Sunset Hills Elementary School

Q: Is Sunset Hills Elementary School a good school?

Sunset Hills Elementary School ranks 489 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Sunset Hills Elementary School is a public elementary school in Tarpon Springs, Florida, serving 451 students in grades PK-5 and part of the Pinellas County School District. The school consistently outperforms the district and state averages in academic achievement, maintaining a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger and ranking in the top 25% of Florida elementary schools.

Sunset Hills Elementary's academic performance is particularly impressive, with 77% of 5th-grade students proficient or better in Statewide Science, compared to 64% in Pinellas County and 53% statewide. The school also outperforms the district and state in English Language Arts and Math for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades. While Sunset Hills has a relatively high chronic absenteeism rate, it serves a diverse population with a significant percentage of economically disadvantaged students, suggesting the school's success is driven by effective resource allocation and a low student-teacher ratio.

Compared to nearby schools, Sunset Hills Elementary performs significantly better than Tarpon Springs Elementary School, which has lower test scores and a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students. However, other high-performing schools in the Pinellas County district, such as Brooker Creek Elementary and Ozona Elementary, outperform Sunset Hills in some academic areas, while Elisa Nelson Elementary has even stronger academic performance across all subjects and grade levels.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

1347 Gulf Rd
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

(727) 943-5523

District: Pinellas

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

Per Pupil Expenditures: $12,490

Students who attend Sunset Hills Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Tarpon Springs Middle School
High:	Tarpon Springs High School

Student/teacher ratio: 14.5

Number of students: 451

Racial breakdown:

White:

71.2%

Hispanic:

15.3%

Two or more races:

7.8%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 51.9%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Sunset Hills Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Sunset Hills Elementary School ranks better than 78.3% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 31^st among 90 ranked elementary schools in the Pinellas School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 76.67. (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 (71.2%), Hispanic (15.3%), two or more races (7.8%). (See more...)

Compare Details 51.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Sunset Hills Elementary School is 14.5. 65 elementary schools in the Pinellas School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Sunset Hills Elementary School employs 31 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Sunset Hills Elementary School is $12,490. 55 elementary schools in the Pinellas School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Sunset Hills 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:

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Rank History for Sunset Hills Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	74.20	428^th	1688	74.6%
2007	82.90	263^rd	1786	85.3%
2008	81.77	278^th	1789	84.5%
2009	76.18	396^th	1847	78.6%
2010	73.46	478^th	1919	75.1%
2011	68.48	636^th	1985	68.0%
2012	60.49	782^nd	1984	60.6%
2013	61.57	759^th	2029	62.6%
2014	67.51	642^nd	2064	68.9%
2016	68.83	630^th	2087	69.8%
2017	76.72	456^th	2112	78.4%
2018	72.92	540^th	2118	74.5%
2019	70.38	611^th	2182	72.0%
2021	85.31	299^th	2247	86.7%
2022	79.94	416^th	2219	81.3%
2023	71.26	606^th	2240	72.9%
2024	76.67	489^th	2256	78.3%

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:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Sunset Hills Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	460	38	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	500
1989	427	45	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	474
1990	429	31	0	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	463
1991	421	37	0	2	0	n/a	n/a	0	460
1992	468	41	0	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	514
1993	456	53	2	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	516
1994	446	41	2	7	0	n/a	n/a	0	496
1995	436	46	3	11	5	n/a	n/a	0	501
1996	436	46	3	11	5	n/a	n/a	0	501
1997	428	45	2	10	0	n/a	n/a	0	485
1998	472	41	3	9	0	n/a	n/a	0	525
1999	483	37	3	8	1	n/a	n/a	0	532
2000	460	57	2	15	0	n/a	n/a	0	534
2001	506	58	5	20	1	n/a	n/a	0	590
2002	516	46	7	34	1	n/a	n/a	0	604
2003	516	46	7	34	1	n/a	n/a	0	604
2004	485	43	4	25	2	n/a	n/a	0	559
2005	478	34	5	30	2	n/a	n/a	0	549
2006	485	38	6	31	2	n/a	n/a	0	562
2007	480	47	10	29	1	n/a	n/a	24	591
2008	499	43	11	34	2	n/a	n/a	31	620
2009	455	48	11	31	3	n/a	n/a	25	573
2010	466	22	11	33	2	n/a	n/a	29	563
2011	474	31	5	53	3	1	30	0	597
2012	500	32	12	59	4	0	21	0	628
2013	484	24	8	59	3	0	21	0	599
2014	441	26	7	45	3	0	21	0	543
2015	423	22	7	57	3	0	31	0	543
2016	412	25	7	58	3	0	29	0	534
2017	415	20	9	64	2	0	27	0	537
2018	418	20	5	60	2	0	28	0	533
2019	414	16	4	65	4	0	29	0	532
2020	374	14	7	73	2	1	26	0	497
2021	355	12	7	59	1	1	27	0	462
2022	339	19	11	58	1	1	25	0	454
2023	321	16	9	69	0	1	35	0	451

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 Sunset Hills Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	500	23.0	21.7	21
1989	474	23.0	20.6	24.5
1990	463	23.0	20.1	20.3
1991	460	23.0	20.0	19.6
1992	514	25.0	20.5	22.4
1993	516	24.0	21.5	25
1994	496	24.0	20.7	25.8
1995	501	26.0	19.3	27.5
1996	501	26.0	19.3	27.5
1997	485	25.0	19.4	29.9
1998	525	25.0	21.0	25.9
1999	532	28.0	19.0	30.5
2000	534	29.0	18.4	29
2001	590	31.0	19.0	30.7
2002	604	34.0	17.8	35.6
2003	604	34.0	17.8	35.6
2004	559	34.0	16.4	30.8
2005	549	34.0	16.1	32.2
2006	562	35.0	16.1	32.7
2007	591	38.0	15.6	34.4
2008	620	41.0	15.1	39.2
2009	573	42.0	15.5	41.8
2010	563	35.0	16.0	39.3
2011	597	38.0	15.7	41
2012	628	43.0	14.6	46.8
2013	599	41.0	14.6	44.9
2014	543	37.0	14.6	41.4
2015	543	36.0	15.0	43.8
2016	534	34.0	15.7	46.6
2017	537	34.0	15.7	46.7
2018	533	36.0	14.8	45.6
2019	532	34.8	15.2	45.1
2020	497	32.8	15.1	43.1
2021	462	34.8	13.2	40.7
2022	454	33.8	13.4	41.4
2023	451	31.0	14.5	51.9

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 Sunset Hills Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	500	23.0	21.7	21
1989	474	23.0	20.6	24.5
1990	463	23.0	20.1	20.3
1991	460	23.0	20.0	19.6
1992	514	25.0	20.5	22.4
1993	516	24.0	21.5	25
1994	496	24.0	20.7	25.8
1995	501	26.0	19.3	27.5
1996	501	26.0	19.3	27.5
1997	485	25.0	19.4	29.9
1998	525	25.0	21.0	25.9
1999	532	28.0	19.0	30.5
2000	534	29.0	18.4	29
2001	590	31.0	19.0	30.7
2002	604	34.0	17.8	35.6
2003	604	34.0	17.8	35.6
2004	559	34.0	16.4	30.8
2005	549	34.0	16.1	32.2
2006	562	35.0	16.1	32.7
2007	591	38.0	15.6	34.4
2008	620	41.0	15.1	39.2
2009	573	42.0	15.5	41.8
2010	563	35.0	16.0	39.3
2011	597	38.0	15.7	41
2012	628	43.0	14.6	46.8
2013	599	41.0	14.6	44.9
2014	543	37.0	14.6	41.4
2015	543	36.0	15.0	43.8
2016	534	34.0	15.7	46.6
2017	537	34.0	15.7	46.7
2018	533	36.0	14.8	45.6
2019	532	34.8	15.2	45.1
2020	497	32.8	15.1	43.1
2021	462	34.8	13.2	40.7
2022	454	33.8	13.4	41.4
2023	451	31.0	14.5	51.9

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 Sunset Hills Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$207 (2.4%)	$8,452 (97.6%)	$8,659
2019	$202 (2.2%)	$8,869 (97.8%)	$9,071
2020	$267 (2.7%)	$9,706 (97.3%)	$9,973
2021	$942 (8.3%)	$10,417 (91.7%)	$11,357
2022	$1,021 (8.8%)	$10,579 (91.2%)	$11,600
2023	$1,002 (8.0%)	$11,489 (92.0%)	$12,490

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Sunset Hills 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 611^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 606^th of 2240 Elementary schools	0.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Sunset Hills Elementary School)	66	56	10%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	56	52	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Sunset Hills Elementary School)	72	61	11%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	62	60	2%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Sunset Hills Elementary School)	66	68	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	56	57	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Sunset Hills Elementary School)	59	76	17%
4th Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	64	65	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Sunset Hills Elementary School)	62	76	14%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Pinellas)	54	58	4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Sunset Hills Elementary School)	80	84	4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Pinellas)	60	58	2%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Sunset Hills Elementary School)	66	80	14%
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	532	451	15.2%
African American	16	16
American Indian	4	0	100%
Asian	4	9	125%
Hispanic	65	69	6.2%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	414	321	22.5%
Two or More Races	29	35	20.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	45.1%	51.9%	6.8%

Schools Near Sunset Hills 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 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
Sunset Hills Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1347 Gulf Rd	Tarpon Springs	34689	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 943-5523	451	31	14.5	51.9%	321 (71.2%)	16 (3.5%)	69 (15.3%)	9 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	35 (7.8%)	76.7	489^th of 2256 public elementary schools	78.3%		71.3	606^th of 2240 public elementary schools	72.9%	117	67.0	63.0	67.0				66.0	61.0	78.0			77.0					$12,490	$1,002	$11,489
Tarpon Springs Fundamental Ele	Public, Magnet	K-5	400 E Harrison St	Tarpon Springs	34689	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	Yes	No	No	(727) 943-5508	270	19	14.5	32.2%	203 (75.2%)	22 (8.1%)	29 (10.7%)	8 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.4%)	7 (2.6%)	96.9	22^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	99.0%		98.1	7^th of 2240 public elementary schools	99.7%	15	94.0	85.0	81.0				94.0	92.0	88.0			84.0					$12,160	$902	$11,259
Tarpon Springs Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	555 Pine St	Tarpon Springs	34689	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 943-5500	506	41	12.3	80.4%	153 (30.2%)	165 (32.6%)	144 (28.5%)	8 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (7.1%)	42.6	1273^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	43.6%		52.6	1030^th of 2240 public elementary schools	54.0%	243	70.0	46.0	42.0				38.0	59.0	48.0			49.0					$14,659	$2,393	$12,267
Gulfside Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2329 Anclote Blvd	Holiday	34691	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	Yes	(727) 774-6000	389	24	16.0	89.7%	189 (48.6%)	58 (14.9%)	92 (23.7%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (11.8%)	19.3	1923^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	14.8%		22.5	1813^th of 2240 public elementary schools	19.1%	110	39.0	22.0	47.0				40.0	22.0	40.0			44.0					$11,493	$2,195	$9,298
Sutherland Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3150 N Belcher Rd	Palm Harbor	34683	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 724-1466	627	41	15.2	41.5%	466 (74.3%)	27 (4.3%)	91 (14.5%)	13 (2.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (4.6%)	89.3	202^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	91.0%		82.8	344^th of 2240 public elementary schools	84.6%	142	74.0	72.0	80.0				73.0	74.0	94.0			85.0					$10,839	$1,033	$9,806
Gulf Trace Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	3303 Gulf Trace Blvd	Holiday	34691	Pasco County	Pasco	No	Yes	No	Yes	(727) 246-3600	611	35	17.4	84.3%	294 (48.1%)	66 (10.8%)	179 (29.3%)	11 (1.8%)	1 (0.2%)	3 (0.5%)	57 (9.3%)	18.9	1932^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	14.4%		17.8	1964^th of 2240 public elementary schools	12.3%	32	41.0	37.0	32.0				32.0	36.0	26.0	95.0		43.0					$10,179	$1,927	$8,252
Plato Academy Charter School Tarpon Springs	Public, Charter	K-8	2795 Keystone Rd	Tarpon Springs	34688	Pinellas County	Pinellas	Yes	No	No	No	(727) 939-6413	374	29	12.8	31.0%	288 (77.0%)	11 (2.9%)	52 (13.9%)	12 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (2.9%)	63.9	775^th of 2256 public elementary schools	65.6%		74.6	512^th of 2240 public elementary schools	77.1%	263	77.0	66.0	51.0	67.0	64.0	67.0	79.0	50.0	56.0	47.0	68.0	56.0	52.0	92.0	100.0	64.0	$8,481	$767	$7,714
Sunray Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	4815 Sunray Dr	Holiday	34690	Pasco County	Pasco	No	Yes	No	Yes	(727) 774-9100	382	22	17.3	91.6%	195 (51.0%)	39 (10.2%)	97 (25.4%)	7 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	43 (11.3%)	8	2188^th of 2256 public elementary schools	3.0%		14.6	2040^th of 2240 public elementary schools	8.9%	148	26.0	34.0	26.0				30.0	32.0	27.0			19.0					$11,327	$2,518	$8,808
Brooker Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3130 Forelock Rd	Tarpon Springs	34688	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 943-4600	548	38	14.4	15.9%	424 (77.4%)	13 (2.4%)	68 (12.4%)	12 (2.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (5.5%)	93.6	80^th of 2256 public elementary schools	96.5%		90.9	145^th of 2240 public elementary schools	93.5%	65	82.0	74.0	75.0				92.0	91.0	79.0			83.0					$12,527	$1,318	$11,209
Ozona Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	601 Tampa Rd	Palm Harbor	34683	Pinellas County	Pinellas	No	No	No	No	(727) 724-1589	762	51	14.9	31.1%	618 (81.1%)	6 (0.8%)	90 (11.8%)	8 (1.0%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (5.0%)	93.6	79^th of 2256 public elementary schools	96.5%		84.8	294^th of 2240 public elementary schools	86.9%	215	79.0	78.0	76.0				84.0	87.0	85.0			86.0					$11,740	$1,240	$10,499

Frequently Asked Questions about Sunset Hills Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Sunset Hills Elementary School?

Students at Sunset Hills Elementary School are 71% White, 15% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 4% African American, 2% Asian.

How many students attend Sunset Hills Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 451 students attended Sunset Hills Elementary School.

Is Sunset Hills Elementary School a good school?

Sunset Hills Elementary School ranks 489^th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is Sunset Hills Elementary School in?

Pinellas

What schools do graduates of Sunset Hills Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Sunset Hills Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Tarpon Springs Middle School
High : Tarpon Springs High 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.