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Below Average

#3338 of 3,778 schools in FL

Purcell Elementary School

Elementary School · POLK

305 1ST AVE NE, Mulberry, FL 33860

Enrollment

474

Student-Teacher

16.3:1

Score

4.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Florida schools

#3,338 of 3,778

In Mulberry

#4 of 4

public schools

In district

#121 of 155

POLK

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Purcell Elementary School

4.2/10

Elementary School in Mulberry · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Harvest Academy Llc

7.9/10

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

Mulberry Middle School

5.0/10

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

About Purcell Elementary School

Purcell Elementary School is a public elementary school in Mulberry, FL, part of POLK. Purcell Elementary School serves approximately 474 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Purcell Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 out of 10 and ranks #3,338 of 3,778 schools in FL.

Structured state assessment records for Purcell Elementary School show 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares2.0 pts below district
  • This school 4.2 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.2
  • FL avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

49% of students at Purcell Elementary 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 Progress3.5Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.53 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.7Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency32% (2024 FAST)
Reading/ELA Proficiency38.7% (2024 FAST)
Math vs. State Avg-28.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-16.5 pts
Overall Proficiency35% (2024 FAST, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)38% (model expectation from 2024 FAST)
vs. Expected-2.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
Resources & Environment5.3Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,242
Chronic Absenteeism49.4%

Purcell Elementary School — Students at Purcell Elementary School score 35% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 46.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
58.1% (2024 FAST)
ELA Proficiency 41.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.2% (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
58%
ELA
64%
2010
Math
66%
ELA
56%
2011
Math
55%
ELA
45%
2012
Math
54%
ELA
45%
2013
ELA
42%
2014
Math
46%
ELA
34%
2015
Math
50%
ELA
42%
2016
Math
54%
ELA
42%
2017
Math
56%
ELA
45%
2018
Math
40%
ELA
33%
2019
Math
40%
ELA
33%
2020*
Math
41%
ELA
34%
2021*
Math
41%
ELA
34%
2022
Math
43.9%
ELA
38.7%
2024
Math
32%
ELA
38.7%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Purcell Elementary School Compares

See how Purcell Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.2/10
12th percentile in FL
Academic
4.7/10
Below Average
Growth
3.5/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.3/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
29 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
49.4%

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

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. VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 5.4 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), which scores notably higher. Another option is WILLOW OAK SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 3.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HIGHLANDS GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 6.7 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), which scores notably 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 5.0
MULBERRY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mulberry 0.7 mi 7.8
MULBERRY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Mulberry 0.8 mi 5.0
BRILLIANT MINDS EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY Mulberry 3.1 mi 6.5
JAMES W. SIKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 3.4 mi 7.2
WILLOW OAK SCHOOL Mulberry 3.4 mi 8.3
LIMITLESS LEARNING EDU Lakeland 4.1 mi
SCOTT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 4.3 mi 7.0
MEDULLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 4.8 mi 5.8
R. BRUCE WAGNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 5.3 mi 6.9
GEORGE W. JENKINS SENIOR HIGH Lakeland 5.3 mi 5.6
LAKELAND HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland 5.6 mi 6.2
VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 5.4 mi 8.8
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 8.1
CARLTON PALMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 6.9 mi 6.1
PARKWAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lakeland 7.0 mi 7.7
HIGHLAND CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Highland City 7.2 mi 7.8

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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ALACHUA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Alachua, FL 4.2
CHARLES E. BENNETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Green Cove Springs, FL 4.2
CHARLES R DREW K-8 CENTER Miami, FL 4.2
FOSTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa, FL 4.2
KINGSWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Brandon, FL 4.2
LLOYD ESTATES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oakland Park, FL 4.2

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 ranks #3,338 of 3,778 schools in FL.

What is Purcell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Purcell Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.2 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 Purcell Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Purcell Elementary School has 46% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 41% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
55 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
62 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
49.4%

District

POLK
District Enrollment
111,041
Schools in District
167
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,242
District Rank
#121 of 155

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