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Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

107^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 95% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School in Lakewood Ranch, FL, is a high-performing public school serving 672 students in grades PK-5 within the Manatee district, consistently ranking in the top 5% of all Florida elementary schools.

McNeal Elementary stands out as the crown jewel of the Lakewood Ranch academic cluster, outperforming nearby excellent schools like Robert Willis Elementary and Gene Witt Elementary. While those schools are strong 4-star institutions in the 89th-90th percentile, McNeal is a consistent 5-star school operating at the 95th percentile or higher. The school's math proficiency is particularly impressive, with 92% of 3rd graders, 84% of 4th graders, and 90% of 5th graders meeting standards—roughly 25-30 points above the state average. Science scores are also a consistent strength, with 5th graders achieving 90% proficiency, about 30 points above the state average. The school maintains a healthy student-teacher ratio of 15.2:1 and spends approximately $12,580 per student.

McNeal benefits from a highly engaged community, with only 24.1% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch—significantly lower than the district average. The school also demonstrates remarkable resilience, recovering from a post-pandemic chronic absenteeism spike of 29% to just 13.1%, which is less than half the district rate of 29.4%. This low absenteeism and strong family support directly correlate with academic success. While the school's performance reflects its community's advantages, it's worth noting that just six miles away, William H. Bashaw Elementary serves a very different population with 67.9% of students on free/reduced lunch and ranks in the 17th percentile, highlighting the significant socioeconomic diversity within the Manatee district.

672

Students ?

15.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,580

Per pupil spending ?

24.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

6325 Lorraine Rd
Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202

(941) 751-8165

District: Manatee

Students who attend Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	R. Dan Nolan Middle School
High:	Lakewood Ranch High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

70.8%

Hispanic:

16.2%

Two or more races:

5.5%

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Compare Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 90th percentile in 2016 → 95th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (86% vs 62% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 5% of Florida elementary schools

✓Ranking is trending up — up 5 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school86%

District avg60%

Florida avg62%

107^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Top 5%▲ up 5 pts since 2016

From top 10% (2016) to top 5% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st 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	91.3	107 of 2240	95.2%	★★★★★
2025	88.9	202 of 2258	91.1%	★★★★★
2024	92.3	106 of 2256	95.3%	★★★★★
2023	92.1	113 of 2240	95.0%	★★★★★
2022	89.8	194 of 2219	91.3%	★★★★★
2021	93.5	96 of 2247	95.7%	★★★★★
2019	85.3	279 of 2182	87.2%	★★★★☆
2018	84.0	317 of 2118	85.0%	★★★★☆
2017	85.7	249 of 2112	88.2%	★★★★☆
2016	87.8	199 of 2087	90.5%	★★★★★
2014	87.1	219 of 2064	89.4%	★★★★☆
2013	79.1	368 of 2029	81.9%	★★★★☆
2012	73.4	503 of 1984	74.6%	★★★★☆
2011	72.1	547 of 1985	72.4%	★★★★☆
2010	75.4	420 of 1919	78.1%	★★★★☆
2009	83.8	244 of 1847	86.8%	★★★★☆
2008	81.8	277 of 1789	84.5%	★★★★☆
2007	84.6	224 of 1786	87.5%	★★★★☆
2006	93.5	64 of 1688	96.2%	★★★★★

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Science90%+30 vs state

Math90%+26 vs state

English Language Arts80%+20 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Warm and inviting atmosphere. It's obvious the staff and teachers really love their jobs and the kids. Very positive atmosphere. Open to kids of all kinds. My son has ADHD and the teachers and principal have been overwhelmingly positive in helping us navigate that diagnosis and support him in his education. The celebrate diversity and original thought. Love this school! Close Quote

Schools Near Gilbert W McNeal 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
Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6325 Lorraine Rd	Lakewood Ranch	34202	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 751-8165	672	44	15.2	24.1%	476 (70.8%)	36 (5.4%)	109 (16.2%)	12 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	37 (5.5%)	91.3	107^th of 2240 public elementary schools	95.2%		88.9	202^nd of 2258 public elementary schools	91.1%	95	83.0	73.0	86.0				92.0	84.0	90.0	100.0			90.0				$12,580	$933	$11,647
Robert Willis Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	14705 The Masters Ave	Lakewood Ranch	34202	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 316-8245	785	47	16.7	25.9%	514 (65.5%)	17 (2.2%)	136 (17.3%)	42 (5.4%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	74 (9.4%)	85.6	246^th of 2240 public elementary schools	89.0%		86.6	251^st of 2258 public elementary schools	88.9%	5	75.0	80.0	76.0				86.0	88.0	71.0	100.0			73.0				$11,519	$779	$10,741
Braden River Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6125 River Club Blvd	Bradenton	34202	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 751-7012	547	37	14.7	40.6%	320 (58.5%)	22 (4.0%)	159 (29.1%)	16 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (5.5%)	78.7	412^th of 2240 public elementary schools	81.6%		70.1	639^th of 2258 public elementary schools	71.7%	227	75.0	58.0	75.0				88.0	80.0	74.0	100.0			70.0				$14,305	$981	$13,326
B.D. Gullett Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	12125 44th Ave E	Bradenton	34211	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 727-2607	1,314	79	16.6	21.3%	898 (68.3%)	34 (2.6%)	236 (18.0%)	41 (3.1%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	104 (7.9%)	74.1	525^th of 2240 public elementary schools	76.6%		83.6	322^nd of 2258 public elementary schools	85.7%	203	73.0	73.0	72.0				78.0	67.0	73.0	100.0			62.0				$9,992	$595	$9,398
Imagine Charter At Lakewood Ranch	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	10535 Portal Crossing	Bradenton	34211	Manatee County	Manatee	Yes	No	No	No	(941) 750-0900	456	27	16.8	54.2%	248 (54.4%)	43 (9.4%)	133 (29.2%)	5 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (5.9%)	34	1563^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	30.2%		32.6	1569^th of 2258 public elementary schools	30.5%	6	64.0	31.0	63.0	62.0	50.0	58.0	66.0	56.0	38.0	38.0	47.0	61.0	40.0	58.0	92.0	74.0	$11,871	$113	$11,758
Tara Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6950 Linger Lodge Rd E	Bradenton	34203	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 751-7660	582	41	14.1	51.7%	310 (53.3%)	30 (5.2%)	164 (28.2%)	41 (7.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	35 (6.0%)	77.4	445^th of 2240 public elementary schools	80.1%		84.8	295^th of 2258 public elementary schools	86.9%	150	67.0	75.0	73.0				69.0	89.0	70.0	98.0			69.0				$14,251	$1,099	$13,153
Gene Witt Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	200 Rye Rd E	Bradenton	34212	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 741-3628	742	47	15.7	27.9%	532 (71.7%)	23 (3.1%)	111 (15.0%)	27 (3.6%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	48 (6.5%)	86.1	230^th of 2240 public elementary schools	89.7%		87.5	234^th of 2258 public elementary schools	89.6%	4	79.0	77.0	76.0				86.0	89.0	67.0	100.0			77.0				$12,514	$840	$11,674
Freedom Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	9515 E State Road 64	Bradenton	34212	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 708-4990	736	46	16.0	43.9%	445 (60.5%)	52 (7.1%)	164 (22.3%)	18 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (7.7%)	71.6	588^th of 2240 public elementary schools	73.8%		70.9	612^th of 2258 public elementary schools	72.9%	24	75.0	73.0	69.0				72.0	79.0	59.0	100.0			62.0				$11,911	$966	$10,946
William H. Bashaw Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3515 57th St E	Bradenton	34208	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 741-3307	720	48	15.0	67.9%	222 (30.8%)	148 (20.6%)	276 (38.3%)	12 (1.7%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	59 (8.2%)	29.4	1680^th of 2240 public elementary schools	25.0%		21.1	1872^nd of 2258 public elementary schools	17.1%	192	45.0	46.0	53.0				59.0	56.0	46.0	100.0			44.0				$11,728	$1,094	$10,635
Tatum Ridge Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4100 Tatum Rd	Sarasota	34240	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	No	No	No	(941) 316-8188	864	56	15.5	25.3%	652 (75.5%)	20 (2.3%)	134 (15.5%)	14 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	44 (5.1%)	86.3	221^st of 2240 public elementary schools	90.1%		86.2	261^st of 2258 public elementary schools	88.4%	40	81.0	74.0	76.0				84.0	86.0	77.0				78.0				$14,630	$245	$14,385

Frequently Asked Questions about Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School

What district is Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School in?

Manatee

Is Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School a good school?

Yes! Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 107^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School?

Students at Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School are 71% White, 16% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 5% African American, 2% Asian.

How many students attend Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 672 students attended Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Gilbert W McNeal Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : R. Dan Nolan Middle School
High : Lakewood Ranch High 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.