Gulf Highlands Elementary School

Summary:

Gulf Highlands Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 714 students in grades PK-5 in Port Richey, Florida, which is part of the Pasco school district. The school faces significant challenges, including consistently low academic performance, high chronic absenteeism rates, and a high-need student population, with over 85% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch.

Gulf Highlands Elementary has consistently ranked in the bottom 20% of Florida elementary schools, with a 0-1 star rating from SchoolDigger, in contrast to some of the nearby schools, such as Moon Lake Elementary and Learning Lodge Academy, which perform significantly better on state assessments. The school's proficiency rates in ELA and Math are only 19-33%, compared to 47-60% at the state level.

High chronic absenteeism, ranging from 30% to 45.3% over the past 5 years, is a significant issue at Gulf Highlands Elementary, and this challenge is not unique to the school, as nearby schools in the area also struggle with high rates of chronic absenteeism. Addressing this issue may be a critical first step in improving the overall educational experience for students at Gulf Highlands Elementary and the surrounding community.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

8019 Gulf Highlands Dr
Port Richey, FL 34668

(727) 774-7700

District: Pasco

SchoolDigger Rank:
2210^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,513

Students who attend Gulf Highlands Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Fivay High School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.5

Number of students: 714

Racial breakdown:

White:

55.9%

Hispanic:

25.6%

Two or more races:

9.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 89.2%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Gulf Highlands Elementary School ranks worse than 98% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 56^th among 57 ranked elementary schools in the Pasco School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 6.26. (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 (55.9%), Hispanic (25.6%), two or more races (9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 89.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Gulf Highlands Elementary School is 15.5, which is the 20^th best among 57 elementary schools in the Pasco School District. (See more...)

Compare Gulf Highlands Elementary School employs 45.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Gulf Highlands Elementary School is $10,513, which is the 21^st highest among 57 elementary schools in the Pasco School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Gulf Highlands 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:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Gulf Highlands Elementary School.

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Rank History for Gulf Highlands Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2009	20.60	1549^th	1847	16.1%
2010	15.30	1713^th	1919	10.7%
2011	6.81	1919^th	1985	3.3%
2012	15.52	1761^st	1984	11.2%
2013	17.03	1797^th	2029	11.4%
2014	18.61	1783^rd	2064	13.6%
2016	15.31	1861^st	2087	10.8%
2017	19.05	1808^th	2112	14.4%
2018	26.52	1618^th	2118	23.6%
2019	25.83	1690^th	2182	22.5%
2021	19.93	1837^th	2247	18.2%
2022	6.12	2168^th	2219	2.3%
2023	4.62	2205^th	2240	1.6%
2024	6.26	2210^th	2256	2.0%

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:

by a parent
Tuesday, August 7, 2018

My son went to this school because it was convenient for him mother (thanks family courts). The neighborhood is horrible and there were shootings with murder just a few streets from the school. The first day of school in 2017 most of the staff was resting in the front office because it was too hot out. This made the pickup line take an extra half hour while all the kids were roasting outside. One of the worst schools ever! The entirety of Pasco County is pretty much drug infected and overrun with pedophiles. Do yourself a favor and move if you live in Pasco County, I did. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, August 7, 2018

My son went to this school because it was convenient for him mother (thanks family courts). The neighborhood is horrible and there were shootings with murder just a few streets from the school. The first day of school in 2017 must of the staff was resting in the front office because it was too hot out. This made the pickup line take an extra half hour while all the kids were roasting outside. One of the worst schools ever! Ever entirety of Pasco County is pretty much drug infected and overrun with pedophiles. Do yourself a favor and move if you live in Pasco County, I did. Close Quote

by a citizen
Wednesday, March 15, 2017

My wife is a teacher at this school and she has 22 students. I have no idea where they are getting this student teacher ratio??? Close Quote

Enrollment information for Gulf Highlands Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
2007	481	11	8	63	4	n/a	n/a	33	600
2008	505	10	10	67	5	n/a	n/a	31	628
2009	465	12	10	63	3	n/a	n/a	34	587
2010	461	12	9	84	3	n/a	n/a	24	593
2011	431	14	7	102	3	1	18	0	576
2012	388	14	6	118	6	2	16	0	550
2013	405	14	5	109	1	0	23	0	557
2014	392	18	6	131	1	1	23	0	572
2015	384	25	4	140	0	1	24	0	578
2016	397	29	6	163	0	1	27	0	623
2017	409	34	4	186	2	1	35	0	671
2018	395	41	2	196	0	1	37	0	672
2019	392	44	4	195	0	2	44	0	681
2020	392	55	5	170	0	2	47	0	671
2021	411	46	4	142	1	2	54	0	660
2022	427	52	5	179	3	2	65	0	733
2023	399	58	8	183	1	1	64	0	714

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 Gulf Highlands Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2007	600	41.0	14.6	77.4
2008	628	46.0	13.7	77.9
2009	587	52.1	12.2	77.9
2010	593	44.0	13.4	83.1
2011	576	49.9	11.5	78.3
2012	550	49.9	11.0	84.4
2013	557	45.0	12.3	83.1
2014	572	44.0	13.0	80.9
2015	578	43.0	13.4	86.2
2016	623	45.0	13.8	87.8
2017	671	50.0	13.4	89.3
2018	672	50.0	13.4	92.1
2019	681	46.8	14.5	88.5
2020	671	39.8	16.8	90.9
2021	660	48.8	13.5	85.5
2022	733	46.8	15.6	87.6
2023	714	45.8	15.5	89.2

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 Gulf Highlands Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2007	600	41.0	14.6	77.4
2008	628	46.0	13.7	77.9
2009	587	52.1	12.2	77.9
2010	593	44.0	13.4	83.1
2011	576	49.9	11.5	78.3
2012	550	49.9	11.0	84.4
2013	557	45.0	12.3	83.1
2014	572	44.0	13.0	80.9
2015	578	43.0	13.4	86.2
2016	623	45.0	13.8	87.8
2017	671	50.0	13.4	89.3
2018	672	50.0	13.4	92.1
2019	681	46.8	14.5	88.5
2020	671	39.8	16.8	90.9
2021	660	48.8	13.5	85.5
2022	733	46.8	15.6	87.6
2023	714	45.8	15.5	89.2

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 Gulf Highlands Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,021 (12.5%)	$7,144 (87.5%)	$8,165
2019	$1,010 (12.0%)	$7,374 (88.0%)	$8,383
2020	$926 (11.2%)	$7,327 (88.8%)	$8,252
2021	$1,201 (12.6%)	$8,303 (87.4%)	$9,504
2022	$1,569 (18.8%)	$6,794 (81.2%)	$8,364
2023	$2,330 (22.2%)	$8,184 (77.8%)	$10,513

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Gulf Highlands 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 1690^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 2205^th of 2240 Elementary schools	21%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Gulf Highlands Elementary School)	43	19	24%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pasco)	60	53	7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Gulf Highlands Elementary School)	45	12	33%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Pasco)	59	52	7%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Gulf Highlands Elementary School)	46	26	20%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Pasco)	59	57	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Gulf Highlands Elementary School)	45	19	26%
4th Grade Mathematics (Pasco)	62	56	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Gulf Highlands Elementary School)	44	31	13%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Pasco)	55	51	4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Gulf Highlands Elementary School)	46	24	22%
5th Grade Mathematics (Pasco)	57	45	12%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Gulf Highlands Elementary School)	44	17	27%
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	681	714	4.8%
African American	44	58	31.8%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	4	8	100%
Hispanic	195	183	6.2%
Pacific Islander	2	1	50%
White	392	399	1.8%
Two or More Races	44	64	45.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	88.5%	89.2%	0.7%

Schools Near Gulf Highlands 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
Gulf Highlands Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	8019 Gulf Highlands Dr	Port Richey	34668	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 774-7700	714	46	15.5	89.2%	399 (55.9%)	58 (8.1%)	183 (25.6%)	8 (1.1%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	64 (9.0%)	6.3	2210^th of 2256 public elementary schools	2.0%		4.6	2205^th of 2240 public elementary schools	1.6%	5	23.0	33.0	26.0			19.0	27.0	19.0			25.0		$10,513	$2,330	$8,184
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
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
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
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
Hudson Primary Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	14302 Cobra Way	Hudson	34669	Pasco County	Pasco	No	Yes	No	Yes	(727) 774-4700	647	39	16.7	90.0%	463 (71.6%)	34 (5.3%)	97 (15.0%)	6 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	45 (7.0%)								(n/a)	32.0					32.0							$11,677	$3,034	$8,644
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
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
Moon Lake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	12019 Tree Breeze Dr	New Port Richey	34654	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 774-4600	579	38	15.1	70.1%	391 (67.5%)	36 (6.2%)	109 (18.8%)	7 (1.2%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.5%)	32 (5.5%)	23.9	1798^th of 2256 public elementary schools	20.3%		25.7	1729^th of 2240 public elementary schools	22.8%	69	36.0	37.0	51.0			37.0	37.0	41.0			44.0		$10,801	$2,571	$8,230
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

Frequently Asked Questions about Gulf Highlands Elementary School

How many students attend Gulf Highlands Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 714 students attended Gulf Highlands Elementary School.

Is Gulf Highlands Elementary School a good school?

Gulf Highlands Elementary School ranks in the bottom 2.0% of Florida elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Gulf Highlands Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Gulf Highlands Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Fivay High School

What district is Gulf Highlands Elementary School in?

Pasco

What is the racial makeup of Gulf Highlands Elementary School?

Students at Gulf Highlands Elementary School are 56% White, 26% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 8% African American, 1% Asian.

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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.