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Suncoast School For Innovative Studies

Public, Charter Grades K-5

2222^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 1% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Suncoast School For Innovative Studies is a small K-5 elementary school in Sarasota, FL, serving just 96 students within the highly-rated Sarasota school district, but it faces significant academic and attendance challenges that set it apart from nearby schools.

This school has experienced a dramatic decline in state rankings, dropping to the 1st percentile in the most recent year, placing it in the bottom 1% of Florida elementary schools. Academic proficiency rates are very low, with only 27% of 5th graders proficient in English Language Arts and Math, and just 13% in Science. This is a stark contrast to nearby Southside Elementary School, which achieved 89%, 94%, and 91% proficiency in the same subjects. Even Alta Vista Elementary School, located just 0.43 miles away and serving a similarly high-poverty population, outperformed Suncoast by a wide margin. Chronic absenteeism is a severe issue, with a rate of 41.5% in 2023-2024—more than double the district average and significantly higher than high-performing peers like Bay Haven School Of Basics Plus (9.7%).

Despite these challenges, there is a glimmer of hope: in the 2024-2025 school year, Suncoast's 5th-grade cohort achieved 71% proficiency in ELA and 57% in Science—scores above the district average. This suggests the school is capable of strong outcomes, but the sharp drop the following year indicates severe inconsistency. The school's low student-teacher ratio (13.7) and modest per-student spending ($11,667) have not translated into success, while nearby Gocio Elementary School spends significantly more per student ($19,225) but also struggles. The proximity to Alta Vista, which achieves better results with a similar demographic, suggests that school-specific factors like leadership and culture are critical to improvement.

Students ?

13.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,667

Per pupil spending ?

85.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

845 S School Ave
Sarasota, FL 34237

(941) 952-5277

District: Sarasota

Racial breakdown:

African American:

43.8%

Hispanic:

34.4%

White:

14.6%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Suncoast School For Innovative Studies to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 29th percentile in 2016 → 1st in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (22% vs 61% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (1st percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (42% vs 31% Florida)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school22%

District avg73%

Florida avg61%

2,222^nd of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Bottom 1%▼ down 29 pts since 2016

From bottom 29% (2016) to bottom 1% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

31^st of 31Elementary Schools in the Sarasota

9^th of 70Sarasota 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

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	2.1	2222 of 2240	0.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	29.5	1660 of 2258	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	23.3	1815 of 2256	19.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	14.7	2035 of 2240	9.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	11.6	2068 of 2219	6.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	6.9	2192 of 2247	2.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	23.0	1758 of 2182	19.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	32.7	1455 of 2118	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2017	22.7	1707 of 2112	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	31.3	1472 of 2087	29.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	36.0	1357 of 2064	34.3%	★★☆☆☆
2013	24.8	1621 of 2029	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	38.6	1244 of 1984	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2011	45.0	1162 of 1985	41.5%	★★☆☆☆
2010	32.4	1390 of 1919	27.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	52.7	934 of 1847	49.4%	★★☆☆☆
2008	57.2	802 of 1789	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2007	79.9	312 of 1786	82.5%	★★★★☆
2006	40.9	1026 of 1688	39.2%	★★☆☆☆
2005	39.2	152 of 202	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	28.6	165 of 199	17.1%	★☆☆☆☆

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2019	20.9	892 of 1099	18.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	22.3	827 of 1035	20.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	27.7	754 of 1031	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	36.6	627 of 997	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2014	39.1	616 of 999	38.3%	★★☆☆☆
2013	44.8	553 of 956	42.2%	★★☆☆☆
2012	43.2	527 of 897	41.2%	★★☆☆☆
2011	45.0	541 of 891	39.3%	★★☆☆☆
2010	41.2	547 of 839	34.8%	★★☆☆☆
2009	52.1	409 of 780	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2008	64.3	280 of 740	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2007	62.1	280 of 736	62.0%	★★★☆☆
2006	32.4	478 of 675	29.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	72.1	152 of 602	74.8%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts27%-34 vs state

Math27%-35 vs state

Science13%-47 vs state

2.6

5 ratings · 4 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

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1★3

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What people are saying

by a teacher
Thursday, October 17, 2019

Unprofessionally run by an inept upper administration!!! The “takeover” has resulted in DECEPTIVE hiring practices, massive layoff of teaching staff within the first month of school, students schedules being changed AT LEAST 3 times during the first quarter. All of which have resulted in overcrowded classrooms, students not getting the classes they signed up for, difficulty meeting the needs of students, unnerved and unhappy parents, INABILITY TO MEET STUDENTS’ NEEDS - which they each most certainly deserve!!!!! Now, they are advertising to hire substitute teachers no doubt to replace the 6+ teachers they disposed of......unconscionable!!!!!! Close Quote

by a teacher
Friday, March 1, 2019

School is for students who could not thrive at regular public schools. Lots of behavior issues but no resources for adequate support staff. Building in disrepair with no budget for maintenance. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, May 22, 2012

I completely disagree with the first rater. My kids have been at this school for over 10 years. My oldest has graduated and is doing very well in a high school honors program. My son is thriving at Suncoast as well. They get to know each child at this school. The teachers are very good on average. Technology is increasingly being used in a productive way in the classroom. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, April 27, 2012

Since my 8th grader has been in this school for the 2011-2012 year. He has been getting bullied physical,verbal,and etc.... Once I confronted the principal nothing was done about any of it actually made things worse non of these kids have recieved any punshiment for any of there actions I have found that the students are allowed for a free for all not mentioning the teaching going on is below average I have to also have my son in a stricked tutoring sessions twice a week. there are alot of passing your kid by and don't forget the teachers or staff might seem nice they did to me as well until you question things.

Hope this helps Close Quote

Schools Near Suncoast School For Innovative Studies

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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)		EOC Algebra 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 Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Suncoast School For Innovative Studies	Public, Charter	K-5	845 S School Ave	Sarasota	34237	Sarasota County	Sarasota	Yes	No	No	Yes	(941) 952-5277	96	7	13.7	85.4%	14 (14.6%)	42 (43.8%)	33 (34.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (7.3%)	2.1	2222^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	0.8%		29.5	1660^th of 2258 public elementary schools	26.5%	562			27.0						27.0				13.0				$11,667	$1,293	$10,375
Alta Vista Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1050 S Euclid Ave	Sarasota	34237	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 361-6400	453	33	13.7	84.3%	109 (24.1%)	74 (16.3%)	226 (49.9%)	5 (1.1%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	37 (8.2%)	65.3	746^th of 2240 public elementary schools	66.7%		57.3	941^st of 2258 public elementary schools	58.3%	195	60.0	64.0	53.0				75.0	78.0	76.0				71.0				$21,464	$2,908	$18,556
Southside Elementary School	Public	K-5	1901 Webber St	Sarasota	34239	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	No	No	No	(941) 361-6420	696	46	15.1	22.1%	526 (75.6%)	22 (3.2%)	88 (12.6%)	14 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (6.6%)	96.6	15^th of 2240 public elementary schools	99.3%		95.9	29^th of 2258 public elementary schools	98.7%	14	90.0	87.0	89.0				98.0	95.0	94.0				91.0				$14,291	$220	$14,071
Tuttle Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2863 8th St	Sarasota	34237	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 361-6433	698	51	13.6	79.4%	124 (17.8%)	80 (11.5%)	453 (64.9%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (5.4%)	34.1	1557^th of 2240 public elementary schools	30.5%		34.7	1504^th of 2258 public elementary schools	33.4%	53	50.0	41.0	48.0				61.0	47.0	61.0				60.0				$18,768	$2,803	$15,966
Emma E. Booker Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2350 Dr Martin Luther King Way	Sarasota	34234	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 361-6480	451	32	14.0	86.3%	56 (12.4%)	224 (49.7%)	109 (24.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	61 (13.5%)	44.8	1277^th of 2240 public elementary schools	43.0%		36.7	1457^th of 2258 public elementary schools	35.5%	180	59.0	58.0	59.0				71.0	63.0	45.0				48.0				$22,923	$3,363	$19,560
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
Sarasota Academy Of The Arts	Public, Charter	K-8	582 McIntosh Rd	Sarasota	34232	Sarasota County	Sarasota	Yes	No	No	No	(941) 377-2278	193	17	11.1	55.4%	94 (48.7%)	5 (2.6%)	72 (37.3%)	3 (1.6%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (9.3%)	64.5	770^th of 2240 public elementary schools	65.6%		31.5	1601^st of 2258 public elementary schools	29.1%	831	69.0	79.0	63.0	52.0	39.0	62.0	88.0	89.0	53.0	63.0	56.0	47.0	79.0	38.0	62.0	86.0	$10,470	$200	$10,270
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
Gocio Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3450 Gocio Rd	Sarasota	34235	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 361-6405	654	47	13.9	81.2%	131 (20.0%)	99 (15.1%)	390 (59.6%)	7 (1.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (4.0%)	40.9	1381^st of 2240 public elementary schools	38.3%		23.9	1802^nd of 2258 public elementary schools	20.2%	421	57.0	49.0	58.0				66.0	53.0	57.0				54.0				$19,225	$2,424	$16,801
Phillippi Shores Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	4747 S Tamiami Trl	Sarasota	34231	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	Yes	No	No	(941) 361-6424	696	44	15.8	34.8%	466 (67.0%)	44 (6.3%)	139 (20.0%)	7 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (5.7%)	86.2	228^th of 2240 public elementary schools	89.8%		88	226^th of 2258 public elementary schools	90.0%	2	78.0	71.0	77.0				81.0	83.0	87.0				81.0				$15,150	$255	$14,896

Frequently Asked Questions about Suncoast School For Innovative Studies

How many students attend Suncoast School For Innovative Studies?

In the 2024-25 school year, 96 students attended Suncoast School For Innovative Studies.

What district is Suncoast School For Innovative Studies in?

Sarasota

What is the racial makeup of Suncoast School For Innovative Studies?

Students at Suncoast School For Innovative Studies are 44% African American, 34% Hispanic, 15% White, 7% Two or more races.

Is Suncoast School For Innovative Studies a good school?

Suncoast School For Innovative Studies ranks in the bottom 0.8% of Florida elementary schools.

Rate Suncoast School For Innovative Studies!

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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.