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Athenian Academy

Public, Charter Grades K-8
1664th
SchoolDigger Rank ?
of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools
Better than 26% of Florida elementary schools
Summary

Athenian Academy is a public charter school in Clearwater, FL, serving 377 students from Kindergarten through 8th grade within the Pinellas County School District.

This school presents a unique "Jekyll and Hyde" performance pattern. In the early elementary grades (3-5), proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math are significantly below district and state averages—for example, 3rd-grade ELA proficiency is 43% compared to the district's 66%. However, the middle school grades (6-8) perform exceptionally well, with 8th-grade ELA proficiency reaching 86% versus the district's 62%. This dramatic improvement suggests that students who remain at the school may experience strong academic growth, or that the upper-grade instruction is particularly effective. A major concern is chronic absenteeism, which sits at 28.7%, a rate that is high and likely contributes to the lower elementary performance. Nearby charter schools like Plato Academy Clearwater (4-star rating) and Academie Da Vinci Charter School (4-star rating) are performing significantly better across all grades, showing that the charter model itself is not the issue.

Athenian Academy's per-student spending of $11,281 is in line with high-performing peers like Curtis Fundamental Elementary ($10,847), suggesting funding alone doesn't explain the performance gap. The school's state ranking has been volatile, dropping to the 26th percentile (1 star) in recent data. While the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch has been decreasing—a positive trend—academic performance has not improved in tandem. The school's small enrollment and the stark contrast between its struggling elementary grades and strong middle school suggest a potential "survivor effect," where the most motivated families remain through the upper grades. For parents, this school requires careful consideration: it offers a strong middle school experience but has significant challenges in the foundational elementary years that need attention.

377
Students ?
13.0
Student/teacher ratio ?
$11,281
Per pupil spending ?
40.6%
Free/discounted lunch ?
 2289 N Hercules Ave
       Clearwater, FL  33763

(727) 298-2718

District: Pinellas

Racial breakdown:

White:
49.3%
Hispanic:
34.5%
African American:
6.9%
more
 See top rated Florida elementary schools

 Compare Athenian Academy to nearby elementary schools!
At a glance
Ranking trend: Declining — 62nd percentile in 2016 → 26th in 2026
Worth a look
!Ranking has slipped — down 36 percentile points since 2016
!Near the bottom of Pinellas's ranking
Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?
This school59%
District avg66%
Florida avg62%
Elementary school
1,664th of 2,240
Florida public elementary schools ?
Bottom 26%▼ down 37 pts since 2016
From top 38% (2016) to bottom 26% (2026)
See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →
SchoolDigger rating ?
Middle school
431st of 1,216
Florida public middle schools ?
Top 35%▼ down 4 pts since 2016
From top 32% (2016) to top 35% (2026)
See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →
SchoolDigger rating ?
83rd of 88Elementary Schools in the Pinellas
15th of 70Pinellas 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)
Elementary school ranking
Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankFlorida percentileRating
202630.01664 of 224025.7%★☆☆☆☆
202533.31549 of 225831.4%★★☆☆☆
202428.01682 of 225625.4%★☆☆☆☆
202339.51349 of 224039.8%★★☆☆☆
202245.81162 of 221947.6%★★☆☆☆
202132.21514 of 224732.6%★★☆☆☆
201922.61770 of 218218.9%★☆☆☆☆
201846.71132 of 211846.6%★★☆☆☆
201740.91260 of 211240.3%★★☆☆☆
201661.9785 of 208762.4%★★★☆☆
201471.0552 of 206473.3%★★★★☆
201363.7707 of 202965.2%★★★☆☆
201266.1669 of 198466.3%★★★☆☆
201151.91000 of 198549.6%★★☆☆☆
201074.5451 of 191976.5%★★★★☆
200940.81181 of 184736.1%★★☆☆☆
200847.8987 of 178944.8%★★☆☆☆
200769.2556 of 178668.9%★★★☆☆
Middle school ranking
Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

YearAvg scoreStatewide rankFlorida percentileRating
202662.3431 of 121664.6%★★★☆☆
202561.2441 of 120563.4%★★★☆☆
202457.9476 of 119660.2%★★★☆☆
202338.8714 of 117739.3%★★☆☆☆
202223.7906 of 114821.1%★☆☆☆☆
202138.3703 of 113638.1%★★☆☆☆
201954.6491 of 109955.3%★★★☆☆
201864.5344 of 103566.8%★★★☆☆
201748.2532 of 103148.4%★★☆☆☆
201665.2317 of 99768.2%★★★☆☆
201460.5380 of 99962.0%★★★☆☆
201359.2387 of 95659.5%★★★☆☆
201267.7288 of 89767.9%★★★☆☆
201148.2509 of 89142.9%★★☆☆☆
201065.9300 of 83964.2%★★★☆☆
By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?
Algebra 190%+27 vs state
Civics83%+6 vs state
English Language Arts58%-3 vs state
Science58%~ state avg
Math54%-7 vs state

3.2
5 ratings · 5 written reviews
52
41
30
20
12
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What people are saying
by a parent
Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Open Quote There a ministration is not good they stand by bad teachers and let all the good teachers go they keep teachers that are verbal verbally abusive to their students and they do not help students that are falling behind or try to help them Close Quote


by a parent
Friday, January 24, 2020

Open Quote Absolutely one of the worst experiences with an elementary School ever. We've had children in there for the past 4 years now and will never return. I stuck around because our children had amazing relationships with some of their teachers and we didn't wanna mess that up. In the past 2 years the amount of teachers that have left is unreal, all with no notice to the children or parents, very unorganized, administration is a joke(can't take them seriously). Some abuse their power and belittle children, so short on staff that they would hire people that not qualified enough for position ect ect ect..... I can keep going put I'd be afraid to run out of room!!! Close Quote


by a citizen
Monday, November 4, 2019

Open Quote As a grandparent I am elated at the atmosphere crested by the staff and faculty. I’m happy my grandson is able to attend Thr Athenian Academy, Close Quote


by a parent
Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Open Quote Our child completed KG with Mrs. Noonan and we couldn’t be happier being part of the Athenian family. Mrs. Hershelman defined AA as the place "where our babies will be loved like they are our own." And, she and her team have held true to this promise. Mrs. Noonan is an exceptional, dedicated teacher! Mrs. Noonan and the administration at Athenian understand that it takes a village to raise wonderful children that turn in to strong, smart, compassionate, successful adults.
In my opinion, the negative reviews are a direct result of Athenian doubling in size. Athenian continues to adjust, recuperate, recalculate however, you define it. Athenian’s cheese was moved in a HUGE way and with great change, comes pain, and ultimately leads to great success!
A word about test scores - Test scores are important but they aren’t everything! There is ample research to support the hypothesis that standardized tests do not measure student success. This school is focused on the students’ individual needs, not just a number dictated by the state. Personally, we chose Athenian because they stressed, so deeply, how our child's education was about the child not a group as a whole. Each child is different, with unique needs. If you want a school that recognizes those differences and will truly love your child - you have come to the right place.
The one thing that the new administration needs to improve on is communication. We always felt well informed by Mrs. Noonan. However, there were many times when we experienced mixed or changing messages outside of the classroom. I know that the administration and the PTSA are actively working on this and I appreciate all their efforts however, it really MUST change this year. Communication and teamwork is paramount! Administration and the PTSA need to work as a team to stay connected to parents and students. We should be over informed of everything/anything having to do with the school. If you want more parent involvement, ask for it, communicate expectations, ask parents what their expectations are of you, and then together let’s stick to that plan! Parents reading this…we need you, admin and PTSA can’t do it alone!
Lastly, Thank you, Athenian family, especially Mrs. Noonan, Ms. Sara, Ms. Jeannie, Ms. Tavoularis, Ms. Masters, Coach Chris, Coach Romaine, Ms. Zoi, Senior Victor, Ms. Natalie, PTSA – You are appreciated! Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Open Quote Be a name, not a number! It's time that this best kept secret got out! Athenian Academy charter school (free) has a lot to be proud of. "A" rated school. AYP. FCAT: 1 of only 9 schools in the district that showed an increase last year in the number of students performing at grade level or above in both math and reading at all grade levels except one. Greek & Spanish taught daily from kindergarten up. Solid school leadership (principal- Kathy Manrique). Governed by local board (no longer Leona group). Caring, communicative teachers. K-8. Sibling priority. Uniforms. Partial busing. A great hybrid between public & private school without the religious curriculum & expensive tuition. So how do I know all of this? My child is a first grader at Athenian Academy. But don't just take my word for it, schedule a tour & come see for yourself. FYI, I'll see you at the PTA meetings, we're busy fundraising for smart boards & we're always looking for involved parents like you! Best of luck with your schooling decision (been there!) Isn't it awesome to have another option besides public or private? Charter schools offer a unique option indeed! Close Quote





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Frequently Asked Questions about Athenian Academy

In the 2024-25 school year, 377 students attended Athenian Academy.

Students at Athenian Academy are 49% White, 34% Hispanic, 7% African American, 6% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

Athenian Academy ranks 1664th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.


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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.





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