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

Buck Lake Elementary School

Q: Is Buck Lake Elementary School a good school?

Buck Lake Elementary School ranks 429 th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

429^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 81% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Buck Lake Elementary School in Tallahassee, FL, is a high-performing public school serving 696 students in grades PK through 5, located in a southeastern area of the city. This school stands out for its exceptional academic consistency, ranking in the 81st percentile statewide—well above the Leon district average of the 44th percentile. Its most remarkable feature is a chronic absenteeism rate of just 9-10%, which is dramatically lower than the district average of 36.8% and far below nearby schools like Apalachee Elementary School (45.9%) and Renaissance Academy (56.3%). This low absenteeism, combined with a low rate of economic disadvantage (only 14.8% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch), points to a highly engaged student body and a strong school culture.

Academically, Buck Lake is a clear leader in its area, particularly in math. In the most recent school year, 81% of 5th graders were proficient in math, outperforming the district (65%) and state (62%) averages, and matching or exceeding nearby high-performers like Roberts Elementary School (83% in 5th grade). While Buck Lake has seen a slight decline from its pre-pandemic peak in the mid-2010s, when it ranked in the top 5% of Florida schools, it remains a 4-star school with consistent, high-quality education. Its success is not driven by high spending—at $11,252 per student, it spends less than many lower-performing schools in the district, such as Frank Hartsfield Elementary School ($14,104).

Compared to its closest competitor, Roberts Elementary (just 4.87 miles away), Buck Lake offers a more stable and engaged student body, with a lower chronic absenteeism rate (9.8% vs. 12.0%) and a lower poverty rate (14.8% vs. 20.45%). However, the starkest contrast is with Renaissance Academy, located only 1.46 miles away, which has an 80.25% poverty rate and ranks in the bottom 14% of the state. This disparity highlights how school performance in Tallahassee is heavily influenced by neighborhood demographics. For parents seeking a consistent, high-achieving school with a supportive environment, Buck Lake remains a top-tier choice in the Leon County system.

696

Students ?

15.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,252

Per pupil spending ?

14.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1600 Pedrick Rd
Tallahassee, FL 32317

(850) 488-6133

District: Leon

Students who attend Buck Lake Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Swift Creek Middle School
High:	Lincoln High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

57.9%

African American:

14.2%

Asian:

10.6%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Buck Lake Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 97th percentile in 2016 → 81st in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (74% vs 62% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 19% of Florida elementary schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Leon

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 16 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school74%

District avg61%

Florida avg62%

429^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Top 19%▼ down 16 pts since 2016

From top 3% (2016) to top 19% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

6^th of 27Elementary Schools in the Leon

39^th of 70Leon 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	77.9	429 of 2240	80.8%	★★★★☆
2025	76.6	483 of 2258	78.6%	★★★★☆
2024	78.5	446 of 2256	80.2%	★★★★☆
2023	86.0	269 of 2240	88.0%	★★★★☆
2022	91.2	145 of 2219	93.5%	★★★★★
2021	88.7	224 of 2247	90.0%	★★★★★
2019	89.3	172 of 2182	92.1%	★★★★★
2018	90.5	142 of 2118	93.3%	★★★★★
2017	93.0	77 of 2112	96.4%	★★★★★
2016	94.5	56 of 2087	97.3%	★★★★★
2014	92.8	78 of 2064	96.2%	★★★★★
2013	90.7	133 of 2029	93.4%	★★★★★
2012	90.4	126 of 1984	93.6%	★★★★★
2011	87.9	159 of 1985	92.0%	★★★★★
2010	88.7	128 of 1919	93.3%	★★★★★
2009	87.8	147 of 1847	92.0%	★★★★★
2008	88.3	137 of 1789	92.3%	★★★★★
2007	89.7	115 of 1786	93.6%	★★★★★
2006	88.2	156 of 1688	90.8%	★★★★★

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Math77%+13 vs state

Science72%+12 vs state

English Language Arts72%+11 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Buck Lake Elementary School

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

What people are saying

by a parent
Sunday, August 28, 2011

We just transferred our kids in, and we love the school so far. The staff are consistently friendly, engaged, and professional; safety is clearly a major focus; the campus feels friendly and cheerful; the school seems to be very organized administratively; and our kids are happy to go there each morning. The school year is new but I know for a fact that the academics are very strong at this school, so we are looking forward to a year of good progress. We couldn't be happier! Close Quote

by a student
Saturday, July 11, 2009

I went to this school from K to 5. It was the most amazing elementary school in the county. After moving to Atlanta, I went looking at various elementary school for younger siblings. I was shocked that not every school had the art and music time that Buck Lake offered. The teachers I had were all so creative with the ways they taught. I was inspired to learn and work hard. Even now, I have my teachers at Buck Lake to thank for my dedication for school. Your first years of school set up how you will view school for the rest of your life and I think Buck Lake's ways of working hit the mark. Other elementary schools I've visited just don't compare. Close Quote

Schools Near Buck Lake Elementary School

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)		EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Geometry (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 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	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Buck Lake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1600 Pedrick Rd	Tallahassee	32317	Leon County	Leon	No	No	No	No	(850) 488-6133	696	46	15.2	14.8%	403 (57.9%)	99 (14.2%)	67 (9.6%)	74 (10.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (7.6%)	77.9	429^th of 2240 public elementary schools	80.8%		76.6	483^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	78.6%	54	77.0	69.0	69.0				76.0	75.0	81.0				72.0				$11,252	$921	$10,331
Renaissance Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	4351 Mahan Dr	Tallahassee	32308	Leon County	Leon	Yes	No	No	Yes	(850) 391-5259	243	16	15.1	80.2%	21 (8.6%)	179 (73.7%)	24 (9.9%)	2 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (7.0%)								(n/a)																	$13,578	$289	$13,289
W T Moore Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1706 Dempsey Mayo Rd	Tallahassee	32308	Leon County	Leon	No	No	No	No	(850) 877-6158	519	36	14.4	39.9%	173 (33.3%)	234 (45.1%)	50 (9.6%)	16 (3.1%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.4%)	43 (8.3%)	51.1	1111^th of 2240 public elementary schools	50.4%		56.8	954^th of 2258 public elementary schools	57.8%	157	62.0	60.0	69.0				64.0	71.0	48.0				51.0				$10,951	$845	$10,106
Apalachee Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	650 Trojan Trl	Tallahassee	32311	Leon County	Leon	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 488-7110	482	29	16.6	65.1%	24 (5.0%)	334 (69.3%)	65 (13.5%)	13 (2.7%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (8.9%)	22.9	1849^th of 2240 public elementary schools	17.5%		25.5	1772^nd of 2258 public elementary schools	21.5%	77	41.0	43.0	39.0				59.0	53.0	55.0				36.0				$13,420	$2,837	$10,584
Leon County Virtual Instruction Program	Public, Virtual	K-8	283 Trojan Trl	Tallahassee	32311	Leon County	Leon	No	No	Yes	No	(850) 487-7100	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Chaires Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4774 Chaires Cross Rd	Tallahassee	32317	Leon County	Leon	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 488-5977	466	32	14.5	43.8%	240 (51.5%)	158 (33.9%)	31 (6.7%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	34 (7.3%)	63.4	798^th of 2240 public elementary schools	64.4%		62.6	809^th of 2258 public elementary schools	64.2%	11	66.0	51.0	73.0				74.0	66.0	81.0				63.0				$13,034	$1,291	$11,742
J Michael Conley Elementary School At Southwood	Public	PK, KG-5	2400 Orange Ave E	Tallahassee	32311	Leon County	Leon	No	No	No	No	(850) 414-5610	693	52	13.3	38.4%	134 (19.3%)	344 (49.6%)	78 (11.3%)	88 (12.7%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	46 (6.6%)	22	1877^th of 2240 public elementary schools	16.2%		31.4	1605^th of 2258 public elementary schools	28.9%	272	50.0	54.0	52.0				41.0	43.0	43.0				36.0				$11,776	$1,026	$10,750
Roberts Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5777 Pimlico Dr	Tallahassee	32309	Leon County	Leon	No	No	No	No	(850) 488-0923	807	56	14.4	20.4%	552 (68.4%)	107 (13.3%)	99 (12.3%)	6 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (5.3%)	81.5	349^th of 2240 public elementary schools	84.4%		83.1	330^th of 2258 public elementary schools	85.4%	19	77.0	72.0	71.0				77.0	83.0	83.0				71.0				$12,304	$1,035	$11,269
Frank Hartsfield Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1414 Chowkeebin Nene	Tallahassee	32301	Leon County	Leon	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 488-7322	353	28	12.6	67.7%	29 (8.2%)	274 (77.6%)	24 (6.8%)	7 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.8%)	16 (4.5%)	28.6	1701^st of 2240 public elementary schools	24.1%		15.5	2025^th of 2258 public elementary schools	10.3%	324	64.0	33.0	37.0				67.0	51.0	47.0				37.0				$14,104	$2,648	$11,455
The School Of Arts And Sciences On Thomasville	Public, Charter	K-8	3208 Thomasville Rd	Tallahassee	32308	Leon County	Leon	Yes	No	No	No	(850) 386-6566	461	43	10.7	9.8%	300 (65.1%)	62 (13.4%)	55 (11.9%)	11 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (7.2%)	74.3	520^th of 2240 public elementary schools	76.8%		61.4	847^th of 2258 public elementary schools	62.5%	327	75.0	66.0	78.0	70.0	82.0	73.0	71.0	68.0	82.0	69.0	57.0	63.0	86.0	77.0	97.0	100.0	$9,278	$246	$9,033

Frequently Asked Questions about Buck Lake Elementary School

How many students attend Buck Lake Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 696 students attended Buck Lake Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Buck Lake Elementary School?

Students at Buck Lake Elementary School are 58% White, 14% African American, 11% Asian, 10% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races.

What district is Buck Lake Elementary School in?

Leon

What schools do graduates of Buck Lake Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Buck Lake Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Swift Creek Middle School
High : Lincoln High School

Is Buck Lake Elementary School a good school?

Buck Lake Elementary School ranks 429^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate Buck Lake Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida Elementary School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Tallahassee, FL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Buck Lake Elementary School!

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.