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Kelley Smith Elementary School

Q: Is Kelley Smith Elementary School a good school?

Kelley Smith Elementary School ranks 1675 th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Public Grades K-6

1675^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 25% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Kelley Smith Elementary School in Palatka, FL, serves 776 students in grades K-6 within the Putnam County School District, a district ranked among the lowest-performing in Florida. The school has a 1-star rating for the 2025-2026 school year and ranks in the 25th percentile statewide, reflecting a sharp decline from a peak of the 56th percentile just two years prior. This recent downward trend is a key concern, though the school serves a high-needs population, with about 48% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch.

Kelley Smith’s standout strength is its 6th-grade math program, where 78% of students were proficient in 2025-2026—well above both the district average of 61% and the state average of 60%. This consistent performance is a bright spot. However, the school faces a crisis in 5th-grade science, where proficiency has dropped dramatically from 45% to just 27% over two years, far below the state average of 60%. This stark contrast between subjects suggests a need for targeted investigation into the science curriculum or instruction. Compared to nearby schools in the same district, Kelley Smith ranks higher than Ochwilla Elementary, Middleton-Burney Elementary, Browning-Pearce Elementary, and William D. Moseley Elementary, indicating it is a relative outperformer in a challenging district context.

Chronic absenteeism is a major issue, with a rate of 55.9%—nearly double the state average—but this is a district-wide crisis, as every other Putnam County school has similar rates between 51.9% and 60.9%. Interestingly, The Children's Reading Center, a high-performing charter school just 0.85 miles away, has a much lower absenteeism rate of 26.7% and proficiency rates often double or triple those of Kelley Smith, such as 97% in 6th-grade math. This proximity suggests that the local student population is capable of high achievement, but Kelley Smith’s volatile performance history—marked by sharp ups and downs—points to challenges with consistency in programs or staff. The school’s recent two-year decline is the most pressing concern, requiring strategic intervention to reverse the trend.

776

Students ?

19.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,475

Per pupil spending ?

47.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

141 Kelley Smith School Rd
Palatka, FL 32177

(386) 329-0568

District: Putnam

Students who attend Kelley Smith Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Palatka Junior - Senior High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

58.0%

African American:

31.1%

Hispanic:

5.9%

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Compare Kelley Smith Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 24th percentile in 2016 → 25th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (50% vs 62% meeting standards)

!High chronic absenteeism (56% vs 31% Florida)

!Science scores 33 pts below the Florida average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school50%

District avg47%

Florida avg62%

1,675^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Bottom 25%▲ up 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

4^th of 9Elementary Schools in the Putnam

62^nd of 70Putnam 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	29.6	1675 of 2240	25.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	34.6	1513 of 2258	33.0%	★★☆☆☆
2024	48.0	1138 of 2256	49.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	53.8	996 of 2240	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2022	44.5	1210 of 2219	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2021	59.3	877 of 2247	61.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	18.2	1883 of 2182	13.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	19.6	1795 of 2118	15.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	22.7	1706 of 2112	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	27.1	1576 of 2087	24.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	46.1	1107 of 2064	46.4%	★★☆☆☆
2013	37.3	1293 of 2029	36.3%	★★☆☆☆
2012	55.9	883 of 1984	55.5%	★★★☆☆
2011	67.1	674 of 1985	66.0%	★★★☆☆
2010	70.0	573 of 1919	70.1%	★★★★☆
2009	83.4	250 of 1847	86.5%	★★★★☆
2008	82.3	264 of 1789	85.2%	★★★★☆
2007	82.8	268 of 1786	85.0%	★★★★☆
2006	64.3	615 of 1688	63.6%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Math59%-4 vs state

English Language Arts47%-14 vs state

Science27%-33 vs state

★

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Schools Near Kelley Smith 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)	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 Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Kelley Smith Elementary School	Public	K-6	141 Kelley Smith School Rd	Palatka	32177	Putnam County	Putnam	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 329-0568	776	40	19.5	47.7%	450 (58.0%)	241 (31.1%)	46 (5.9%)	4 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (4.5%)	29.6	1675^th of 2240 public elementary schools	25.2%		34.6	1513^th of 2258 public elementary schools	33.0%	162	46.0	47.0	33.0	64.0	53.0	57.0	50.0	78.0	27.0	$10,475	$1,564	$8,912
The Children's Reading Center	Public, Charter	K-6	7901 Saint Johns Ave	Palatka	32177	Putnam County	Putnam	Yes	No	No	Yes	(386) 326-2762	275	0	23.6	37.8%	165 (60.0%)	64 (23.3%)	23 (8.4%)	2 (0.7%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (7.3%)	78.2	423^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	81.1%		90	166^th of 2258 public elementary schools	92.6%	257	65.0	68.0	72.0	87.0	78.0	75.0	79.0	97.0	70.0	$10,021	$756	$9,265
William D. Moseley Elementary School	Public	K-6	1100 Husson Ave	Palatka	32177	Putnam County	Putnam	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 329-0562	558	30	18.6	65.2%	141 (25.3%)	306 (54.8%)	74 (13.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (6.5%)	9.6	2150^th of 2240 public elementary schools	4.0%		14.4	2051^st of 2258 public elementary schools	9.2%	99	26.0	39.0	51.0	32.0	29.0	36.0	33.0	44.0	30.0	$10,597	$1,536	$9,062
James A. Long Elementary School	Public	K-6	1400 Old Jacksonville Rd	Palatka	32177	Putnam County	Putnam	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 329-0575	565	30	18.8	56.5%	294 (52.0%)	207 (36.6%)	35 (6.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (5.1%)	30.5	1655^th of 2240 public elementary schools	26.1%		33.5	1539^th of 2258 public elementary schools	31.8%	116	34.0	58.0	56.0	75.0	38.0	46.0	25.0	54.0	58.0	$10,661	$1,581	$9,080
Browning-Pearce Elementary School	Public	K-6	100 Bear Blvd	San Mateo	32187	Putnam County	Putnam	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 329-0557	679	38	17.9	59.9%	406 (59.8%)	106 (15.6%)	126 (18.6%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	38 (5.6%)	17.9	1977^th of 2240 public elementary schools	11.7%		22.3	1836^th of 2258 public elementary schools	18.7%	141	45.0	30.0	49.0	69.0	38.0	28.0	37.0	54.0	37.0	$11,119	$1,620	$9,498
Robert H. Jenkins Junior Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	251 S State Road 315	Interlachen	32148	Putnam County	Putnam	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 684-2130	844	45	18.7	59.0%	630 (74.6%)	45 (5.3%)	129 (15.3%)	1 (0.1%)	4 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	34 (4.0%)	27.7	1722^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	23.1%		23.5	1807^th of 2258 public elementary schools	20.0%	85	44.0	41.0	48.0	56.0	50.0	37.0	50.0	65.0	57.0	$11,292	$1,725	$9,567
South Woods Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4750 Sr 206 W	Elkton	32033	St. Johns County	St. Johns	No	No	No	Yes	(904) 547-8610	700	49	14.2	71.0%	472 (67.4%)	101 (14.4%)	76 (10.9%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	47 (6.7%)	38.8	1435^th of 2240 public elementary schools	35.9%		41.4	1311^th of 2258 public elementary schools	41.9%	124	65.0	61.0	55.0		49.0	55.0	49.0		51.0	$13,076	$1,839	$11,237
Middleton-Burney Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	1020 Huntington Rd	Crescent City	32112	Putnam County	Putnam	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 698-1238	1,056	49	21.6	60.1%	290 (27.5%)	113 (10.7%)	618 (58.5%)	3 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (3.0%)	15.1	2038^th of 2240 public elementary schools	9.0%		17.8	1974^th of 2258 public elementary schools	12.6%	64	31.0	33.0	43.0	59.0	29.0	36.0	42.0	48.0	42.0	$10,253	$1,540	$8,713
McRae Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	6770 County Road 315 C	Keystone Heights	32656	Clay County	Clay	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 336-6125	544	46	11.8	69.5%	475 (87.3%)	9 (1.7%)	36 (6.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	22 (4.0%)	63.3	804^th of 2240 public elementary schools	64.1%		72.9	558^th of 2258 public elementary schools	75.3%	246	57.0	61.0	60.0	62.0	75.0	82.0	61.0	89.0	68.0	$12,574	$1,614	$10,960
Ochwilla Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-6	299 N State Road 21	Hawthorne	32640	Putnam County	Putnam	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 481-0204	388	22	17.6	53.6%	216 (55.7%)	59 (15.2%)	66 (17.0%)	2 (0.5%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (11.1%)	19.2	1950^th of 2240 public elementary schools	12.9%		18.7	1958^th of 2258 public elementary schools	13.3%	8	60.0	33.0	39.0	50.0	42.0	31.0	28.0	59.0	41.0	$14,150	$2,958	$11,192

Frequently Asked Questions about Kelley Smith Elementary School

How many students attend Kelley Smith Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 776 students attended Kelley Smith Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Kelley Smith Elementary School?

Students at Kelley Smith Elementary School are 58% White, 31% African American, 6% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races.

What district is Kelley Smith Elementary School in?

Putnam

Is Kelley Smith Elementary School a good school?

Kelley Smith Elementary School ranks 1675^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Kelley Smith Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Kelley Smith Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Palatka Junior - Senior 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.