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Charles E. Bennett Elementary School

Q: Is Charles E. Bennett Elementary School a good school?

Charles E. Bennett Elementary School ranks 1370 th of 2242 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-6

1370^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,242 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 39% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Charles E. Bennett Elementary School in Green Cove Springs, FL, is a PK-6 public school serving 564 students within the Clay County School District, where 77.3% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, reflecting a very high level of economic need. The school has historically struggled academically, ranking in the bottom 20th percentile of Florida elementary schools for several years, but recent data shows a promising upward trend, climbing to the 39th percentile and earning a 2-star rating in 2025-2026, a notable improvement from its previous 1-star status. With a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.8:1 and spending per student ($11,879) slightly above the district average, the school is showing signs of progress despite significant challenges.

The most critical issue facing Charles E. Bennett is an extremely high chronic absenteeism rate of 41.5% in the 2023-2024 school year, which is dramatically higher than every nearby school—ranging from 10.7% at Hickory Creek Elementary School to 25.5% at Shadowlawn Elementary School—and significantly worse than the district average of 26.7% and state average of 31.4%. This persistent absenteeism, which has remained above 36% for four years, directly correlates with the school's historically low test scores and underscores the deep impact of community demographics on school outcomes. The contrast with nearby St. Johns County schools, such as Cunningham Creek Elementary School and Trout Creek Academy, which have poverty rates under 16% and chronic absenteeism under 12%, highlights the socioeconomic divide that shapes these metrics.

Despite these challenges, Charles E. Bennett has a notable bright spot: in the 2025-2026 school year, 71% of 6th graders were proficient in Math, exceeding both the district average (70%) and state average (60%). However, performance is inconsistent, with 5th grade showing persistent weaknesses—only 44% proficient in ELA and 54% in Math, both below district and state averages. The school's spending per student is higher than some high-performing peers like Robert M. Paterson Elementary ($11,318), yet outcomes lag, indicating that funding alone cannot solve the deeper issues tied to absenteeism and economic disadvantage. The recent academic improvement is fragile, and sustained progress will likely depend on tackling the absenteeism crisis head-on.

564

Students ?

12.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,879

Per pupil spending ?

77.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1 S Oakridge Ave
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043

(904) 336-0475

District: Clay

Students who attend Charles E. Bennett Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Green Cove Springs Junior High School
High:	Clay High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

57.8%

Hispanic:

17.4%

African American:

16.1%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Charles E. Bennett Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 22nd percentile in 2016 → 39th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 17 percentile points since 2016

Worth a look

!Near the bottom of Clay's ranking

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school57%

District avg66%

Florida avg62%

1,370^th of 2,242

Florida public elementary schools ?

Bottom 39%▲ up 17 pts since 2016

From bottom 22% (2016) to bottom 39% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

26^th of 29Elementary Schools in the Clay

17^th of 70Clay 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	41.3	1370 of 2242	38.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	32.1	1587 of 2258	29.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	22.9	1826 of 2256	19.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	22.5	1816 of 2240	18.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	33.7	1473 of 2219	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	32.7	1497 of 2247	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
2019	15.8	1938 of 2182	11.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	15.5	1885 of 2118	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	26.7	1583 of 2112	25.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	24.5	1629 of 2087	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	45.2	1131 of 2064	45.2%	★★☆☆☆
2013	50.6	983 of 2029	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2012	58.9	817 of 1984	58.8%	★★★☆☆
2011	49.1	1069 of 1985	46.1%	★★☆☆☆
2010	39.2	1251 of 1919	34.8%	★★☆☆☆
2009	46.5	1057 of 1847	42.8%	★★☆☆☆
2008	52.7	884 of 1789	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2007	54.3	864 of 1786	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2006	58.5	719 of 1688	57.4%	★★★☆☆
2005	38.8	155 of 202	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	34.7	153 of 199	23.1%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Math62%~ state avg

Science54%-6 vs state

English Language Arts53%-8 vs state

3.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, May 15, 2018

This school is always stating my two boys are in trouble and allowing people of color or different races to bully them. My sons were not raised to be racist and yet this school continues to tip toe around the students of different races allowing them to cause problems to the white students. This has got to stop!! My boys are good kids and just because they're white does not make them any less important. That treatment itself is racist. I'll be spreading the word and rating this school everywhere I can
Be warned if your kid is white he/she will be treated unfairly at this school. Close Quote

by a parent
Sunday, August 10, 2014

I have had 2 daughters go through Charles E Bennett and Graduated Clay High. I now have a child who has been here since kindergarten and now in the 6th grade. All the teachers have been great. we all have issues now and then but over all they are great. Mr. Leary was an awesome teacher and glad my son had him last year. I am pushing my son this year and making sure his grade come first. I know that the teachers can only do so much but we as parents do falter in keeping our kids on track with their school/homework putting education first. thanks again to all the teachers and staff at Charles E Bennett Elementary. Close Quote

Schools Near Charles E. Bennett 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)		EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Geometry (2026)	EOC Biology 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 (2025)	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 Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Charles E. Bennett Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1 S Oakridge Ave	Green Cove Springs	32043	Clay County	Clay	No	No	No	No	(904) 336-0475	564	44	12.8	77.3%	326 (57.8%)	91 (16.1%)	98 (17.4%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	43 (7.6%)	41.3	1370^th of 2242 public elementary schools	38.9%		32.1	1587^th of 2258 public elementary schools	29.7%	217	54.0	49.0	44.0	67.0			60.0	65.0	54.0	71.0			54.0						$11,879	$1,443	$10,437
School A	Public	K-6	925 Center Street	Green Cove Springs	32043	Clay County	Clay	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(904) 336-6853	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
School Aa	Public	K-8	925 Center Street	Green Cove Springs	32043	Clay County	Clay	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(904) 336-6825																			(n/a)
Spring Park Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	3530 County Road 315	Green Cove Springs	32043	Clay County	Clay	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(904) 336-6852	698	0		48.7%	389 (55.7%)	98 (14.0%)	135 (19.3%)	19 (2.7%)	6 (0.9%)	3 (0.4%)	48 (6.9%)	66.3	720^th of 2242 public elementary schools	67.9%		72.3	574^th of 2258 public elementary schools	74.6%	146	61.0	69.0	68.0	67.0			73.0	67.0	65.0	72.0			78.0						$10,333	$574	$9,760
Hickory Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	235 Hickory Creek Trl	Saint Johns	32259	St. Johns County	St. Johns	No	No	No	No	(904) 547-7450	669	45	14.8	13.8%	453 (67.7%)	36 (5.4%)	95 (14.2%)	41 (6.1%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (6.1%)	83.9	288^th of 2242 public elementary schools	87.2%		92.3	92^nd of 2258 public elementary schools	95.9%	196	80.0	75.0	76.0				79.0	83.0	85.0				68.0						$10,903	$463	$10,439
Thunderbolt Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	2020 Thunderbolt Rd	Fleming Island	32003	Clay County	Clay	No	No	No	No	(904) 336-3675	756	62	12.2	40.3%	478 (63.2%)	67 (8.9%)	107 (14.2%)	43 (5.7%)	2 (0.3%)	3 (0.4%)	56 (7.4%)	84.1	279^th of 2242 public elementary schools	87.6%		82.9	338^th of 2258 public elementary schools	85.0%	59	81.0	81.0	72.0	87.0			77.0	69.0	83.0	91.0			81.0						$11,502	$949	$10,553
Shadowlawn Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	3400 Falcon Force Run	Green Cove Springs	32043	Clay County	Clay	No	No	No	No	(904) 336-3375	695	55	12.7	59.1%	525 (75.5%)	44 (6.3%)	88 (12.7%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (5.3%)	82.3	329^th of 2242 public elementary schools	85.3%		75.9	499^th of 2258 public elementary schools	77.9%	170	88.0	79.0	65.0				91.0	78.0	76.0				68.0						$11,160	$747	$10,412
Trout Creek Academy	Public	PK, KG-8	855 Timberwolf Trail	Saint Augustine	32092	St. Johns County	St. Johns	No	No	No	(n/a)	(904) 547-4450	1,156	71	16.2	11.9%	755 (65.3%)	47 (4.1%)	193 (16.7%)	78 (6.7%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	79 (6.8%)	83.5	298^th of 2242 public elementary schools	86.7%					(n/a)	80.0	74.0	77.0	82.0	79.0	84.0	81.0	81.0	77.0	82.0	59.0	83.0	73.0	80.0	96.0	100.0		97.0	$8,967	$170	$8,798
Lake Asbury Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	2901 Sandridge Rd	Green Cove Springs	32043	Clay County	Clay	No	No	No	No	(904) 336-1525	935	67	13.9	46.8%	651 (69.6%)	86 (9.2%)	117 (12.5%)	13 (1.4%)	3 (0.3%)	4 (0.4%)	61 (6.5%)	62.1	832^nd of 2242 public elementary schools	62.9%		60.7	861^st of 2258 public elementary schools	61.9%	29	66.0	63.0	68.0				68.0	64.0	59.0				72.0						$10,421	$803	$9,617
Robert M. Paterson Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	5400 Pine Ave	Orange Park	32003	Clay County	Clay	No	No	No	No	(904) 336-2575	665	55	12.1	32.8%	469 (70.5%)	36 (5.4%)	84 (12.6%)	31 (4.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (6.8%)	93.3	65^th of 2242 public elementary schools	97.1%		95.4	39^th of 2258 public elementary schools	98.3%	26	91.0	87.0	83.0	90.0			88.0	91.0	90.0	90.0			84.0						$11,318	$917	$10,401

Frequently Asked Questions about Charles E. Bennett Elementary School

How many students attend Charles E. Bennett Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 564 students attended Charles E. Bennett Elementary School.

Is Charles E. Bennett Elementary School a good school?

Charles E. Bennett Elementary School ranks 1370^th of 2242 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Charles E. Bennett Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Charles E. Bennett Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Green Cove Springs Junior High School
High : Clay High School

What is the racial makeup of Charles E. Bennett Elementary School?

Students at Charles E. Bennett Elementary School are 58% White, 17% Hispanic, 16% African American, 8% Two or more races.

What district is Charles E. Bennett Elementary School in?

Clay

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Latest Florida data All new data »

2024–25 attendance dataAug 18, 2026

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

2024–25 school spending dataMar 20, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

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.