Bear Creek Elementary School

Q: Is Bear Creek Elementary School a good school?

Bear Creek Elementary School ranks 1321 st of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Bear Creek Elementary School is a public elementary school in St. Petersburg, Florida, serving 286 students in grades PK-5 and part of the Pinellas County School District.

While Bear Creek is part of the same district as nearby schools like Westgate Elementary and Gulf Beaches Elementary Magnet, its performance metrics are significantly lower. Bear Creek has a much higher percentage of African American students (52.1%) compared to the 3.34% to 84.2% range at nearby schools. The school also struggles with high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 29.4% to 36.0% over the past few years, well above the 14.5% to 48.3% seen at other local schools. Additionally, Bear Creek's test scores in English Language Arts and Math are consistently lower than the Pinellas County and Florida state averages.

Despite having the highest spending per student, ranging from $15,463 to $16,452, among the nearby schools, Bear Creek's academic performance remains lower. This suggests the school may be facing unique challenges that are not shared by other schools in the area. Addressing the root causes of the high chronic absenteeism and racial disparities, as well as finding more effective ways to allocate resources, could be key focus areas for improving student outcomes at Bear Creek Elementary.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

350 61st St S
St Petersburg, FL 33707

(727) 893-2332

District: Pinellas

SchoolDigger Rank:
1321^st of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $16,301

Students who attend Bear Creek Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Azalea Middle School
High:	Boca Ciega High School

Student/teacher ratio: 13.2

Number of students: 265

Racial breakdown:

African American:

50.9%

White:

26.0%

Hispanic:

14.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 80%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Bear Creek Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Bear Creek Elementary School ranks worse than 58.6% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 75^th among 90 ranked elementary schools in the Pinellas School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 40.81. (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 Student population at Bear Creek Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (50.9%), White (26%), Hispanic (14%). (See more...)

Compare Details 80% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Bear Creek Elementary School is 13.2, which is the 34^th best among 90 elementary schools in the Pinellas School District. (See more...)

Compare Bear Creek Elementary School employs 20 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Bear Creek Elementary School is $16,301, which is the 16^th highest among 90 elementary schools in the Pinellas School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Pinellas:

SchoolDigger ranks Pinellas 23^rd of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Bear Creek Elementary School.

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Rank History for Bear Creek Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	42.63	1003^rd	1688	40.6%
2007	34.18	1240^th	1786	30.6%
2008	31.67	1315^th	1789	26.5%
2009	14.49	1660^th	1847	10.1%
2010	14.57	1733^rd	1919	9.7%
2011	16.76	1754^th	1985	11.6%
2012	19.51	1678^th	1984	15.4%
2013	14.33	1855^th	2029	8.6%
2014	16.67	1824^th	2064	11.6%
2016	22.15	1685^th	2087	19.3%
2017	43.32	1201^st	2112	43.1%
2018	25.36	1656^th	2118	21.8%
2019	23.01	1759^th	2182	19.4%
2021	40.29	1303^rd	2247	42.0%
2022	42.58	1254^th	2219	43.5%
2023	50.36	1088^th	2240	51.4%
2024	40.81	1321^st	2256	41.4%

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 student
Friday, February 9, 2018

This is an amazing school and this school lets students excell to their highest performance. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Bear Creek Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	323	119	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	442
1989	334	142	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	476
1990	316	119	0	0	0	n/a	n/a	0	435
1991	329	114	0	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	444
1992	323	121	2	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	448
1993	309	99	2	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	413
1994	293	101	3	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	401
1995	373	133	0	10	2	n/a	n/a	0	518
1996	373	133	0	10	2	n/a	n/a	0	518
1997	417	168	1	13	1	n/a	n/a	0	600
1998	342	169	2	11	1	n/a	n/a	0	525
1999	383	164	3	13	0	n/a	n/a	0	563
2000	367	143	5	11	0	n/a	n/a	0	526
2001	358	145	4	8	0	n/a	n/a	0	515
2002	392	230	4	15	1	n/a	n/a	0	642
2003	392	230	4	15	1	n/a	n/a	0	642
2004	323	226	4	14	2	n/a	n/a	0	569
2005	317	212	1	15	2	n/a	n/a	0	547
2006	294	228	3	17	3	n/a	n/a	0	545
2007	268	213	2	18	2	n/a	n/a	39	542
2008	239	245	4	24	1	n/a	n/a	44	557
2009	217	249	4	27	0	n/a	n/a	42	539
2010	173	256	5	20	0	n/a	n/a	31	485
2011	140	205	3	30	2	1	23	0	404
2012	151	180	5	31	2	0	19	0	388
2013	150	178	4	29	2	0	26	0	389
2014	135	167	7	38	1	0	23	0	371
2015	123	163	5	30	1	0	12	0	334
2016	128	168	4	36	0	1	9	0	346
2017	142	189	3	18	1	1	12	0	366
2018	126	215	3	23	1	0	13	0	381
2019	103	205	5	19	1	0	14	0	347
2020	95	187	2	37	2	0	13	0	336
2021	71	181	1	24	2	0	11	0	290
2022	69	148	1	29	2	0	22	0	271
2023	72	149	2	37	2	0	24	0	286
2024	69	135	1	37	0	1	22	0	265

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 Bear Creek Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	442	21.0	21.0	38.5
1989	476	23.0	20.6	27.5
1990	435	23.0	18.9	41.4
1991	444	20.0	22.2	38.1
1992	448	21.0	21.3	34.8
1993	413	19.0	21.7	34.6
1994	401	19.0	21.1	37.7
1995	518	24.0	21.6	40.9
1996	518	24.0	21.6	40.9
1997	600	34.0	17.6	45.7
1998	525	30.0	17.5	46.7
1999	563	31.0	18.2	55.2
2000	526	31.0	17.0	48.9
2001	515	29.0	17.8	49.3
2002	642	35.0	18.3	61.5
2003	642	35.0	18.3	61.5
2004	569	29.0	19.6	63.6
2005	547	33.0	16.6	70.2
2006	545	34.0	16.0	66.4
2007	542	33.0	16.4	74.2
2008	557	38.0	14.7	76.6
2009	539	43.2	14.2	86.5
2010	485	35.0	13.8	87.9
2011	404	30.0	13.4	80.9
2012	388	29.0	13.3	83.8
2013	389	33.0	11.7	85.6
2014	371	29.0	12.7	62
2015	334	32.0	10.4	65.9
2016	346	30.0	11.5	78
2017	366	30.0	12.2	79.5
2018	381	30.0	12.7	81.1
2019	347	27.0	12.8	77.8
2020	336	27.0	12.4	76.5
2021	290	26.0	11.1	78.3
2022	271	23.0	11.7	82.3
2023	286	22.0	13.0	82.2
2024	265	20.0	13.2	80

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 Bear Creek Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	442	21.0	21.0	38.5
1989	476	23.0	20.6	27.5
1990	435	23.0	18.9	41.4
1991	444	20.0	22.2	38.1
1992	448	21.0	21.3	34.8
1993	413	19.0	21.7	34.6
1994	401	19.0	21.1	37.7
1995	518	24.0	21.6	40.9
1996	518	24.0	21.6	40.9
1997	600	34.0	17.6	45.7
1998	525	30.0	17.5	46.7
1999	563	31.0	18.2	55.2
2000	526	31.0	17.0	48.9
2001	515	29.0	17.8	49.3
2002	642	35.0	18.3	61.5
2003	642	35.0	18.3	61.5
2004	569	29.0	19.6	63.6
2005	547	33.0	16.6	70.2
2006	545	34.0	16.0	66.4
2007	542	33.0	16.4	74.2
2008	557	38.0	14.7	76.6
2009	539	43.2	14.2	86.5
2010	485	35.0	13.8	87.9
2011	404	30.0	13.4	80.9
2012	388	29.0	13.3	83.8
2013	389	33.0	11.7	85.6
2014	371	29.0	12.7	62
2015	334	32.0	10.4	65.9
2016	346	30.0	11.5	78
2017	366	30.0	12.2	79.5
2018	381	30.0	12.7	81.1
2019	347	27.0	12.8	77.8
2020	336	27.0	12.4	76.5
2021	290	26.0	11.1	78.3
2022	271	23.0	11.7	82.3
2023	286	22.0	13.0	82.2
2024	265	20.0	13.2	80

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 Bear Creek Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,262 (11.9%)	$9,365 (88.1%)	$10,627
2019	$897 (8.0%)	$10,322 (92.0%)	$11,218
2020	$1,028 (8.4%)	$11,251 (91.6%)	$12,279
2021	$2,116 (13.7%)	$13,347 (86.3%)	$15,463
2022	$3,718 (22.6%)	$12,735 (77.4%)	$16,452
2023	$2,956 (18.1%)	$13,344 (81.9%)	$16,301

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Bear Creek 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 1759^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1088^th of 2240 Elementary schools	32%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Bear Creek Elementary School)	35	50	15%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	56	52	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Bear Creek Elementary School)	50	71	21%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	62	60	2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Bear Creek Elementary School)	29	43	14%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	56	57	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Bear Creek Elementary School)	50	59	9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	64	65	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Bear Creek Elementary School)	34	39	5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	54	58	4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Bear Creek Elementary School)	53	41	12%
5th Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	60	58	2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Bear Creek Elementary School)	44	60	16%
5th Grade Science (Pinellas)	54	60	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	347	286	17.6%
African American	205	149	27.3%
American Indian	1	2	100%
Asian	5	2	60%
Hispanic	19	37	94.7%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	103	72	30.1%
Two or More Races	14	24	71.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	77.8%	82.2%	4.4%

Schools Near Bear Creek 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)	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 Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Bear Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	350 61st St S	St Petersburg	33707	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 893-2332	265	20	13.2	80.0%	69 (26.0%)	135 (50.9%)	37 (14.0%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	22 (8.3%)	40.8	1321^st of 2256 public elementary schools	41.4%		50.4	1088^th of 2240 public elementary schools	51.4%	233	44.0	50.0	46.0	58.0	57.0	44.0	46.0	$16,301	$2,956	$13,344
Pasadena Fundamental Elementary School	Public, Magnet	K-5	95 72nd St N	St Petersburg	33710	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	Yes	No	No	(727) 893-2646	463	31	14.9	28.9%	318 (68.7%)	16 (3.5%)	80 (17.3%)	13 (2.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (7.6%)	89.4	198^th of 2256 public elementary schools	91.2%		91.7	122^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	94.6%	76	67.0	76.0	80.0	71.0	79.0	89.0	87.0	$11,117	$1,022	$10,095
Gulfport Montessori Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	2014 52nd St S	Gulfport	33707	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	Yes	No	Yes	(727) 893-2643	379	27	14.0	85.8%	53 (14.0%)	242 (63.9%)	52 (13.7%)	3 (0.8%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	27 (7.1%)	30.3	1608^th of 2256 public elementary schools	28.7%		29.6	1624^th of 2240 public elementary schools	27.5%	16	39.0	38.0	48.0	41.0	46.0	40.0	60.0	$17,792	$2,771	$15,021
Fairmount Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	575 41st St S	St Petersburg	33711	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 893-2132	459	28	16.3	87.6%	29 (6.3%)	388 (84.5%)	32 (7.0%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.7%)	13	2087^th of 2256 public elementary schools	7.5%		8.5	2161^st of 2240 public elementary schools	3.5%	74	39.0	36.0	26.0	33.0	32.0	20.0	36.0	$16,845	$4,955	$11,889
Mount Vernon Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4629 13th Ave N	St Petersburg	33713	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 893-1815	373	29	12.8	71.6%	145 (38.9%)	115 (30.8%)	63 (16.9%)	17 (4.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (8.8%)	52.3	1037^th of 2256 public elementary schools	54.0%		49.1	1119^th of 2240 public elementary schools	50.0%	82	72.0	56.0	50.0	55.0	58.0	39.0	49.0	$17,913	$3,422	$14,491
Northwest Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5601 22nd Ave N	St Petersburg	33710	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 893-2147	430	30	14.3	61.4%	218 (50.7%)	73 (17.0%)	82 (19.1%)	19 (4.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	37 (8.6%)	60.8	845^th of 2256 public elementary schools	62.5%		62.4	785^th of 2240 public elementary schools	65.0%	60	51.0	48.0	60.0	66.0	56.0	68.0	71.0	$13,889	$2,010	$11,878
Azalea Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1680 74th St N	St Petersburg	33710	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 893-2187	451	35	12.8	60.1%	247 (54.8%)	61 (13.5%)	99 (22.0%)	11 (2.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (7.1%)	68.6	672^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	70.2%		56.2	940^th of 2240 public elementary schools	58.0%	268	76.0	56.0	57.0	82.0	61.0	52.0	66.0	$14,748	$2,320	$12,428
Douglas L. Jamerson Junior Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1200 37th St S	St Petersburg	33711	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	Yes	No	No	(727) 552-1703	559	38	14.7	49.0%	205 (36.7%)	239 (42.8%)	62 (11.1%)	11 (2.0%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	38 (6.8%)	64.9	755^th of 2256 public elementary schools	66.5%		60.1	834^th of 2240 public elementary schools	62.8%	79	68.0	67.0	52.0	63.0	70.0	56.0	54.0	$12,983	$1,360	$11,623
Westgate Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3560 58th St N	St Petersburg	33710	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 893-2144	539	33	16.3	69.0%	261 (48.4%)	73 (13.5%)	141 (26.2%)	30 (5.6%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (5.9%)	58.3	893^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	60.4%		58.2	883^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	60.6%	10	73.0	59.0	48.0	62.0	65.0	44.0	56.0	$11,839	$1,711	$10,129
Gulf Beaches Elementary Magnet School	Public, Magnet	K-5	8600 Boca Ciega Dr	Saint Petersburg	33706	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	Yes	No	No	(727) 893-2630	333	24	13.8	33.9%	226 (67.9%)	8 (2.4%)	48 (14.4%)	6 (1.8%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)	42 (12.6%)	80.4	398^th of 2256 public elementary schools	82.4%		83.6	327^th of 2240 public elementary schools	85.4%	71	58.0	60.0	75.0	64.0	76.0	88.0	85.0	$10,920	$760	$10,160

Frequently Asked Questions about Bear Creek Elementary School

How many students attend Bear Creek Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 265 students attended Bear Creek Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Bear Creek Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Bear Creek Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Azalea Middle School
High : Boca Ciega High School

What is the racial makeup of Bear Creek Elementary School?

Students at Bear Creek Elementary School are 51% African American, 26% White, 14% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races.

Is Bear Creek Elementary School a good school?

Bear Creek Elementary School ranks 1321^st of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Bear Creek Elementary School in?

Pinellas

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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.