Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Expressions Learning Arts Academy

Q: Is Expressions Learning Arts Academy a good school?

Expressions Learning Arts Academy ranks 769 th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades K-5

769^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 66% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Expressions Learning Arts Academy is a small, public elementary charter school in Gainesville, FL, serving 84 students in grades K-5 within the Alachua district. Historically a top performer, this school has consistently ranked in the top 10-15% of Florida elementary schools for nearly a decade, with a standout 99th percentile ranking in 2021-2022. Its most notable feature is an exceptionally low student-to-teacher ratio of 8.7:1, which is nearly half that of nearby schools like Idylwild Elementary School (15.6:1) and W. A. Metcalfe Elementary School (14.5:1). This small class size allows for highly personalized instruction, a key factor in its past academic success.

However, the most recent data for the 2025-2026 school year reveals a concerning drop in state ranking, falling from the 91st percentile to the 66th percentile. This decline is primarily driven by a dramatic 47-point drop in 5th-grade Science proficiency, which went from 80% to just 33%. While 3rd and 5th-grade Math and English Language Arts scores remain strong (67-80% proficient), this single metric is a significant red flag that warrants attention. The school also stands out for its low chronic absenteeism rate of 15.2%, which is less than half the district average of 31.6% and far better than nearby Idylwild Elementary (45.9%) and Lake Forest Elementary (46.4%).

Despite its high performance, Expressions spends less per student ($10,656) than lower-performing peers like Lake Forest Elementary ($18,656), suggesting strong operational efficiency. Located just 0.63 miles from Idylwild Elementary, the contrast is stark: Expressions serves a lower-poverty population (38.1% free/reduced lunch) with a focused, small-school culture, while Idylwild serves a higher-poverty population (69%) with larger classes and higher absenteeism. This proximity highlights how school choice and charter status can create dramatically different educational environments. For parents, Expressions offers a historically strong academic foundation with personalized attention, but the recent Science score decline is a critical area to investigate before enrolling.

Students ?

8.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

38.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5408 SW 13th St
Gainesville, FL 32608

(352) 373-5223

District: Alachua

Racial breakdown:

White:

54.8%

Asian:

14.3%

Hispanic:

13.1%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Expressions Learning Arts Academy to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 96th percentile in 2016 → 66th in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the Florida median (66th percentile)

✓Small classes — about 9 students per teacher

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 30 percentile points since 2016

!Science scores 27 pts below the Florida average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school67%

District avg55%

Florida avg62%

769^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Top 34%▼ down 30 pts since 2016

From top 4% (2016) to top 34% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

11^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	64.5	769 of 2240	65.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	89.0	196 of 2258	91.3%	★★★★★
2024	82.7	346 of 2256	84.7%	★★★★☆
2023	89.2	188 of 2240	91.6%	★★★★★
2022	95.9	32 of 2219	98.6%	★★★★★
2021	86.8	270 of 2247	88.0%	★★★★☆
2019	96.7	15 of 2182	99.3%	★★★★★
2018	90.5	138 of 2118	93.5%	★★★★★
2017	79.9	378 of 2112	82.1%	★★★★☆
2016	93.1	89 of 2087	95.7%	★★★★★
2014	82.7	320 of 2064	84.5%	★★★★☆
2013	79.6	358 of 2029	82.4%	★★★★☆
2012	92.1	96 of 1984	95.2%	★★★★★
2011	84.8	231 of 1985	88.4%	★★★★☆
2010	94.4	27 of 1919	98.6%	★★★★★
2009	91.2	78 of 1847	95.8%	★★★★★
2008	90.1	105 of 1789	94.1%	★★★★★
2007	92.4	57 of 1786	96.8%	★★★★★
2006	64.5	611 of 1688	63.8%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Math78%+14 vs state

English Language Arts71%+10 vs state

Science33%-27 vs state

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate Expressions Learning Arts Academy and help other families decide.

Rate Expressions Learning Arts Academy

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near Expressions Learning Arts Academy

Load more schools when map is moved

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
Expressions Learning Arts Academy	Public, Charter	K-5	5408 SW 13th St	Gainesville	32608	Alachua County	Alachua	Yes	No	No	No	(352) 373-5223	84	10	8.7	38.1%	46 (54.8%)	8 (9.5%)	11 (13.1%)	12 (14.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.2%)	6 (7.1%)	64.5	769^th of 2240 public elementary schools	65.7%		89	196^th of 2258 public elementary schools	91.3%	573	67.0		75.0	80.0		75.0	33.0
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
Caring & Sharing Learning School	Public, Charter	PK, KG-5	1951 SE 4th St	Gainesville	32641	Alachua County	Alachua	Yes	No	No	Yes	(352) 372-1004	369	18	20.5	65.9%	1 (0.3%)	342 (92.7%)	10 (2.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (4.1%)	68.4	667^th of 2240 public elementary schools	70.2%		70.7	619^th of 2258 public elementary schools	72.6%	48	57.0	64.0	75.0	72.0	62.0	83.0	73.0
Joseph Williams Elementary School	Public, Magnet	K-5	1245 SE 7th Ave	Gainesville	32641	Alachua County	Alachua	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 955-6719	398	27	14.7	82.2%	20 (5.0%)	328 (82.4%)	12 (3.0%)	5 (1.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (8.0%)	3.8	2209^th of 2240 public elementary schools	1.4%		4.9	2220^th of 2258 public elementary schools	1.7%	11	13.0	25.0	35.0	10.0	16.0	32.0	38.0
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)
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
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
W. A. Metcalfe Elementary School	Public	K-5	1250 NE 18th Ave	Gainesville	32609	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6713	463	32	14.3	86.6%	24 (5.2%)	371 (80.1%)	34 (7.3%)	5 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (6.3%)	4.9	2200^th of 2240 public elementary schools	1.8%		7.5	2189^th of 2258 public elementary schools	3.1%	11	40.0	33.0	35.0	26.0	28.0	27.0	17.0
Lake Forest Elementary School	Public	K-5	4401 SE 4th Ave	Gainesville	32641	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6710	268	19	14.1	84.7%	22 (8.2%)	209 (78.0%)	23 (8.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.7%)	1 (0.4%)	11 (4.1%)	2.1	2221^st of 2240 public elementary schools	0.8%		11.5	2112^th of 2258 public elementary schools	6.5%	109	24.0	26.0	20.0	31.0	23.0	23.0	27.0

Frequently Asked Questions about Expressions Learning Arts Academy

What district is Expressions Learning Arts Academy in?

Alachua

What is the racial makeup of Expressions Learning Arts Academy?

Students at Expressions Learning Arts Academy are 55% White, 14% Asian, 13% Hispanic, 10% African American, 7% Two or more races, 1% Pacific Islander.

Is Expressions Learning Arts Academy a good school?

Expressions Learning Arts Academy ranks 769^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Expressions Learning Arts Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 84 students attended Expressions Learning Arts Academy.

Rate Expressions Learning Arts Academy!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida Elementary School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Gainesville, FL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Expressions Learning Arts Academy!

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.