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Florine J Abel Elementary School

Q: Is Florine J Abel Elementary School a good school?

Florine J Abel Elementary School ranks 1114 th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1114^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 50% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Florine J Abel Elementary School is a PK-5 public school in Sarasota, FL, serving 485 students as part of the Manatee County School District, where 73.6% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This school stands out for its exceptional math performance, with 4th graders achieving 82% proficiency and 5th graders reaching 76% proficiency in 2025-2026—well above both the district and state averages, and even surpassing nearby high-performing schools like Bay Haven School Of Basics Plus (88% in 4th grade math) and William Monroe Rowlett Academy For Arts And Communication (66% in 5th grade math). However, English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency lags significantly, with 4th graders at just 51% proficient compared to the state average of 60%, creating a 31-point gap between math and reading skills that is the largest among nearby schools.

Chronic absenteeism is a major challenge, with 33.9% of students missing too many days in 2023-2024—more than double the rate at Rowlett Academy (15.0%) and triple that at Bay Haven (9.7%). This likely contributes to the ELA struggles, as consistent daily practice is crucial for literacy development. The school invests heavily in addressing these issues, spending $14,983 per student—significantly more than peers like Manatee Charter School ($9,323) and Bayshore Elementary School ($13,059)—which supports a low student-teacher ratio of 14.2, better than many nearby schools.

Despite these challenges, Florine J Abel has shown a remarkable turnaround over the past decade, climbing from the bottom 16th percentile in 2017-2018 to the 50th percentile (3 stars) by 2025-2026. When compared to schools with similar levels of economic disadvantage, such as Oneco Elementary School (73.6% free lunch) and Blanche H. Daughtrey Elementary (66.5%), Florine J Abel outperforms them in math by a wide margin (79% average in 4th/5th grade vs. 44.5% at Oneco and 50% at Daughtrey), but its ELA scores remain middling. This suggests the school has found a successful formula for math instruction in a high-needs environment, but still needs to develop a similar approach for literacy.

485

Students ?

14.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$14,983

Per pupil spending ?

73.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

7100 Madonna Pl
Sarasota, FL 34243

(941) 751-7040

District: Manatee

Students who attend Florine J Abel Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Electa Lee Magnet Middle School
High:	Southeast High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

52.6%

White:

21.6%

African American:

19.0%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Florine J Abel Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 29th percentile in 2016 → 50th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 21 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Florida median (50th percentile)

Worth a look

!English Language Arts scores 10 pts below the Florida average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school62%

District avg60%

Florida avg62%

1,114^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Top 50%▲ up 22 pts since 2016

From bottom 29% (2016) to top 50% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

18^th of 41Elementary Schools in the Manatee

40^th of 70Manatee 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	51.0	1114 of 2240	50.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	51.2	1086 of 2258	51.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	57.1	921 of 2256	59.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	42.8	1261 of 2240	43.7%	★★☆☆☆
2022	34.7	1452 of 2219	34.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	42.7	1244 of 2247	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	30.3	1586 of 2182	27.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	20.8	1770 of 2118	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	24.3	1656 of 2112	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	30.6	1492 of 2087	28.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	38.0	1304 of 2064	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2013	24.9	1618 of 2029	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	26.0	1537 of 1984	22.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	33.3	1402 of 1985	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	21.6	1596 of 1919	16.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	26.7	1455 of 1847	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	44.8	1049 of 1789	41.4%	★★☆☆☆
2007	53.5	883 of 1786	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2006	47.8	900 of 1688	46.7%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Math75%+12 vs state

Science60%~ state avg

English Language Arts50%-10 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, August 16, 2019

Parent
Overall experience
We can't imagine better elementary school for kids - very kind teachers, great support for ESOL, nice family activities through whole year. Our kids (VPK, and 1-2 grade) made a huge progress in academics and English! Thank you Abel! and especially for mr.Horner, ms.Haslem, ms.Brown and ms. Claim. Close Quote

by a parent
Saturday, August 8, 2009

Abel elementary provides time for students to work. I should know, I went there from kindergarten to 5th grade. That school makes you believe in yourself. All my old teachers were very excellent and taught me well. Now I have a great education. Thank you Abel. Close Quote

Schools Near Florine J Abel Elementary School

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)		EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Biology 1 (2026)	EOC Civics (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 English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Florine J Abel Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7100 Madonna Pl	Sarasota	34243	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 751-7040	485	34	14.2	73.6%	105 (21.6%)	92 (19.0%)	255 (52.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (6.8%)	51	1114^th of 2240 public elementary schools	50.3%		51.2	1086^th of 2258 public elementary schools	51.9%	28	46.0	51.0	56.0				65.0	82.0	76.0	100.0			60.0					$14,983	$2,077	$12,907
School Ofacademic & Behavioral Learning Exc (Sable) Grade Cod	Public	PK, KG-8	6423 9th St E	Bradenton	34203	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 209-6579	15	4	3.7	80.0%	7 (46.7%)	3 (20.0%)	3 (20.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (13.3%)								(n/a)																		$54,309	$5,716	$48,593
Visible Men Academy	Public, Charter	K-5	921 63rd Ave E	Bradenton	34203	Manatee County	Manatee	Yes	No	No	Yes	(941) 758-7588	49	6	8.1	65.3%	11 (22.4%)	14 (28.6%)	23 (46.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.0%)								(n/a)	30.0						30.0											$50,055	$1,157	$48,898
Blanche H. Daughtrey Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	515 63rd Ave E	Bradenton	34203	Manatee County	Manatee	No	Yes	No	Yes	(941) 751-7023	719	48	14.9	66.5%	47 (6.5%)	67 (9.3%)	594 (82.6%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (1.4%)	16.5	2009^th of 2240 public elementary schools	10.3%		11.4	2115^th of 2258 public elementary schools	6.3%	106	22.0	24.0	37.0				54.0	47.0	53.0				48.0					$12,945	$1,441	$11,504
Marjorie G. Kinnan Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3415 Tallevast Rd	Sarasota	34243	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 358-2888	522	35	14.9	68.0%	132 (25.3%)	58 (11.1%)	281 (53.8%)	20 (3.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (5.7%)	57.9	935^th of 2240 public elementary schools	58.3%		50.9	1093^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	51.6%	158	58.0	47.0	72.0				69.0	66.0	64.0	100.0			69.0					$14,629	$1,535	$13,095
Oneco Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5214 22nd Street Ct E	Bradenton	34203	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 751-7018	576	40	14.4	73.6%	108 (18.8%)	128 (22.2%)	310 (53.8%)	5 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (4.3%)	17.1	1996^th of 2240 public elementary schools	10.9%		20.4	1897^th of 2258 public elementary schools	16.0%	99	34.0	30.0	47.0				49.0	52.0	37.0	100.0			40.0					$13,495	$1,687	$11,808
Bayshore Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6120 26th St W	Bradenton	34207	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 751-7000	711	46	15.4	72.3%	160 (22.5%)	90 (12.7%)	413 (58.1%)	8 (1.1%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (5.5%)	24.6	1802^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	19.6%		31.5	1603^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	29.0%	199	38.0	43.0	54.0				54.0	55.0	51.0				42.0					$13,059	$1,882	$11,178
Manatee Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	4550 30th St E	Bradenton	34203	Manatee County	Manatee	Yes	No	No	Yes	(941) 465-4296	619	38	16.2	51.2%	104 (16.8%)	115 (18.6%)	371 (59.9%)	5 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	23 (3.7%)	24.2	1809^th of 2240 public elementary schools	19.2%		24.5	1793^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	20.6%	16	46.0	43.0	45.0	40.0	45.0	54.0	65.0	47.0	45.0	41.0	33.0	32.0	55.0	28.0	83.0	83.0	77.0	$9,323	$379	$8,944
Bay Haven School Of Basics Plus	Public, Magnet	K-5	2901 W Tamiami Cir	Sarasota	34234	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	Yes	No	No	(941) 359-5800	547	34	16.0	51.9%	240 (43.9%)	114 (20.8%)	133 (24.3%)	7 (1.3%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	51 (9.3%)	83.4	302^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	86.5%		80.3	400^th of 2258 public elementary schools	82.3%	98	70.0	81.0	84.0				64.0	88.0	89.0				88.0					$14,109	$222	$13,887
Dreamers Academy	Public, Charter	K-5	2146 Myrtle St	Sarasota	34234	Sarasota County	Sarasota	Yes	No	No	No	(941) 444-8000	519	36	14.4	69.4%	108 (20.8%)	40 (7.7%)	348 (67.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	21 (4.0%)	40.9	1379^th of 2240 public elementary schools	38.4%		32	1592^nd of 2258 public elementary schools	29.5%	213	63.0	45.0	49.0	36.0			71.0	67.0	56.0	47.0			48.0					$12,156	$655	$11,501

Frequently Asked Questions about Florine J Abel Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Florine J Abel Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Florine J Abel Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Electa Lee Magnet Middle School
High : Southeast High School

Is Florine J Abel Elementary School a good school?

Florine J Abel Elementary School ranks 1114^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Florine J Abel Elementary School in?

Manatee

What is the racial makeup of Florine J Abel Elementary School?

Students at Florine J Abel Elementary School are 53% Hispanic, 22% White, 19% African American, 7% Two or more races.

How many students attend Florine J Abel Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 485 students attended Florine J Abel Elementary School.

Rate Florine J Abel Elementary School!

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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.