Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School in Tampa

Category	Rating	Details
Test Scores	6/10	The Test Score Rating examines how students at this school performed on standardized tests compared with other schools in the state. The Test Rating was created using 2025 Florida Assessment of Student Thinking data from Florida Department of Education, and using 2025 Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking data from Florida Department of Education.
Student Growth	9/10	The Student Progress Rating measures whether students at this school are making academic progress over time based on student growth data provided by the Department of Education. Specifically, this rating looks at how much progress individual students have made on state assessments during the past year or more, how this performance aligns with expected progress based on a student growth model established by the state Department of Education, and how this school's growth data compares to other schools in the state. The Growth Rating was created using 2025 Student growth data from Florida Department of Education.

Posted: August 14, 2025

This is a great middle school! Mr. Kleesattel has done an amazing job since taking over this school as principal. The school has a dedicated staff who truly care about their students. Sergeant Smith is currently rated an "A" school. Congratulations to Mr. Kleesattel, his administration, and awesome staff. I would highly recommend this middle school.

Posted: September 2, 2022

The teaching staff at Sgt. Paul R. Smith Middle School is fantastic. They truly value teamwork and go above and beyond to help each other so they can do what is best for the students. This is a high B school (that barely missed an A rating) and the students, staff and administration are great.

Posted: September 2, 2022

Posted: September 1, 2022

Students in the physical science honors class learn through scientific investigation. 2 labs a week where real scientific procedures are followed.

Posted: September 1, 2022

Let me start by saying that I really never write reviews. However, when I hear on the news that there are so many teacher shortages in schools, I felt compelled to do one for a school that I am so grateful for. I have had 2 boys attend Sgt. Smith for all of their middle school years - including during the beginning of the pandemic. All 3 years for both of my children were fantastic! The teachers and staff are so caring and always welcoming to parents to become actively involved. My boys were involved in extra activities - both academic and for sports as well. Students have strong supports in place. They even have small group time built in for kids during lunches for kids to get extra help from their teachers during different days of the week for about an extra 20 minutes. One of the Math teachers was available 4 days a week for extra help. Thats a game changer for students! I have had nothing but wonderful interactions at Smith for the 5 years my boys were there. My son turned down going to Walker because Smith had so much more to offer. He was able to earn High School credit in 5 classes before leaving 8th grade! My other son had 4 High School classes. Taught by some of the best teachers they have ever had earning Level 5s across the board on FSA tests. Sgt. Smith is a hidden gem in Citrus Park. I am so thankful that my boys went to school there! Thank you teachers, administrators, and staff!! I know teachers never truly get the thanks they deserve, but this is one Mom that truly appreciates all you do!

Posted: September 1, 2022

Sgt. Smith Middle School is planning a visit to their Elementary Feeder Schools ( Citrus Park, Bellamy, Hammond, Westchase and Cannella) on Friday 10/14/22. The school's Jazz Band, Chamber Orchestra, TV Production Crew and 5 6th graders will visit the feeder schools to perform and answer questions about middle school.

Posted: September 1, 2022

So proud of our namesake; students, faculty, and staff strive to emulate core values such as: courage, integrity, commitment, sacrifice, citizenship, and patriotism! Being part of a school named after a Tampa Medal of Honor Recipient is an HONOR!

Posted: September 1, 2022

Posted: August 31, 2022

I have had 3 kids go through Smith Middle School and cant say enough amazing things about the quality of education they received and how helpful all their teachers were! All three of them were enrolled in AVID program and were above and beyond prepared for high school. If you live in the area I wouldnt look for any other school- send them to Smith, you wont be disappointed!

Posted: August 31, 2022

When we moved to Citrus Park we were assigned to Smith. We have had nothing but wonderful interactions with faculty and staff. Smith has many fun programs and has been wonderful for all three of my children. We highly recommend this school.

Posted: August 30, 2022

Caring and nurturing environment. Best kept secret in Hillsborough County. The attention student get is wonderful.

Posted: August 30, 2022

Posted: August 24, 2022

The teachers at this school are very caring. It takes a village to help all the students learn and grow. The entire schools comes together as a team to help the students learn and grow. Hands on Administration. There are many events at the school. There is Spanish heritage night to bring all families together to enjoy and learn new cultures. Family movie night. Their Band and Orchestra that have received Superior and Excellent standings in their music competitions. Different sport events. Teachers and staff help donate funds for students to attend special events "hoops for hears" on campus. Sgt Smith is an Academy of Broadcasting and Health Science. Sgt Smith is a high B graded school. It is a great school to attend.

Posted: August 24, 2022

Caring teachers that go the extra mile for their students.

Posted: August 24, 2022

Posted: June 21, 2021

If u wanna b treated harshly, this is da school to go to. Stay away from this school: it's the worst one in the Citrus Park/Carrollwood/Westchase area! (both academically and socially)

Posted: June 21, 2021

Posted: January 14, 2021

This school is great! Excellent learning environment for students, great staff willing to help the students.

Posted: January 14, 2021

Posted: October 3, 2020

I used to know a girl who was in 6th grade then. She had high self-esteem, but at the second she stepped SSMS, she got bullied and rejected. Friendless and self-esteem dropped both significantly and visibly in less than a year.

Posted: October 3, 2020

The students are disrespectful to other students and staff.

Posted: October 3, 2020

Posted: June 14, 2020

Excellent. The teachers are involved, caring , and always ready to help.

Posted: June 14, 2020

Posted: November 14, 2019

My daughters both have done well at Smith. Unfortunately Administrators arent doing a good job at the present time

Posted: November 14, 2019

Title 1 money is not used in a fair manner

Posted: November 14, 2019

Definitely still have bullying st this school

Posted: June 30, 2019

I have not heard good things from this school

Posted: June 30, 2019

Posted: February 10, 2019

I do not recommend going to this school.

Posted: February 10, 2019

Posted: May 24, 2018

Awful. I would rather homeschool my child, than allow them to return next year.

Posted: May 24, 2018

Homework assignments are not posted to Edsby until graded, agendas are not checked. We were unable to properly monitor our childs assignments until too late.

Posted: May 24, 2018

We were left uniformed of parent teacher conference until day of, assignments were not posted and no attempt to reach out was made until my child was failing semester, after it was to late to get grade up.

Posted: May 24, 2018

Administration at this school is a JOKE. The principal at this school was dismissive to concerns on multiple occasions. When I tried to approach situations with her I was treated like I was in the wrong and bothering her.

Posted: May 24, 2018

On more than one occasion reported bullying was unhandled.

Posted: April 5, 2018

The leadership staff is very effective in demonstrating the way that situation should be handled and how kids should learn.

Posted: April 5, 2018

It's just okay. I wish it was better. It's my first year living in Florida and going to this school is 3 points away from a nightmare! Horrible !! Horrible!! Horrible!!!

Posted: May 19, 2017

This rating is based on staff-not teachers. The School Resource Officer is horrible. They have to stagger release times in order to prevent fights, and instead of focusing on that, she pounds on my window with her greasy hands to tell me that my kids can't get in the car until they get to pick-up point two. I wasn't going to leave the car line, I was blocked in any way, but she is on such a power trip that she feels that makes her more important if she can antagonize parents and students over the very trivial things. She has more important things to worry about at that school, believe me.

Posted: August 25, 2016

the teachers are amazing and it is easy to make friends if you have social problems and it is great school you can learn alot

Posted: July 19, 2015

My daughter had ADHD and has attended SSMS since 6th grade. I don't know why another parent had issues with their child, but the teachers and guidance counselors have always put her ADHD on top of everything else. I always received an annual conference to review her ADHD and assignments. Also, I went to every open house to meet her teachers at the beginning of the year and let them know personally about her and what her needs were/are. They were more than happy to accommodate them and her. My daughter graduated this year, 2015, with high honor roll in almost every report card for the last 3 years. If this school and its' teachers were so bad, trust me, my daughter would not have done so well. It's also up to the parent to teach and pay attention and be a part of their everyday lives, so... IMHO and my experience, the students who don't do well in a good school.. it has a lot to do with the parents' non involvement, sorry parents!

Posted: May 14, 2015

Can not stand this school. Worse school ever! My son has been bullied, and nothing has been done. Also he has adhd, and these people don't know where to start with that! I am taking my son elsewhere to repeat the 7th grade. Yes!!! He failed!!! This school has no clue what they are doing. Worse school ever!! The teachers will call you if your child fats in the classroom. I wish I would have read these reviews before I brought my son here.

Posted: September 9, 2014

My son has been attending Sgt Smith for over a year now. We absolutely love the school and the teachers. I see the teachers giving their all to the students and helping them achieve their best. Sgt. Smith had a wonderful music program with band, orchestra and choral being offered. Their is a medical STEM program and robotics. I recommend Sgt Smith to everyone.

Posted: August 12, 2014

My daughter has attended Smith for 2 years now and is about to enter the 8th grade. I LOVE this school! She went to Cannella Elementary which was also an excellent school (A+ when she attended). She has ADHD and both schools have accommodated her disability. I, as a parent, make no excuses for those parents who think teachers are the first and last educational "teachers". Parents are at least a third responsible for teaching their children - make sure they do their homework, go to bed at an appropriate time, etc. I know parents who let their children go to bed at 11:00pm and after! Crazy! A child needs good sleep to learn! Period! I met with all my daughters' teachers at the Open Houses, made sure they knew she has ADHD and requested she be seated in the front so she had no distractions. They all understood and did the best to accommodate her. Obviously the teachers and I are doing a great job as, in each reporting period, my daughter has received High Honor Roll. Not every child can achieve this but those children I know who have not excelled, go to sleep late, don't do proper homework and just don't care! Don't put down a good school bc not all children learn the same.

Posted: August 11, 2014

I am a very involved parent at the school and am very happy with school and its AMAZING teachers!!!! I have always had a open dialog with the teachers which has made a differnce in my childs education! I am a big beliver in holding your child accountable for his actions! If you don't turn in your homework, you shouldn't get credit! Get involved in your childs future by getting involved in your childs school at Smith and you wont be disappointed!!!

Posted: August 11, 2014

I think Smith is a much better school than the reputation it has been given by some people. I have had children there for the past 5 years and will have one there for several more years. We've seen changes through the 3 different principals, but have always had a positive experience. The kids did well on grades, FCATs and were well prepared for high school, so I find no fault with the teachers that they had. Whenever I had concerns the teachers were always willing to talk over the issues. As for bullying, never have mine experienced any form of bullying, but they have participated in school wide anti-bullying programs. Lastly the music program is without compare in the area. The three directors are passionate about their jobs and the kids. Not only can a child participate in orchestra, band or choir, but also keyboard and guitar, more than any other local middle school program.

Posted: June 21, 2014

I'm not happy with this school at all my son has attended Smith for the past 3 years. The school is in desperate need of qualified teachers to help students with learning disabilities . I have spent the last couple of years fighting with teachers and administration who are never on the same page.. If you have a child with a learning disability Don't go to Smith!!!!!

Posted: May 23, 2014

I attended 6 & 2 months of 7th grade and this school sucks, the campus is nice, the teachers are ok they don't focus so much on the education THERE IS A LOT OF BULLYING I've experienced and when you ask the administrators about it they totally ignore you I hate this school so much I go to Steinbrenner high school this is my freshman year so I recommend taking your kid to Martinez Middle School they're awesome helped me out a lot and everyone there is super nice and so is the staff! But Smith sucks truly

Posted: April 6, 2014

Teachers should teach the kids a lot more then they do at this school and certainly not give the kids the answers to make it easier on them and not helping the kids understand. I would not recommend this school.

Posted: February 26, 2014

I'm not happy with this school at all. They have fought me from day one on getting my child the extra help needed. All of a sudden it's an issue for the teachers when I've been saying it all along. It's a joke really. Not only did the language arts teacher tell me that it's my job to correct grammar but gave me some websites to help. What is she there for then? I'd have better luck sitting my child in front of a computer!

Posted: February 9, 2013

My daughter is in the seventh grade at Sergeant Smith. We have never really had a problem until this year. It seams her Spanish teacher is giving her and a few other students a hard time. I would have never taken this seriously if I hadn't heard this from other students and parents. One bad apple shouldn't spoil the whole reputation of this great school. Something really needs to be done about this teacher......

#	Name	Type	City	State	Distance
1	Westchase	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Tampa	FL	2.6 mi
2	Hyde Park	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Tampa	FL	11.6 mi
3	The Pavillions	Apartment Complex	Tampa	FL	14.6 mi
4	Avelar Creek	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Riverview	FL	23.3 mi
5	Panther Trace	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Riverview	FL	24.3 mi
6	Harbour Isles	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Apollo Beach	FL	24.9 mi
7	FishHawk Ranch	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Lithia	FL	26.5 mi
8	Fish Hawk Ranch	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Lithia	FL	27.1 mi
9	Fishhawk Ranch	Neighborhood/Subdivision	Lithia	FL	27.5 mi

#	Name	City	State	Distance
1	South Tampa	Tampa	FL	10.9 mi
2	South of Gandy (SOG)	Tampa	FL	13.5 mi
3	Fishhawk Ranch /Lithia FL	Lithia	FL	27.1 mi

Base	Distance
Coast Guard Clearwater	13.6 mi.
MacDill AFB	15.9 mi.

Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School

Tampa, FL 33625

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Sergeant Paul R Smith Middle School

Tampa, FL 33625

School Ratings

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