James E Plew Elementary School

Summary:

James E Plew Elementary School is a public elementary school in Niceville, Florida, serving 829 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Okaloosa School District, which is ranked 12th out of 68 districts in the state and has a 4-star rating.

James E Plew Elementary consistently outperforms the Okaloosa district and the state of Florida in academic assessments, with 77% of 3rd graders proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 59% for the district and 55% for the state. The school also ranks in the top 10% of Florida elementary schools, earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger. However, the student population is predominantly White, with 79.49% of students identifying as such, which is higher than the racial diversity of nearby schools. The school also has relatively low chronic absenteeism rates at 12%, compared to higher rates at nearby schools like Wright Elementary (29.8%) and Longwood Elementary (27.6%).

Despite having lower per-student spending of $8,992 compared to the district average, James E Plew Elementary School is able to achieve exceptional academic results, suggesting that the school is effectively allocating its resources to support student learning. This consistent academic excellence, along with the school's efficient resource allocation and low chronic absenteeism rates, make James E Plew Elementary a standout in the Okaloosa School District and the state of Florida.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

220 Pine Ave
Niceville, FL 32578

(850) 833-4100

District: Okaloosa

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

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,992

Students who attend James E Plew Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	C. W. Ruckel Middle School
High:	Niceville Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio: 17.4

Number of students: 829

Racial breakdown:

White:

79.5%

Hispanic:

9.2%

Two or more races:

8.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 25.7%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare James E Plew Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details James E Plew Elementary School ranks better than 91.3% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 2^nd among 20 ranked elementary schools in the Okaloosa School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 89.47. (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 (79.5%), Hispanic (9.2%), two or more races (8.7%). (See more...)

Compare Details 25.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at James E Plew Elementary School is 17.4. 18 elementary schools in the Okaloosa School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare James E Plew Elementary School employs 47.6 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at James E Plew Elementary School is $8,992. 16 elementary schools in the Okaloosa School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

James E Plew Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Okaloosa:

SchoolDigger ranks Okaloosa 12^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for James E Plew Elementary School.

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Rank History for James E Plew Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	96.40	15^th	1688	99.1%
2007	93.08	44^th	1786	97.5%
2008	91.73	75^th	1789	95.8%
2009	91.88	60^th	1847	96.8%
2010	89.94	104^th	1919	94.6%
2011	91.58	77^th	1985	96.1%
2012	91.49	108^th	1984	94.6%
2013	85.31	236^th	2029	88.4%
2014	88.49	176^th	2064	91.5%
2016	92.68	99^th	2087	95.3%
2017	89.10	170^th	2112	92.0%
2018	91.08	124^th	2118	94.1%
2019	93.50	62^nd	2182	97.2%
2021	90.60	164^th	2247	92.7%
2022	88.15	231^st	2219	89.6%
2023	91.24	138^th	2240	93.8%
2024	89.47	196^th	2256	91.3%

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: 3.7)

67%

33%

Reviews:

by a parent
Wednesday, February 21, 2018

The principle, Mrs. Mccallister is very rude. She hung up on me today while i was voicing my opinions and concerns about my son and his teacher! I called the superintendent and scheduled a meeting. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, June 5, 2009

Plew is an older school in Niceville,compared to Bluewater Elementary. Alot of people who live in Bluewater therefor want their children to go to Bluewater Elementary. Please DO NOT judge a book(or school) by its cover. Plew is and EXCELLANT school. I have had the choice to have my children go to Bluewater and I would not do it, no reason to. The faculty and staff at Plew are AMAZING and the parent volunteers are the BEST in the area. I can't say enough about this school... Close Quote

Enrollment information for James E Plew Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	753	28	19	15	0	n/a	n/a	0	815
1989	774	20	19	13	0	n/a	n/a	0	826
1990	701	20	25	24	0	n/a	n/a	0	770
1991	541	13	24	17	0	n/a	n/a	0	595
1992	492	21	36	21	0	n/a	n/a	0	570
1993	531	25	35	20	0	n/a	n/a	0	611
1994	594	24	36	24	1	n/a	n/a	0	679
1995	571	21	32	14	2	n/a	n/a	0	640
1996	571	21	32	14	2	n/a	n/a	0	640
1997	593	25	25	18	1	n/a	n/a	0	662
1998	617	15	19	16	1	n/a	n/a	0	668
1999	652	21	19	14	1	n/a	n/a	0	707
2000	596	17	15	12	1	n/a	n/a	0	641
2001	573	13	15	11	2	n/a	n/a	0	614
2002	663	13	23	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	710
2003	663	13	23	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	710
2004	637	20	25	4	1	n/a	n/a	0	687
2005	583	21	22	7	0	n/a	n/a	0	633
2006	598	24	13	15	1	n/a	n/a	0	651
2007	534	9	13	16	1	n/a	n/a	39	612
2008	523	9	10	18	0	n/a	n/a	31	591
2009	516	23	8	15	1	n/a	n/a	33	596
2010	530	21	10	21	1	n/a	n/a	21	604
2011	565	18	13	28	0	0	35	0	659
2012	578	27	9	37	0	0	44	0	695
2013	581	24	5	51	0	0	56	0	717
2014	575	24	3	54	0	0	62	0	718
2015	576	17	6	54	0	0	68	0	721
2016	599	22	7	59	0	0	91	0	778
2017	625	25	9	63	0	0	90	0	812
2018	621	30	14	55	1	0	76	0	797
2019	632	27	9	48	0	1	75	0	792
2020	648	24	6	60	0	1	75	0	814
2021	664	28	3	57	0	1	70	0	823
2022	659	20	4	70	2	1	74	0	830
2023	659	14	6	76	2	0	72	0	829

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 James E Plew Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	815	38.0	21.4	21.1
1989	826	39.0	21.1	19.5
1990	770	38.0	20.2	20.4
1991	595	31.0	19.1	20.7
1992	570	31.0	18.3	14.7
1993	611	32.0	19.1	15.7
1994	679	33.0	20.6	17.2
1995	640	34.0	18.8	12.8
1996	640	34.0	18.8	12.8
1997	662	34.0	19.5	13.3
1998	668	35.0	19.1	10
1999	707	36.0	19.6	18.2
2000	641	34.0	18.9	17.3
2001	614	33.0	18.6	13.4
2002	710	34.0	20.9	18.5
2003	710	34.0	20.9	18.5
2004	687	39.0	17.6	19.9
2005	633	42.0	15.1	22
2006	651	43.0	15.1	16.1
2007	612	43.0	14.2	19.5
2008	591	43.0	13.7	21.4
2009	596	44.9	13.4	24.9
2010	604	42.5	14.2	22.6
2011	659	39.6	16.6	23.8
2012	695	42.6	16.3	29.5
2013	717	46.0	15.5	29
2014	718	45.0	15.9	29.1
2015	721	46.0	15.6	31.1
2016	778	48.0	16.2	32.8
2017	812	49.0	16.5	29.9
2018	797	48.0	16.6	28.4
2019	792	45.6	17.3	27.8
2020	814	45.6	17.8	25.6
2021	823	48.6	16.9	25.5
2022	830	48.6	17.0	21.6
2023	829	47.6	17.4	25.7

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 James E Plew Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	815	38.0	21.4	21.1
1989	826	39.0	21.1	19.5
1990	770	38.0	20.2	20.4
1991	595	31.0	19.1	20.7
1992	570	31.0	18.3	14.7
1993	611	32.0	19.1	15.7
1994	679	33.0	20.6	17.2
1995	640	34.0	18.8	12.8
1996	640	34.0	18.8	12.8
1997	662	34.0	19.5	13.3
1998	668	35.0	19.1	10
1999	707	36.0	19.6	18.2
2000	641	34.0	18.9	17.3
2001	614	33.0	18.6	13.4
2002	710	34.0	20.9	18.5
2003	710	34.0	20.9	18.5
2004	687	39.0	17.6	19.9
2005	633	42.0	15.1	22
2006	651	43.0	15.1	16.1
2007	612	43.0	14.2	19.5
2008	591	43.0	13.7	21.4
2009	596	44.9	13.4	24.9
2010	604	42.5	14.2	22.6
2011	659	39.6	16.6	23.8
2012	695	42.6	16.3	29.5
2013	717	46.0	15.5	29
2014	718	45.0	15.9	29.1
2015	721	46.0	15.6	31.1
2016	778	48.0	16.2	32.8
2017	812	49.0	16.5	29.9
2018	797	48.0	16.6	28.4
2019	792	45.6	17.3	27.8
2020	814	45.6	17.8	25.6
2021	823	48.6	16.9	25.5
2022	830	48.6	17.0	21.6
2023	829	47.6	17.4	25.7

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 James E Plew Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$160 (2.2%)	$7,259 (97.8%)	$7,419
2019	$144 (1.8%)	$7,650 (98.2%)	$7,794
2020	$133 (1.8%)	$7,268 (98.2%)	$7,402
2021	$412 (5.0%)	$7,753 (94.9%)	$8,166
2022	$1,250 (14.9%)	$7,135 (85.1%)	$8,385
2023	$1,290 (14.3%)	$7,702 (85.7%)	$8,992

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on James E Plew 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 62^nd of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 138^th of 2240 Elementary schools	3.3%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (James E Plew Elementary School)	86	73	13%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Okaloosa)	66	58	8%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (James E Plew Elementary School)	85	72	13%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Okaloosa)	73	65	8%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (James E Plew Elementary School)	86	77	9%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Okaloosa)	67	61	6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (James E Plew Elementary School)	90	79	11%
4th Grade Mathematics (Okaloosa)	74	65	9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (James E Plew Elementary School)	80	82	2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Okaloosa)	67	62	5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (James E Plew Elementary School)	88	73	15%
5th Grade Mathematics (Okaloosa)	71	58	13%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (James E Plew Elementary School)	78	70	8%
5th Grade Science (Okaloosa)	63	57	6%
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	792	829	4.7%
African American	27	14	48.1%
American Indian	0	2
Asian	9	6	33.3%
Hispanic	48	76	58.3%
Pacific Islander	1	0	100%
White	632	659	4.3%
Two or More Races	75	72	4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	27.8%	25.7%	2.1%

Schools Near James E Plew 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 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 Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
James E Plew Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	220 Pine Ave	Niceville	32578	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4100	829	48	17.4	25.7%	659 (79.5%)	14 (1.7%)	76 (9.2%)	6 (0.7%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	72 (8.7%)	89.5	196^th of 2256 public elementary schools	91.3%		91.2	138^th of 2240 public elementary schools	93.8%	58	77.0	73.0	78.0				74.0	87.0	78.0				73.0				$8,992	$1,290	$7,702
Lula J. Edge Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	300 Highway 85 N	Niceville	32578	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4138	536	34	15.8	41.6%	405 (75.6%)	20 (3.7%)	42 (7.8%)	5 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	63 (11.8%)	77	481^st of 2256 public elementary schools	78.7%		78.7	435^th of 2240 public elementary schools	80.6%	46	62.0	65.0	68.0				73.0	73.0	64.0				68.0				$10,551	$2,051	$8,499
Addie R. Lewis School	Public	PK, KG-8	281 Mississippi Ave	Valparaiso	32580	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-4130	693	46	15.0	44.3%	451 (65.1%)	72 (10.4%)	62 (8.9%)	6 (0.9%)	6 (0.9%)	6 (0.9%)	90 (13.0%)	70.4	631^st of 2256 public elementary schools	72.0%		67.1	685^th of 2240 public elementary schools	69.4%	54	44.0	66.0	77.0	67.0	56.0	68.0	45.0	64.0	80.0	57.0	76.0	69.0	77.0	72.0	95.0	73.0	$12,411	$1,954	$10,456
Bluewater Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4545 Range Rd	Niceville	32578	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4240	930	56	16.6	15.7%	749 (80.5%)	18 (1.9%)	110 (11.8%)	9 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	43 (4.6%)	90.2	174^th of 2256 public elementary schools	92.3%		93.6	75^th of 2240 public elementary schools	96.7%	99	81.0	75.0	73.0				88.0	78.0	76.0				74.0				$8,992	$1,241	$7,751
Eglin Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	200 Gaffney Rd	Eglin Afb	32542	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4320	460	29	15.8	35.4%	203 (44.1%)	77 (16.7%)	112 (24.3%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	65 (14.1%)	77.5	464^th of 2256 public elementary schools	79.4%		82.7	347^th of 2240 public elementary schools	84.5%	117	68.0	58.0					78.0	73.0									$10,724	$1,929	$8,794
Destin Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-4	630 Kelly St	Destin	32541	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4360	976	59	16.5	40.9%	658 (67.4%)	53 (5.4%)	159 (16.3%)	28 (2.9%)	4 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	73 (7.5%)	81.2	372^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	83.5%		82.8	343^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	84.7%	29	62.0	72.0					72.0	83.0									$9,248	$1,361	$7,887
Shalimar Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1350 Joe Martin Cir	Shalimar	32579	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-4339	614	36	17.0	63.2%	352 (57.3%)	73 (11.9%)	95 (15.5%)	19 (3.1%)	5 (0.8%)	4 (0.7%)	66 (10.7%)	51.3	1066^th of 2256 public elementary schools	52.7%		47.3	1152^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	48.6%	86	60.0	48.0	55.0				73.0	50.0	55.0				42.0				$10,637	$2,576	$8,063
Longwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	50 Holly Ave	Shalimar	32579	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-4329	548	33	16.6	74.5%	153 (27.9%)	66 (12.0%)	259 (47.3%)	15 (2.7%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.5%)	51 (9.3%)	19.9	1903^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	15.6%		27	1680^th of 2240 public elementary schools	25.0%	223	26.0	33.0	47.0				29.0	41.0	53.0				36.0				$12,606	$2,797	$9,808
Kenwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	15 Eagle St NE	Fort Walton Beach	32547	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-3570	545	36	15.1	58.2%	324 (59.4%)	62 (11.4%)	78 (14.3%)	12 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	68 (12.5%)	59.9	866^th of 2256 public elementary schools	61.6%		61.9	797^th of 2240 public elementary schools	64.4%	69	61.0	67.0	51.0				64.0	72.0	55.0				44.0				$12,000	$2,575	$9,426
Elliott Point Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	301 Hughes St NE	Fort Walton Beach	32548	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-3355	597	37	16.1	69.8%	289 (48.4%)	102 (17.1%)	136 (22.8%)	8 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	61 (10.2%)	42.5	1278^th of 2256 public elementary schools	43.4%		36.7	1426^th of 2240 public elementary schools	36.3%	148	52.0	44.0	67.0				43.0	39.0	57.0				54.0				$11,216	$2,644	$8,573

Frequently Asked Questions about James E Plew Elementary School

What schools do graduates of James E Plew Elementary School attend?

Students who attend James E Plew Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : C. W. Ruckel Middle School
High : Niceville Senior High School

What district is James E Plew Elementary School in?

Okaloosa

What is the racial makeup of James E Plew Elementary School?

Students at James E Plew Elementary School are 79% White, 9% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 2% African American.

How many students attend James E Plew Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 829 students attended James E Plew Elementary School.

Is James E Plew Elementary School a good school?

Yes. James E Plew Elementary School ranks in the top 8.7% of Florida elementary schools.

Rate James E Plew Elementary School!

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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.