Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

C. W. Norton Elementary School

Q: Is C. W. Norton Elementary School a good school?

C. W. Norton Elementary School ranks 1314 th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1314^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 41% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

C. W. Norton Elementary School is a mid-sized elementary school in Gainesville, FL, serving 540 students from Pre-K through 5th grade as part of the Alachua school district. While the school was a high performer a decade ago, its state ranking has declined, and it now holds a 2-star rating, placing it in the middle of the pack compared to other schools in the area. This stability can be a reassuring factor for parents, especially when contrasted with nearby schools that show more extreme highs and lows in performance.

A standout strength at Norton is 5th Grade Science, where 68% of students were proficient—11 points above the district average and 8 points above the state average. This is a notable differentiator, even outperforming the nearby Glen Springs Elementary School (64%) in this subject. However, the school faces a significant challenge in math, with proficiency rates declining by grade level: 56% in 3rd grade, 53% in 4th, and just 47% in 5th grade. This 5th-grade math score is 15 points below the state average, creating a clear "math cliff" that parents should be aware of. On a positive note, Norton has a lower chronic absenteeism rate (25.7%) than the district average (31.6%), suggesting strong student engagement and family involvement.

When comparing Norton to other nearby schools, the differences are striking. For example, Norton significantly outperforms Stephen Foster Elementary School (just 1.47 miles away) in nearly every metric, including a 63% vs. 36% proficiency rate in 3rd Grade ELA. Meanwhile, William S. Talbot Elementary School and Boulware Springs Charter are higher-performing options in the district. Norton's per-student spending ($12,392) is moderate, and its favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1 may appeal to parents seeking more individualized attention. Overall, Norton offers a reliable, middle-ground option with a notable science program, but the declining math performance and long-term trend warrant a closer look at the school's instructional strategies.

540

Students ?

13.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

44.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2200 NW 45th Ave
Gainesville, FL 32605

(352) 955-6765

District: Alachua

Students who attend C. W. Norton Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Westwood Middle School
High:	Gainesville High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

43.3%

African American:

25.9%

Hispanic:

18.3%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare C. W. Norton Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 36th percentile in 2023 → 41st in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 41st (2026) from a 36th-percentile low (2023)

Worth a look

!Math scores 12 pts below the Florida average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school57%

District avg56%

Florida avg62%

1,314^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Bottom 41%▼ down 34 pts since 2016

From top 25% (2016) to bottom 41% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

17^th of 28Elementary Schools in the Alachua

50^th of 70Alachua among Florida districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	43.3	1314 of 2240	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	42.4	1290 of 2258	42.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	38.1	1397 of 2256	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2023	36.3	1434 of 2240	36.0%	★★☆☆☆
2022	50.1	1071 of 2219	51.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	42.8	1242 of 2247	44.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	56.6	926 of 2182	57.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	63.3	749 of 2118	64.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	68.8	638 of 2112	69.8%	★★★☆☆
2016	74.2	512 of 2087	75.5%	★★★★☆
2014	56.1	902 of 2064	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2013	59.7	806 of 2029	60.3%	★★★☆☆
2012	49.6	1007 of 1984	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2011	45.7	1154 of 1985	41.9%	★★☆☆☆
2010	57.3	881 of 1919	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2009	66.7	614 of 1847	66.8%	★★★☆☆
2008	67.2	606 of 1789	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2007	70.9	514 of 1786	71.2%	★★★★☆
2006	74.2	430 of 1688	74.5%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Science68%+8 vs state

English Language Arts59%~ state avg

Math52%-12 vs state

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate C. W. Norton Elementary School and help other families decide.

Rate C. W. Norton Elementary School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near C. W. Norton Elementary School

Load more schools when map is moved

Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)			FAST Math (2026)			Statewide Science Science (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Total
C. W. Norton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2200 NW 45th Ave	Gainesville	32605	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6765	540	40	13.5	44.4%	234 (43.3%)	140 (25.9%)	99 (18.3%)	21 (3.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (8.3%)	43.3	1314^th of 2240 public elementary schools	41.3%		42.4	1290^th of 2258 public elementary schools	42.9%	24	63.0	55.0	59.0	56.0	53.0	47.0	68.0
Glen Springs Elementary School	Public	K-5	2826 NW 31st Ave	Gainesville	32605	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6708	429	29	14.7	38.2%	198 (46.2%)	111 (25.9%)	59 (13.8%)	18 (4.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (9.8%)	51.5	1101^st of 2240 public elementary schools	50.8%		56.3	966^th of 2258 public elementary schools	57.2%	135	76.0	61.0	65.0	58.0	56.0	46.0	64.0
Stephen Foster Elementary School	Public, Magnet	K-5	3800 NW 6th St	Gainesville	32609	Alachua County	Alachua	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 955-6706	403	29	13.9	59.1%	90 (22.3%)	187 (46.4%)	67 (16.6%)	24 (6.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	34 (8.4%)	17.1	1995^th of 2240 public elementary schools	10.9%		18.7	1957^th of 2258 public elementary schools	13.3%	38	36.0	46.0	48.0	30.0	49.0	43.0	48.0
William S. Talbot Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5701 NW 43rd St	Gainesville	32653	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	No	(352) 955-6716	573	39	14.8	34.0%	286 (49.9%)	104 (18.2%)	79 (13.8%)	34 (5.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	69 (12.0%)	80.8	369^th of 2240 public elementary schools	83.5%		75.1	513^th of 2258 public elementary schools	77.3%	144	75.0	74.0	74.0	65.0	87.0	77.0	83.0
Littlewood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1262 NW 31st Drive	Gainesville	32605	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6712	714	50	14.2	45.5%	250 (35.0%)	222 (31.1%)	152 (21.3%)	33 (4.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (8.0%)	53.8	1052^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	53.0%		65	756^th of 2258 public elementary schools	66.5%	296	60.0	63.0	63.0	63.0	67.0	61.0	57.0
Carolyn Beatrice Parker Elementary	Public	K-5	1912 NW 5th Ave	Gainesville	32603	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6705	501	36	13.7	37.7%	165 (32.9%)	126 (25.1%)	163 (32.5%)	24 (4.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (4.6%)	27.1	1741^st of 2240 public elementary schools	22.3%		27.6	1708^th of 2258 public elementary schools	24.4%	33	53.0	38.0	55.0	45.0	39.0	50.0	59.0
Alachua Virtual Instruction Program (District Provided)	Public, Virtual	K-5	1108 NW 7th Ave	Gainesville	32601	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	Yes	No	(352) 955-6840	29	0		44.8%	11 (37.9%)	10 (34.5%)	6 (20.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (6.9%)								(n/a)
The One Room School House Project	Public, Charter	K-5	4180 NE 15th St	Gainesville	32609	Alachua County	Alachua	Yes	No	No	Yes	(352) 376-4014	176	11	16.0	71.0%	38 (21.6%)	104 (59.1%)	11 (6.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	22 (12.5%)	63.2	808^th of 2240 public elementary schools	63.9%		41.2	1324^th of 2258 public elementary schools	41.4%	516	83.0	68.0	61.0	83.0	61.0	50.0	61.0
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Elementary School	Public, Magnet	K-5	3500 NE 15th St	Gainesville	32609	Alachua County	Alachua	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 955-6715	312	25	12.4	89.7%	13 (4.2%)	263 (84.3%)	22 (7.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (4.5%)	0.7	2227^th of 2240 public elementary schools	0.6%		2.9	2235^th of 2258 public elementary schools	1.0%	8	18.0	24.0	22.0	11.0	20.0	11.0	14.0
Boulware Springs Charter	Public, Charter	K-5	1303 NE 23rd Ave	Gainesville	32609	Alachua County	Alachua	Yes	No	No	Yes	(352) 244-9732	171	14	12.2	56.7%	37 (21.6%)	102 (59.6%)	19 (11.1%)	2 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (6.4%)	72.2	570^th of 2240 public elementary schools	74.6%		69.8	648^th of 2258 public elementary schools	71.3%	78	84.0	69.0	74.0	68.0	66.0	71.0	68.0

Frequently Asked Questions about C. W. Norton Elementary School

How many students attend C. W. Norton Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 540 students attended C. W. Norton Elementary School.

What district is C. W. Norton Elementary School in?

Alachua

What is the racial makeup of C. W. Norton Elementary School?

Students at C. W. Norton Elementary School are 43% White, 26% African American, 18% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 4% Asian.

Is C. W. Norton Elementary School a good school?

C. W. Norton Elementary School ranks 1314^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of C. W. Norton Elementary School attend?

Students who attend C. W. Norton Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Westwood Middle School
High : Gainesville High School

Rate C. W. Norton Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida Elementary School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Gainesville, FL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for C. W. Norton Elementary School!

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.