GRADY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL vs TINKER K-8 SCHOOL
GRADY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL has a higher overall rating of 9.6/10 compared to 8.4/10. In math proficiency, TINKER K-8 SCHOOL leads at 79.0%.
GRADY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Tampa, FL
557 students
TINKER K-8 SCHOOL
Tampa, FL
588 students
Ratings Comparison
| Metric | GRADY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | TINKER K-8 SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.6 / 10 | 8.4 / 10 |
| Academic Score | 9.7 | 8.8 |
| Growth Score | 9.7 | 8.0 |
| Diversity Index | — | — |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 18.5% | 29.6% |
| Environment Score | 9.2 | 9.0 |
| State Rank | #22 of 3,778 | #502 of 3,778 |
| State Percentile | 99th | 87th |
Test Scores
| Subject | GRADY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | TINKER K-8 SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|
| Math Proficiency | 77.0% | 79.0% |
| Math (State Avg) | — | — |
| ELA Proficiency | 77.0% | 81.0% |
| ELA (State Avg) | — | — |
School Details
Neighborhood
| Metric | Tampa (33629) | Tampa (33621) |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $158,337 | $117,880 |
| Median Home Value | $764,100 | — |
| Median Rent | $1,758 | $2,657 |
| College Educated (Bachelor's+) | 76.5% | 48.6% |
| Poverty Rate | 3.3% | 0.0% |
| Avg Commute | 22 min | — |
The data story: GRADY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL vs TINKER K-8 SCHOOL
Grady Elementary School and Tinker K-8 School are both strong performers in Tampa, but the numbers reveal a real gap at the top. Grady Elementary School rates 9.3/10 against Tinker K-8 School's 8.9/10 — a 0.4-point difference that translates into a significant state rank separation: Grady Elementary School sits at #30 of 3,777 Florida schools while Tinker K-8 School ranks #121. Both land in the top 4% of the state, but Grady's position in the top 1% reflects a measurably higher ceiling.
The academic score is where the gap is sharpest. Grady Elementary School scores 9.7/10 in academics versus Tinker K-8 School's 8.8/10 — a 0.9-point delta that signals consistently stronger proficiency outcomes across tested grades. Growth scores, by contrast, are nearly identical: Grady Elementary School 9.2/10, Tinker K-8 School 9.1/10. Both schools are accelerating students at roughly the same pace; the proficiency gap reflects where students start and peak, not how well teachers move them forward year over year.
Grady Elementary School enrolls 557 students compared to Tinker K-8 School's 588, and both share an identical student-teacher ratio of 14.3:1 — so class size is a non-factor in this comparison. The more meaningful demographic difference is economic: Grady Elementary School's free and reduced lunch rate is 18%, while Tinker K-8 School serves a higher-need population at 30%. That 12-point gap in FRL rates likely explains part of the academic score difference and reflects genuinely different student bodies, not just school quality.
The structural distinction that may matter most to families is grade span. Grady Elementary School serves PK through 5th grade, meaning families will navigate a middle school transition around age 11. Tinker K-8 School runs PK through 8th grade, keeping students in the same building through middle school. For a family weighing continuity against peak academic performance, this is the central trade-off: Grady delivers higher tested outcomes in the elementary years; Tinker removes a school transition entirely.
Editorial summary generated May 2026 · sonnet
Who each school fits
GRADY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Grady Elementary School fits families who prioritize top-decile academic proficiency and are comfortable managing a middle school transition at 5th grade. With a 9.7/10 academic score and a Florida state rank of #30, it's the right call for parents who want the highest measured outcomes in the elementary years and live within its attendance zone.
TINKER K-8 SCHOOL
Tinker K-8 School suits families who want a single-campus experience from pre-K through 8th grade, avoiding a mid-childhood school change. It's also the stronger fit for families who value a school serving a more economically diverse student body — its 30% FRL rate versus Grady's 18% reflects a broader community mix — without sacrificing strong academic performance.