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Excellent

#119 of 3,777 schools in FL

Top 3% in state

John M. Sexton Elementary School

Elementary School · PINELLAS

1997 54TH AVE N, St. Petersburg, FL 33714

Enrollment

401

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

8.8

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In St. Petersburg

#5 of 41

public schools

Florida elementary schools

#112 of 2,196

In district

#20 of 148

PINELLAS

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About John M. Sexton Elementary School

John M. Sexton Elementary School is a public elementary school in St. Petersburg, FL, part of the PINELLAS.

The school serves approximately 401 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 12.9:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.8/10, placing it in the 96.9th percentile among FL schools — an above average rating overall. Students demonstrate 52% proficiency in math, 6 points below the state average and 52% in reading/language arts, 2 points below the state average.

The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.7/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $47,221, where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The school is situated in a large city setting.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.19 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics7.0Very Good30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency48%
Reading/ELA Proficiency45%
Math vs. State Avg-12.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-10.2 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected+8.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile57th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,582

John M. Sexton Elementary School — Students at John M. Sexton Elementary School score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 52.0%
School
State
58.1%
ELA Proficiency 52.2%
School
State
54.2%

Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
50%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
48%
ELA
45%
2024
Math
54%
ELA
58.3%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How John M. Sexton Elementary School Compares

See how John M. Sexton Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.8/10
97th percentile in FL
Academic
7.0/10
7.0/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
31 teachers

Location

1997 54TH AVE N, St. Petersburg, FL 33714

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering John M. Sexton Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SAWGRASS LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is NEW HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, NORTH SHORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 2.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in St. Petersburg, see our St. Petersburg schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.4 mi
School Distance Rating
NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL St. Petersburg 0.2 mi 5.8
THE FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL OF TAMPA BAY St. Petersburg 0.4 mi 6.9
THE FRENCH AMERICAN SCHOOL OF TAMPA BAY St. Petersburg 0.4 mi 7.4
MEADOWLAWN MIDDLE SCHOOL St. Petersburg 0.4 mi 5.0
ST PETERSBURG CHRISTIAN SCHOOL St. Petersburg 0.5 mi 7.4
LEALMAN INNOVATION ACADEMY St. Petersburg 0.9 mi 6.4
LYNCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL St. Petersburg 1.1 mi 7.4
SAWGRASS LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL St. Petersburg 1.6 mi 8.2
NEW HEIGHTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL St. Petersburg 1.7 mi 8.2
LEALMAN AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL St. Petersburg 1.7 mi 7.8
SHORECREST PREPARATORY SCHOOL St. Petersburg 1.7 mi 6.4
DOLPHIN STEM ACADEMY St. Petersburg 2.0 mi 5.1
DESTINY ACHIEVEMENT CENTERS St. Petersburg 2.2 mi 5.6
NORTH SHORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL St. Petersburg 2.1 mi 8.2
EXCELLERATED TEACHING ACADEMY St. Petersburg 2.1 mi
ST PAUL CATHOLIC SCHOOL St. Petersburg 2.3 mi 5.5
WOODLAWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL St. Petersburg 2.4 mi 6.7
HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC SCHOOL St. Petersburg 2.2 mi 6.0
ESTHERS SCHOOL INC-PINELLAS Pinellas Park 2.3 mi 5.1
THE CANTERBURY SCHOOL OF FLORIDA St. Petersburg 2.4 mi 7.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33714 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,221

Median Home Value

$177,500

Median Rent

$1,270/mo

Population

20,103

College Educated

20.1%

Homeownership

65.5%

Avg Commute

24.1 min

Poverty Rate

14.7%

Median Age

40.9

Community Profile

The community surrounding John M. Sexton Elementary School has a median household income of $47,221. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,500, with a median rent of $1,270/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.7%. The average commute for residents is 24 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
ALTOONA SCHOOL Altoona, FL 8.8
BAUDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Seminole, FL 8.8
BRADEN RIVER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bradenton, FL 8.8
CITRUS PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa, FL 8.8
CORONADO BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Smyrna Beach, FL 8.8
DAVID FAIRCHILD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miami, FL 8.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about John M. Sexton Elementary School

What grades does John M. Sexton Elementary School serve?

John M. Sexton Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend John M. Sexton Elementary School?

John M. Sexton Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 401 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at John M. Sexton Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at John M. Sexton Elementary School is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does John M. Sexton Elementary School rank in FL?

John M. Sexton Elementary School is ranked #119 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is John M. Sexton Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

John M. Sexton Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.8 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 John M. Sexton Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, John M. Sexton Elementary School has 52.0% math proficiency and 52.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is John M. Sexton Elementary School a charter school?

No, John M. Sexton Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is John M. Sexton Elementary School a Title I school?

No, John M. Sexton Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for John M. Sexton Elementary School?

70.6% of students at John M. Sexton 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
51 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
30 Some Transit
Bike Score
43 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (3,083/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (St. Petersburg). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
401
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
31
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Large City
County
Pinellas County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PINELLAS
District Enrollment
91,021
Schools in District
153
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,514
District Rank
#20 of 148

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.

Read our full methodology

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