USF/PATEL PARTNERSHIP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

USF/PATEL PARTNERSHIP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL is a Title I public elementary school that is part of the HILLSBOROUGH school district, located in TAMPA, FL with about 148 students offering grade levels from Kindergarten to 5th Grade. A Title I school provides supplemental financial assistance to school districts for children from low-income families. Its purpose is to provide all children significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education. With about 15 teachers, USF/PATEL PARTNERSHIP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL has a student/teacher ratio of about 9:1. The national average for public schools is about 15:1. A lower student/teacher ratio is a key factor that determines how much a teacher can devote his/her time to each individual student thus improving, or reducing (in the event of a higher student/teacher ratio) the attention each student is given for their educational needs.

The USF/PATEL PARTNERSHIP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, located on the University of South Florida campus in Tampa, is a unique collaborative laboratory school established through a partnership between the Hillsborough County Public Schools and the USF College of Education. Because of its institutional ties, the school serves as a site for innovative educational research, teacher training, and the implementation of cutting-edge pedagogical strategies. Its curriculum is heavily influenced by the principles of the Patel College of Global Sustainability, often emphasizing themes of environmental stewardship, global citizenship, and sustainability-focused project-based learning.

Beyond its academic mission, the school functions as a professional development hub where pre-service teachers gain hands-on experience in a real-world classroom environment under the guidance of expert faculty. The school’s proximity to the university allows it to leverage resources and expertise from the higher education community, fostering a learning environment that encourages critical thinking and interdisciplinary problem-solving. It remains a notable example of a P-20 partnership, designed to bridge the gap between educational theory and classroom practice while serving the local Tampa community.

For more information, contact USF/PATEL PARTNERSHIP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL at (813) 983-3966 or visit the school personally to speak with a faculty or administrative member about any specific questions you may have.