The top-rated elementary schools in Tampa for 2026 are Cannella Elementary School (8.7/10), Broward Elementary School (8.7/10), and Claywell Elementary School (8.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 98 elementary schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Tampa's elementary school landscape spans 98 ranked schools, giving families a wide range of options across the metro. The average composite score sits at 6.9/10, and exactly half of all ranked schools — 49 in total — score 7 or above, signaling a solid mid-to-upper tier across much of the district. At the top, Patricia Sullivan Metropolitan Ministries Partnership School leads with a 9.3/10, followed closely by Grady Elementary at 9.1 and Lanier Elementary at 9.0. The spread between the highest and lowest performers is worth noting as you search — school quality varies meaningfully by neighborhood, so location matters. Use the table below to sort by score, area, or other factors to find the schools that best fit your priorities. Clicking into individual school profiles will give you a fuller picture of what each campus offers.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Florida education department. Rankings are relative to all public elementary schools in Florida. Learn about our methodology.
Hillsborough
606 students · 14.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 5% in Florida
Hillsborough
222 students · 12.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 5% in Florida
Hillsborough
627 students · 13.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 5% in Florida
Hillsborough
499 students · 14.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 7% in Florida
Hillsborough
180 students · 9.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 11% in Florida
Hillsborough
127 students · 21.2:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 11% in Florida · charter
Hillsborough
391 students · 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Kindergarten–8th
Top 11% in Florida · charter
Hillsborough
426 students · 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 12% in Florida
Hillsborough
605 students · 17.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 14% in Florida
Hillsborough
354 students · 12.6:1 student-teacher ratio · grades Pre-K–5th
Top 14% in Florida
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Cannella Elementary School is the top-rated elementary school in Tampa with a composite score of 8.7/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
Tampa has 136 elementary schools, including 17 charter schools. Of these, 126 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
Among 126 Tampa elementary schools with a composite score, the average is 6.2/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Florida).
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Florida, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Florida, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Tampa has 17 charter elementary schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Guide
A comprehensive guide to school choice in Florida. Compare public, private, and charter schools using data on test scores, accountability, cost, and outcomes for the 2026-27 school year.