Very Good
#1194 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 32% in state
Purcell Elementary School
Elementary School · POLK
305 1ST AVE NE, Mulberry, FL 33860
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
474
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Mulberry
#2 of 4
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#1,029 of 2,196
In district
#46 of 155
POLK
Academic growth
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About Purcell Elementary School
PURCELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is a regular public elementary school in Mulberry, Florida, located in Polk County. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 474 students with a student-teacher ratio of 16.3:1. With 29 full-time equivalent teachers, the school offers personalized attention to each child.
Academically, PURCELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL holds a MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks as the 46th percentile among Florida schools with an academic score of 4.0/10. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate is at 37% for all grades combined, while Math proficiency stands at 35%. These scores indicate that there is room for growth in student performance but also highlight areas where the school can focus on improvement.
The school is situated in a large suburban area of Mulberry, offering students a community setting with access to various amenities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Purcell Elementary School — Students at Purcell Elementary School score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.2%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How Purcell Elementary School Compares
See how Purcell Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 40% (2019) to 41% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 33% (2019) to 34% (2021).
Location
305 1ST AVE NE, Mulberry, FL 33860
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Purcell Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SCOTT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), which scores notably higher. Another option is R. BRUCE WAGNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 5.3 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, JAMES W. SIKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 3.4 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Mulberry, see our Mulberry schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| HARVEST ACADEMY LLC Mulberry | 0.6 mi | 7.9 |
| MULBERRY MIDDLE SCHOOL Mulberry | 0.6 mi | 4.6 |
| MULBERRY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mulberry | 0.7 mi | 7.8 |
| MULBERRY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Mulberry | 0.8 mi | 3.4 |
| BRILLIANT MINDS EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY Mulberry | 3.1 mi | 6.5 |
| JAMES W. SIKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 3.4 mi | 7.9 |
| WILLOW OAK SCHOOL Mulberry | 3.4 mi | 7.6 |
| LIMITLESS LEARNING EDU Lakeland | 4.1 mi | — |
| SCOTT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 4.3 mi | 8.3 |
| MEDULLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 4.8 mi | 5.5 |
| R. BRUCE WAGNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 5.3 mi | 8.0 |
| GEORGE W. JENKINS SENIOR HIGH Lakeland | 5.3 mi | 4.6 |
| LAKELAND HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland | 5.6 mi | 5.8 |
| VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 5.4 mi | 7.4 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakeland | 6.1 mi | 5.6 |
| RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lakeland | 6.7 mi | 7.3 |
| HIGHLANDS GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 6.7 mi | 7.8 |
| CARLTON PALMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 6.9 mi | 5.1 |
| PARKWAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lakeland | 7.0 mi | 7.6 |
| HIGHLAND CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Highland City | 7.2 mi | 7.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33860 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,779
Median Home Value
$221,400
Median Rent
$1,150/mo
Population
25,617
College Educated
14.8%
Homeownership
70%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
16.7%
Median Age
34.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Purcell Elementary School has a median household income of $62,779. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,400, with a median rent of $1,150/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.7%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| ANNABEL C. PERRY PK-8 Miramar, FL | 7.2 |
| ARCHER ELEMENTARY Archer, FL | 7.2 |
| AVALON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Naples, FL | 7.2 |
| AVON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Avon Park, FL | 7.2 |
| BELVEDERE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Palm Beach, FL | 7.2 |
| BLANTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL St. Petersburg, FL | 7.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Purcell Elementary School
What grades does Purcell Elementary School serve?
Purcell Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Purcell Elementary School?
Purcell Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 474 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Purcell Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Purcell Elementary School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Purcell Elementary School rank in FL?
Purcell Elementary School is ranked #1194 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Purcell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Purcell Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.2 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 Purcell Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Purcell Elementary School has 35.4% math proficiency and 36.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Purcell Elementary School a charter school?
No, Purcell Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Purcell Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Purcell Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Purcell Elementary School?
81.2% of students at Purcell 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 474
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 29
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (863) 701-1061
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #46 of 155
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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