Calusa Elementary School

Summary:

Calusa Elementary School is a public elementary school located in New Port Richey, Florida, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 473. The school is part of the Pasco District, which is ranked 42 out of 68 districts in Florida and is rated 2 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

Calusa Elementary faces significant challenges, with consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 24.7% to 36.0%, which is much higher than the state and district averages. The school's test scores are also consistently lower than the Pasco District and Florida state averages across all grade levels and subjects, with only 25-38% of Calusa students proficient or better, compared to 50-60% at the state level. Additionally, Calusa has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 80.4% to 85.41%, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

When comparing Calusa Elementary to nearby schools in the Pasco District, such as James M. Marlowe Elementary, Deer Park Elementary, and Learning Lodge Academy, it becomes clear that Calusa is one of the lower-performing schools in the area. These nearby schools have significantly higher test scores and lower chronic absenteeism rates than Calusa, presenting an opportunity for the school and district to implement targeted interventions and support programs to address the specific needs of Calusa's student population.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

7520 Orchid Lake Rd
New Port Richey, FL 34653

(727) 774-3700

District: Pasco

SchoolDigger Rank:
2123^rd of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,386

Students who attend Calusa Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Chasco Middle School
High:	Gulf High School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.6

Number of students: 473

Racial breakdown:

White:

54.5%

Hispanic:

26.8%

Two or more races:

8.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 85.4%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Calusa Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Calusa Elementary School ranks worse than 94.1% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 48^th among 57 ranked elementary schools in the Pasco School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 11.18. (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 (54.5%), Hispanic (26.8%), two or more races (8.9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 85.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Calusa Elementary School is 16.6. 36 elementary schools in the Pasco School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Calusa Elementary School employs 28.4 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Calusa Elementary School is $10,386, which is the 24^th highest among 57 elementary schools in the Pasco School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Pasco:

SchoolDigger ranks Pasco 42^nd of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Calusa Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	23.27	1350^th	1688	20.0%
2007	24.76	1425^th	1786	20.2%
2008	26.26	1393^rd	1789	22.1%
2009	23.93	1506^th	1847	18.5%
2010	24.75	1535^th	1919	20.0%
2011	16.95	1748^th	1985	11.9%
2012	18.38	1693^rd	1984	14.7%
2013	33.72	1386^th	2029	31.7%
2014	20.81	1732^nd	2064	16.1%
2016	21.04	1707^th	2087	18.2%
2017	29.46	1516^th	2112	28.2%
2018	13.88	1921^st	2118	9.3%
2019	11.29	2030^th	2182	7.0%
2021	11.12	2093^rd	2247	6.9%
2022	16.19	1965^th	2219	11.4%
2023	8.22	2169^th	2240	3.2%
2024	11.18	2123^rd	2256	5.9%

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: 1)

100%

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Calusa Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	922	27	10	12	1	n/a	n/a	0	972
1989	1085	15	12	12	2	n/a	n/a	0	1126
1990	752	13	12	14	0	n/a	n/a	0	791
1991	815	16	12	19	0	n/a	n/a	0	862
1992	711	16	8	20	0	n/a	n/a	0	755
1993	695	13	8	24	1	n/a	n/a	0	741
1994	677	15	5	35	2	n/a	n/a	0	734
1995	773	17	16	38	0	n/a	n/a	0	844
1996	773	17	16	38	0	n/a	n/a	0	844
1997	728	23	9	35	0	n/a	n/a	0	795
1998	795	27	8	42	0	n/a	n/a	0	872
1999	798	24	8	44	0	n/a	n/a	0	874
2000	756	21	7	43	0	n/a	n/a	0	827
2001	672	12	7	52	0	n/a	n/a	0	743
2002	635	10	14	65	1	n/a	n/a	0	725
2003	635	10	14	65	1	n/a	n/a	0	725
2004	610	9	10	67	1	n/a	n/a	0	697
2005	639	16	7	70	2	n/a	n/a	0	734
2006	637	21	10	72	1	n/a	n/a	0	741
2007	539	25	6	82	1	n/a	n/a	29	682
2008	515	28	10	94	3	n/a	n/a	43	693
2009	446	30	13	104	3	n/a	n/a	40	636
2010	392	30	13	109	13	n/a	n/a	19	576
2011	423	31	11	103	8	0	19	0	595
2012	417	28	9	103	5	0	26	0	588
2013	394	29	7	92	5	1	22	0	550
2014	398	31	10	110	2	0	26	0	577
2015	401	27	6	114	1	0	40	0	589
2016	401	35	5	123	1	1	44	0	610
2017	330	32	10	111	0	0	39	0	522
2018	280	38	10	109	1	0	42	0	480
2019	299	46	9	121	1	0	37	0	513
2020	294	38	5	125	3	0	34	0	499
2021	282	44	4	129	2	0	34	0	495
2022	268	52	4	129	1	1	48	0	503
2023	258	41	3	127	1	1	42	0	473

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 Calusa Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	972	48.0	20.2	30.9
1989	1126	51.0	22.0	35.7
1990	791	46.0	17.1	34.1
1991	862	41.0	21.0	38.9
1992	755	38.0	19.8	34.2
1993	741	39.0	19.0	38.7
1994	734	38.0	19.3	40.1
1995	844	43.0	19.6	38.3
1996	844	43.0	19.6	38.3
1997	795	43.0	18.5	35.7
1998	872	43.0	20.3	37.8
1999	874	50.0	17.5	49.8
2000	827	48.0	17.2	51
2001	743	40.0	18.6	55.3
2002	725	42.0	17.3	53.7
2003	725	42.0	17.3	53.7
2004	697	41.0	17.0	59.1
2005	734	46.0	16.0	63.5
2006	741	51.0	14.5	56.8
2007	682	49.0	13.9	60.3
2008	693	48.0	14.4	62.3
2009	636	49.9	13.8	69.5
2010	576	45.0	12.8	70.6
2011	595	53.0	11.2	72.9
2012	588	52.0	11.3	76.5
2013	550	47.0	11.7	79.1
2014	577	43.0	13.4	76.9
2015	589	42.0	14.0	79.8
2016	610	46.0	13.2	81.3
2017	522	46.0	11.3	80.7
2018	480	33.0	14.5	84.4
2019	513	35.0	14.6	82.7
2020	499	33.6	14.8	84.8
2021	495	32.2	15.3	80.4
2022	503	32.0	15.7	83.5
2023	473	28.4	16.6	85.4

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 Calusa Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	972	48.0	20.2	30.9
1989	1126	51.0	22.0	35.7
1990	791	46.0	17.1	34.1
1991	862	41.0	21.0	38.9
1992	755	38.0	19.8	34.2
1993	741	39.0	19.0	38.7
1994	734	38.0	19.3	40.1
1995	844	43.0	19.6	38.3
1996	844	43.0	19.6	38.3
1997	795	43.0	18.5	35.7
1998	872	43.0	20.3	37.8
1999	874	50.0	17.5	49.8
2000	827	48.0	17.2	51
2001	743	40.0	18.6	55.3
2002	725	42.0	17.3	53.7
2003	725	42.0	17.3	53.7
2004	697	41.0	17.0	59.1
2005	734	46.0	16.0	63.5
2006	741	51.0	14.5	56.8
2007	682	49.0	13.9	60.3
2008	693	48.0	14.4	62.3
2009	636	49.9	13.8	69.5
2010	576	45.0	12.8	70.6
2011	595	53.0	11.2	72.9
2012	588	52.0	11.3	76.5
2013	550	47.0	11.7	79.1
2014	577	43.0	13.4	76.9
2015	589	42.0	14.0	79.8
2016	610	46.0	13.2	81.3
2017	522	46.0	11.3	80.7
2018	480	33.0	14.5	84.4
2019	513	35.0	14.6	82.7
2020	499	33.6	14.8	84.8
2021	495	32.2	15.3	80.4
2022	503	32.0	15.7	83.5
2023	473	28.4	16.6	85.4

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 Calusa Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$738 (9.0%)	$7,458 (91.0%)	$8,196
2019	$907 (10.9%)	$7,399 (89.1%)	$8,307
2020	$786 (9.2%)	$7,758 (90.8%)	$8,545
2021	$1,043 (11.7%)	$7,870 (88.3%)	$8,912
2022	$1,948 (19.4%)	$8,075 (80.6%)	$10,024
2023	$2,004 (19.3%)	$8,381 (80.7%)	$10,386

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Calusa 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 2030^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 2169^th of 2240 Elementary schools	3.8%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Calusa Elementary School)	42	27	15%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pasco)	60	53	7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Calusa Elementary School)	30	32	2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Pasco)	59	52	7%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Calusa Elementary School)	33	40	7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Pasco)	59	57	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Calusa Elementary School)	37	43	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Pasco)	62	56	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Calusa Elementary School)	33	34	1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Pasco)	55	51	4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Calusa Elementary School)	31	23	8%
5th Grade Mathematics (Pasco)	57	45	12%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Calusa Elementary School)	29	21	8%
5th Grade Science (Pasco)	53	49	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	513	473	7.8%
African American	46	41	10.9%
American Indian	1	1
Asian	9	3	66.7%
Hispanic	121	127	5%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	299	258	13.7%
Two or More Races	37	42	13.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	82.7%	85.4%	2.8%

Schools Near Calusa 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 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 Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Calusa Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7520 Orchid Lake Rd	New Port Richey	34653	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 774-3700	473	28	16.6	85.4%	258 (54.5%)	41 (8.7%)	127 (26.8%)	3 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	42 (8.9%)	11.2	2123^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	5.9%		8.2	2169^th of 2240 public elementary schools	3.2%	46	36.0	35.0	25.0			38.0	29.0	27.0			27.0		$10,386	$2,004	$8,381
Chasco Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7906 Ridge Rd	Port Richey	34668	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 774-1200	696	44	15.7	86.6%	329 (47.3%)	76 (10.9%)	227 (32.6%)	7 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.4%)	53 (7.6%)	15.4	2025^th of 2256 public elementary schools	10.2%		9.1	2150^th of 2240 public elementary schools	4.0%	125	34.0	33.0	33.0			38.0	33.0	40.0			34.0		$11,889	$2,872	$9,017
Richey Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	6850 Adams St	New Port Richey	34652	Pasco County	Pasco	No	Yes	No	Yes	(727) 774-3500	650	52	12.6	89.1%	363 (55.8%)	53 (8.2%)	180 (27.7%)	6 (0.9%)	5 (0.8%)	2 (0.3%)	41 (6.3%)	4.1	2232^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	1.1%		9.3	2148^th of 2240 public elementary schools	4.1%	84	26.0	24.0	15.0			18.0	26.0	21.0			16.0		$14,018	$3,302	$10,717
Cotee River Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7515 Plathe Rd	New Port Richey	34653	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 774-3000	551	37	15.0	83.8%	314 (57.0%)	48 (8.7%)	130 (23.6%)	4 (0.7%)	6 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (8.9%)	15.7	2017^th of 2256 public elementary schools	10.6%		25.5	1735^th of 2240 public elementary schools	22.5%	282	32.0	36.0	35.0			28.0	31.0	31.0	80.0		36.0		$12,748	$2,889	$9,860
Fox Hollow Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	8309 Fox Hollow Dr	Port Richey	34668	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 774-7600	653	40	16.3	88.4%	337 (51.6%)	45 (6.9%)	213 (32.6%)	6 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.3%)	49 (7.5%)	8.7	2176^th of 2256 public elementary schools	3.5%		5.3	2198^th of 2240 public elementary schools	1.9%	22	31.0	31.0	33.0			23.0	34.0	20.0			25.0		$11,063	$3,101	$7,961
Cypress Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	10055 Sweet Bay Ct	New Port Richey	34654	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 774-4500	642	37	17.1	68.2%	467 (72.7%)	14 (2.2%)	98 (15.3%)	14 (2.2%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.3%)	46 (7.2%)	14.1	2059^th of 2256 public elementary schools	8.7%		16.9	1986^th of 2240 public elementary schools	11.3%	73	33.0	39.0	35.0			31.0	32.0	36.0			28.0		$10,055	$2,158	$7,896
Dayspring Jazz	Public, Charter	K-5	7137 Jasmine Blvd	Port Richey	34668	Pasco County	Pasco	Yes	No	No	No	(727) 296-0319	209	15	13.9	67.5%	136 (65.1%)	5 (2.4%)	50 (23.9%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	15 (7.2%)	66.7	706^th of 2256 public elementary schools	68.7%		83.6	323^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	85.6%	383	77.0	59.0	49.0			79.0	74.0	44.0			60.0		$8,126	$1,006	$7,120
Deer Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	8636 Trouble Creek Rd	New Port Richey	34653	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	No	(727) 774-8900	476	36	13.3	54.6%	324 (68.1%)	21 (4.4%)	86 (18.1%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	40 (8.4%)	38.5	1378^th of 2256 public elementary schools	38.9%		49.1	1118^th of 2240 public elementary schools	50.1%	260	51.0	50.0	49.0			49.0	29.0	51.0	100.0		46.0		$11,490	$1,803	$9,687
Learning Lodge Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	10534 Little Rd	New Port Richey	34654	Pasco County	Pasco	Yes	No	No	Yes	(727) 868-0067	261	18	14.5	67.4%	198 (75.9%)	10 (3.8%)	41 (15.7%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (4.2%)	63	798^th of 2256 public elementary schools	64.6%		57.9	890^th of 2240 public elementary schools	60.3%	92	65.0	58.0	55.0	40.0	55.0	77.0	70.0	40.0	80.0	82.0	55.0	45.0	$8,482	$765	$7,717
Schrader Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	11041 Little Rd	New Port Richey	34654	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 774-5900	601	40	15.0	82.5%	348 (57.9%)	45 (7.5%)	160 (26.6%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	43 (7.2%)	18.1	1955^th of 2256 public elementary schools	13.3%		13.4	2073^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	7.5%	118	45.0	32.0	41.0			45.0	11.0	36.0			27.0		$10,458	$2,141	$8,316

Frequently Asked Questions about Calusa Elementary School

Is Calusa Elementary School a good school?

Calusa Elementary School ranks in the bottom 5.9% of Florida elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Calusa Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Chasco Middle School
High : Gulf High School

How many students attend Calusa Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 473 students attended Calusa Elementary School.

What district is Calusa Elementary School in?

Pasco

What is the racial makeup of Calusa Elementary School?

Students at Calusa Elementary School are 55% White, 27% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 9% African American.

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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.