McDonald Elementary School

Summary:

McDonald Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Seffner, Florida, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 559. 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.

McDonald Elementary School faces significant challenges, with consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, low test scores across all grade levels and subjects, and a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom quartile of Florida elementary schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger for most years. When compared to nearby schools in the Hillsborough district, such as Limona Elementary, McDonald Elementary is an outlier in terms of performance, with significantly lower test scores and a higher chronic absenteeism rate.

The racial makeup of McDonald Elementary's student population has shifted over the past few years, with a decrease in the percentage of White students and an increase in the percentage of Hispanic students. Despite the school's higher spending per student compared to the state average, this does not appear to be translating into improved academic outcomes. The combination of these factors suggests the need for a comprehensive review and implementation of targeted interventions to address the root causes of the school's underperformance.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

501 W Pruett Rd
Seffner, FL 33584

(813) 744-8154

District: Hillsborough

SchoolDigger Rank:
1705^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,946

Students who attend McDonald Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Armwood High School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.9

Number of students: 559

Racial breakdown:

White:

43.1%

Hispanic:

35.4%

African American:

15.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 82.3%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare McDonald Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details McDonald Elementary School ranks worse than 75.6% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 113^th among 179 ranked elementary schools in the Hillsborough School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 27.32. (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 McDonald Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (43.1%), Hispanic (35.4%), African American (15.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 82.3% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at McDonald Elementary School is 16.9. 142 elementary schools in the Hillsborough School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare McDonald Elementary School employs 33 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at McDonald Elementary School is $11,946, which is the 52^nd highest among 179 elementary schools in the Hillsborough School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Hillsborough:

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

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Rank History for McDonald Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	38.38	1085^th	1688	35.7%
2007	18.04	1536^th	1786	14.0%
2008	16.41	1574^th	1789	12.0%
2009	15.01	1651^st	1847	10.6%
2010	36.72	1297^th	1919	32.4%
2011	35.88	1348^th	1985	32.1%
2012	25.41	1552^nd	1984	21.8%
2013	18.30	1766^th	2029	13.0%
2014	34.96	1375^th	2064	33.4%
2016	12.46	1920^th	2087	8.0%
2017	12.74	1950^th	2112	7.7%
2018	6.51	2057^th	2118	2.9%
2019	10.03	2059^th	2182	5.6%
2021	18.32	1885^th	2247	16.1%
2022	24.71	1701^st	2219	23.3%
2023	19.63	1909^th	2240	14.8%
2024	27.32	1705^th	2256	24.4%

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 McDonald Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	561	157	2	19	0	n/a	n/a	0	739
1989	565	145	2	22	1	n/a	n/a	0	735
1990	557	159	2	27	1	n/a	n/a	0	746
1991	555	180	3	40	1	n/a	n/a	0	779
1992	604	195	4	36	1	n/a	n/a	0	840
1993	663	113	5	21	1	n/a	n/a	0	803
1994	667	79	2	32	2	n/a	n/a	0	782
1995	668	72	2	25	2	n/a	n/a	0	769
1996	668	72	2	25	2	n/a	n/a	0	769
1997	515	108	1	24	1	n/a	n/a	0	649
1998	552	109	2	21	2	n/a	n/a	0	686
1999	540	109	2	32	1	n/a	n/a	0	684
2000	542	93	4	46	3	n/a	n/a	0	688
2001	529	89	2	38	5	n/a	n/a	0	663
2002	501	98	2	41	4	n/a	n/a	0	646
2003	501	98	2	41	4	n/a	n/a	0	646
2004	508	95	1	46	3	n/a	n/a	0	653
2005	480	73	2	58	3	n/a	n/a	0	616
2006	434	61	5	67	2	n/a	n/a	0	569
2007	403	58	5	76	1	n/a	n/a	21	564
2008	372	61	4	67	1	n/a	n/a	25	530
2009	349	43	5	85	2	n/a	n/a	31	515
2010	308	46	7	87	2	n/a	n/a	23	473
2011	278	39	6	120	4	1	21	0	469
2012	303	42	4	143	3	1	14	0	510
2013	289	51	2	158	1	1	16	0	518
2014	341	64	2	163	2	1	27	0	600
2015	314	62	3	157	3	2	34	0	575
2016	324	77	2	189	2	0	37	0	631
2017	302	67	2	186	1	0	42	0	600
2018	299	80	4	173	2	1	32	0	591
2019	256	85	4	166	1	0	26	0	538
2020	234	73	8	160	1	1	30	0	507
2021	202	63	7	168	0	1	32	0	473
2022	211	72	10	214	0	1	33	0	541
2023	241	86	9	198	0	1	24	0	559

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 McDonald Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	739	40.0	18.4	63.6
1989	735	39.0	18.8	63.9
1990	746	41.0	18.1	61.4
1991	779	43.0	18.1	52.4
1992	840	45.0	18.6	54.5
1993	803	45.0	17.8	60.1
1994	782	42.0	18.6	60.5
1995	769	52.0	14.8	63.8
1996	769	52.0	14.8	63.8
1997	649	44.0	14.8	67.3
1998	686	44.0	15.6	66.6
1999	684	44.0	15.5	79.2
2000	688	45.0	15.3	83.9
2001	663	43.0	15.4	79.3
2002	646	40.0	16.2	78
2003	646	40.0	16.2	78
2004	653	43.0	15.2	77.2
2005	616	44.0	14.0	82.8
2006	569	49.0	11.6	73.5
2007	564	37.0	15.2	73.8
2008	530	42.0	12.6	72.3
2009	515	41.0	13.2	81.8
2010	473	38.0	12.4	84.2
2011	469	39.5	11.8	83.8
2012	510	41.5	12.2	87.5
2013	518	41.0	12.6	85.9
2014	600	50.0	12.0	86.7
2015	575	52.0	11.0	91.3
2016	631	48.0	13.1	90.2
2017	600	55.0	10.9	89.7
2018	591	50.0	11.8	90.4
2019	538	37.0	14.5	91.3
2020	507	37.0	13.7	89.7
2021	473	35.5	13.3	87.3
2022	541	34.0	15.9	83.2
2023	559	33.0	16.9	82.3

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 McDonald Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	739	40.0	18.4	63.6
1989	735	39.0	18.8	63.9
1990	746	41.0	18.1	61.4
1991	779	43.0	18.1	52.4
1992	840	45.0	18.6	54.5
1993	803	45.0	17.8	60.1
1994	782	42.0	18.6	60.5
1995	769	52.0	14.8	63.8
1996	769	52.0	14.8	63.8
1997	649	44.0	14.8	67.3
1998	686	44.0	15.6	66.6
1999	684	44.0	15.5	79.2
2000	688	45.0	15.3	83.9
2001	663	43.0	15.4	79.3
2002	646	40.0	16.2	78
2003	646	40.0	16.2	78
2004	653	43.0	15.2	77.2
2005	616	44.0	14.0	82.8
2006	569	49.0	11.6	73.5
2007	564	37.0	15.2	73.8
2008	530	42.0	12.6	72.3
2009	515	41.0	13.2	81.8
2010	473	38.0	12.4	84.2
2011	469	39.5	11.8	83.8
2012	510	41.5	12.2	87.5
2013	518	41.0	12.6	85.9
2014	600	50.0	12.0	86.7
2015	575	52.0	11.0	91.3
2016	631	48.0	13.1	90.2
2017	600	55.0	10.9	89.7
2018	591	50.0	11.8	90.4
2019	538	37.0	14.5	91.3
2020	507	37.0	13.7	89.7
2021	473	35.5	13.3	87.3
2022	541	34.0	15.9	83.2
2023	559	33.0	16.9	82.3

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 McDonald Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,126 (13.5%)	$7,221 (86.5%)	$8,347
2019	$1,514 (15.6%)	$8,219 (84.4%)	$9,733
2020	$2,519 (20.9%)	$9,505 (79.0%)	$12,025
2021	$2,914 (22.4%)	$10,075 (77.6%)	$12,989
2022	$3,288 (28.3%)	$8,316 (71.7%)	$11,604
2023	$2,934 (24.6%)	$9,012 (75.4%)	$11,946

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on McDonald 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 2059^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1909^th of 2240 Elementary schools	9.1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (McDonald Elementary School)	38	30	8%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	52	49	3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (McDonald Elementary School)	32	43	11%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)	54	56	2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (McDonald Elementary School)	34	34
4th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	55	55
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (McDonald Elementary School)	33	61	28%
4th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)	57	60	3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (McDonald Elementary School)	26	31	5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	54	52	2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (McDonald Elementary School)	26	43	17%
5th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)	54	54
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (McDonald Elementary School)	36	34	2%
5th Grade Science (Hillsborough)	51	47	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	538	559	3.9%
African American	85	86	1.2%
American Indian	1	0	100%
Asian	4	9	125%
Hispanic	166	198	19.3%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	256	241	5.9%
Two or More Races	26	24	7.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	91.3%	82.3%	9%

Schools Near McDonald 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 Geometry (2024)	EOC Biology 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 Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
McDonald Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	501 W Pruett Rd	Seffner	33584	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 744-8154	559	33	16.9	82.3%	241 (43.1%)	86 (15.4%)	198 (35.4%)	9 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	24 (4.3%)	27.3	1705^th of 2256 public elementary schools	24.4%		19.6	1909^th of 2240 public elementary schools	14.8%	204	36.0	41.0	47.0				32.0	47.0	53.0				39.0						$11,946	$2,934	$9,012
Lopez Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	200 N Kingsway Rd	Seffner	33584	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 744-8000	579	35	16.7	72.9%	203 (35.1%)	113 (19.5%)	207 (35.8%)	11 (1.9%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	42 (7.3%)	40.9	1317^th of 2256 public elementary schools	41.6%		35.9	1441^st of 2240 public elementary schools	35.7%	124	49.0	39.0	51.0				49.0	58.0	55.0				45.0						$10,723	$2,252	$8,472
Thonotosassa Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	10050 Skewlee Rd	Thonotosassa	33592	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 987-6987	410	25	16.4	79.5%	141 (34.4%)	107 (26.1%)	130 (31.7%)	4 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (6.6%)	29.3	1642^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	27.2%		32.9	1527^th of 2240 public elementary schools	31.8%	115	33.0	32.0	44.0				40.0	42.0	54.0				59.0						$12,764	$3,295	$9,469
Independence Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	12902 E Us Highway 92	Dover	33527	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	Yes	No	No	No	(813) 473-8600	914	48	19.0	39.8%	576 (63.0%)	50 (5.5%)	231 (25.3%)	17 (1.9%)	5 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	34 (3.7%)	47.9	1145^th of 2256 public elementary schools	49.2%		33.1	1522^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	32.1%	377	68.0	62.0	39.0	61.0	60.0	53.0	74.0	57.0	34.0	50.0	60.0	55.0	36.0	16.0	67.0	68.0	90.0	79.0	$7,856	$1,595	$6,261
Colson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1520 Lakeview Ave	Seffner	33584	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 744-8031	674	40	17.0	61.4%	218 (32.3%)	124 (18.4%)	269 (39.9%)	16 (2.4%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (6.7%)	30.2	1613^th of 2256 public elementary schools	28.5%		35.3	1461^st of 2240 public elementary schools	34.8%	152	40.0	40.0	51.0				45.0	41.0	44.0				45.0						$10,758	$2,232	$8,526
Bailey Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4630 Gallagher Rd	Dover	33527	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 707-7531	741	49	15.1	66.0%	328 (44.3%)	43 (5.8%)	330 (44.5%)	6 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	33 (4.5%)	18	1957^th of 2256 public elementary schools	13.3%		32.5	1542^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	31.2%	415	29.0	32.0	30.0				37.0	48.0	44.0				35.0						$10,232	$2,280	$7,952
Folsom Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	9855 Harney Rd	Thonotosassa	33592	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 987-6755	481	30	16.0	79.6%	85 (17.7%)	214 (44.5%)	152 (31.6%)	12 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	17 (3.5%)	27.8	1692^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	25.0%		34.4	1483^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	33.8%	209	48.0	34.0	35.0				57.0	61.0	36.0				24.0						$13,219	$3,597	$9,623
Mango Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4220 Hwy 579	Seffner	33584	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 744-8208	742	43	17.2	81.3%	126 (17.0%)	259 (34.9%)	313 (42.2%)	10 (1.3%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (4.4%)	10.4	2146^th of 2256 public elementary schools	4.9%		8.4	2163^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	3.4%	17	27.0	37.0	25.0				27.0	40.0	32.0				23.0						$10,258	$2,852	$7,406
Seffner Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	109 Cactus Rd	Seffner	33584	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 744-8171	378	26	14.5	65.9%	121 (32.0%)	57 (15.1%)	174 (46.0%)	4 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (5.8%)	31.4	1579^th of 2256 public elementary schools	30.0%		39.6	1346^th of 2240 public elementary schools	39.9%	233	43.0	34.0	54.0				50.0	34.0	47.0				47.0						$12,951	$2,987	$9,965
Limona Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1115 Telfair Rd	Brandon	33510	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 744-8200	567	35	16.2	54.7%	188 (33.2%)	103 (18.2%)	204 (36.0%)	33 (5.8%)	2 (0.4%)	4 (0.7%)	33 (5.8%)	65.1	753^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	66.6%		72.8	569^th of 2240 public elementary schools	74.6%	184	60.0	54.0	57.0				71.0	60.0	64.0				60.0						$9,734	$1,750	$7,983

Frequently Asked Questions about McDonald Elementary School

How many students attend McDonald Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 559 students attended McDonald Elementary School.

Is McDonald Elementary School a good school?

McDonald Elementary School ranks in the bottom 24.4% of Florida elementary schools.

What district is McDonald Elementary School in?

Hillsborough

What schools do graduates of McDonald Elementary School attend?

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

High : Armwood High School

What is the racial makeup of McDonald Elementary School?

Students at McDonald Elementary School are 43% White, 35% Hispanic, 15% African American, 4% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

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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.