Is Independence Academy a good school?

Independence Academy ranks 1145 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Independence Academy?

In the 2022-23 school year, 914 students attended Independence Academy.

What is the racial makeup of Independence Academy?

Students at Independence Academy are 63% White, 25% Hispanic, 5% African American, 4% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

Independence Academy

Summary:

Independence Academy is a public charter elementary and middle school located in Dover, Florida, serving grades K-8 with a total enrollment of 914 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.

Independence Academy stands out in several key areas. The school has a significantly higher percentage of White students (63.02%) compared to the nearby schools, which have more diverse student populations. Academically, Independence Academy outperforms the Hillsborough district and the state of Florida in several key areas, with higher proficiency rates in EOC/Algebra 1, EOC/Geometry, EOC/Biology 1, and EOC/Civics. However, the school has seen a concerning increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 7.4% in 2020-2021 to 22.0% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the state average and the nearby schools. Additionally, Independence Academy has a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (39.82%) compared to the surrounding schools, which range from 48.29% to 84.03%.

Despite its strong academic performance, Independence Academy's statewide ranking has been declining over the years, from 641st out of 2,087 Florida elementary schools in 2015-2016 to 1,145th out of 2,256 in 2023-2024. This suggests that while the school is performing well, other schools in the state may be improving at a faster rate. Interestingly, the nearby Walden Lake Elementary School outperforms Independence Academy and the district in several academic areas, while schools like Mango Elementary and McDonald Elementary struggle with lower test scores and higher chronic absenteeism.

Detail:

Public, Charter K-8

12902 E Us Highway 92
Dover, FL 33527

(813) 473-8600

District: Hillsborough

SchoolDigger Rank:
1145^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $7,856

Student/teacher ratio: 19.0

Number of students: 914

Racial breakdown:

White:

63.0%

Hispanic:

25.3%

African American:

5.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 39.8%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Independence Academy to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Independence Academy ranks worse than 50.8% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 67^th among 179 ranked elementary schools in the Hillsborough School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 47.92. (See more...)

Compare Details Independence Academy ranks better than 55.5% of middle schools in Florida. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 53.69. (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 (63%), Hispanic (25.3%), African American (5.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 39.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Independence Academy is 19. 167 elementary schools in the Hillsborough School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Independence Academy employs 48 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Independence Academy is $7,856. 174 elementary schools in the Hillsborough School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Independence Academy was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Independence Academy 532^nd of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Independence Academy in the ranking list.)

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 Independence Academy

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2010	60.36	810^th	1919	57.8%
2011	48.41	1088^th	1985	45.2%
2012	49.81	1001^st	1984	49.5%
2013	56.88	861^st	2029	57.6%
2014	56.60	895^th	2064	56.6%
2016	68.23	641^st	2087	69.3%
2017	60.46	814^th	2112	61.5%
2018	50.02	1058^th	2118	50.0%
2019	57.39	901^st	2182	58.7%
2021	38.49	1353^rd	2247	39.8%
2022	34.22	1464^th	2219	34.0%
2023	33.05	1522^nd	2240	32.1%
2024	47.92	1145^th	2256	49.2%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

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

Rank History for Independence Academy

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2019	44.02	629^th	1099	42.8%
2021	43.87	641^st	1136	43.6%
2022	45.33	610^th	1148	46.9%
2023	49.20	574^th	1177	51.2%
2024	53.69	532^nd	1196	55.5%

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:

by a parent
Monday, July 24, 2017

My daughters attended last year (1st & 2nd grade) and will attend again this year. We love this school and the teachers and staff that work there. It really feels like a family and the staff go above and beyond to care for our children! We love the clubs and the after school program as well as the summer camp offered to students. The only con is the drop off line at the beginning of the year taking some time. However now I know that will pass in a few weeks :) Close Quote

Enrollment information for Independence Academy

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
2008	171	6	1	8	0	n/a	n/a	6	192
2009	342	8	2	14	3	n/a	n/a	12	381
2010	308	6	3	20	2	n/a	n/a	11	350
2011	316	11	2	43	2	1	6	0	381
2012	342	9	1	58	1	0	7	0	418
2013	347	8	2	65	1	0	7	0	430
2014	356	10	1	66	1	0	11	0	445
2015	323	7	1	62	1	0	8	0	402
2016	363	21	8	82	0	0	12	0	486
2017	413	24	11	124	3	0	20	0	595
2018	643	34	18	172	3	0	24	0	894
2019	655	44	18	189	3	0	28	0	937
2020	634	51	17	215	3	2	26	0	948
2021	599	68	15	197	3	2	33	0	917
2022	584	47	14	229	4	1	28	0	907
2023	576	50	17	231	5	1	34	0	914

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 Independence Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2008	192	n/a	n/a	15.1
2009	381	n/a	n/a	19
2010	350	28.0	12.5	30.1
2011	381	24.0	15.8	30.4
2012	418	49.0	8.5	25.8
2013	430	48.0	8.9	27.9
2014	445	40.0	11.1	29.4
2015	402	36.0	11.1	14.7
2016	486	36.0	13.5	7.6
2017	595	41.0	14.5	5.7
2018	894	67.0	13.3	13.1
2019	937	51.0	18.3	36.9
2020	948	54.0	17.5	23.4
2021	917	53.0	17.3	22.1
2022	907	51.0	17.7	16.6
2023	914	48.0	19.0	39.8

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 Independence Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2008	192	n/a	n/a	15.1
2009	381	n/a	n/a	19
2010	350	28.0	12.5	30.1
2011	381	24.0	15.8	30.4
2012	418	49.0	8.5	25.8
2013	430	48.0	8.9	27.9
2014	445	40.0	11.1	29.4
2015	402	36.0	11.1	14.7
2016	486	36.0	13.5	7.6
2017	595	41.0	14.5	5.7
2018	894	67.0	13.3	13.1
2019	937	51.0	18.3	36.9
2020	948	54.0	17.5	23.4
2021	917	53.0	17.3	22.1
2022	907	51.0	17.7	16.6
2023	914	48.0	19.0	39.8

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 Independence Academy

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$326 (4.8%)	$6,449 (95.2%)	$6,775
2019	$17,939 (74.5%)	$6,153 (25.5%)	$24,092
2020	$00 (0.0%)	$6,049 (100.0%)	$6,049
2021	$83 (1.3%)	$6,107 (98.7%)	$6,190
2022	$1,257 (16.9%)	$6,167 (83.1%)	$7,424
2023	$1,595 (20.3%)	$6,261 (79.7%)	$7,856

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Independence Academy

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 901^st of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1522^nd of 2240 Elementary schools	26.7%
Ranks 629^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 574^th of 1177 Middle schools	8.5%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Independence Academy)	69	43	26%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	52	49	3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Independence Academy)	70	33	37%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)	54	56	2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Academy)	59	46	13%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	55	55
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Independence Academy)	68	36	32%
4th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)	57	60	3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Academy)	64	52	12%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	54	52	2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Independence Academy)	68	44	24%
5th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)	54	54
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Independence Academy)	58	29	29%
5th Grade Science (Hillsborough)	51	47	4%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Academy)	48	53	5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	53	52	1%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Independence Academy)	23	42	19%
6th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)	49	45	4%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Academy)	59	50	9%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	54	49	5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Independence Academy)	14	29	15%
7th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)	62	26	36%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Academy)	53	58	5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	53	47	6%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Independence Academy)	55	36	19%
8th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)	31	47	16%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Independence Academy)	37	33	4%
8th Grade Science (Hillsborough)	47	41	6%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Biology 1 (Independence Academy)	85	86	1%
End of Course Biology 1 (Hillsborough)	67	62	5%
End of Course Biology 1 (Florida)	67	63	4%
End of Course Civics (Independence Academy)	85	80	5%
End of Course Civics (Hillsborough)	67	64	3%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Independence Academy)	76	42	34%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Hillsborough)	63	60	3%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Independence Academy)	85	77	8%
End of Course Geometry (Hillsborough)	57	53	4%
End of Course Geometry (Florida)	57	50	7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	937	914	2.5%
African American	44	50	13.6%
American Indian	3	5	66.7%
Asian	18	17	5.6%
Hispanic	189	231	22.2%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	655	576	12.1%
Two or More Races	28	34	21.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	36.9%	39.8%	2.9%

Schools Near Independence Academy

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
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
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
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
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
Dover Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3035 Nelson Ave	Dover	33527	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 757-9457	576	42	13.7	84.0%	38 (6.6%)	6 (1.0%)	529 (91.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	22.6	1835^th of 2256 public elementary schools	18.7%		24.1	1770^th of 2240 public elementary schools	21.0%	65	36.0	31.0	33.0				44.0	48.0	53.0				31.0						$12,529	$3,582	$8,947
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
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
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
Cork Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3501 N Cork Rd	Plant City	33565	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 757-9353	690	47	14.6	64.5%	297 (43.0%)	13 (1.9%)	352 (51.0%)	6 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (3.2%)	33.1	1537^th of 2256 public elementary schools	31.9%		40.3	1330^th of 2240 public elementary schools	40.6%	207	44.0	44.0	42.0				45.0	47.0	55.0				44.0						$10,846	$2,307	$8,538
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

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Rank History for Independence Academy

Rank History for Independence Academy

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Enrollment information for Independence Academy

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Independence Academy

Student/Teacher Ratio Independence Academy

Per Pupil Expenditures for Independence Academy

Impact of COVID-19 on Independence Academy

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Independence Academy