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Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School

Q: Is Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School a good school?

Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School ranks 636 th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

636^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 72% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School in Gainesville, FL, is a well-regarded public school serving 692 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade in the Alachua district, known for its consistent high performance and stability in a relatively affluent area.

Chiles Elementary stands out for its exceptional academic achievement across all grades and subjects, consistently outperforming both district and state averages. For example, its 4th-grade ELA proficiency of 80% surpasses nearby high-performing schools like Hidden Oak Elementary School (72%) and Meadowbrook Elementary School (71%). The school also boasts a remarkably low chronic absenteeism rate of 19.1%, significantly better than the district average of 31.6% and far lower than struggling neighbors like Myra Terwilliger Elementary School (44.3%) and Idylwild Elementary School (45.9%). This low absenteeism reflects strong student engagement and a supportive environment. Additionally, Chiles demonstrates efficient spending at $11,238 per student, achieving top results while nearby lower-performing schools like Myra Terwilliger spend more ($12,777) for far weaker outcomes.

While Chiles has maintained a 4-star rating for nearly a decade, its state ranking has slightly slipped from the 86th percentile in 2022-2023 to the 72nd percentile in 2025-2026, a trend worth monitoring. Its 5th-grade science proficiency of 67% is a standout strength, tied with top performers like Meadowbrook Elementary School (69%) and Hidden Oak Elementary School (71%), indicating a strong STEM focus. Overall, Chiles offers a stable, high-quality education with efficient resource use, making it a top choice among Gainesville elementary schools.

692

Students ?

16.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

34.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2525 School House Rd
Gainesville, FL 32608

(352) 333-2825

District: Alachua

Students who attend Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Kanapaha Middle School
High:	F. W. Buchholz High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

40.5%

African American:

23.4%

Hispanic:

15.5%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 82nd percentile in 2016 → 72nd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (70% vs 62% meeting standards)

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Alachua

✓Above the Florida median (72nd percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 10 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school70%

District avg56%

Florida avg62%

636^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Top 28%▼ down 10 pts since 2016

From top 18% (2016) to top 28% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

7^th 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	69.8	636 of 2240	71.6%	★★★★☆
2025	69.8	647 of 2258	71.3%	★★★★☆
2024	79.6	415 of 2256	81.6%	★★★★☆
2023	84.1	313 of 2240	86.0%	★★★★☆
2022	82.1	367 of 2219	83.5%	★★★★☆
2021	81.6	392 of 2247	82.6%	★★★★☆
2019	75.2	511 of 2182	76.6%	★★★★☆
2018	76.1	469 of 2118	77.9%	★★★★☆
2017	78.0	427 of 2112	79.8%	★★★★☆
2016	80.0	377 of 2087	81.9%	★★★★☆
2014	78.6	392 of 2064	81.0%	★★★★☆
2013	86.2	213 of 2029	89.5%	★★★★☆
2012	73.2	505 of 1984	74.5%	★★★★☆
2011	77.9	390 of 1985	80.4%	★★★★☆
2010	82.0	280 of 1919	85.4%	★★★★☆
2009	70.6	523 of 1847	71.7%	★★★★☆
2008	68.2	584 of 1789	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2007	85.4	206 of 1786	88.5%	★★★★☆
2006	82.1	264 of 1688	84.4%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts72%+12 vs state

Math68%+4 vs state

Science67%+7 vs state

4.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★1

4★0

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2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, February 9, 2015

If your child is gifted, this is a great school. If your child is not, they've not got much for your child. The principal is hostile and seems to have the faculty strongly in her grasp. If you advocate for your child, you will likely be targeted as will your child. I was told that my child did not "fit the mold," although it was already very clear to me that they have a mold there. Close Quote

Schools Near Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School

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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)	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
Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2525 School House Rd	Gainesville	32608	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	No	(352) 333-2825	692	42	16.3	34.7%	280 (40.5%)	162 (23.4%)	107 (15.5%)	94 (13.6%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	47 (6.8%)	69.8	636^th of 2240 public elementary schools	71.6%		69.8	647^th of 2258 public elementary schools	71.3%	11	65.0	80.0	70.0	67.0	73.0	65.0	67.0
Myra Terwilliger Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3999 SW 122nd St	Gainesville	32608	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6717	672	49	13.8	66.7%	133 (19.8%)	301 (44.8%)	156 (23.2%)	18 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	63 (9.4%)	16.8	2001^st of 2240 public elementary schools	10.7%		20.2	1900^th of 2258 public elementary schools	15.9%	101	44.0	49.0	45.0	43.0	41.0	46.0	35.0
Kimball Wiles Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4601 SW 75th St	Gainesville	32608	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6955	741	53	14.1	45.2%	269 (36.3%)	172 (23.2%)	141 (19.0%)	97 (13.1%)	4 (0.5%)	2 (0.3%)	56 (7.6%)	59	906^th of 2240 public elementary schools	59.6%		60.1	883^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	60.9%	23	73.0	63.0	70.0	71.0	55.0	53.0	65.0
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
Healthy Learning Academy Charter School	Public, Charter	K-5	13505 West Newberry Rd	Newberry	32669	Alachua County	Alachua	Yes	No	No	No	(352) 372-2279	107	5	23.4	10.3%	73 (68.2%)	8 (7.5%)	13 (12.1%)	4 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.9%)	8 (7.5%)	77.6	440^th of 2240 public elementary schools	80.4%		67.5	706^th of 2258 public elementary schools	68.7%	266	81.0	83.0	85.0	75.0	78.0	60.0	65.0
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
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
Idylwild Elementary School	Public	K-5	4601 SW 20th Ter	Gainesville	32608	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6709	627	40	15.6	69.2%	73 (11.6%)	342 (54.5%)	132 (21.1%)	26 (4.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	53 (8.5%)	9	2155^th of 2240 public elementary schools	3.8%		12.2	2100^th of 2258 public elementary schools	7.0%	55	44.0	37.0	44.0	38.0	33.0	19.0	24.0
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
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

Frequently Asked Questions about Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School?

Students at Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School are 40% White, 23% African American, 15% Hispanic, 14% Asian, 7% Two or more races.

What schools do graduates of Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Kanapaha Middle School
High : F. W. Buchholz High School

What district is Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School in?

Alachua

How many students attend Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 692 students attended Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School.

Is Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School a good school?

Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School ranks 636^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School!

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Latest Florida data All new data »

2025–26 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataMar 20, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

2024–25 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2025

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.