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Blackburn Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

2011^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 10% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Blackburn Elementary School in Palmetto, FL, serves 452 students from Pre-K through 5th grade and is part of the Manatee school district, where nearly 80% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high-poverty community.

Blackburn Elementary has experienced a significant decline in academic performance over the past five years, dropping from a 3-star rating to a 1-star rating, placing it in the 10th percentile statewide. Its test scores are consistently the lowest among nearby schools. For example, in 3rd Grade English Language Arts, only 30% of Blackburn students are proficient, compared to 63% at Virgil Mills Elementary School and 75% at Palmetto Charter School. Similarly, in 5th Grade Science, Blackburn scores 38% proficient, while Virgil Mills scores 65% and Palmetto Charter scores 84%. The school also struggles with high chronic absenteeism at 29.3%, which is much higher than Palmetto Charter's 5.0% rate. Despite spending more per student ($16,274) than higher-performing peers like Virgil Mills ($11,191) and Palmetto Charter ($11,359), these investments have not translated into improved outcomes.

English Language Arts is a particular weakness, with proficiency rates around 30%—roughly half the state average. Math scores are relatively stronger but still below state averages, with all tested grades at 51% proficient. The school's consistent decline over five years is a major concern, suggesting that addressing absenteeism and providing intensive support in foundational skills, especially reading, are critical for reversing its trajectory. Parents considering this school should be aware of these challenges and explore how the school plans to support student success.

452

Students ?

13.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$16,274

Per pupil spending ?

79.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3904 17th St E
Palmetto, FL 34221

(941) 723-4800

District: Manatee

Students who attend Blackburn Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Buffalo Creek Middle School
High:	Palmetto High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

46.9%

African American:

26.5%

White:

20.1%

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Compare Blackburn Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 45th percentile in 2016 → 10th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (42% vs 62% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (10th percentile)

!Ranking has slipped — down 35 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school42%

District avg60%

Florida avg62%

2,011^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Bottom 10%▼ down 35 pts since 2016

From bottom 45% (2016) to bottom 10% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

38^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	16.4	2011 of 2240	10.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	16.2	2006 of 2258	11.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	25.5	1753 of 2256	22.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	34.1	1492 of 2240	33.4%	★★☆☆☆
2022	39.0	1346 of 2219	39.3%	★★☆☆☆
2021	48.6	1108 of 2247	50.7%	★★★☆☆
2019	44.7	1204 of 2182	44.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	22.6	1724 of 2118	18.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	24.1	1665 of 2112	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	44.9	1149 of 2087	44.9%	★★☆☆☆
2014	8.3	1992 of 2064	3.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2013	12.9	1884 of 2029	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2012	15.8	1759 of 1984	11.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	30.0	1500 of 1985	24.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	25.2	1528 of 1919	20.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	16.8	1624 of 1847	12.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	16.1	1583 of 1789	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	31.0	1295 of 1786	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	40.0	1046 of 1688	38.0%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Math51%-13 vs state

Science38%-22 vs state

English Language Arts34%-26 vs state

★

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Schools Near Blackburn 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 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 Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Blackburn Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3904 17th St E	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 723-4800	452	34	13.4	79.6%	91 (20.1%)	120 (26.5%)	212 (46.9%)	7 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (4.9%)	16.4	2011^th of 2240 public elementary schools	10.2%		16.2	2006^th of 2258 public elementary schools	11.2%	5	30.0	43.0	29.0				51.0	51.0	51.0				38.0					$16,274	$2,005	$14,269
James Tillman Elementary Magnet School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1415 29th St E	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	No	Yes	No	Yes	(941) 723-4833	614	37	16.5	73.1%	115 (18.7%)	171 (27.9%)	276 (45.0%)	10 (1.6%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	40 (6.5%)	46.5	1239^th of 2240 public elementary schools	44.7%		53.1	1039^th of 2258 public elementary schools	54.0%	200	52.0	54.0	49.0				61.0	72.0	78.0				52.0					$12,269	$1,765	$10,505
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
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
Palm View K-8 School	Public	PK, KG-8	6025 Bayshore Rd	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 723-4812	606	44	13.7	75.1%	152 (25.1%)	116 (19.1%)	301 (49.7%)	4 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (5.4%)	42.5	1331^st of 2240 public elementary schools	40.6%		21.4	1863^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	17.5%	532	65.0	40.0	60.0	46.0	54.0	41.0	66.0	47.0	70.0	67.0	42.0	75.0	58.0	37.0	74.0	100.0	69.0	$15,587	$1,906	$13,681
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
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
Louise R Johnson K-8 School Of International Studies	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	2121 26th Ave E	Bradenton	34208	Manatee County	Manatee	No	Yes	No	No	(941) 741-3344	844	57	14.8	69.3%	224 (26.5%)	175 (20.7%)	377 (44.7%)	24 (2.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (5.1%)	47.5	1209^th of 2240 public elementary schools	46.0%		63.7	787^th of 2258 public elementary schools	65.1%	422	55.0	64.0	58.0	60.0	71.0	69.0	65.0	67.0	50.0	77.0	42.0	82.0	42.0	64.0	87.0	100.0	78.0	$12,891	$779	$12,112
Virgil Mills Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7200 69th St E	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 721-2140	863	51	16.9	44.3%	507 (58.7%)	87 (10.1%)	181 (21.0%)	20 (2.3%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	66 (7.6%)	60.9	851^st of 2240 public elementary schools	62.0%		65.8	737^th of 2258 public elementary schools	67.4%	114	63.0	58.0	68.0				69.0	65.0	64.0	100.0			65.0					$11,191	$984	$10,208
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

Frequently Asked Questions about Blackburn Elementary School

Is Blackburn Elementary School a good school?

Blackburn Elementary School ranks in the bottom 10.2% of Florida elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Blackburn Elementary School?

Students at Blackburn Elementary School are 47% Hispanic, 27% African American, 20% White, 5% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

What district is Blackburn Elementary School in?

Manatee

What schools do graduates of Blackburn Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Buffalo Creek Middle School
High : Palmetto High School

How many students attend Blackburn Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 452 students attended Blackburn 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.