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Ballard Elementary School

Public, Magnet Grades PK, KG-5

2097^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 6% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Ballard Elementary School in Bradenton, FL, is a public school serving 421 students from Pre-K through 5th grade within the Manatee County School District, located in a community where over 76% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Ballard Elementary has faced persistent academic challenges, ranking in the 6th percentile statewide for the 2025-2026 school year—a significant decline from a recent peak in the 30th percentile. This places it among the lowest-performing schools in the area, comparable to G.D. Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary (4th percentile) and Manatee Elementary (9th percentile), and far below higher-performing nearby options like Palmetto Charter School (93rd percentile). A major concern is the school's severe chronic absenteeism rate of 30.5% (2023-2024), which is dramatically higher than the 5.0% rate at Palmetto Charter and likely a key driver of low academic outcomes. Despite spending a relatively high $15,311 per student—more than many peers—this investment has not translated into strong test scores, with most grade-level proficiency rates falling well below district and state averages.

There are a few bright spots worth noting. Ballard's 5th-grade English Language Arts proficiency reached 47% in 2025-2026, which, while still below the state average of 61%, is the school's highest ELA score and competitive with nearby schools like Samoset Elementary (39%). Additionally, a small group of advanced 5th graders achieved a 94% proficiency rate on a 6th-grade math test, though this represents a tiny, non-representative sample. Overall, the school's declining trajectory over the past three years suggests that current strategies have not been effective in overcoming the significant challenges posed by high poverty and absenteeism.

421

Students ?

14.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$15,311

Per pupil spending ?

76.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

912 18th St W
Bradenton, FL 34205

(941) 708-8400

District: Manatee

Students who attend Ballard Elementary School usually attend:

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

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

47.3%

African American:

25.4%

White:

17.8%

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At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 13th percentile in 2016 → 6th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (38% vs 62% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (6th percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 7 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school38%

District avg60%

Florida avg62%

2,097^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Bottom 6%▼ down 6 pts since 2016

From bottom 13% (2016) to bottom 6% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

40^th of 41Elementary Schools in the Manatee

40^th of 70Manatee 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	12.2	2097 of 2240	6.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	19.5	1926 of 2258	14.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	24.8	1774 of 2256	21.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	18.9	1937 of 2240	13.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	24.5	1713 of 2219	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	29.8	1579 of 2247	29.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	19.5	1854 of 2182	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	10.1	1995 of 2118	5.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	8.4	2029 of 2112	3.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2016	16.7	1821 of 2087	12.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	26.2	1594 of 2064	22.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	26.6	1583 of 2029	22.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	18.8	1686 of 1984	15.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	21.7	1664 of 1985	16.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	18.4	1657 of 1919	13.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	17.8	1610 of 1847	12.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	27.8	1373 of 1789	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	34.6	1228 of 1786	31.2%	★★☆☆☆
2006	28.7	1240 of 1688	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Math44%-20 vs state

English Language Arts34%-26 vs state

Science33%-27 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

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3★0

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1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Sunday, July 14, 2019

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

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

Schools Near Ballard 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 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	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 Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Ballard Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	912 18th St W	Bradenton	34205	Manatee County	Manatee	No	Yes	No	Yes	(941) 708-8400	421	30	14.0	76.2%	75 (17.8%)	107 (25.4%)	199 (47.3%)	11 (2.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (6.7%)	12.2	2097^th of 2240 public elementary schools	6.4%		19.5	1926^th of 2258 public elementary schools	14.7%	171	29.0	25.0	47.0				40.0	43.0	33.0	94.0			33.0				$15,311	$2,047	$13,265
G D Rogers Garden- Bullock Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	515 13th Ave W	Bradenton	34205	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 209-7540	472	38	12.4	75.0%	37 (7.8%)	143 (30.3%)	270 (57.2%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.2%)	9.1	2154^th of 2240 public elementary schools	3.8%		6.1	2207^th of 2258 public elementary schools	2.3%	53	28.0	24.0	25.0				41.0	46.0	50.0				24.0				$17,755	$2,303	$15,453
Jessie P. Miller Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	601 43rd St W	Bradenton	34209	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 741-3300	586	43	13.6	69.6%	253 (43.2%)	54 (9.2%)	225 (38.4%)	9 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	43 (7.3%)	35.8	1505^th of 2240 public elementary schools	32.8%		34.7	1505^th of 2258 public elementary schools	33.3%		50.0	43.0	53.0				54.0	52.0	58.0	100.0			64.0				$14,572	$1,764	$12,809
Robert H. Prine Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3801 Southern Pkwy W	Bradenton	34205	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 751-7006	721	51	14.1	74.6%	134 (18.6%)	124 (17.2%)	426 (59.1%)	4 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (4.6%)	21.8	1880^th of 2240 public elementary schools	16.1%		19.4	1929^th of 2258 public elementary schools	14.6%	49	29.0	37.0	55.0				40.0	53.0	45.0	100.0			54.0				$13,706	$1,820	$11,887
Manatee School Of Arts/Sciences	Public, Charter	K-5	3700 32nd St W	Bradenton	34205	Manatee County	Manatee	Yes	No	No	Yes	(941) 755-5012	111	8	13.8	72.1%	48 (43.2%)	11 (9.9%)	43 (38.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (8.1%)	37.8	1456^th of 2240 public elementary schools	35.0%		20.3	1899^th of 2258 public elementary schools	15.9%	443	52.0	53.0	58.0				52.0	47.0	58.0				75.0				$10,389	$415	$9,974
William Monroe Rowlett Academy For Arts And Communication	Public, Magnet, Charter	K-5	3500 9th St E	Bradenton	34208	Manatee County	Manatee	Yes	Yes	No	No	(941) 708-6100	917	60	15.2	47.4%	472 (51.5%)	82 (8.9%)	304 (33.2%)	7 (0.8%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	50 (5.5%)	57.4	949^th of 2240 public elementary schools	57.6%		54.9	991^st of 2258 public elementary schools	56.1%	42	68.0	50.0	72.0				67.0	53.0	66.0	100.0			63.0				$10,831	$400	$10,432
Palmetto Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1540 10th St W	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 723-4822	519	37	14.0	75.3%	92 (17.7%)	60 (11.6%)	336 (64.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (5.8%)	37.1	1475^th of 2240 public elementary schools	34.2%		39.6	1372^nd of 2258 public elementary schools	39.2%	103	40.0	48.0	52.0				45.0	67.0	69.0	100.0			60.0				$15,274	$2,378	$12,896
Manatee Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1609 6th Ave E	Bradenton	34208	Manatee County	Manatee	No	Yes	No	Yes	(941) 741-3319	488	33	14.7	85.5%	15 (3.1%)	158 (32.4%)	298 (61.1%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (2.9%)	14.6	2049^th of 2240 public elementary schools	8.5%		9.2	2164^th of 2258 public elementary schools	4.2%	115	31.0	35.0	34.0				44.0	51.0	12.0	91.0			41.0				$14,542	$1,947	$12,596
Palmetto Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	1607 17th St W	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	Yes	No	No	No	(941) 723-3711	458	34	13.4	33.6%	323 (70.5%)	33 (7.2%)	78 (17.0%)	4 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.4%)	88.8	161^st of 2240 public elementary schools	92.8%		89.1	192^nd of 2258 public elementary schools	91.5%	31	75.0	77.0	85.0	82.0	82.0	70.0	85.0	89.0	79.0	91.0	89.0	89.0	84.0	70.0	100.0	100.0	$11,359	$254	$11,106
Hola! Elementary @ Msa	Public, Charter	PK, KG-5	700 Haben Blvd	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(941) 708-8770	551	36	15.3	29.0%	124 (22.5%)	54 (9.8%)	347 (63.0%)	4 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (3.8%)	31.4	1639^th of 2240 public elementary schools	26.8%		30.1	1643^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	27.2%	4	61.0	49.0	47.0				55.0	57.0	47.0				46.0				$10,222	$00	$10,222

Frequently Asked Questions about Ballard Elementary School

What district is Ballard Elementary School in?

Manatee

What schools do graduates of Ballard Elementary School attend?

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

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

What is the racial makeup of Ballard Elementary School?

Students at Ballard Elementary School are 47% Hispanic, 25% African American, 18% White, 7% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

How many students attend Ballard Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 421 students attended Ballard Elementary School.

Is Ballard Elementary School a good school?

Ballard Elementary School ranks in the bottom 6.4% of Florida elementary schools.

Rate Ballard Elementary School!

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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.