Purcell Elementary School

Summary:

Purcell Elementary School is a public elementary school in Mulberry, Florida, serving 516 students in grades PK-5. As part of the Polk School District, which is ranked 57 out of 68 districts in the state, Purcell Elementary has consistently been ranked in the bottom half of Florida elementary schools, with a ranking of 2015 out of 2256 schools in the 2023-2024 school year.

Purcell Elementary faces several key challenges. The school has significantly higher chronic absenteeism rates, reaching 42.0% in the 2022-2023 school year, much higher than the state and district averages. Additionally, Purcell's test scores are consistently lower than the Polk district and Florida state averages across all grade levels and subjects. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 32% of 3rd graders were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 49% in the district and 55% statewide. The school also has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, reaching 64.15% in the 2022-2023 school year, indicating a higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students.

When compared to nearby schools, such as Highlands Grove Elementary, which has significantly higher test scores and a higher statewide ranking, it becomes evident that Purcell Elementary is underperforming academically. The high chronic absenteeism rate and the high percentage of economically disadvantaged students at Purcell Elementary may be contributing factors to the school's lower academic performance, and addressing these issues could be crucial in improving student outcomes.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

305 1st Ave NE
Mulberry, FL 33860

(863) 701-1061

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
2015^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,012

Students who attend Purcell Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Mulberry Middle School
High:	Mulberry Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.1

Number of students: 516

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

49.6%

White:

38.2%

African American:

10.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 64.1%

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Compare Purcell Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Purcell Elementary School ranks worse than 89.3% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 78^th among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 15.79. (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: Hispanic (49.6%), White (38.2%), African American (10.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 64.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Purcell Elementary School is 16.1, which is the 39^th best among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Purcell Elementary School employs 32 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Purcell Elementary School is $11,012, which is the 29^th highest among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Polk:

SchoolDigger ranks Polk 57^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Purcell Elementary School.

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Rank History for Purcell Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	47.66	904^th	1688	46.4%
2007	28.17	1351^st	1786	24.4%
2008	17.42	1564^th	1789	12.6%
2009	16.78	1623^rd	1847	12.1%
2010	27.73	1480^th	1919	22.9%
2011	35.59	1354^th	1985	31.8%
2012	30.61	1425^th	1984	28.2%
2013	27.90	1540^th	2029	24.1%
2014	23.62	1662^nd	2064	19.5%
2016	33.69	1414^th	2087	32.2%
2017	30.80	1481^st	2112	29.9%
2018	30.53	1506^th	2118	28.9%
2019	13.71	1981^st	2182	9.2%
2021	29.76	1581^st	2247	29.6%
2022	23.72	1741^st	2219	21.5%
2023	21.41	1853^rd	2240	17.3%
2024	15.79	2015^th	2256	10.7%

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:

by a parent
Thursday, April 2, 2015

Love this school. Principal and Teachers are awesome. We participate in the STEAM Academy. I was worried when we started here a few years ago from reviews. But we have a wonderful Principal who has turned this school into an amazing place!! Close Quote

Enrollment information for Purcell Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	312	79	0	5	1	n/a	n/a	0	397
1989	307	77	1	7	1	n/a	n/a	0	393
1990	333	90	0	8	1	n/a	n/a	0	432
1991	334	108	0	18	1	n/a	n/a	0	461
1992	359	115	0	11	0	n/a	n/a	0	485
1993	365	121	0	19	0	n/a	n/a	0	505
1994	366	94	0	24	0	n/a	n/a	0	484
1995	438	99	0	50	1	n/a	n/a	0	588
1996	438	99	0	50	1	n/a	n/a	0	588
1997	437	100	0	52	1	n/a	n/a	0	590
1998	398	112	0	65	0	n/a	n/a	0	575
1999	411	117	0	83	1	n/a	n/a	0	612
2000	407	124	0	91	1	n/a	n/a	0	623
2001	382	127	0	101	0	n/a	n/a	0	610
2002	301	91	1	60	0	n/a	n/a	0	453
2003	301	91	1	60	0	n/a	n/a	0	453
2004	309	69	1	69	1	n/a	n/a	0	449
2005	321	68	2	101	1	n/a	n/a	0	493
2006	321	67	2	111	0	n/a	n/a	0	501
2007	302	73	1	134	0	n/a	n/a	19	529
2008	247	70	1	109	1	n/a	n/a	12	440
2009	243	73	3	119	1	n/a	n/a	12	451
2010	240	70	2	140	1	n/a	n/a	13	466
2011	202	57	5	147	5	0	20	0	436
2012	222	45	3	156	4	0	20	0	450
2013	223	50	3	162	4	0	21	0	463
2014	224	62	3	176	2	1	22	0	490
2015	234	65	1	176	2	1	26	0	505
2016	227	56	0	203	0	0	29	0	515
2017	223	51	1	204	0	0	18	0	497
2018	230	45	1	205	1	0	11	0	493
2019	231	43	1	212	1	1	12	0	501
2020	224	43	1	236	1	1	6	0	512
2021	190	44	1	233	3	1	3	0	475
2022	194	53	0	223	1	0	7	0	478
2023	197	54	1	256	1	0	7	0	516

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 Purcell Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	397	24.0	16.5	41.3
1989	393	22.0	17.8	44.5
1990	432	22.0	19.6	18.5
1991	461	25.0	18.4	53.1
1992	485	23.0	21.0	39.6
1993	505	24.0	21.0	42.4
1994	484	23.0	21.0	46.7
1995	588	27.0	21.8	58.7
1996	588	27.0	21.8	58.7
1997	590	31.0	19.0	58
1998	575	32.0	18.0	62.6
1999	612	33.0	18.5	71.9
2000	623	34.0	18.3	69.2
2001	610	35.0	17.4	73.4
2002	453	30.0	15.1	75.9
2003	453	30.0	15.1	75.9
2004	449	31.0	14.5	79.1
2005	493	35.0	14.1	74.2
2006	501	36.0	13.9	77.6
2007	529	38.0	13.9	81.8
2008	440	34.0	12.9	81.5
2009	451	37.6	14.1	81.5
2010	466	34.0	13.7	86.8
2011	436	36.0	12.1	85.3
2012	450	35.0	12.8	86
2013	463	35.0	13.2	83.6
2014	490	34.0	14.4	59.6
2015	505	37.0	13.6	71.9
2016	515	39.0	13.2	71.1
2017	497	37.0	13.4	70.4
2018	493	38.0	12.9	66.7
2019	501	36.0	13.9	68.5
2020	512	35.0	14.6	61.7
2021	475	37.0	12.8	66.7
2022	478	37.0	12.9	73.4
2023	516	32.0	16.1	64.1

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 Purcell Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	397	24.0	16.5	41.3
1989	393	22.0	17.8	44.5
1990	432	22.0	19.6	18.5
1991	461	25.0	18.4	53.1
1992	485	23.0	21.0	39.6
1993	505	24.0	21.0	42.4
1994	484	23.0	21.0	46.7
1995	588	27.0	21.8	58.7
1996	588	27.0	21.8	58.7
1997	590	31.0	19.0	58
1998	575	32.0	18.0	62.6
1999	612	33.0	18.5	71.9
2000	623	34.0	18.3	69.2
2001	610	35.0	17.4	73.4
2002	453	30.0	15.1	75.9
2003	453	30.0	15.1	75.9
2004	449	31.0	14.5	79.1
2005	493	35.0	14.1	74.2
2006	501	36.0	13.9	77.6
2007	529	38.0	13.9	81.8
2008	440	34.0	12.9	81.5
2009	451	37.6	14.1	81.5
2010	466	34.0	13.7	86.8
2011	436	36.0	12.1	85.3
2012	450	35.0	12.8	86
2013	463	35.0	13.2	83.6
2014	490	34.0	14.4	59.6
2015	505	37.0	13.6	71.9
2016	515	39.0	13.2	71.1
2017	497	37.0	13.4	70.4
2018	493	38.0	12.9	66.7
2019	501	36.0	13.9	68.5
2020	512	35.0	14.6	61.7
2021	475	37.0	12.8	66.7
2022	478	37.0	12.9	73.4
2023	516	32.0	16.1	64.1

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 Purcell Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,706 (16.1%)	$8,918 (83.9%)	$10,624
2019	$1,738 (17.1%)	$8,421 (82.9%)	$10,159
2020	$1,595 (15.9%)	$8,439 (84.1%)	$10,033
2021	$1,602 (16.0%)	$8,413 (84.0%)	$10,015
2022	$3,373 (26.7%)	$9,265 (73.3%)	$12,638
2023	$2,048 (18.6%)	$8,964 (81.4%)	$11,012

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Purcell 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 1981^st of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1853^rd of 2240 Elementary schools	8.1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Purcell Elementary School)	36	34	2%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	52	48	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Purcell Elementary School)	42	45	3%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	51	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Purcell Elementary School)	30	36	6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	46	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Purcell Elementary School)	54	51	3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	50	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Purcell Elementary School)	29	40	11%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	47	44	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Purcell Elementary School)	23	29	6%
5th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	51	40	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Purcell Elementary School)	33	23	10%
5th Grade Science (Polk)	45	39	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	501	516	3%
African American	43	54	25.6%
American Indian	1	1
Asian	1	1
Hispanic	212	256	20.8%
Pacific Islander	1	0	100%
White	231	197	14.7%
Two or More Races	12	7	41.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	68.5%	64.1%	4.3%

Schools Near Purcell 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
Purcell Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	305 1st Ave NE	Mulberry	33860	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 701-1061	516	32	16.1	64.1%	197 (38.2%)	54 (10.5%)	256 (49.6%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.4%)	15.8	2015^th of 2256 public elementary schools	10.7%		21.4	1853^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	17.3%	162	32.0	38.0	46.0	39.0	26.0	31.0	25.0	$11,012	$2,048	$8,964
James W. Sikes Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2727 Shepherd Rd	Lakeland	33811	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3525	563	39	14.4	36.8%	269 (47.8%)	70 (12.4%)	195 (34.6%)	7 (1.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	20 (3.6%)	59	884^th of 2256 public elementary schools	60.8%		49.2	1115^th of 2240 public elementary schools	50.2%	231	63.0	57.0	54.0	68.0	73.0	42.0	47.0	$11,513	$1,503	$10,010
Willow Oak School	Public	PK, KG-5	4815 Bailey Road	Mulberry	33860	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 417-6670	905	55	16.4	67.2%	274 (30.3%)	47 (5.2%)	557 (61.5%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	22 (2.4%)	31	1595^th of 2256 public elementary schools	29.3%		29.5	1625^th of 2240 public elementary schools	27.5%	30	39.0	36.0	48.0	49.0	43.0	60.0	44.0	$10,123	$1,747	$8,375
Scott Lake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1140 County Road 540a E	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3520	727	48	15.1	36.2%	433 (59.6%)	78 (10.7%)	173 (23.8%)	18 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (3.4%)	68.5	676^th of 2256 public elementary schools	70.0%		62.6	782^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	65.1%	106	65.0	59.0	58.0	76.0	66.0	59.0	55.0	$10,771	$1,706	$9,066
Rcma Mulberry Community Academy	Public, Charter	K-1	4438 Academy Dr	Mulberry	33860	Polk County	Polk	Yes	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(863) 425-9246	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Medulla Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	850 Schoolhouse Rd	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3515	515	35	14.7	59.0%	167 (32.4%)	111 (21.6%)	208 (40.4%)	5 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (4.7%)	31.3	1584^th of 2256 public elementary schools	29.8%		31	1585^th of 2240 public elementary schools	29.2%	1	57.0	39.0	45.0	38.0	42.0	41.0	47.0	$11,939	$1,735	$10,204
R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5500 Yates Rd	Lakeland	33811	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 701-1450	946	61	15.5	46.1%	375 (39.6%)	120 (12.7%)	416 (44.0%)	12 (1.3%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (2.3%)	49.2	1109^th of 2256 public elementary schools	50.8%		36.2	1435^th of 2240 public elementary schools	35.9%	326	59.0	53.0	53.0	54.0	49.0	54.0	52.0	$9,995	$1,734	$8,261
Valleyview Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2900 State Rd 540a E	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 648-3535	861	51	16.8	31.8%	490 (56.9%)	121 (14.1%)	175 (20.3%)	52 (6.0%)	5 (0.6%)	2 (0.2%)	16 (1.9%)	84.4	313^th of 2256 public elementary schools	86.1%		83.2	334^th of 2240 public elementary schools	85.1%	21	70.0	71.0	73.0	76.0	76.0	74.0	66.0	$9,589	$1,090	$8,499
Highlands Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4510 Lakeland Highlands Rd	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3002	731	46	15.8	35.8%	407 (55.7%)	92 (12.6%)	183 (25.0%)	23 (3.1%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (3.3%)	72.9	576^th of 2256 public elementary schools	74.5%		82.2	361^st of 2240 public elementary schools	83.9%	215	67.0	53.0	59.0	73.0	57.0	82.0	74.0	$10,707	$1,431	$9,277
Carlton Palmore Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3725 Clevelnd Hts Blvd	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3510	465	36	12.9	51.8%	220 (47.3%)	118 (25.4%)	100 (21.5%)	6 (1.3%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	17 (3.7%)	26.7	1720^th of 2256 public elementary schools	23.8%		36.7	1423^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	36.5%	297	35.0	40.0	45.0	18.0	33.0	61.0	53.0	$12,393	$1,706	$10,687

Frequently Asked Questions about Purcell Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Purcell Elementary School?

Students at Purcell Elementary School are 50% Hispanic, 38% White, 10% African American, 1% Two or more races.

Is Purcell Elementary School a good school?

Purcell Elementary School ranks in the bottom 10.7% of Florida elementary schools.

What district is Purcell Elementary School in?

Polk

How many students attend Purcell Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 516 students attended Purcell Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Purcell Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Mulberry Middle School
High : Mulberry Senior 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.