Sealey Elementary School

Sealey Elementary School is a mid-sized school in Tallahassee, FL, serving 369 students in grades PK through 5 within the Leon district, where about half of the students are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Sealey’s biggest academic strength is its 3rd-grade English Language Arts (ELA) performance, with 69% of students proficient—11 points higher than the district average and the highest among nearby traditional public schools like Gilchrist Elementary School and Kate Sullivan Elementary School. However, math scores are a consistent weakness, with 3rd-grade math proficiency at 51%, which is 15 points below both the district and state averages. The school also shows a notable "3rd-grade bump," where 3rd-grade ELA scores are 17 points higher than 4th-grade scores—a gap not seen at nearby schools. On a positive note, 5th-grade science scores have improved significantly, rising from 35% to 50% proficiency over two years.

Sealey stands out for its low student-teacher ratio of 13.6:1 and high per-student spending of $14,258, both of which are better than many peers, including high-performing Gilchrist Elementary School (16.3:1 ratio, $10,961 spending). Despite these resources, the school’s overall academic ranking is in the 43rd percentile, suggesting that investments may be addressing higher student needs rather than boosting scores. Chronic absenteeism is relatively low at 18.9%, far better than the district average of 36.8% and schools like John G Riley Elementary School (60.2%). Sealey serves a diverse community, sitting between struggling and high-performing schools, and offers a balanced option for families seeking smaller classes and strong early literacy support.