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Manatee School For The Arts

Q: Is Manatee School For The Arts a good school?

Manatee School For The Arts ranks 280 th of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades 6-12

280^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 838 Florida High Schools

Better than 67% of Florida high schools

Summary

Manatee School For The Arts in Palmetto, FL, is a public charter school serving 2,051 students in grades 6 through 12, offering a focused arts education within the Manatee district.

This school stands out for its strong humanities and science performance, with 84% proficiency in US History and 78% in Biology, significantly outpacing the district and state averages. However, math scores are a consistent weakness, with Algebra 1 proficiency at 56% and 7th-grade math at just 37%, well below state levels. The graduation rate is a bright spot at 92.9%, higher than nearby Bayshore High School (89.6%) and Manatee High School (90.6%). A key challenge is chronic absenteeism, affecting 32.6% of students, a sharp rise from pre-pandemic levels. The school also operates efficiently with lower spending per student ($9,177) compared to peers like Southeast High School ($10,593).

Compared to its nearest neighbor, Palmetto High School, just 1.97 miles away, MSA offers a clear academic advantage, ranking in the 67th percentile versus Palmetto's 38th, with higher test scores across all subjects. In contrast, the State College Of Florida Collegiate School is a more selective, academically rigorous option with near-perfect scores and a 98.5% graduation rate, but MSA provides a more inclusive arts-focused environment that still delivers strong results, especially for students who excel in reading and critical thinking rather than math.

2,051

Students ?

18.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,177

Per pupil spending ?

40.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

700 Haben Blvd
Palmetto, FL 34221

(941) 721-6800

District: Manatee

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

42.6%

White:

39.4%

African American:

10.3%

See top rated Florida high schools

Compare Manatee School For The Arts to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 74th percentile in 2016 → 67th in 2026

Strengths

✓Above the Florida median (67th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 7 percentile points since 2016

!Science scores 16 pts below the Florida average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school59%

District avg60%

Florida avg63%

Middle school

792^nd of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Bottom 35%▼ down 32 pts since 2016

From top 33% (2016) to bottom 35% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

280^th of 838

Florida public high schools ?

Top 33%▼ down 7 pts since 2016

From top 26% (2016) to top 33% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 10High 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)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	39.1	792 of 1216	34.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	34.0	835 of 1205	30.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	38.7	737 of 1196	38.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	36.4	751 of 1177	36.2%	★★☆☆☆
2022	51.0	543 of 1148	52.7%	★★★☆☆
2021	53.6	508 of 1136	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2019	56.6	462 of 1099	58.0%	★★★☆☆
2018	55.4	443 of 1035	57.2%	★★★☆☆
2017	60.0	396 of 1031	61.6%	★★★☆☆
2016	64.4	326 of 997	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2014	59.8	386 of 999	61.4%	★★★☆☆
2013	59.4	384 of 956	59.8%	★★★☆☆
2012	55.7	408 of 897	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2011	62.7	346 of 891	61.2%	★★★☆☆
2010	65.0	309 of 839	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2009	63.5	292 of 780	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2008	56.8	347 of 740	53.1%	★★★☆☆
2007	59.9	305 of 736	58.6%	★★★☆☆
2006	63.1	245 of 675	63.7%	★★★☆☆
2005	63.9	224 of 602	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2004	71.4	158 of 593	73.4%	★★★★☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	54.6	280 of 838	66.6%	★★★☆☆
2025	55.0	266 of 844	68.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	57.7	226 of 807	72.0%	★★★★☆
2023	61.9	187 of 792	76.4%	★★★★☆
2022	60.0	189 of 774	75.6%	★★★★☆
2021	58.7	189 of 746	74.7%	★★★★☆
2019	72.4	97 of 734	86.8%	★★★★☆
2018	64.7	152 of 716	78.8%	★★★★☆
2017	63.5	154 of 714	78.4%	★★★★☆
2016	60.2	182 of 693	73.7%	★★★★☆
2014	77.3	93 of 687	86.5%	★★★★☆
2013	79.1	74 of 648	88.6%	★★★★☆
2012	71.6	87 of 606	85.6%	★★★★☆
2011	78.4	123 of 622	80.2%	★★★★☆
2010	77.6	123 of 620	80.2%	★★★★☆
2009	71.5	147 of 587	75.0%	★★★★☆
2008	70.0	150 of 577	74.0%	★★★★☆
2007	76.2	112 of 563	80.1%	★★★★☆
2006	86.0	49 of 477	89.7%	★★★★☆
2005	80.9	78 of 487	84.0%	★★★★☆
2004	59.6	203 of 484	58.1%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

US History84%+10 vs state

Civics79%~ state avg

Biology 178%+4 vs state

English Language Arts58%-3 vs state

Algebra 156%-7 vs state

Geometry52%-4 vs state

Math52%-7 vs state

Science36%-16 vs state

3.5

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★1

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, August 15, 2019

Their advance core classes are not up to level. My daughter was with kids at this advance level who did not want to learn or be there and ended up repeating everything she learned in 6th grade. Their performing arts program wasn't as good either compared to a public middle school she came from the year before. Close Quote

Schools Near Manatee School For The Arts

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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 Biology 1 (2026)	EOC US History (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 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Manatee School For The Arts	Public, Charter	6-12	700 Haben Blvd	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	Yes	No	No	No	(941) 721-6800	2,051	108	18.9	40.4%	809 (39.4%)	212 (10.3%)	874 (42.6%)	30 (1.5%)	1 (0.0%)	3 (0.1%)	122 (5.9%)	54.6	280^th of 838 public high schools	66.6%		55	266^th of 844 public high schools	68.5%	14	59.0	54.0	55.0	58.0	65.0	55.0	37.0	58.0	36.0	56.0	52.0	78.0	84.0	79.0	$9,177	$435	$8,742
Palmetto High School	Public	8-12	1200 17th St W	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 723-4848	2,185	97	22.5	60.1%	796 (36.4%)	385 (17.6%)	869 (39.8%)	28 (1.3%)	1 (0.0%)	1 (0.0%)	105 (4.8%)	35.9	522^nd of 838 public high schools	37.7%		32.6	555^th of 844 public high schools	34.2%	33				54.0	54.0					21.0	28.0	69.0	71.0		$9,644	$502	$9,141
Bradenton Bay High School	Public, Charter	7-12	817 Manatee Ave W	Bradenton	34205	Manatee County	Manatee	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(941) 708-8770	114	4	28.5	52.6%	18 (15.8%)	40 (35.1%)	49 (43.0%)	1 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (5.3%)	4.9	740^th of 838 public high schools	11.7%					(n/a)			10.0	36.0	16.0			14.0	18.0	0.0	9.0	15.0	31.0	50.0	$12,416	$02	$12,415
Manatee High School	Public	8-12	902 33rd Street Ct W	Bradenton	34205	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 714-7300	1,998	90	22.2	60.5%	822 (41.1%)	306 (15.3%)	742 (37.1%)	28 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.2%)	97 (4.9%)	41.2	456^th of 838 public high schools	45.6%		40	465^th of 844 public high schools	44.9%	9				50.0	51.0					37.0	42.0	73.0	75.0		$9,581	$577	$9,003
Southeast High School	Public	8-12	1200 37th Ave E	Bradenton	34208	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 741-3366	1,638	79	20.7	65.6%	207 (12.6%)	313 (19.1%)	1,048 (64.0%)	21 (1.3%)	3 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (2.8%)	22	655^th of 838 public high schools	21.8%		22.9	649^th of 844 public high schools	23.1%	6				38.0	38.0					18.0	43.0	55.0	64.0		$10,593	$973	$9,621
Pace Center For Girls	Public	6-12	3508 26th St W	Bradenton	34205	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 751-4566	56	2	28.0	76.8%	18 (32.1%)	9 (16.1%)	23 (41.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (10.7%)								(n/a)															$6,831	$21	$6,811
Bayshore High School	Public	8-12	5401 34th St W	Bradenton	34210	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 751-7004	1,400	75	18.6	61.9%	227 (16.2%)	203 (14.5%)	879 (62.8%)	20 (1.4%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	68 (4.9%)	13.7	692^nd of 838 public high schools	17.4%		21.7	656^th of 844 public high schools	22.3%	36				34.0	34.0					29.0	21.0	45.0	51.0		$11,872	$1,494	$10,378
State College Of Florida Collegiate School	Public, Charter	6-12	5840 26th St W	Bradenton	34207	Manatee County	Manatee	Yes	No	No	No	(941) 752-5491	485	21	23.0	46.2%	220 (45.4%)	37 (7.6%)	183 (37.7%)	26 (5.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (3.9%)	84.7	44^th of 838 public high schools	94.7%		87.1	36^th of 844 public high schools	95.7%	8	87.0	77.0	77.0	85.0	86.0	71.0	84.0	98.0	84.0	91.0	95.0	92.0		94.0	$10,185	$73	$10,112
Amikids Manatee	Public	6-12	6423 9th St E	Bradenton	34203	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 723-4702	38	1	38.0	89.5%	7 (18.4%)	15 (39.5%)	13 (34.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (7.9%)								(n/a)															$6,328	$155	$6,173
Braden River High School	Public	9-12	6545 Sr 70 E	Bradenton	34203	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 751-8230	1,705	78	21.8	50.0%	810 (47.5%)	160 (9.4%)	566 (33.2%)	89 (5.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	80 (4.7%)	46.5	389^th of 838 public high schools	53.6%		51	320^th of 844 public high schools	62.1%	69				60.0	62.0					28.0	39.0	72.0	77.0		$9,739	$511	$9,228

Frequently Asked Questions about Manatee School For The Arts

How many students attend Manatee School For The Arts?

In the 2024-25 school year, 2,051 students attended Manatee School For The Arts.

What district is Manatee School For The Arts in?

Manatee

What is the racial makeup of Manatee School For The Arts?

Students at Manatee School For The Arts are 43% Hispanic, 39% White, 10% African American, 6% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

Is Manatee School For The Arts a good school?

Manatee School For The Arts ranks 280^th of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Rate Manatee School For The Arts!

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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.