
2003 599 53 4 139 1 n/a n/a 0 796
2004 639 51 2 207 0 n/a n/a 0 899
2005 607 40 2 197 1 n/a n/a 0 847
2006 651 29 2 220 4 n/a n/a 0 906
2007 633 18 6 221 2 n/a n/a 16 896
2008 613 8 9 225 1 n/a n/a 25 881
2009 564 10 6 230 0 n/a n/a 21 831
2010 442 4 7 201 0 n/a n/a 24 678
2011 412 8 6 227 1 1 17 0 672
2012 394 5 7 224 1 1 17 0 649
2013 436 3 7 244 1 0 16 0 707
2014 398 2 4 255 3 0 16 0 678
2015 413 3 4 288 3 0 16 0 727
2016 379 4 2 304 3 0 22 0 714
2017 373 4 1 308 2 0 21 0 709
2018 356 8 0 300 2 0 20 0 686
2019 357 7 2 309 1 0 18 0 694
2020 331 8 2 314 0 0 16 0 671
2021 281 14 4 317 0 0 14 0 630
2022 299 17 3 339 1 0 19 0 678
2023 297 13 6 352 0 0 22 0 690

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 Cork Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 863 43.0 20.0 37.8
1989 903 50.0 18.0 49.9
1990 975 56.0 17.4 39.1
1991 1019 57.0 17.8 40.4
1992 1017 57.0 17.8 36.7
1993 941 52.0 18.1 34.9
1994 919 47.0 19.6 37.1
1995 784 45.0 17.4 35.7
1996 784 45.0 17.4 35.7
1997 818 43.0 19.0 37.7
1998 810 41.0 19.8 39.6
1999 803 40.0 20.1 45.5
2000 800 42.0 19.0 49
2001 816 46.0 17.7 48.9
2002 796 48.0 16.6 48
2003 796 48.0 16.6 48
2004 899 50.0 18.0 51.1
2005 847 56.0 15.1 50.9
2006 906 61.0 14.9 48.6
2007 896 52.0 17.2 51
2008 881 65.0 13.6 51.3
2009 831 69.5 12.6 55.3
2010 678 52.0 13.0 61.9
2011 672 50.0 13.4 63.4
2012 649 49.4 13.1 67.5
2013 707 51.0 13.8 67.6
2014 678 52.0 13.0 70.6
2015 727 54.0 13.4 73.3
2016 714 54.0 13.2 71.8
2017 709 53.0 13.3 72.8
2018 686 54.0 12.7 74.3
2019 694 43.0 16.1 71
2020 671 48.5 13.8 73
2021 630 45.0 14.0 74
2022 678 43.0 15.7 72.1
2023 690 47.0 14.6 64.5

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 Cork Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 863 43.0 20.0 37.8
1989 903 50.0 18.0 49.9
1990 975 56.0 17.4 39.1
1991 1019 57.0 17.8 40.4
1992 1017 57.0 17.8 36.7
1993 941 52.0 18.1 34.9
1994 919 47.0 19.6 37.1
1995 784 45.0 17.4 35.7
1996 784 45.0 17.4 35.7
1997 818 43.0 19.0 37.7
1998 810 41.0 19.8 39.6
1999 803 40.0 20.1 45.5
2000 800 42.0 19.0 49
2001 816 46.0 17.7 48.9
2002 796 48.0 16.6 48
2003 796 48.0 16.6 48
2004 899 50.0 18.0 51.1
2005 847 56.0 15.1 50.9
2006 906 61.0 14.9 48.6
2007 896 52.0 17.2 51
2008 881 65.0 13.6 51.3
2009 831 69.5 12.6 55.3
2010 678 52.0 13.0 61.9
2011 672 50.0 13.4 63.4
2012 649 49.4 13.1 67.5
2013 707 51.0 13.8 67.6
2014 678 52.0 13.0 70.6
2015 727 54.0 13.4 73.3
2016 714 54.0 13.2 71.8
2017 709 53.0 13.3 72.8
2018 686 54.0 12.7 74.3
2019 694 43.0 16.1 71
2020 671 48.5 13.8 73
2021 630 45.0 14.0 74
2022 678 43.0 15.7 72.1
2023 690 47.0 14.6 64.5

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 Cork Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $633 (7.2%) $8,212 (92.8%) $8,845
2019 $643 (7.5%) $7,939 (92.5%) $8,582
2020 $737 (7.8%) $8,736 (92.2%) $9,473
2021 $1,433 (14.3%) $8,600 (85.7%) $10,034
2022 $1,574 (16.0%) $8,287 (84.0%) $9,862
2023 $2,307 (21.3%) $8,538 (78.7%) $10,846

Data source: Florida Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Cork 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 1123rd of 2182 Elementary schoolsRanks 1330th of 2240 Elementary schools
 7.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Cork Elementary School)5540
 15%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)5249
 3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5853
 5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Cork Elementary School)4740
 7%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)5456
 2%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)6258
 4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Cork Elementary School)5246
 6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)5555
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5857
 1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Cork Elementary School)5450
 4%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)5760
 3%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6461
 3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Cork Elementary School)5758
 1%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)5452
 2%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5655
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Cork Elementary School)6354
 9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)5454
   5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6052
 8%
5th Grade Science (Cork Elementary School)6250
 12%
   5th Grade Science (Hillsborough)5147
 4%
   5th Grade Science (Florida)5351
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students694690
 0.6%
African American713
 85.7%
American Indian10
 100%
Asian26
 200%
Hispanic309352
 13.9%
Pacific Islander00
White357297
 16.8%
Two or More Races1822
 22.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients71%64.5%
 6.5%


Schools Near Cork Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Cork Elementary School

Cork Elementary School ranks 1537th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

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

Middle : Tomlin Middle School
High : Strawberry Crest High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 690 students attended Cork Elementary School.

Students at Cork Elementary School are 51% Hispanic, 43% White, 3% Two or more races, 2% African American.


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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.





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