Below Average
#3515 of 3,777 schools in FL
Pierce Middle School
Middle School · HILLSBOROUGH
5511 N HESPERIDES ST, Tampa, FL 33614
Enrollment
879
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
879
Student-Teacher
21.4:1
Score
4.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Tampa
#151 of 161
public schools
Florida middle schools
#556 of 573
In district
#269 of 286
HILLSBOROUGH
About Pierce Middle School
Pierce Middle School serves 879 students in grades 6-8 in Tampa's Hillsborough County, operating with 41 full-time equivalent teachers for a student-teacher ratio of 21.4:1. This regular public school is working to support student achievement, with room for academic growth as evidenced by its current performance metrics. The school's academic results show 27% of students performing at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 33% reach proficiency in Mathematics.
With a MySchoolScout rating of 2.1 out of 10 and ranking at #3605 among Florida's 3816 schools, Pierce Middle School is focusing on strengthening educational outcomes for its diverse student body. Located at 5511 N Hesperides Street in the 33614 ZIP code area, the school serves a community where the median household income is $50,168 and median home value reaches $259,400. About 24% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 15.3%.
The neighborhood's population of 46,844 reflects the substantial residential community surrounding the school. Pierce Middle School operates within Tampa's large suburban setting, providing educational services to families in this established residential area of Hillsborough County.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Pierce Middle School is 21.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Pierce Middle School — Students at Pierce Middle School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.8%
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: 4.1/10.
How Pierce Middle School Compares
See how Pierce Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 48% (2019) to 35% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 32% (2021).
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. HORIZON CHARTER SCHOOL OF TAMPA (rated 8.4/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is DETENTION CENTER WEST (rated 7.1/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CRESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.5 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 | 6.4 |
| LETO HIGH SCHOOL Tampa | 1.0 mi | 5.4 |
| DETENTION CENTER WEST Tampa | 1.3 mi | 7.1 |
| ST LAWRENCE CATHOLIC SCHOOL Tampa | 1.1 mi | 6.6 |
| LES PETERS ACADEMY Tampa | 1.3 mi | — |
| CRESTWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa | 1.5 mi | 7.0 |
| JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL Tampa | 1.4 mi | 6.4 |
| EGYPT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa | 1.4 mi | 4.9 |
| TAMPA BAY BOULEVARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa | 2.2 mi | 4.8 |
| OAK GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa | 2.2 mi | 5.1 |
| TRINITY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN Tampa | 2.3 mi | 6.6 |
| LEARNING FOR LIFE ACADEMY Tampa | 2.6 mi | — |
| MENDENHALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa | 2.4 mi | 5.6 |
| LAVOY EXCEPTIONAL CENTER Tampa | 2.8 mi | 6.3 |
| ROLAND PARK K-8 MAGNET SCHOOL Tampa | 2.9 mi | 7.0 |
| TAMPA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Tampa | 2.6 mi | 6.2 |
| WEBB MIDDLE SCHOOL Tampa | 2.7 mi | 3.9 |
| HORIZON CHARTER SCHOOL OF TAMPA Tampa | 2.7 mi | 8.4 |
| JEFFERSON HIGH SCHOOL Tampa | 3.0 mi | 4.7 |
| TOWN & COUNTRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa | 2.7 mi | 5.3 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Pierce Middle School has a median household income of $51,143. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $295,700, with a median rent of $1,399/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.5%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| GULF MIDDLE SCHOOL New Port Richey, FL | 4.2 |
| MANN MIDDLE SCHOOL Brandon, FL | 4.2 |
| MEMORIAL MIDDLE Orlando, FL | 4.2 |
| OLSEN MIDDLE SCHOOL Dania Beach, FL | 4.2 |
| SLEEPY HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland, FL | 4.2 |
| BEULAH MIDDLE SCHOOL Pensacola, FL | 4.3 |
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 is ranked #3515 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Pierce Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Pierce Middle School has a composite rating of 4.2 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 Pierce Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pierce Middle School has 36.2% math proficiency and 30.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (1,917/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Tampa). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (813) 872-5344
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HILLSBOROUGH- District Enrollment
- 224,152
- Schools in District
- 305
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,590
- District Rank
- #269 of 286
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 methodologyRelated reading
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