South County Career Center

Summary:

South County Career Center is an alternative public school in Ruskin, Florida, serving grades PK-12 with a total enrollment of 196 students. 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.

South County Career Center faces significant challenges in terms of student academic performance, graduation rates, and chronic absenteeism. The school has a significantly higher percentage of Hispanic (48.98%) and African American (23.47%) students compared to the surrounding schools and the state average. However, its four-year graduation rates, ranging from 47.7% to 53.0% over the past five years, are significantly lower than the state and district averages. Additionally, the school has extremely high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 51.8% to 78.6% over the past five years, which are much higher than the surrounding schools and the state average. Academically, South County Career Center students perform significantly below the state and district averages on all standardized tests, with only 9% of students proficient or better in Algebra 1 in the 2023-2024 school year, compared to 56% in the Hillsborough district and 55% statewide.

When compared to nearby schools, such as Eisenhower Middle School and Slam Academy at Apollo Beach, South County Career Center stands out as the lowest-performing school in terms of test scores, graduation rates, and chronic absenteeism. For example, Slam Academy at Apollo Beach has significantly higher proficiency rates in Algebra 1 (64%), Geometry (33%), and Biology 1 (78%) compared to South County Career Center. Despite the relatively high per-student spending at South County Career Center, ranging from $13,403 to $16,202 over the past four years, and the lower student-teacher ratios, the school's academic performance remains significantly below the surrounding schools and the state averages.


Detail:

Public, Alternative PK, KG-12

 2810 John Sherman Way
       Ruskin, FL  33570


(813) 233-3335

District: Hillsborough

SchoolDigger Rank:
710th of 807 Florida Alternative Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,403 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  16.3 Help
Number of students:  196

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
49.0%
African American:
23.5%
White:
21.9%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  73% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details South County Career Center is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2021 the calculated Average Standard Score was 3.03. (See more...)
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Compare Details South County Career Center ranks worse than 88% of high schools in Florida. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 5.74. (See more...)
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The Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate (ACGR) measures the percentage of South County Career Center freshmen who graduate within four years, adjusting for students who transfer in or out.
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high 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 Student population at South County Career Center is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (49%), African American (23.5%), White (21.9%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 73% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at South County Career Center is 16.3. 13 alternative schools in the Hillsborough School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
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Compare South County Career Center employs 12 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at South County Career Center is $13,403. 11 alternative schools in the Hillsborough School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

South County Career Center was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks South County Career Center 710th of 807 Florida public high schools. (See South County Career Center in the ranking list.)

Hillsborough:

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


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Rank History for South County Career Center

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2021 3.03 1132nd 1136 0.4%
See the entire list of Florida Alternative School Rankings!

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

Rank History for South County Career Center

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 2.30 476th 484 1.7%
2009 4.94 556th 587 5.3%
2010 3.36 601st 620 3.1%
2013 1.74 642nd 648 0.9%
2014 3.14 655th 687 4.7%
2016 9.00 598th 693 13.7%
2017 3.08 672nd 714 5.9%
2018 5.30 631st 716 11.9%
2019 2.04 707th 734 3.7%
2021 3.91 689th 746 7.6%
2022 2.51 741st 774 4.3%
2023 7.05 682nd 792 13.9%
2024 5.74 710th 807 12.0%
See the entire list of Florida Alternative School Rankings!

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

South County Career Center Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Enrollment information for South County Career Center

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
2002 182 58 7 145 2 n/a n/a 0 394
2003 182 58 7 145 2 n/a n/a 0 394
2004 197 40 3 165 1 n/a n/a 0 406
2005 224 33 1 147 2 n/a n/a 0 407
2006 202 38 3 158 0 n/a n/a 0 401
2007 165 30 1 142 1 n/a n/a 5 344
2008 114 35 1 91 1 n/a n/a 4 246
2009 98 52 1 138 1 n/a n/a 3 293
2010 96 41 2 104 1 n/a n/a 6 250
2011 86 36 1 150 2 0 3 0 278
2012 102 48 0 160 1 0 8 0 319
2013 103 36 0 132 1 0 7 0 279
2014 84 33 0 129 1 0 8 0 255
2015 91 46 0 151 1 0 6 0 295
2016 67 36 1 101 0 0 6 0 211
2017 58 30 1 87 1 0 9 0 186
2018 63 32 1 83 1 0 8 0 188
2019 54 31 1 92 0 0 9 0 187
2020 56 31 0 97 0 0 8 0 192
2021 54 39 1 111 0 0 12 0 217
2022 48 36 0 89 0 0 8 0 181
2023 43 46 1 96 1 0 9 0 196

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 South County Career Center

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2002 394 0.0 n/a 54.3
2003 394 0.0 n/a 54.3
2004 406 20.0 20.3 58.4
2005 407 21.0 19.4 60.7
2006 401 19.0 21.1 57.6
2007 344 16.0 21.5 58.1
2008 246 21.0 11.7 50.8
2009 293 20.0 15.4 66.9
2010 250 17.0 14.7 73.4
2011 278 14.5 19.1 79.5
2012 319 20.3 15.6 78.7
2013 279 22.0 12.6 79.2
2014 255 21.0 12.1 84.7
2015 295 25.0 11.8 84.4
2016 211 22.0 9.5 79.1
2017 186 20.0 9.3 77.4
2018 188 19.0 9.8 79.8
2019 187 16.0 11.6 79.1
2020 192 18.5 10.3 77.6
2021 217 18.0 12.0 86.6
2022 181 17.0 10.6 74.6
2023 196 12.0 16.3 73

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 South County Career Center

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
2002 394 0.0 n/a 54.3
2003 394 0.0 n/a 54.3
2004 406 20.0 20.3 58.4
2005 407 21.0 19.4 60.7
2006 401 19.0 21.1 57.6
2007 344 16.0 21.5 58.1
2008 246 21.0 11.7 50.8
2009 293 20.0 15.4 66.9
2010 250 17.0 14.7 73.4
2011 278 14.5 19.1 79.5
2012 319 20.3 15.6 78.7
2013 279 22.0 12.6 79.2
2014 255 21.0 12.1 84.7
2015 295 25.0 11.8 84.4
2016 211 22.0 9.5 79.1
2017 186 20.0 9.3 77.4
2018 188 19.0 9.8 79.8
2019 187 16.0 11.6 79.1
2020 192 18.5 10.3 77.6
2021 217 18.0 12.0 86.6
2022 181 17.0 10.6 74.6
2023 196 12.0 16.3 73

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 South County Career Center

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $1,213 (8.1%) $13,835 (91.9%) $15,048
2019 $1,252 (7.8%) $14,795 (92.2%) $16,047
2020 $1,486 (9.2%) $14,716 (90.8%) $16,202
2021 $1,657 (11.6%) $12,670 (88.4%) $14,327
2022 $2,533 (16.9%) $12,432 (83.1%) $14,965
2023 $1,420 (10.6%) $11,984 (89.4%) $13,403

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

Impact of COVID-19 on South County Career Center

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 707th of 734 High schoolsRanks 682nd of 792 High schools
 10.2%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
9th Grade English Language Arts (South County Career Center)010
 10%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)5550
 5%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5551
 4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (South County Career Center)012
 12%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)5349
 4%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5349
 4%
End of Course Biology 1 (South County Career Center)1123
 12%
   End of Course Biology 1 (Hillsborough)6762
 5%
   End of Course Biology 1 (Florida)6763
 4%
End of Course US History (South County Career Center)1910
 9%
   End of Course US History (Hillsborough)7365
 8%
   End of Course US History (Florida)7063
 7%
End of Course Geometry (South County Career Center)00
   End of Course Geometry (Hillsborough)5753
 4%
   End of Course Geometry (Florida)5750
 7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students187196
 4.8%
African American3146
 48.4%
American Indian01
Asian11
Hispanic9296
 4.3%
Pacific Islander00
White5443
 20.4%
Two or More Races99
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients79.1%73%
 6.2%


Schools Near South County Career Center









Frequently Asked Questions about South County Career Center

In the 2022-23 school year, 196 students attended South County Career Center.

Students at South County Career Center are 49% Hispanic, 23% African American, 22% White, 5% Two or more races.

South County Career Center ranks in the bottom 12.0% of Florida alternative schools.


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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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