Tatum Ridge Elementary School

Tatum Ridge Elementary School is a high-performing public school in Sarasota, FL, serving 864 students from Pre-K through 5th grade as part of the top-rated Sarasota School District. This school consistently earns top marks, with a 5-star rating for the 2025-2026 school year and a state rank in the top 10% of all Florida elementary schools. Its academic strength is broad and steady, with proficiency rates ranging from 74% in 4th Grade ELA to an impressive 86% in 4th Grade Math. This is a standout achievement compared to nearby schools like Brentwood Elementary School and Fruitville Elementary School, which have lower math scores, and it even outperforms the nearby charter Sarasota Suncoast Academy in nearly every elementary subject.

One of the most interesting findings is how efficiently Tatum Ridge uses its resources. It spends about $14,630 per student, which is moderate, yet it achieves far better results than schools that spend significantly more. For example, Brentwood Elementary School spends $23,848 per student (63% more) but has much lower test scores and higher chronic absenteeism. Similarly, Wilkinson Elementary School spends $23,696 per student but ranks in the bottom 25% of the state. This suggests that Tatum Ridge is highly effective with its funding, or that the challenges faced by higher-spending schools are so great that money alone cannot overcome them.

While Tatum Ridge has historically had very low chronic absenteeism—just 3.4% in 2022-2023—there was a notable spike to 18.2% in 2023-2024. This is a significant jump that parents will want to monitor, though it remains below the district and state averages. For context, nearby schools like Gocio Elementary School and Imagine School At Palmer Ranch have much higher chronic absenteeism rates. Overall, Tatum Ridge is a top-tier choice that delivers excellent and consistent academic results, particularly in math, and represents a strong value within the Sarasota district.