Pierson Elementary School

Q: Is Pierson Elementary School a good school?

Pierson Elementary School ranks 1650 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Summary:

Pierson Elementary School is a public elementary school serving around 490 students in grades PK-5 in Pierson, Florida, which is part of the Volusia school district. The school faces significant challenges, with consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, lower-than-average test scores, and a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students.

Pierson Elementary's academic performance has declined over the years, with only 29% of 5th graders proficient or better in ELA, compared to 52% in the district and 55% statewide. The school's high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 23.5% to 29.6%, are significantly higher than the state and district averages. Additionally, Pierson Elementary has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 72.69% to 80.41%, indicating a higher concentration of economically disadvantaged students. Despite the higher per-student spending at Pierson Elementary, the academic performance does not reflect the additional resources.

Interestingly, the nearby schools, such as Woodward Avenue Elementary, Edith I. Starke Elementary, and Blue Lake Elementary, have similar demographic profiles but perform better academically. This suggests that Pierson Elementary may be facing unique challenges that are not being addressed effectively, and addressing the underlying issues of attendance and socioeconomic status could be crucial for improving student outcomes.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

1 W 1st Ave
Pierson, FL 32180

(386) 749-6704

District: Volusia

SchoolDigger Rank:
1650^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $12,571

Students who attend Pierson Elementary School usually attend:

High:

T. Dewitt Taylor Middle-High School

Student/teacher ratio: 13.6

Number of students: 490

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

57.6%

White:

39.6%

Two or more races:

1.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 76.7%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Pierson Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Pierson Elementary School ranks worse than 73.1% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 37^th among 48 ranked elementary schools in the Volusia School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 28.97. (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 (57.6%), White (39.6%), two or more races (1.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 76.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Pierson Elementary School is 13.6, which is the 13^th best among 48 elementary schools in the Volusia School District. (See more...)

Compare Pierson Elementary School employs 35.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Pierson Elementary School is $12,571, which is the 5^th highest among 48 elementary schools in the Volusia School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Volusia:

SchoolDigger ranks Volusia 36^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Pierson Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	26.64	1277^th	1688	24.3%
2007	27.35	1367^th	1786	23.5%
2008	42.73	1089^th	1789	39.1%
2009	37.85	1242^nd	1847	32.8%
2010	44.46	1149^th	1919	40.1%
2011	30.59	1486^th	1985	25.1%
2012	30.28	1438^th	1984	27.5%
2013	31.46	1445^th	2029	28.8%
2014	52.18	984^th	2064	52.3%
2016	49.38	1053^rd	2087	49.5%
2017	33.92	1399^th	2112	33.8%
2018	31.46	1486^th	2118	29.8%
2019	34.31	1481^st	2182	32.1%
2021	44.39	1204^th	2247	46.4%
2022	31.65	1528^th	2219	31.1%
2023	40.98	1307^th	2240	41.7%
2024	28.97	1650^th	2256	26.9%

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 Pierson Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	220	43	4	111	2	n/a	n/a	0	380
1989	231	43	3	169	2	n/a	n/a	0	448
1990	246	42	1	214	4	n/a	n/a	0	507
1991	265	45	0	248	3	n/a	n/a	0	561
1992	260	30	0	262	2	n/a	n/a	0	554
1993	245	27	0	279	2	n/a	n/a	0	553
1994	231	29	1	290	0	n/a	n/a	0	551
1995	209	28	2	244	0	n/a	n/a	0	483
1996	209	28	2	244	0	n/a	n/a	0	483
1997	195	27	1	249	0	n/a	n/a	0	472
1998	194	25	1	270	1	n/a	n/a	0	491
1999	174	19	1	298	1	n/a	n/a	0	493
2000	157	18	1	288	1	n/a	n/a	0	465
2001	117	20	1	290	1	n/a	n/a	0	429
2002	119	19	1	342	0	n/a	n/a	0	481
2003	119	19	1	342	0	n/a	n/a	0	481
2004	120	14	1	314	0	n/a	n/a	0	449
2005	123	9	1	319	0	n/a	n/a	0	452
2006	130	9	1	322	0	n/a	n/a	0	462
2007	119	9	1	352	0	n/a	n/a	7	488
2008	133	12	0	343	0	n/a	n/a	5	493
2009	137	29	0	400	2	n/a	n/a	8	576
2010	148	23	0	405	2	n/a	n/a	7	585
2011	124	17	0	394	1	0	3	0	539
2012	139	19	0	417	1	0	2	0	578
2013	145	22	0	390	0	0	2	0	559
2014	130	27	0	399	0	0	4	0	560
2015	146	22	0	403	0	0	2	0	573
2016	165	19	1	391	0	0	1	0	577
2017	173	25	2	375	0	0	2	0	577
2018	181	27	2	345	0	0	4	0	559
2019	184	23	2	323	0	0	5	0	537
2020	196	14	1	305	0	0	8	0	524
2021	172	13	0	286	1	0	4	0	476
2022	186	9	0	285	1	0	4	0	485
2023	194	6	0	282	0	0	8	0	490

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 Pierson Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	380	23.0	16.5	53.2
1989	448	28.0	16.0	57.6
1990	507	32.0	15.8	60
1991	561	34.0	16.5	63.6
1992	554	37.0	14.9	60.3
1993	553	36.0	15.4	62.4
1994	551	37.0	14.9	67.3
1995	483	36.0	13.4	68.3
1996	483	36.0	13.4	68.3
1997	472	35.0	13.5	72.7
1998	491	35.0	14.0	75.8
1999	493	37.0	13.3	80.9
2000	465	38.0	12.2	83
2001	429	36.0	11.9	87.4
2002	481	42.0	11.5	86.3
2003	481	42.0	11.5	86.3
2004	449	38.0	11.8	85.7
2005	452	39.0	11.6	83.6
2006	462	43.0	10.7	80.5
2007	488	43.0	11.3	81.1
2008	493	45.5	10.8	80.7
2009	576	55.4	11.5	84.5
2010	585	45.5	12.8	83
2011	539	43.0	12.5	87.6
2012	578	45.0	12.8	87.9
2013	559	44.0	12.7	85.3
2014	560	46.0	12.1	85.4
2015	573	46.0	12.4	85.5
2016	577	50.0	11.5	86.8
2017	577	46.0	12.5	87.7
2018	559	44.0	12.7	86.8
2019	537	36.0	14.9	84.9
2020	524	43.0	12.1	80.3
2021	476	39.0	12.2	72.7
2022	485	36.0	13.4	80.4
2023	490	35.8	13.6	76.7

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 Pierson Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	380	23.0	16.5	53.2
1989	448	28.0	16.0	57.6
1990	507	32.0	15.8	60
1991	561	34.0	16.5	63.6
1992	554	37.0	14.9	60.3
1993	553	36.0	15.4	62.4
1994	551	37.0	14.9	67.3
1995	483	36.0	13.4	68.3
1996	483	36.0	13.4	68.3
1997	472	35.0	13.5	72.7
1998	491	35.0	14.0	75.8
1999	493	37.0	13.3	80.9
2000	465	38.0	12.2	83
2001	429	36.0	11.9	87.4
2002	481	42.0	11.5	86.3
2003	481	42.0	11.5	86.3
2004	449	38.0	11.8	85.7
2005	452	39.0	11.6	83.6
2006	462	43.0	10.7	80.5
2007	488	43.0	11.3	81.1
2008	493	45.5	10.8	80.7
2009	576	55.4	11.5	84.5
2010	585	45.5	12.8	83
2011	539	43.0	12.5	87.6
2012	578	45.0	12.8	87.9
2013	559	44.0	12.7	85.3
2014	560	46.0	12.1	85.4
2015	573	46.0	12.4	85.5
2016	577	50.0	11.5	86.8
2017	577	46.0	12.5	87.7
2018	559	44.0	12.7	86.8
2019	537	36.0	14.9	84.9
2020	524	43.0	12.1	80.3
2021	476	39.0	12.2	72.7
2022	485	36.0	13.4	80.4
2023	490	35.8	13.6	76.7

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 Pierson Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$811 (8.4%)	$8,821 (91.6%)	$9,632
2019	$828 (8.8%)	$8,548 (91.2%)	$9,376
2020	$809 (8.3%)	$8,944 (91.7%)	$9,754
2021	$791 (7.9%)	$9,283 (92.1%)	$10,074
2022	$1,644 (15.0%)	$9,321 (85.0%)	$10,964
2023	$2,296 (18.3%)	$10,276 (81.7%)	$12,571

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Pierson 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 1481^st of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1307^th of 2240 Elementary schools	9.5%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Pierson Elementary School)	50	38	12%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Volusia)	58	51	7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Pierson Elementary School)	62	36	26%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Volusia)	60	54	6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Pierson Elementary School)	32	42	10%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Volusia)	54	53	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Pierson Elementary School)	69	51	18%
4th Grade Mathematics (Volusia)	59	58	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Pierson Elementary School)	33	45	12%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Volusia)	54	54
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Pierson Elementary School)	51	36	15%
5th Grade Mathematics (Volusia)	54	50	4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Pierson Elementary School)	41	56	15%
5th Grade Science (Volusia)	56	61	5%
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	537	490	8.8%
African American	23	6	73.9%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	2	0	100%
Hispanic	323	282	12.7%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	184	194	5.4%
Two or More Races	5	8	60%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	84.9%	76.7%	8.2%

Schools Near Pierson 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 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 Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Pierson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1 W 1st Ave	Pierson	32180	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 749-6704	490	36	13.6	76.7%	194 (39.6%)	6 (1.2%)	282 (57.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.6%)	29	1650^th of 2256 public elementary schools	26.9%		41	1307^th of 2240 public elementary schools	41.7%	343	42.0	45.0	29.0				43.0	49.0	49.0				45.0				$12,571	$2,296	$10,276
Louise S. McInnis Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5175 Us Highway 17	De Leon Springs	32130	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 943-6384	406	29	14.0	68.2%	164 (40.4%)	17 (4.2%)	216 (53.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.2%)	40.4	1339^th of 2256 public elementary schools	40.6%		32.3	1547^th of 2240 public elementary schools	30.9%	208	53.0	36.0	38.0				63.0	41.0	58.0				54.0				$12,555	$1,991	$10,564
Middleton-Burney Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1020 Huntington Rd	Crescent City	32112	Putnam County	Putnam	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 698-1238	1,046	47	22.2	70.3%	286 (27.3%)	108 (10.3%)	611 (58.4%)	5 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (3.4%)	19	1931^st of 2256 public elementary schools	14.4%		19.4	1916^th of 2240 public elementary schools	14.5%	15	31.0	31.0	45.0	46.0			31.0	35.0	39.0	51.0			28.0				$9,972	$2,772	$7,199
Citrus Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	729 Hazen Rd	Deland	32720	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 736-5290	843	56	14.9	58.0%	479 (56.8%)	113 (13.4%)	176 (20.9%)	22 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	52 (6.2%)	52.5	1029^th of 2256 public elementary schools	54.4%		65.1	734^th of 2240 public elementary schools	67.2%	295	54.0	56.0	58.0				50.0	50.0	56.0				60.0				$10,048	$2,010	$8,038
George W. Marks Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1000 N Garfield Ave	Deland	32724	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 822-6630	743	53	14.0	61.0%	406 (54.6%)	39 (5.2%)	260 (35.0%)	9 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (3.9%)	46.4	1190^th of 2256 public elementary schools	47.3%		54.4	984^th of 2240 public elementary schools	56.1%	206	52.0	60.0	46.0				60.0	60.0	36.0				52.0				$11,148	$1,835	$9,311
Spring Creek Charter School	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	44440 Spring Creek Rd	Paisley	32767	Lake County	Lake	Yes	No	No	Yes	(352) 669-3275	630	41	15.3	99.8%	510 (81.0%)	0 (0.0%)	99 (15.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (3.2%)	33.9	1517^th of 2256 public elementary schools	32.8%		35.6	1453^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	35.1%	64	51.0	47.0	24.0	43.0	31.0	42.0	53.0	57.0	38.0	36.0	27.0	65.0	54.0	37.0	85.0	46.0	$10,551	$2,078	$8,473
Woodward Avenue Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1201 S Woodward Ave	Deland	32720	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 943-7910	554	40	13.8	69.7%	262 (47.3%)	136 (24.5%)	128 (23.1%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	24 (4.3%)	44.5	1229^th of 2256 public elementary schools	45.5%		36.7	1424^th of 2240 public elementary schools	36.4%	195	52.0	38.0	48.0				55.0	37.0	61.0				63.0				$11,135	$1,359	$9,776
Edith I. Starke Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	730 S Parsons Ave	Deland	32720	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 943-7950	297	23	13.1	83.2%	72 (24.2%)	110 (37.0%)	100 (33.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	13 (4.4%)	10.7	2135^th of 2256 public elementary schools	5.4%		21.2	1868^th of 2240 public elementary schools	16.6%	267	36.0	28.0	24.0				29.0	30.0	26.0				38.0				$13,267	$2,647	$10,620
Blue Lake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	282 N Blue Lake Ave	Deland	32724	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 822-6760	520	42	12.5	75.2%	196 (37.7%)	86 (16.5%)	215 (41.3%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	20 (3.8%)	28.3	1669^th of 2256 public elementary schools	26.0%		27.5	1668^th of 2240 public elementary schools	25.5%	1	33.0	41.0	42.0				40.0	53.0	44.0				47.0				$11,374	$2,208	$9,166
Champion Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	921 Tournament Dr	Daytona Beach	32124	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 274-6500	584	37	15.7	69.9%	207 (35.4%)	215 (36.8%)	71 (12.2%)	28 (4.8%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	59 (10.1%)	47.6	1154^th of 2256 public elementary schools	48.8%		28.4	1653^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	26.2%	499	47.0	48.0	56.0				63.0	62.0	40.0				51.0				$11,607	$2,149	$9,457

Frequently Asked Questions about Pierson Elementary School

How many students attend Pierson Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 490 students attended Pierson Elementary School.

Is Pierson Elementary School a good school?

Pierson Elementary School ranks 1650^th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Pierson Elementary School attend?

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

High : T. Dewitt Taylor Middle-High School

What is the racial makeup of Pierson Elementary School?

Students at Pierson Elementary School are 58% Hispanic, 40% White, 2% Two or more races, 1% African American.

What district is Pierson Elementary School in?

Volusia

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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.