Ridgecrest Elementary School

Q: Is Ridgecrest Elementary School a good school?

Ridgecrest Elementary School ranks 813 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Ridgecrest Elementary School is a public elementary school in Largo, Florida, serving 574 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Pinellas District, which is ranked 23 out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Ridgecrest stands out for its diverse student population, with a higher percentage of African American (31.18%) and Hispanic (12.2%) students compared to nearby schools like Oakhurst Elementary and Bauder Elementary. However, the school faces challenges with a relatively high chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 25.7% to 34.3% over the past few years. Academically, Ridgecrest's test scores in English Language Arts and Math are generally on par or slightly below the Pinellas district and Florida state averages, but the school performs better in 5th grade Science, with 58-71% of students proficient or better.

Ridgecrest also has a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 51.48% to 59.06%, indicating a higher proportion of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Despite this, the school has a higher per-student spending compared to the state average, ranging from $9,200 to $11,480 over the past few years. This suggests that Ridgecrest may have access to more resources and funding, which could be leveraged to address the school's challenges, such as chronic absenteeism and academic performance, and support its diverse student population.

Detail:

Public, Magnet PK, KG-5

1901 119th St
Largo, FL 33778

(727) 588-3580

District: Pinellas

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

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,480

Students who attend Ridgecrest Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Largo High School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.6

Number of students: 533

Racial breakdown:

African American:

37.3%

White:

36.2%

Hispanic:

11.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 60.2%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Ridgecrest Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Ridgecrest Elementary School ranks better than 64% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 46^th among 90 ranked elementary schools in the Pinellas School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 62.35. (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: African American (37.3%), White (36.2%), Hispanic (11.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 60.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ridgecrest Elementary School is 15.6. 79 elementary schools in the Pinellas School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Ridgecrest Elementary School employs 34 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ridgecrest Elementary School is $11,480. 67 elementary schools in the Pinellas School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Ridgecrest 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 Ridgecrest Elementary School.

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Rank History for Ridgecrest Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	89.85	124^th	1688	92.7%
2007	83.95	237^th	1786	86.7%
2008	83.17	245^th	1789	86.3%
2009	75.81	399^th	1847	78.4%
2010	71.67	530^th	1919	72.4%
2011	64.49	741^st	1985	62.7%
2012	76.53	424^th	1984	78.6%
2013	69.62	582^nd	2029	71.3%
2014	68.13	626^th	2064	69.7%
2016	72.30	555^th	2087	73.4%
2017	70.50	603^rd	2112	71.4%
2018	78.20	430^th	2118	79.7%
2019	81.66	361^st	2182	83.5%
2021	78.45	466^th	2247	79.3%
2022	76.07	497^th	2219	77.6%
2023	73.82	533^rd	2240	76.2%
2024	62.35	813^th	2256	64.0%

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: 5)

100%

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Ridgecrest Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	256	46	3	4	0	n/a	n/a	0	309
1989	254	38	3	6	1	n/a	n/a	0	302
1990	318	52	4	6	1	n/a	n/a	0	381
1991	323	65	3	5	3	n/a	n/a	0	399
1992	289	88	4	8	2	n/a	n/a	0	391
1993	236	108	2	11	4	n/a	n/a	0	361
1994	277	132	1	10	3	n/a	n/a	0	423
1995	575	110	14	11	4	n/a	n/a	0	714
1996	575	110	14	11	4	n/a	n/a	0	714
1997	548	122	21	14	4	n/a	n/a	0	709
1998	579	121	36	18	3	n/a	n/a	0	757
1999	528	102	42	14	3	n/a	n/a	0	689
2000	587	161	51	21	4	n/a	n/a	0	824
2001	596	167	52	31	4	n/a	n/a	0	850
2002	553	199	62	35	2	n/a	n/a	0	851
2003	553	199	62	35	2	n/a	n/a	0	851
2004	484	162	77	28	0	n/a	n/a	0	751
2005	458	159	76	20	1	n/a	n/a	0	714
2006	437	145	87	28	2	n/a	n/a	0	699
2007	373	139	85	43	3	n/a	n/a	51	694
2008	371	133	84	35	7	n/a	n/a	59	689
2009	352	168	76	38	3	n/a	n/a	67	704
2010	356	200	81	55	2	n/a	n/a	63	757
2011	359	194	87	80	1	0	47	0	768
2012	363	182	88	80	2	0	55	0	770
2013	361	206	85	79	1	0	56	0	788
2014	389	187	98	82	1	0	52	0	809
2015	372	184	97	93	0	2	42	0	790
2016	374	214	88	103	0	2	47	0	828
2017	366	219	92	89	0	1	43	0	810
2018	335	198	90	95	1	1	47	0	767
2019	315	163	90	95	4	4	51	0	722
2020	299	183	68	89	3	6	53	0	701
2021	245	183	57	74	1	5	45	0	610
2022	246	165	43	69	1	3	55	0	582
2023	231	179	34	70	1	3	56	0	574
2024	193	199	31	62	1	3	44	0	533

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 Ridgecrest Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	309	15.0	20.6	48.5
1989	302	17.0	17.7	34.1
1990	381	21.0	18.1	38.6
1991	399	18.0	22.1	42.1
1992	391	21.0	18.6	41.2
1993	361	19.0	19.0	36
1994	423	22.0	19.2	46.3
1995	714	36.0	19.8	22.7
1996	714	36.0	19.8	22.7
1997	709	35.0	20.3	23.3
1998	757	35.0	21.6	24.2
1999	689	35.0	19.7	30.3
2000	824	38.0	21.7	34
2001	850	40.0	21.3	35.2
2002	851	43.0	19.8	43.1
2003	851	43.0	19.8	43.1
2004	751	41.0	18.3	38.7
2005	714	40.0	17.9	39.1
2006	699	38.0	18.4	32.3
2007	694	39.0	17.8	33.4
2008	689	40.0	17.2	36.5
2009	704	48.8	16.4	45.1
2010	757	46.0	16.4	51.7
2011	768	49.0	15.6	48.3
2012	770	49.0	15.7	53.6
2013	788	54.0	14.5	54.2
2014	809	56.0	14.4	39.7
2015	790	52.0	15.1	42.2
2016	828	53.0	15.6	53.4
2017	810	54.0	15.0	49.5
2018	767	50.0	15.3	52.4
2019	722	49.0	14.7	49
2020	701	47.0	14.9	52.8
2021	610	45.0	13.5	51.5
2022	582	41.0	14.1	56
2023	574	34.0	16.8	59.1
2024	533	34.0	15.6	60.2

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 Ridgecrest Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	309	15.0	20.6	48.5
1989	302	17.0	17.7	34.1
1990	381	21.0	18.1	38.6
1991	399	18.0	22.1	42.1
1992	391	21.0	18.6	41.2
1993	361	19.0	19.0	36
1994	423	22.0	19.2	46.3
1995	714	36.0	19.8	22.7
1996	714	36.0	19.8	22.7
1997	709	35.0	20.3	23.3
1998	757	35.0	21.6	24.2
1999	689	35.0	19.7	30.3
2000	824	38.0	21.7	34
2001	850	40.0	21.3	35.2
2002	851	43.0	19.8	43.1
2003	851	43.0	19.8	43.1
2004	751	41.0	18.3	38.7
2005	714	40.0	17.9	39.1
2006	699	38.0	18.4	32.3
2007	694	39.0	17.8	33.4
2008	689	40.0	17.2	36.5
2009	704	48.8	16.4	45.1
2010	757	46.0	16.4	51.7
2011	768	49.0	15.6	48.3
2012	770	49.0	15.7	53.6
2013	788	54.0	14.5	54.2
2014	809	56.0	14.4	39.7
2015	790	52.0	15.1	42.2
2016	828	53.0	15.6	53.4
2017	810	54.0	15.0	49.5
2018	767	50.0	15.3	52.4
2019	722	49.0	14.7	49
2020	701	47.0	14.9	52.8
2021	610	45.0	13.5	51.5
2022	582	41.0	14.1	56
2023	574	34.0	16.8	59.1
2024	533	34.0	15.6	60.2

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 Ridgecrest Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$291 (3.5%)	$7,993 (96.5%)	$8,284
2019	$305 (3.4%)	$8,568 (96.6%)	$8,873
2020	$302 (3.3%)	$8,898 (96.7%)	$9,200
2021	$977 (8.8%)	$10,069 (91.1%)	$11,047
2022	$1,152 (10.1%)	$10,283 (89.9%)	$11,434
2023	$1,064 (9.3%)	$10,416 (90.7%)	$11,480

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Ridgecrest 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 361^st of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 533^rd of 2240 Elementary schools	7.3%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Ridgecrest Elementary School)	74	59	15%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	56	52	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Ridgecrest Elementary School)	81	61	20%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	62	60	2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Ridgecrest Elementary School)	74	74
4th Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	56	57	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Ridgecrest Elementary School)	79	83	4%
4th Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	64	65	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Ridgecrest Elementary School)	66	63	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	54	58	4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Ridgecrest Elementary School)	73	65	8%
5th Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	60	58	2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Ridgecrest Elementary School)	68	71	3%
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	722	574	20.5%
African American	163	179	9.8%
American Indian	4	1	75%
Asian	90	34	62.2%
Hispanic	95	70	26.3%
Pacific Islander	4	3	25%
White	315	231	26.7%
Two or More Races	51	56	9.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	49%	59.1%	10%

Schools Near Ridgecrest 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
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
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
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
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
Anona Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	12301 Indian Rocks Rd	Largo	33774	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 588-4730	470	34	13.8	45.7%	291 (61.9%)	32 (6.8%)	99 (21.1%)	6 (1.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (8.7%)	81.5	366^th of 2256 public elementary schools	83.8%		82.7	348^th of 2240 public elementary schools	84.5%	18	66.0	54.0	64.0				79.0	85.0	78.0				78.0					$13,760	$1,959	$11,801
Southern Oak Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	9101 Walsingham Rd	Largo	33773	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 588-4654	495	35	14.1	63.4%	266 (53.7%)	58 (11.7%)	117 (23.6%)	12 (2.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (8.3%)	73.9	550^th of 2256 public elementary schools	75.6%		64.9	744^th of 2240 public elementary schools	66.8%	194	73.0	60.0	61.0				67.0	79.0	53.0				74.0					$12,270	$1,847	$10,423
Oakhurst Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	10535 137th St	Largo	33774	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 588-6801	657	44	14.9	35.5%	485 (73.8%)	39 (5.9%)	88 (13.4%)	10 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (5.3%)	85.9	284^th of 2256 public elementary schools	87.4%		82.5	355^th of 2240 public elementary schools	84.2%	71	68.0	68.0	72.0				70.0	80.0	84.0				85.0					$12,449	$1,362	$11,087
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
Walsingham Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	9099 Walsingham Rd	Largo	33773	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 588-3519	380	27	14.0	63.7%	161 (42.4%)	48 (12.6%)	112 (29.5%)	14 (3.7%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (11.6%)	74.4	537^th of 2256 public elementary schools	76.2%		57.4	906^th of 2240 public elementary schools	59.6%	369	76.0	41.0	77.0				78.0	62.0	75.0				63.0					$14,652	$2,114	$12,538
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

Frequently Asked Questions about Ridgecrest Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Ridgecrest Elementary School attend?

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

High : Largo High School

How many students attend Ridgecrest Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 533 students attended Ridgecrest Elementary School.

Is Ridgecrest Elementary School a good school?

Ridgecrest Elementary School ranks 813^th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Ridgecrest Elementary School?

Students at Ridgecrest Elementary School are 37% African American, 36% White, 12% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 6% Asian.

What district is Ridgecrest 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.