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Below Average

#3090 of 3,778 schools in FL

Pierce Middle School

Middle School · HILLSBOROUGH

5511 N HESPERIDES ST, Tampa, FL 33614

Enrollment

879

Student-Teacher

21.4:1

Score

4.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Florida schools

#3,090 of 3,778

In Tampa

#123 of 161

public schools

In district

#210 of 286

HILLSBOROUGH

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Pierce Middle School

4.6/10

Middle School in Tampa · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Alexander Elementary School

8.2/10

0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Leto High School

6.4/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Pierce Middle School

Pierce Middle School is a public middle school in Tampa, FL, part of HILLSBOROUGH. Pierce Middle School serves approximately 879 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 21.4:1 student-teacher ratio. Pierce Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #3,090 of 3,778 schools in FL.

Structured state assessment records for Pierce Middle School show 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.6 pts below district
  • This school 4.6 · Below Average
  • District avg 5.2
  • FL avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Pierce Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

Pierce Middle School runs 21.4:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.

53% of students at Pierce Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.7Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.77 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.5Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32.7% (2024 FAST)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27% (2024 FAST)
Math vs. State Avg-23 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.4 pts
Overall Proficiency30% (2024 FAST, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)42% (model expectation from 2024 FAST)
vs. Expected-12.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile16th
Resources & Environment2.8Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,590
Chronic Absenteeism53%

Pierce Middle School — Students at Pierce Middle School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 40.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
52.5% (2024 FAST)
ELA Proficiency 34.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.8% (2024 FAST)

Based on 33 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
50%
ELA
48%
2010
Math
48%
ELA
46%
2011
Math
40%
ELA
37%
2012
Math
41%
ELA
38%
2013
ELA
36%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
30%
2015
Math
40%
ELA
34%
2016
Math
43%
ELA
35%
2017
Math
44%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
48%
ELA
37%
2019
Math
48%
ELA
37%
2020*
Math
35%
ELA
32%
2021*
Math
35%
ELA
32%
2022
Math
35.3%
ELA
35.1%
2024
Math
32.7%
ELA
27%

* 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: 6.7/10.

How Pierce Middle School Compares

See how Pierce Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.6/10
18th percentile in FL
Academic
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
6.7/10
Average
Environment
2.8/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
41 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
53.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

5511 N HESPERIDES ST, Tampa, FL 33614

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pierce Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ROLAND PARK K-8 MAGNET SCHOOL (rated 9.4/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HORIZON CHARTER SCHOOL OF TAMPA (rated 9.4/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Tampa, see our Tampa schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.7 mi
School Distance Rating
ALEXANDER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa 0.2 mi 8.2
LETO HIGH SCHOOL Tampa 1.0 mi 6.4
DETENTION CENTER WEST Tampa 1.3 mi 5.0
ST LAWRENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tampa 1.1 mi 6.6
LES PETERS ACADEMY Tampa 1.3 mi
CRESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa 1.5 mi 7.3
JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL Tampa 1.4 mi 6.4
EGYPT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa 1.4 mi 6.4
TAMPA BAY BOULEVARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa 2.2 mi 5.2
OAK GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa 2.2 mi 5.2
TRINITY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN Tampa 2.3 mi 7.1
LEARNING FOR LIFE ACADEMY Tampa 2.6 mi
MENDENHALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa 2.4 mi 5.6
LAVOY EXCEPTIONAL CENTER Tampa 2.8 mi 4.2
ROLAND PARK K-8 MAGNET SCHOOL Tampa 2.9 mi 9.4
TAMPA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Tampa 2.6 mi 6.2
WEBB MIDDLE SCHOOL Tampa 2.7 mi 5.1
HORIZON CHARTER SCHOOL OF TAMPA Tampa 2.7 mi 9.4
JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL Tampa 3.0 mi 5.1
TOWN & COUNTRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa 2.7 mi 5.8

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33614 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,143

Median Home Value

$295,700

Median Rent

$1,399/mo

Population

46,218

College Educated

23.1%

Homeownership

42.2%

Avg Commute

26.3 min

Poverty Rate

16.5%

Median Age

40

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CARVER MIDDLE SCHOOL Leesburg, FL 4.6
CHASCO MIDDLE SCHOOL Port Richey, FL 4.6
CRYSTAL RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL Crystal River, FL 4.6
DOWDELL MIDDLE MAGNET SCHOOL Tampa, FL 4.6
HOMESTEAD MIDDLE SCHOOL Homestead, FL 4.6
HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL Kissimmee, FL 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pierce Middle School

What grades does Pierce Middle School serve?

Pierce Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Pierce Middle School?

Pierce Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 879 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pierce Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Pierce Middle School is 21.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pierce Middle School rank in FL?

Pierce Middle School ranks #3,090 of 3,778 schools in FL.

What is Pierce Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Pierce Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Pierce Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Pierce Middle School has 40% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 35% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Pierce Middle School a charter school?

No, Pierce Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pierce Middle School a Title I school?

No, Pierce Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pierce Middle School?

70.8% of students at Pierce Middle 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
55 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
29 Some Transit
Bike Score
74 Very Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
879
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
41
Free/Reduced Lunch
70.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Hillsborough County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
53.0%

District

HILLSBOROUGH
District Enrollment
224,152
Schools in District
305
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,590
District Rank
#210 of 286

How we rate schools

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