Needs Improvement
#3603 of 3,777 schools in FL
Gulf Highlands Elementary School
Elementary School · PASCO
8019 GULF HIGHLANDS DR, Port Richey, FL 34668
Enrollment
742
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
742
Student-Teacher
16.1:1
Score
3.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Port Richey
#5 of 5
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#2,165 of 2,196
In district
#95 of 97
PASCO
About Gulf Highlands Elementary School
Gulf Highlands Elementary School serves students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Port Richey, a large suburban community in Pasco County. With 742 students and 46 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.1:1, allowing for classroom-level attention as children develop foundational skills. Academically, the school is working toward improvement, with assessment results showing 32% of students performing at or above proficiency in ELA/Reading and 28% in Math across grade levels.
These results indicate areas where Gulf Highlands is focusing efforts on student growth and skill development. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 reflects these emerging academic outcomes, and it ranks in the lower percentile among Florida's schools, highlighting the school's role as part of the broader landscape of elementary education in the state. As a regular public school, Gulf Highlands Elementary offers the stability and accessibility that define traditional neighborhood schools.
Families choosing this school appreciate the suburban setting of Port Richey, where the school is located, and benefit from its established presence in the community.
Score Breakdown
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Gulf Highlands Elementary School — Students at Gulf Highlands Elementary School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
82.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 2.4/10.
How Gulf Highlands Elementary School Compares
See how Gulf Highlands Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 29% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 32% (2021).
Location
8019 GULF HIGHLANDS DR, Port Richey, FL 34668
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gulf Highlands Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LEARNING LODGE ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 1.4 miles away, in nearby New Port Richey), which scores notably higher. Another option is DAYSPRING JAZZ (rated 7.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, BISHOP LARKIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Port Richey, see our Port Richey schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BAYONET POINT MIDDLE SCHOOL New Port Richey | 0.9 mi | 4.4 |
| SCHRADER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Port Richey | 1.0 mi | 5.1 |
| BEACON CHRISTIAN ACADEMY New Port Richey | 1.1 mi | — |
| DAYSPRING JAZZ Port Richey | 1.4 mi | 7.5 |
| LEARNING LODGE ACADEMY New Port Richey | 1.4 mi | 8.0 |
| FOX HOLLOW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Port Richey | 1.6 mi | 4.2 |
| FIVAY HIGH SCHOOL Hudson | 1.5 mi | 4.0 |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS OF PASCO Hudson | 1.6 mi | 6.7 |
| BISHOP LARKIN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Port Richey | 2.0 mi | 6.6 |
| DAYSPRING ACADEMY New Port Richey | 2.1 mi | 7.4 |
| WEST PASCO EDUCATION ACADEMY Hudson | 2.9 mi | 6.6 |
| ESTHERS SCHOOL Hudson | 2.9 mi | 6.9 |
| CHASCO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Port Richey | 3.2 mi | 6.6 |
| CHASCO MIDDLE SCHOOL Port Richey | 3.2 mi | 4.9 |
| BAYCARE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH New Port Richey | 3.5 mi | — |
| CALUSA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Port Richey | 3.7 mi | 6.0 |
| WENDELL KRINN TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL New Port Richey | 3.8 mi | 5.4 |
| MARCHMAN TECHNICAL COLLEGE New Port Richey | 3.8 mi | — |
| HUDSON PRIMARY ACADEMY Hudson | 3.6 mi | 4.9 |
| HUDSON HIGH SCHOOL Hudson | 3.7 mi | 4.7 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 34668 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$45,760
Median Home Value
$168,800
Median Rent
$1,278/mo
Population
48,025
College Educated
12.7%
Homeownership
63.5%
Avg Commute
28.4 min
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Median Age
42.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gulf Highlands Elementary School has a median household income of $45,760. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $168,800, with a median rent of $1,278/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| KISSIMMEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kissimmee, FL | 3.9 |
| STEWART STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Quincy, FL | 3.9 |
| BONITA SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bonita Springs, FL | 4.0 |
| BRIDGEPREP ACADEMY OF ST.CLOUD Miami, FL | 4.0 |
| DUVAL CHARTER SCHOLARS ACADEMY Jacksonville, FL | 3.8 |
| ENSLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pensacola, FL | 3.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gulf Highlands Elementary School
What grades does Gulf Highlands Elementary School serve?
Gulf Highlands Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Gulf Highlands Elementary School?
Gulf Highlands Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 742 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gulf Highlands Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Gulf Highlands Elementary School is 16.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gulf Highlands Elementary School rank in FL?
Gulf Highlands Elementary School is ranked #3603 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Gulf Highlands Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gulf Highlands Elementary School has a composite rating of 3.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Gulf Highlands Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gulf Highlands Elementary School has 28.2% math proficiency and 31.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Gulf Highlands Elementary School a charter school?
No, Gulf Highlands Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gulf Highlands Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Gulf Highlands Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gulf Highlands Elementary School?
82.7% of students at Gulf Highlands Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 742
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 46
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 82.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Pasco County
- Phone
- (727) 774-7700
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PASCO- District Enrollment
- 85,855
- Schools in District
- 106
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,009
- District Rank
- #95 of 97
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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