Ponce De Leon Elementary School

Q: Is Ponce De Leon Elementary School a good school?

Ponce De Leon Elementary School ranks 789 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Ponce De Leon Elementary School is a public elementary school in Clearwater, Florida, serving 568 students in grades PK-5 and part of the Pinellas School District, which is ranked 23rd out of 68 districts in the state.

Ponce De Leon stands out for its diverse student population, with a higher percentage of African American (30.99%) and Hispanic (35.56%) students compared to nearby schools like Ridgecrest Elementary and Plato Seminole. However, the school faces challenges, including consistently high chronic absenteeism rates ranging from 34.0% to 48.1% over the past few years, significantly higher than the surrounding schools. Academically, Ponce De Leon's proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math are generally lower than the Pinellas district and Florida state averages, though its 5th-grade science proficiency rate is higher than the district and state.

Ponce De Leon's diverse student population and high percentage of economically disadvantaged students, with 76.86% to 79.23% of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, suggest the need for targeted interventions and support to address any achievement gaps and ensure equitable educational opportunities. While the school's spending per student, ranging from $14,197 to $15,200 over the past few years, is higher than nearby schools, the impact on student outcomes may be limited, underscoring the importance of data-driven decision-making and community engagement to improve the school's overall performance.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

1301 Ponce De Leon Blvd
Clearwater, FL 33756

(727) 588-3573

District: Pinellas

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

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,687

Students who attend Ponce De Leon Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Largo Middle School
High:	Largo High School

Student/teacher ratio: 12.6

Number of students: 546

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

35.7%

African American:

31.9%

White:

23.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 79.5%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Ponce De Leon Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Ponce De Leon Elementary School ranks better than 65% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 43^rd among 90 ranked elementary schools in the Pinellas School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 63.32. (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 Ponce De Leon Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (35.7%), African American (31.9%), White (23.3%). (See more...)

Compare Details 79.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ponce De Leon Elementary School is 12.6, which is the 19^th best among 90 elementary schools in the Pinellas School District. (See more...)

Compare Ponce De Leon Elementary School employs 43 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ponce De Leon Elementary School is $14,687, which is the 28^th highest among 90 elementary schools in the Pinellas School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Ponce De Leon 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 Ponce De Leon Elementary School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	40.61	1035^th	1688	38.7%
2007	38.64	1164^th	1786	34.8%
2008	39.31	1144^th	1789	36.1%
2009	42.66	1137^th	1847	38.4%
2010	41.48	1202^nd	1919	37.4%
2011	29.18	1516^th	1985	23.6%
2012	19.24	1682^nd	1984	15.2%
2013	17.04	1796^th	2029	11.5%
2014	20.12	1750^th	2064	15.2%
2016	21.88	1694^th	2087	18.8%
2017	20.89	1752^nd	2112	17.0%
2018	9.17	2016^th	2118	4.8%
2019	17.12	1910^th	2182	12.5%
2021	35.53	1430^th	2247	36.4%
2022	34.95	1446^th	2219	34.8%
2023	25.77	1728^th	2240	22.9%
2024	63.32	789^th	2256	65.0%

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

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Ponce De Leon Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	417	111	1	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	532
1989	400	101	1	4	1	n/a	n/a	0	507
1990	417	105	2	7	1	n/a	n/a	0	532
1991	393	113	2	4	2	n/a	n/a	0	514
1992	441	114	4	4	2	n/a	n/a	0	565
1993	449	94	6	6	2	n/a	n/a	0	557
1994	446	115	7	9	2	n/a	n/a	0	579
1995	450	93	6	19	1	n/a	n/a	0	569
1996	450	93	6	19	1	n/a	n/a	0	569
1997	475	122	16	35	0	n/a	n/a	0	648
1998	505	126	17	38	2	n/a	n/a	0	688
1999	485	130	16	51	3	n/a	n/a	0	685
2000	489	113	8	54	4	n/a	n/a	0	668
2001	486	131	8	56	3	n/a	n/a	0	684
2002	506	118	6	76	5	n/a	n/a	0	711
2003	506	118	6	76	5	n/a	n/a	0	711
2004	461	117	4	70	4	n/a	n/a	0	656
2005	468	102	7	80	4	n/a	n/a	0	661
2006	471	109	10	66	3	n/a	n/a	0	659
2007	389	97	17	85	5	n/a	n/a	66	659
2008	348	103	19	119	2	n/a	n/a	64	655
2009	367	120	22	133	3	n/a	n/a	76	721
2010	348	137	27	154	5	n/a	n/a	68	739
2011	292	134	23	186	2	9	40	0	686
2012	243	144	26	170	2	8	40	0	633
2013	217	153	19	177	1	3	36	0	606
2014	209	154	18	185	1	1	28	0	596
2015	185	133	18	196	0	2	22	0	556
2016	185	156	21	207	1	2	21	0	593
2017	177	157	20	208	0	5	17	0	584
2018	155	178	12	193	0	4	10	0	552
2019	152	169	11	180	0	3	9	0	524
2020	145	169	12	179	0	3	15	0	523
2021	141	147	15	172	0	3	19	0	497
2022	138	149	12	208	0	2	35	0	544
2023	138	176	13	202	1	1	37	0	568
2024	127	174	7	195	0	0	43	0	546

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 Ponce De Leon Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	532	32.0	16.6	41.5
1989	507	32.0	15.8	24.1
1990	532	31.0	17.1	42.5
1991	514	30.0	17.1	43.2
1992	565	33.0	17.1	40.7
1993	557	32.0	17.4	36.4
1994	579	33.0	17.5	41.8
1995	569	35.0	16.3	41.5
1996	569	35.0	16.3	41.5
1997	648	39.0	16.6	46.1
1998	688	39.0	17.6	45.1
1999	685	43.0	15.9	57.2
2000	668	43.0	15.5	53
2001	684	44.0	15.5	53.4
2002	711	41.0	17.3	54.3
2003	711	41.0	17.3	54.3
2004	656	42.0	15.6	57.8
2005	661	42.0	15.7	57.3
2006	659	40.0	16.5	51.4
2007	659	42.0	15.7	63.1
2008	655	46.0	14.2	65.3
2009	721	56.7	14.4	68.4
2010	739	51.0	14.4	74.7
2011	686	50.0	13.7	70.8
2012	633	53.0	11.9	78.4
2013	606	49.0	12.3	83.2
2014	596	48.0	12.4	55
2015	556	49.0	11.3	65.6
2016	593	51.0	11.6	75.4
2017	584	50.0	11.6	73.6
2018	552	48.0	11.5	80.3
2019	524	38.0	13.7	76.1
2020	523	42.0	12.4	75.7
2021	497	38.0	13.0	76.9
2022	544	41.0	13.2	78.9
2023	568	47.0	12.0	79.2
2024	546	43.0	12.6	79.5

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 Ponce De Leon Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	532	32.0	16.6	41.5
1989	507	32.0	15.8	24.1
1990	532	31.0	17.1	42.5
1991	514	30.0	17.1	43.2
1992	565	33.0	17.1	40.7
1993	557	32.0	17.4	36.4
1994	579	33.0	17.5	41.8
1995	569	35.0	16.3	41.5
1996	569	35.0	16.3	41.5
1997	648	39.0	16.6	46.1
1998	688	39.0	17.6	45.1
1999	685	43.0	15.9	57.2
2000	668	43.0	15.5	53
2001	684	44.0	15.5	53.4
2002	711	41.0	17.3	54.3
2003	711	41.0	17.3	54.3
2004	656	42.0	15.6	57.8
2005	661	42.0	15.7	57.3
2006	659	40.0	16.5	51.4
2007	659	42.0	15.7	63.1
2008	655	46.0	14.2	65.3
2009	721	56.7	14.4	68.4
2010	739	51.0	14.4	74.7
2011	686	50.0	13.7	70.8
2012	633	53.0	11.9	78.4
2013	606	49.0	12.3	83.2
2014	596	48.0	12.4	55
2015	556	49.0	11.3	65.6
2016	593	51.0	11.6	75.4
2017	584	50.0	11.6	73.6
2018	552	48.0	11.5	80.3
2019	524	38.0	13.7	76.1
2020	523	42.0	12.4	75.7
2021	497	38.0	13.0	76.9
2022	544	41.0	13.2	78.9
2023	568	47.0	12.0	79.2
2024	546	43.0	12.6	79.5

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 Ponce De Leon Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,577 (13.5%)	$10,103 (86.5%)	$11,680
2019	$1,846 (14.3%)	$11,056 (85.7%)	$12,902
2020	$1,927 (12.7%)	$13,273 (87.3%)	$15,200
2021	$2,069 (14.6%)	$12,128 (85.4%)	$14,197
2022	$2,711 (18.3%)	$12,119 (81.7%)	$14,829
2023	$2,354 (16.0%)	$12,333 (84.0%)	$14,687

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Ponce De Leon 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 1910^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1728^th of 2240 Elementary schools	10.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Ponce De Leon Elementary School)	43	39	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	56	52	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Ponce De Leon Elementary School)	39	40	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	62	60	2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Ponce De Leon Elementary School)	25	21	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	56	57	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Ponce De Leon Elementary School)	38	37	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	64	65	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Ponce De Leon Elementary School)	36	59	23%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	54	58	4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Ponce De Leon Elementary School)	43	47	4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	60	58	2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Ponce De Leon Elementary School)	43	45	2%
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	524	568	8.4%
African American	169	176	4.1%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	11	13	18.2%
Hispanic	180	202	12.2%
Pacific Islander	3	1	66.7%
White	152	138	9.2%
Two or More Races	9	37	311.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	76.1%	79.2%	3.1%

Schools Near Ponce De Leon 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
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	546	43	12.6	79.5%	127 (23.3%)	174 (31.9%)	195 (35.7%)	7 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (7.9%)	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
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	894	54	16.5	51.6%	500 (55.9%)	87 (9.7%)	233 (26.1%)	16 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	56 (6.3%)	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
Belleair Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1156 Lakeview Rd	Clearwater	33756	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 469-5983	453	38	11.9	79.5%	85 (18.8%)	118 (26.0%)	219 (48.3%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (6.4%)	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
Mildred Helms Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	561 Clearwater Largo Rd S	Largo	33770	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	Yes	No	No	(727) 588-3569	521	38	13.7	67.9%	242 (46.4%)	89 (17.1%)	131 (25.1%)	6 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.6%)	50 (9.6%)	67.1	698^th of 2256 public elementary schools	69.1%		51.5	1061^st of 2240 public elementary schools	52.6%	363	70.0	58.0	51.0				66.0	64.0	64.0				63.0					$13,426	$1,804	$11,622
Plumb Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1920 Lakeview Rd	Clearwater	33764	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 469-5976	661	45	14.6	56.9%	350 (53.0%)	54 (8.2%)	178 (26.9%)	21 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	57 (8.6%)	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
Belcher Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2215 Lancaster Drive	Clearwater	33764	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 538-7437	484	33	14.6	61.6%	258 (53.3%)	55 (11.4%)	113 (23.3%)	10 (2.1%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	45 (9.3%)	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
Skycrest Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	10 N Corona Ave	Clearwater	33765	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 469-5987	544	38	14.3	79.4%	114 (21.0%)	66 (12.1%)	330 (60.7%)	9 (1.7%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	22 (4.0%)	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
Ridgecrest Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1901 119th St	Largo	33778	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	Yes	No	No	(727) 588-3580	533	34	15.6	60.2%	193 (36.2%)	199 (37.3%)	62 (11.6%)	31 (5.8%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.6%)	44 (8.3%)	62.4	813^th of 2256 public elementary schools	64.0%		73.8	533^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	76.2%	280	57.0	60.0	63.0				58.0	58.0	60.0				58.0					$11,480	$1,064	$10,416
Fuguitt Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	13010 101st St	Largo	33773	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 588-3576	437	34	12.8	67.3%	208 (47.6%)	85 (19.5%)	91 (20.8%)	14 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.1%)	30 (6.9%)	52.7	1026^th of 2256 public elementary schools	54.5%		63.9	755^th of 2240 public elementary schools	66.3%	271	53.0	38.0	63.0				58.0	54.0	63.0				61.0					$16,202	$3,083	$13,118
Plato Seminole	Public, Charter	K-8	10888 126th Ave N	Largo	33778	Pinellas County	Pinellas	Yes	No	No	No	(727) 228-9950	329	27	12.1	37.7%	232 (70.5%)	21 (6.4%)	44 (13.4%)	13 (4.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.8%)	57.5	909^th of 2256 public elementary schools	59.7%		58.2	882^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	60.6%	27	56.0	67.0	65.0	45.0	55.0	51.0	58.0	26.0	76.0	37.0	14.0	39.0	65.0	39.0	60.0		70.0	$8,947	$900	$8,046

Frequently Asked Questions about Ponce De Leon Elementary School

How many students attend Ponce De Leon Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 546 students attended Ponce De Leon Elementary School.

What district is Ponce De Leon Elementary School in?

Pinellas

What schools do graduates of Ponce De Leon Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Ponce De Leon Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Largo Middle School
High : Largo High School

Is Ponce De Leon Elementary School a good school?

Ponce De Leon Elementary School ranks 789^th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Ponce De Leon Elementary School?

Students at Ponce De Leon Elementary School are 36% Hispanic, 32% African American, 23% White, 8% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

Rate Ponce De Leon 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.