To find the elevation of the hot air balloon when it passes over the school, we start from its initial elevation after leaving the ground, which is 1,100 feet. Then, we will account for each change in elevation step by step:
- Initial elevation: 1,100 feet
- It descends 500 feet:
\( 1,100 - 500 = 600 \) feet - It rises 950 feet:
\( 600 + 950 = 1,550 \) feet - It descends 375 feet:
\( 1,550 - 375 = 1,175 \) feet
Therefore, the elevation of the balloon when it passes over the school is 1,175 feet.