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William S. Talbot Elementary School

Q: Is William S. Talbot Elementary School a good school?

William S. Talbot Elementary School ranks 369 th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

369^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 84% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

William S. Talbot Elementary School in Gainesville, FL, is a public school serving 573 students from Pre-K through 5th grade, and it stands out as a top-performing school within the Alachua school district.

Talbot Elementary consistently delivers strong academic results across all subjects and grade levels, outperforming both the district and state averages by a wide margin. For example, in the most recent testing year, Talbot exceeded the district average by an average of 20 percentage points in every subject. Its 5th-grade science scores are particularly impressive, with 83% of students proficient compared to just 57% in the district. This balanced excellence is a hallmark of the school, with 4th-grade math proficiency reaching 87%, the highest among nearby schools. The school also has a notably low chronic absenteeism rate of 19.2%, far below the district average of 31.6%, which is a strong indicator of a positive and engaged school culture. When compared to similar schools in the area, Talbot is a clear leader. For instance, it outperforms Meadowbrook Elementary School in every subject and has a higher state ranking than Hidden Oak Elementary School, another well-regarded school with a similar percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch.

Talbot’s consistent high performance over the past decade, including a strong recovery from a slight dip in rankings, points to effective leadership and a school-wide commitment to learning. While nearby schools like Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Elementary School face significant challenges with higher poverty rates and chronic absenteeism, Talbot demonstrates that a stable, well-managed school can achieve excellent outcomes. For families in the Gainesville area, Talbot Elementary represents a high-opportunity choice that maximizes its potential and provides a strong foundation for elementary education.

573

Students ?

14.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

34%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5701 NW 43rd St
Gainesville, FL 32653

(352) 955-6716

District: Alachua

Racial breakdown:

White:

49.9%

African American:

18.2%

Hispanic:

13.8%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare William S. Talbot Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 85th percentile in 2016 → 84th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (77% vs 62% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 16% of Florida elementary schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Alachua

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school77%

District avg56%

Florida avg62%

369^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Top 16%▼ down 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd 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	80.8	369 of 2240	83.5%	★★★★☆
2025	75.1	513 of 2258	77.3%	★★★★☆
2024	73.3	564 of 2256	75.0%	★★★★☆
2023	69.8	630 of 2240	71.9%	★★★★☆
2022	76.6	488 of 2219	78.0%	★★★★☆
2021	69.0	665 of 2247	70.4%	★★★★☆
2019	68.5	661 of 2182	69.7%	★★★☆☆
2018	78.6	420 of 2118	80.2%	★★★★☆
2017	80.7	366 of 2112	82.7%	★★★★☆
2016	83.4	309 of 2087	85.2%	★★★★☆
2014	83.0	314 of 2064	84.8%	★★★★☆
2013	77.8	395 of 2029	80.5%	★★★★☆
2012	92.7	83 of 1984	95.8%	★★★★★
2011	88.3	142 of 1985	92.8%	★★★★★
2010	91.0	82 of 1919	95.7%	★★★★★
2009	91.7	66 of 1847	96.4%	★★★★★
2008	93.4	38 of 1789	97.9%	★★★★★
2007	94.6	24 of 1786	98.7%	★★★★★
2006	95.2	34 of 1688	98.0%	★★★★★

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Science83%+23 vs state

Math76%+12 vs state

English Language Arts74%+14 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★1

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2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, February 13, 2015

We're raising two grandchildren with ongoing behavioral issues since they entered Talbot as Kindergardeners. Despite EXTREME difficulties with them, the administration and teachers have all patiently worked with them through almost four years. Combined with therapy, the kids have improved enormously, both behaviorally and academically.

Teaching these days is a tremendously difficult and stressful occupation (in my opinion, anyway); for these folks to work as hard as they have, and done as much extra as they've done, to me is just amazing and completely unexpected.

I have felt completely supported as a parent and have absolutely nothing but heartfelt praise for this school and its personnel. Even the custodians are invariably friendly and helpful. Close Quote

Schools Near William S. Talbot 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)	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
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
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
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
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
Hidden Oak Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2100 Fort Clarke Blvd	Gainesville	32606	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	No	(352) 333-2801	694	46	15.0	35.0%	309 (44.5%)	144 (20.7%)	127 (18.3%)	65 (9.4%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	47 (6.8%)	73.4	543^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	75.8%		75.4	508^th of 2258 public elementary schools	77.5%	35	78.0	72.0	69.0	66.0	68.0	77.0	71.0
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)
Meadowbrook Elementary School	Public	K-5	11525 NW 39th Ave	Gainesville	32606	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	No	(352) 333-2828	791	53	14.9	33.8%	394 (49.8%)	143 (18.1%)	124 (15.7%)	68 (8.6%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	60 (7.6%)	69.2	649^th of 2240 public elementary schools	71.0%		71.1	607^th of 2258 public elementary schools	73.1%	42	64.0	71.0	68.0	70.0	77.0	65.0	69.0
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

Frequently Asked Questions about William S. Talbot Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of William S. Talbot Elementary School?

Students at William S. Talbot Elementary School are 50% White, 18% African American, 14% Hispanic, 12% Two or more races, 6% Asian.

How many students attend William S. Talbot Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 573 students attended William S. Talbot Elementary School.

What district is William S. Talbot Elementary School in?

Alachua

Is William S. Talbot Elementary School a good school?

William S. Talbot Elementary School ranks 369^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate William S. Talbot 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.