Ballard Elementary School

Summary:

Ballard Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Bradenton, Florida, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of around 400. The school is part of the Manatee School District, which is ranked 34 out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Ballard Elementary has consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 21.4% in 2018-2019 to 44.7% in 2021-2022, which is significantly higher than the state and district averages. The school's test scores are also consistently lower than the Manatee district and Florida state averages across all grade levels and subjects, with only 35-47% of Ballard students proficient in English Language Arts and Math, compared to 51-63% for the district and 53-60% for the state. Additionally, Ballard Elementary has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 72.46% to 82.5% over the past few years, indicating a higher concentration of economically disadvantaged students. As a result, Ballard Elementary has consistently ranked in the bottom 20% of Florida elementary schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger for most years.

Compared to nearby schools, such as William Monroe Rowlett Academy for Arts and Communication, which is located just 2.11 miles away and ranked in the top 30% of Florida elementary schools with much higher proficiency rates, Ballard Elementary's performance is significantly lower. This correlation between socioeconomic status and academic performance is well-documented, and the data for Ballard Elementary aligns with this trend. However, the consistently high chronic absenteeism rates at Ballard Elementary may also be a significant factor in the school's low academic performance, and addressing this issue could be a key focus for the school's improvement.


Detail:

Public, Magnet PK, KG-5

 912 18th St W
       Bradenton, FL  34205


(941) 708-8400

District: Manatee

SchoolDigger Rank:
1774th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $13,565 Help


Students who attend Ballard Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Martha B. King Middle School
High:    Manatee High School

Student/teacher ratio:  14.8 Help
Number of students:  400

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
48.0%
African American:
23.8%
White:
22.0%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  82.5% Help


 See top rated Florida elementary schools

 Compare Ballard Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Ballard Elementary School ranks worse than 78.6% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 31st among 41 ranked elementary schools in the Manatee School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 24.79. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a high school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
Help
Compare Details Student population at Ballard Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (48%), African American (23.8%), White (22%). (See more...)
Help
Compare Details 82.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
Help
Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ballard Elementary School is 14.8. 22 elementary schools in the Manatee School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)
Help
Compare Ballard Elementary School employs 27 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ballard Elementary School is $13,565, which is the 9th highest among 41 elementary schools in the Manatee School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Ballard Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Manatee:

SchoolDigger ranks Manatee 34th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Ballard Elementary School?

Rank History for Ballard Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 28.70 1240th 1688 26.5%
2007 34.60 1228th 1786 31.2%
2008 27.76 1373rd 1789 23.3%
2009 17.78 1610th 1847 12.8%
2010 18.38 1657th 1919 13.7%
2011 21.67 1664th 1985 16.2%
2012 18.85 1686th 1984 15.0%
2013 26.60 1583rd 2029 22.0%
2014 26.18 1594th 2064 22.8%
2016 16.68 1821st 2087 12.7%
2017 8.40 2029th 2112 3.9%
2018 10.10 1995th 2118 5.8%
2019 19.54 1854th 2182 15.0%
2021 29.81 1579th 2247 29.7%
2022 24.51 1713th 2219 22.8%
2023 18.95 1937th 2240 13.5%
2024 24.79 1774th 2256 21.4%
See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Ballard Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

by a parent
Sunday, July 14, 2019

Open Quote Best thing I could have done was enroll my son into Ballard Elementary he has excelled tremendously academic and behavior wise and 4th grade here he comes teachers and staff you guys rock Close Quote


by a parent
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Open Quote Ballard Elementary teachers are some of the most kind, caring, and hardworking teachers I have ever met. They truly care for the students and their success. My child could not have gotten a better education than they did at Ballard. It has a small school, neighborhood atmosphere where everyone is out to succeed. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Ballard Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 400 123 5 30 1 n/a n/a 0 559
1989 372 103 2 38 0 n/a n/a 0 515
1990 393 112 2 34 0 n/a n/a 0 541
1991 384 100 2 58 0 n/a n/a 0 544
1992 354 100 5 82 0 n/a n/a 0 541
1993 347 116 3 84 0 n/a n/a 0 550
1994 358 107 2 77 0 n/a n/a 0 544
1995 351 136 3 96 0 n/a n/a 0 586
1996 351 136 3 96 0 n/a n/a 0 586
1997 342 114 4 139 0 n/a n/a 0 599
1998 295 87 3 122 0 n/a n/a 0 507
1999 289 102 2 125 0 n/a n/a 0 518
2000 255 107 1 144 0 n/a n/a 0 507
2001 252 116 4 149 0 n/a n/a 0 521
2002 264 111 3 222 0 n/a n/a 0 600
2003 264 111 3 222 0 n/a n/a 0 600
2004 250 89 2 228 0 n/a n/a 0 569
2005 239 83 6 216 1 n/a n/a 0 545
2006 245 82 6 246 2 n/a n/a 0 581
2007 186 79 3 233 2 n/a n/a 27 530
2008 161 73 1 231 1 n/a n/a 28 495
2009 159 80 1 199 1 n/a n/a 30 470
2010 135 72 2 168 0 n/a n/a 26 403
2011 122 88 1 172 2 0 15 0 400
2012 139 105 1 166 1 0 26 0 438
2013 128 116 0 154 2 0 29 0 429
2014 137 133 1 164 0 0 32 0 467
2015 129 154 1 165 1 1 36 0 487
2016 108 124 0 170 0 1 31 0 434
2017 125 146 1 196 0 1 38 0 507
2018 94 122 1 204 0 1 34 0 456
2019 87 114 1 196 0 1 39 0 438
2020 90 117 0 184 0 0 34 0 425
2021 87 112 0 189 0 0 26 0 414
2022 75 95 0 182 1 0 23 0 376
2023 88 95 7 192 1 0 17 0 400

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Ballard Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 559 31.0 18.0 52.8
1989 515 33.0 15.6 63.3
1990 541 35.0 15.4 60.6
1991 544 34.0 16.0 59.7
1992 541 35.0 15.4 55.1
1993 550 29.0 19.0 60
1994 544 33.0 16.5 59
1995 586 33.0 17.8 62.1
1996 586 33.0 17.8 62.1
1997 599 34.0 17.6 65.4
1998 507 29.0 17.5 65.3
1999 518 31.0 16.7 81.3
2000 507 30.0 16.9 77.9
2001 521 30.0 17.4 65.5
2002 600 36.0 16.7 74.8
2003 600 36.0 16.7 74.8
2004 569 38.0 15.0 82.6
2005 545 37.0 14.7 80.4
2006 581 40.0 14.5 74
2007 530 40.0 13.3 77.7
2008 495 41.0 12.1 80.5
2009 470 34.8 14.2 88.4
2010 403 27.0 14.9 92.6
2011 400 28.0 14.2 88.3
2012 438 29.0 15.1 86.5
2013 429 31.0 13.8 89.7
2014 467 30.0 15.5 91
2015 487 36.0 13.5 100
2016 434 32.0 13.5 79
2017 507 35.0 14.4 82.8
2018 456 36.0 12.6 77.9
2019 438 29.0 15.1 76.7
2020 425 29.0 14.6 75.8
2021 414 31.0 13.3 72.5
2022 376 27.0 13.9 77.7
2023 400 27.0 14.8 82.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Ballard Elementary School

Help
Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 559 31.0 18.0 52.8
1989 515 33.0 15.6 63.3
1990 541 35.0 15.4 60.6
1991 544 34.0 16.0 59.7
1992 541 35.0 15.4 55.1
1993 550 29.0 19.0 60
1994 544 33.0 16.5 59
1995 586 33.0 17.8 62.1
1996 586 33.0 17.8 62.1
1997 599 34.0 17.6 65.4
1998 507 29.0 17.5 65.3
1999 518 31.0 16.7 81.3
2000 507 30.0 16.9 77.9
2001 521 30.0 17.4 65.5
2002 600 36.0 16.7 74.8
2003 600 36.0 16.7 74.8
2004 569 38.0 15.0 82.6
2005 545 37.0 14.7 80.4
2006 581 40.0 14.5 74
2007 530 40.0 13.3 77.7
2008 495 41.0 12.1 80.5
2009 470 34.8 14.2 88.4
2010 403 27.0 14.9 92.6
2011 400 28.0 14.2 88.3
2012 438 29.0 15.1 86.5
2013 429 31.0 13.8 89.7
2014 467 30.0 15.5 91
2015 487 36.0 13.5 100
2016 434 32.0 13.5 79
2017 507 35.0 14.4 82.8
2018 456 36.0 12.6 77.9
2019 438 29.0 15.1 76.7
2020 425 29.0 14.6 75.8
2021 414 31.0 13.3 72.5
2022 376 27.0 13.9 77.7
2023 400 27.0 14.8 82.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Ballard Elementary School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $1,756 (16.5%) $8,885 (83.5%) $10,641
2019 $1,708 (14.0%) $10,470 (86.0%) $12,178
2020 $1,545 (11.4%) $12,048 (88.6%) $13,593
2021 $2,220 (15.1%) $12,516 (84.9%) $14,736
2022 $2,815 (19.8%) $11,424 (80.2%) $14,239
2023 $2,581 (19.0%) $10,984 (81.0%) $13,565

Data source: Florida Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Ballard Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 1854th of 2182 Elementary schoolsRanks 1937th of 2240 Elementary schools
 1.5%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Ballard Elementary School)3535
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Manatee)5146
 5%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5853
 5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Ballard Elementary School)5146
 5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Manatee)6059
 1%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)6258
 4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Ballard Elementary School)2524
 1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Manatee)5655
 1%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5857
 1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Ballard Elementary School)4344
 1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Manatee)6565
   4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6461
 3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Ballard Elementary School)4049
 9%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Manatee)5257
 5%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5655
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Ballard Elementary School)5434
 20%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Manatee)6063
 3%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6052
 8%
5th Grade Science (Ballard Elementary School)2620
 6%
   5th Grade Science (Manatee)4849
 1%
   5th Grade Science (Florida)5351
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students438400
 8.7%
African American11495
 16.7%
American Indian01
Asian17
 600%
Hispanic196192
 2%
Pacific Islander10
 100%
White8788
 1.1%
Two or More Races3917
 56.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients76.7%82.5%
 5.8%


Schools Near Ballard Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Ballard Elementary School

Ballard Elementary School ranks in the bottom 21.4% of Florida elementary schools.

Students who attend Ballard Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Martha B. King Middle School
High : Manatee High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 400 students attended Ballard Elementary School.

Students at Ballard Elementary School are 48% Hispanic, 24% African American, 22% White, 4% Two or more races, 2% Asian.


Rate Ballard Elementary School!



Sign up for updates!

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




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.





Diagnostics

None retrieved from Database in 40 milliseconds.