Palm River Elementary School

Summary:

Palm River Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 384 students in grades PK-5 in Tampa, Florida, which is part of the Hillsborough School District. The school stands out from nearby schools due to its significantly higher percentage of minority students, consistently low academic performance, alarmingly high chronic absenteeism rates, and extremely high rates of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.

Compared to the surrounding schools, such as Frost Elementary, Desoto Elementary, and Shore Elementary Magnet School, Palm River Elementary is an outlier in terms of academic performance and student demographics. The school consistently ranks among the lowest-performing elementary schools in the state, with standardized test scores significantly below the district and state averages across all grade levels and subject areas.

The high rates of chronic absenteeism and free/reduced lunch eligibility at Palm River Elementary suggest that the school is serving a population of students facing significant socioeconomic challenges, which likely contributes to the school's poor academic performance. Despite these challenges, the data shows little to no improvement in academic achievement or other key metrics over the past several years, indicating a need for a comprehensive review of the school's educational strategies, resource allocation, and support systems to address the root causes of the persistent challenges.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

805 Maydell Dr
Tampa, FL 33619

(813) 744-8066

District: Hillsborough

SchoolDigger Rank:
2197^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,731

Students who attend Palm River Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Giunta Middle School
High:	Blake High School

Student/teacher ratio: 12.3

Number of students: 384

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

49.5%

African American:

32.0%

White:

15.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 80.5%

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Compare Palm River Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Palm River Elementary School ranks worse than 97.4% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 168^th among 179 ranked elementary schools in the Hillsborough School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 7.48. (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 Palm River Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (49.5%), African American (32%), White (15.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 80.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Palm River Elementary School is 12.3, which is the 9^th best among 179 elementary schools in the Hillsborough School District. (See more...)

Compare Palm River Elementary School employs 31 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Palm River Elementary School is $14,731, which is the 12^th highest among 179 elementary schools in the Hillsborough School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Palm River 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.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Palm River Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	10.14	1570^th	1688	7.0%
2007	10.91	1660^th	1786	7.1%
2008	6.96	1721^st	1789	3.8%
2009	16.28	1630^th	1847	11.7%
2010	26.30	1508^th	1919	21.4%
2011	16.76	1755^th	1985	11.6%
2012	15.56	1760^th	1984	11.3%
2013	9.47	1940^th	2029	4.4%
2014	9.66	1976^th	2064	4.3%
2016	10.65	1951^st	2087	6.5%
2017	8.99	2020^th	2112	4.4%
2018	8.27	2030^th	2118	4.2%
2019	17.54	1896^th	2182	13.1%
2021	10.51	2115^th	2247	5.9%
2022	20.40	1846^th	2219	16.8%
2023	9.14	2149^th	2240	4.1%
2024	7.48	2197^th	2256	2.6%

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:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Palm River Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	448	207	9	40	0	n/a	n/a	0	704
1989	547	283	13	55	0	n/a	n/a	0	898
1990	566	296	11	58	3	n/a	n/a	0	934
1991	549	284	10	87	5	n/a	n/a	0	935
1992	487	234	9	75	9	n/a	n/a	0	814
1993	455	237	12	82	3	n/a	n/a	0	789
1994	425	272	10	79	3	n/a	n/a	0	789
1995	396	311	7	101	3	n/a	n/a	0	818
1996	396	311	7	101	3	n/a	n/a	0	818
1997	189	262	4	57	2	n/a	n/a	0	514
1998	211	279	3	72	2	n/a	n/a	0	567
1999	174	282	2	72	1	n/a	n/a	0	531
2000	178	320	4	67	0	n/a	n/a	0	569
2001	171	334	3	83	0	n/a	n/a	0	591
2002	144	275	6	106	2	n/a	n/a	0	533
2003	144	275	6	106	2	n/a	n/a	0	533
2004	133	322	3	120	3	n/a	n/a	0	581
2005	128	308	7	129	1	n/a	n/a	0	573
2006	126	258	8	179	0	n/a	n/a	0	571
2007	123	246	6	221	0	n/a	n/a	25	621
2008	99	254	6	198	2	n/a	n/a	23	582
2009	82	214	9	182	1	n/a	n/a	23	511
2010	81	208	9	174	0	n/a	n/a	16	488
2011	85	213	5	202	1	0	8	0	514
2012	70	189	4	220	1	0	12	0	496
2013	94	165	2	224	2	0	6	0	493
2014	94	193	0	223	1	0	20	0	531
2015	88	200	0	225	0	2	21	0	536
2016	64	178	1	258	0	0	12	0	513
2017	70	174	1	254	0	1	15	0	515
2018	59	170	0	241	1	0	21	0	492
2019	68	161	0	230	2	0	16	0	477
2020	61	172	0	258	0	0	21	0	512
2021	48	154	0	225	0	0	13	0	440
2022	51	137	1	189	0	0	16	0	394
2023	59	123	0	190	0	0	12	0	384

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 Palm River Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	704	38.0	18.5	63.6
1989	898	43.0	20.8	52.9
1990	934	48.0	19.4	54.2
1991	935	52.0	17.9	63
1992	814	39.0	20.8	60.6
1993	789	40.0	19.7	66.8
1994	789	49.0	16.1	68.2
1995	818	57.0	14.4	69.3
1996	818	57.0	14.4	69.3
1997	514	41.0	12.5	76.5
1998	567	38.0	14.9	75.3
1999	531	38.0	14.0	91.5
2000	569	40.0	14.2	90.5
2001	591	44.0	13.4	89.8
2002	533	40.0	13.3	84.4
2003	533	40.0	13.3	84.4
2004	581	38.0	15.3	84.2
2005	573	46.0	12.5	92.1
2006	571	49.0	11.7	90.9
2007	621	46.0	13.5	91.3
2008	582	51.0	11.4	91.9
2009	511	51.6	10.4	94.7
2010	488	46.0	10.6	95.1
2011	514	43.7	11.7	90.1
2012	496	46.9	10.5	94
2013	493	47.0	10.4	94.7
2014	531	50.0	10.6	94.7
2015	536	51.0	10.5	95.9
2016	513	52.0	9.8	94.3
2017	515	48.0	10.7	94.8
2018	492	49.0	10.0	93.9
2019	477	33.0	14.4	94.5
2020	512	40.0	12.8	94.3
2021	440	42.0	10.4	96.4
2022	394	35.0	11.2	91.1
2023	384	31.0	12.3	80.5

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 Palm River Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	704	38.0	18.5	63.6
1989	898	43.0	20.8	52.9
1990	934	48.0	19.4	54.2
1991	935	52.0	17.9	63
1992	814	39.0	20.8	60.6
1993	789	40.0	19.7	66.8
1994	789	49.0	16.1	68.2
1995	818	57.0	14.4	69.3
1996	818	57.0	14.4	69.3
1997	514	41.0	12.5	76.5
1998	567	38.0	14.9	75.3
1999	531	38.0	14.0	91.5
2000	569	40.0	14.2	90.5
2001	591	44.0	13.4	89.8
2002	533	40.0	13.3	84.4
2003	533	40.0	13.3	84.4
2004	581	38.0	15.3	84.2
2005	573	46.0	12.5	92.1
2006	571	49.0	11.7	90.9
2007	621	46.0	13.5	91.3
2008	582	51.0	11.4	91.9
2009	511	51.6	10.4	94.7
2010	488	46.0	10.6	95.1
2011	514	43.7	11.7	90.1
2012	496	46.9	10.5	94
2013	493	47.0	10.4	94.7
2014	531	50.0	10.6	94.7
2015	536	51.0	10.5	95.9
2016	513	52.0	9.8	94.3
2017	515	48.0	10.7	94.8
2018	492	49.0	10.0	93.9
2019	477	33.0	14.4	94.5
2020	512	40.0	12.8	94.3
2021	440	42.0	10.4	96.4
2022	394	35.0	11.2	91.1
2023	384	31.0	12.3	80.5

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 Palm River Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,843 (16.0%)	$9,673 (84.0%)	$11,516
2019	$1,986 (16.1%)	$10,312 (83.8%)	$12,299
2020	$2,037 (16.2%)	$10,501 (83.8%)	$12,538
2021	$2,587 (18.8%)	$11,195 (81.2%)	$13,782
2022	$3,971 (26.1%)	$11,219 (73.9%)	$15,189
2023	$4,071 (27.6%)	$10,659 (72.4%)	$14,731

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Palm River 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 1896^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 2149^th of 2240 Elementary schools	9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Palm River Elementary School)	36	37	1%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	52	49	3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Palm River Elementary School)	45	33	12%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)	54	56	2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Palm River Elementary School)	39	40	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	55	55
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Palm River Elementary School)	38	34	4%
4th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)	57	60	3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Palm River Elementary School)	39	33	6%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	54	52	2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Palm River Elementary School)	39	45	6%
5th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)	54	54
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Palm River Elementary School)	39	21	18%
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	477	384	19.5%
African American	161	123	23.6%
American Indian	2	0	100%
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	230	190	17.4%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	68	59	13.2%
Two or More Races	16	12	25%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	94.5%	80.5%	14.1%

Schools Near Palm River 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
Palm River Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	805 Maydell Dr	Tampa	33619	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 744-8066	384	31	12.3	80.5%	59 (15.4%)	123 (32.0%)	190 (49.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.1%)	7.5	2197^th of 2256 public elementary schools	2.6%		9.1	2149^th of 2240 public elementary schools	4.1%	48	28.0	32.0	31.0	15.0	20.0	26.0	28.0	$14,731	$4,071	$10,659
Clair-Mel Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1025 S 78th St	Tampa	33619	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 744-8080	439	25	17.5	82.0%	31 (7.1%)	119 (27.1%)	263 (59.9%)	3 (0.7%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	20 (4.6%)	12.1	2104^th of 2256 public elementary schools	6.7%		20.9	1877^th of 2240 public elementary schools	16.2%	227	35.0	28.0	39.0	36.0	28.0	30.0	27.0	$10,605	$3,349	$7,256
Bing Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6409 36th Ave S	Tampa	33619	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 744-8088	482	30	16.3	80.1%	92 (19.1%)	107 (22.2%)	260 (53.9%)	5 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (3.7%)	9.9	2152^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	4.6%		20.4	1889^th of 2240 public elementary schools	15.7%	263	20.0	21.0	20.0	39.0	23.0	46.0	21.0	$11,122	$2,714	$8,408
Kenly Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2909 N 66th St	Tampa	33619	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 744-8074	431	34	12.8	90.0%	28 (6.5%)	253 (58.7%)	125 (29.0%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (5.1%)	9	2172^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	3.7%		15.6	2012^th of 2240 public elementary schools	10.2%	160	21.0	23.0	31.0	20.0	36.0	29.0	34.0	$14,691	$3,657	$11,033
Oak Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2716 N 46th St	Tampa	33605	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 740-7733	354	27	13.1	89.8%	19 (5.4%)	266 (75.1%)	56 (15.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.7%)	16.6	1990^th of 2256 public elementary schools	11.8%		18.8	1940^th of 2240 public elementary schools	13.4%	50	26.0	22.0	31.0	37.0	43.0	48.0	32.0	$15,629	$4,037	$11,592
Frost Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3950 S Falkenburg Rd	Riverview	33578	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 740-4900	616	38	16.2	69.3%	85 (13.8%)	258 (41.9%)	222 (36.0%)	11 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (6.5%)	23.8	1807^th of 2256 public elementary schools	19.9%		30.2	1607^th of 2240 public elementary schools	28.3%	200	56.0	41.0	36.0	41.0	37.0	35.0	33.0	$10,214	$2,134	$8,082
Desoto Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2618 Corrine St	Tampa	33605	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 276-5779	194	17	11.4	77.8%	19 (9.8%)	36 (18.6%)	132 (68.0%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	5 (2.6%)	46	1200^th of 2256 public elementary schools	46.8%		33.3	1512^th of 2240 public elementary schools	32.5%	312	43.0	37.0	51.0	78.0	77.0	51.0	37.0	$17,941	$5,167	$12,775
The Collaboratory Preparatory Academy	Public, Charter	K-5	6406 E Chelsea St	Tampa	33610	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	Yes	No	No	Yes	(844) 702-3123	73	3	24.3	98.6%	2 (2.7%)	45 (61.6%)	19 (26.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.4%)	6 (8.2%)	4.4	2226^th of 2256 public elementary schools	1.3%					(n/a)			8.0			31.0	0.0	$15,931	$1,504	$14,428
Shore Elementary Magnet School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1908 E 2nd Ave	Tampa	33605	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	Yes	(813) 276-5712	375	29	13.1	71.7%	43 (11.5%)	201 (53.6%)	95 (25.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (9.6%)	42.4	1282^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	43.2%		33	1524^th of 2240 public elementary schools	32.0%	242	54.0	44.0	55.0	63.0	42.0	51.0	41.0	$12,254	$3,305	$8,948
James Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4302 E Ellicott St	Tampa	33610	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 740-4800	386	24	16.0	90.4%	20 (5.2%)	274 (71.0%)	88 (22.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.0%)	6.2	2211^th of 2256 public elementary schools	2.0%		6.9	2181^st of 2240 public elementary schools	2.6%	30	20.0	29.0	31.0	17.0	17.0	29.0	21.0	$14,198	$3,612	$10,587

Frequently Asked Questions about Palm River Elementary School

What district is Palm River Elementary School in?

Hillsborough

What schools do graduates of Palm River Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Palm River Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Giunta Middle School
High : Blake High School

Is Palm River Elementary School a good school?

Palm River Elementary School ranks in the bottom 2.6% of Florida elementary schools.

How many students attend Palm River Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 384 students attended Palm River Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Palm River Elementary School?

Students at Palm River Elementary School are 49% Hispanic, 32% African American, 15% White, 3% Two or more races.

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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.