Belcher Elementary School

Q: Is Belcher Elementary School a good school?

Belcher Elementary School ranks 814 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Belcher Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Clearwater, Florida, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 489. The school is part of the Pinellas District, which is ranked 23 out of 68 districts in Florida and is rated 3 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

Belcher Elementary stands out for its racial diversity, with a student body that is 50.51% White, 15.13% African American, 21.06% Hispanic, 2.66% Asian, and 10.22% two or more races. This diversity is higher than nearby schools, which tend to have a higher concentration of either White or Hispanic students. However, the school has experienced a higher rate of chronic absenteeism, at 31.1%, compared to the Pinellas District average of 24.8% and the state average. Academically, Belcher Elementary's test scores are generally on par with or slightly below the Pinellas District and Florida state averages, but the school has some areas of strength, such as a 5th-grade science proficiency rate of 61%, which is higher than the state average of 53%.

Belcher Elementary's statewide ranking has declined over the years, from 1140 out of 2182 Florida elementary schools in 2018-2019 to 814 out of 2256 in 2023-2024. This suggests the school may be struggling to keep pace with others in the state. Additionally, Belcher Elementary has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at 61.96%, which is significantly higher than the nearby schools, ranging from 51.59% to 81.36%. This indicates the school serves a more economically disadvantaged population compared to its neighbors, such as Skycrest Elementary School, Belleair Elementary School, and Eisenhower Elementary School.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

2215 Lancaster Drive
Clearwater, FL 33764

(727) 538-7437

District: Pinellas

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

Per Pupil Expenditures: $13,757

Students who attend Belcher Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:

Oak Grove Middle School

Student/teacher ratio: 12.8

Number of students: 489

Racial breakdown:

White:

50.5%

Hispanic:

21.1%

African American:

15.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 62%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Belcher Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Belcher Elementary School ranks better than 63.9% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 47^th among 90 ranked elementary schools in the Pinellas School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 62.31. (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 Belcher Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (50.5%), Hispanic (21.1%), African American (15.1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 62% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Belcher Elementary School is 12.8, which is the 21^st best among 90 elementary schools in the Pinellas School District. (See more...)

Compare Belcher Elementary School employs 38 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Belcher Elementary School is $13,757, which is the 38^th highest among 90 elementary schools in the Pinellas School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Belcher 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.)

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Rank History for Belcher Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	29.93	1220^th	1688	27.7%
2007	40.30	1133^rd	1786	36.6%
2008	47.97	980^th	1789	45.2%
2009	55.29	867^th	1847	53.1%
2010	59.72	825^th	1919	57.0%
2011	44.39	1173^rd	1985	40.9%
2012	31.84	1397^th	1984	29.6%
2013	34.99	1362^nd	2029	32.9%
2014	39.57	1266^th	2064	38.7%
2016	38.24	1306^th	2087	37.4%
2017	51.72	1019^th	2112	51.8%
2018	40.05	1292^nd	2118	39.0%
2019	47.47	1140^th	2182	47.8%
2021	60.25	854^th	2247	62.0%
2022	61.47	805^th	2219	63.7%
2023	53.75	997^th	2240	55.5%
2024	62.31	814^th	2256	63.9%

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

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Enrollment information for Belcher Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	485	55	15	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	559
1989	501	67	16	7	0	n/a	n/a	0	591
1990	506	68	15	8	0	n/a	n/a	0	597
1991	526	83	18	13	0	n/a	n/a	0	640
1992	535	99	19	25	0	n/a	n/a	0	678
1993	554	96	14	38	0	n/a	n/a	0	702
1994	539	65	12	45	0	n/a	n/a	0	661
1995	337	64	8	60	0	n/a	n/a	0	469
1996	337	64	8	60	0	n/a	n/a	0	469
1997	370	86	9	91	0	n/a	n/a	0	556
1998	385	82	9	99	1	n/a	n/a	0	576
1999	365	79	10	115	1	n/a	n/a	0	570
2000	383	79	9	120	1	n/a	n/a	0	592
2001	359	58	4	140	1	n/a	n/a	0	562
2002	351	36	12	81	1	n/a	n/a	0	481
2003	351	36	12	81	1	n/a	n/a	0	481
2004	391	47	11	121	2	n/a	n/a	0	572
2005	409	41	8	155	1	n/a	n/a	0	614
2006	393	49	12	207	0	n/a	n/a	0	661
2007	352	46	17	202	0	n/a	n/a	42	659
2008	337	42	16	197	0	n/a	n/a	43	635
2009	354	39	20	191	0	n/a	n/a	40	644
2010	426	67	31	83	2	n/a	n/a	59	668
2011	413	61	22	114	1	2	44	0	657
2012	395	54	21	115	2	1	42	0	630
2013	371	66	15	132	2	1	47	0	634
2014	387	64	18	138	1	1	53	0	662
2015	382	75	16	152	3	1	44	0	673
2016	385	75	15	159	1	1	39	0	675
2017	416	63	17	170	1	0	35	0	702
2018	410	67	23	167	2	0	26	0	695
2019	404	67	28	157	0	3	25	0	684
2020	365	68	23	132	1	3	37	0	629
2021	284	65	25	100	1	3	35	0	513
2022	308	66	16	112	1	1	50	0	554
2023	247	74	13	103	1	1	50	0	489

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 Belcher Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	559	31.0	18.0	24.3
1989	591	32.0	18.4	23.2
1990	597	31.0	19.2	23.3
1991	640	32.0	20.0	23.3
1992	678	33.0	20.5	26
1993	702	32.0	21.9	24.1
1994	661	34.0	19.4	24.1
1995	469	26.0	18.0	34.3
1996	469	26.0	18.0	34.3
1997	556	31.0	17.9	39.7
1998	576	32.0	18.0	38.2
1999	570	33.0	17.3	44.7
2000	592	33.0	17.9	40
2001	562	33.0	17.0	45.7
2002	481	30.0	16.0	43
2003	481	30.0	16.0	43
2004	572	35.0	16.3	50.2
2005	614	38.0	16.2	53.9
2006	661	40.0	16.5	50.4
2007	659	44.0	15.0	57.7
2008	635	45.0	14.1	56.8
2009	644	51.1	14.3	62.4
2010	668	45.0	14.8	62.7
2011	657	47.0	13.9	59.5
2012	630	47.0	13.4	67.1
2013	634	47.0	13.4	68.1
2014	662	50.0	13.2	37.3
2015	673	50.0	13.4	43.1
2016	675	51.0	13.2	68.3
2017	702	49.0	14.3	64.8
2018	695	52.0	13.3	65
2019	684	51.0	13.4	52.8
2020	629	46.0	13.6	52.5
2021	513	43.0	11.9	59.8
2022	554	43.0	12.8	61.6
2023	489	38.0	12.8	62

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 Belcher Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	559	31.0	18.0	24.3
1989	591	32.0	18.4	23.2
1990	597	31.0	19.2	23.3
1991	640	32.0	20.0	23.3
1992	678	33.0	20.5	26
1993	702	32.0	21.9	24.1
1994	661	34.0	19.4	24.1
1995	469	26.0	18.0	34.3
1996	469	26.0	18.0	34.3
1997	556	31.0	17.9	39.7
1998	576	32.0	18.0	38.2
1999	570	33.0	17.3	44.7
2000	592	33.0	17.9	40
2001	562	33.0	17.0	45.7
2002	481	30.0	16.0	43
2003	481	30.0	16.0	43
2004	572	35.0	16.3	50.2
2005	614	38.0	16.2	53.9
2006	661	40.0	16.5	50.4
2007	659	44.0	15.0	57.7
2008	635	45.0	14.1	56.8
2009	644	51.1	14.3	62.4
2010	668	45.0	14.8	62.7
2011	657	47.0	13.9	59.5
2012	630	47.0	13.4	67.1
2013	634	47.0	13.4	68.1
2014	662	50.0	13.2	37.3
2015	673	50.0	13.4	43.1
2016	675	51.0	13.2	68.3
2017	702	49.0	14.3	64.8
2018	695	52.0	13.3	65
2019	684	51.0	13.4	52.8
2020	629	46.0	13.6	52.5
2021	513	43.0	11.9	59.8
2022	554	43.0	12.8	61.6
2023	489	38.0	12.8	62

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 Belcher Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$431 (4.7%)	$8,685 (95.3%)	$9,116
2019	$875 (8.8%)	$9,047 (91.2%)	$9,922
2020	$909 (8.2%)	$10,138 (91.8%)	$11,047
2021	$1,471 (11.3%)	$11,517 (88.7%)	$12,988
2022	$1,755 (13.6%)	$11,193 (86.5%)	$12,947
2023	$1,932 (14.0%)	$11,825 (86.0%)	$13,757

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Belcher 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 1140^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 997^th of 2240 Elementary schools	7.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Belcher Elementary School)	59	53	6%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	56	52	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Belcher Elementary School)	59	68	9%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	62	60	2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Belcher Elementary School)	45	56	11%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	56	57	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Belcher Elementary School)	61	67	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	64	65	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Belcher Elementary School)	53	60	7%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	54	58	4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Belcher Elementary School)	59	51	8%
5th Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	60	58	2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Belcher Elementary School)	54	59	5%
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	684	489	28.5%
African American	67	74	10.4%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	28	13	53.6%
Hispanic	157	103	34.4%
Pacific Islander	3	1	66.7%
White	404	247	38.9%
Two or More Races	25	50	100%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	52.8%	62%	9.2%

Schools Near Belcher 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 Geometry (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 Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Belcher Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2215 Lancaster Drive	Clearwater	33764	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 538-7437	489	38	12.8	62.0%	247 (50.5%)	74 (15.1%)	103 (21.1%)	13 (2.7%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	50 (10.2%)	62.3	814^th of 2256 public elementary schools	63.9%		53.8	997^th of 2240 public elementary schools	55.5%	183	62.0	46.0	51.0				66.0	63.0	70.0				61.0					$13,757	$1,932	$11,825
Frontier Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6995 Hopedale Ln	Clearwater	33764	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 538-7335	651	46	14.1	71.7%	265 (40.7%)	98 (15.1%)	224 (34.4%)	25 (3.8%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	37 (5.7%)	63.2	794^th of 2256 public elementary schools	64.8%		51.2	1073^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	52.1%	279	59.0	58.0	56.0				53.0	62.0	72.0				65.0					$13,262	$2,111	$11,152
Plumb Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1920 Lakeview Rd	Clearwater	33764	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 469-5976	622	44	14.1	55.6%	346 (55.6%)	36 (5.8%)	164 (26.4%)	22 (3.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	53 (8.5%)	62.6	806^th of 2256 public elementary schools	64.3%		70.3	623^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	72.2%	183	58.0	44.0	54.0				74.0	68.0	62.0				63.0					$12,936	$1,495	$11,442
Pinellas Academy Of Math And Science	Public, Charter	K-8	1775 S Highland Ave	Largo	33756	Pinellas County	Pinellas	Yes	No	No	No	(727) 330-9449	879	55	15.9	3.1%	514 (58.5%)	83 (9.4%)	215 (24.5%)	13 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.3%)	51 (5.8%)	48.3	1128^th of 2256 public elementary schools	50.0%		54.1	991^st of 2240 public elementary schools	55.8%	137	64.0	48.0	54.0	54.0	40.0	53.0	63.0	55.0	54.0	40.0	54.0	53.0	42.0	47.0	71.0	76.0	66.0	$7,791	$371	$7,420
Plato Academy Largo Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	7100 142nd Ave N	Largo	33771	Pinellas County	Pinellas	Yes	No	No	No	(727) 228-9552	347	28	12.3	51.6%	202 (58.2%)	23 (6.6%)	83 (23.9%)	25 (7.2%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.7%)	33.4	1529^th of 2256 public elementary schools	32.2%		40.7	1313^th of 2240 public elementary schools	41.4%	216	34.0	47.0	49.0	48.0	55.0	41.0	40.0	71.0	52.0	42.0	16.0	65.0	25.0	54.0	59.0		73.0	$9,489	$564	$8,926
High Point Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5921 150th Ave N	Clearwater	33760	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 538-7440	609	44	13.8	79.8%	142 (23.3%)	101 (16.6%)	315 (51.7%)	11 (1.8%)	3 (0.5%)	6 (1.0%)	31 (5.1%)	42.3	1284^th of 2256 public elementary schools	43.1%		45.6	1196^th of 2240 public elementary schools	46.6%	88	48.0	40.0	44.0				64.0	68.0	42.0				44.0					$15,507	$3,190	$12,318
Pinellas Preparatory Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	2300 Belcher Rd S	Largo	33771	Pinellas County	Pinellas	Yes	No	No	No	(727) 536-3600	794	60	13.2	27.2%	488 (61.5%)	45 (5.7%)	132 (16.6%)	86 (10.8%)	3 (0.4%)	3 (0.4%)	37 (4.7%)	63.7	779^th of 2256 public elementary schools	65.5%		63	772^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	65.5%	7	63.0	61.0	65.0	68.0	61.0	75.0	62.0	64.0	9.0	76.0	71.0	77.0	49.0	75.0	95.0	100.0	94.0	$9,315	$767	$8,548
Ponce De Leon Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1301 Ponce De Leon Blvd	Clearwater	33756	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 588-3573	568	47	12.0	79.2%	138 (24.3%)	176 (31.0%)	202 (35.6%)	13 (2.3%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	37 (6.5%)	63.3	789^th of 2256 public elementary schools	65.0%		25.8	1728^th of 2240 public elementary schools	22.9%	939	57.0	66.0	43.0				59.0	70.0	63.0				67.0					$14,687	$2,354	$12,333
Skycrest Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	10 N Corona Ave	Clearwater	33765	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 469-5987	565	48	11.7	79.5%	117 (20.7%)	77 (13.6%)	341 (60.4%)	5 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	23 (4.1%)	55.3	963^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	57.3%		36.8	1421^st of 2240 public elementary schools	36.6%	458	49.0	61.0	57.0				46.0	63.0	64.0				57.0					$15,544	$2,399	$13,146
Belleair Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1156 Lakeview Rd	Clearwater	33756	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 469-5983	472	41	11.5	81.4%	99 (21.0%)	117 (24.8%)	232 (49.2%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (4.4%)	34.8	1494^th of 2256 public elementary schools	33.8%		41.5	1293^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	42.3%	201	52.0	33.0	38.0				46.0	47.0	57.0				54.0					$15,471	$2,477	$12,994

Frequently Asked Questions about Belcher Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Belcher Elementary School?

Students at Belcher Elementary School are 51% White, 21% Hispanic, 15% African American, 10% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Belcher Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Oak Grove Middle School

How many students attend Belcher Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 489 students attended Belcher Elementary School.

Is Belcher Elementary School a good school?

Belcher Elementary School ranks 814^th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Belcher 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.