Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Gulf Gate Elementary School

Q: Is Gulf Gate Elementary School a good school?

Gulf Gate Elementary School ranks 733 rd of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

733^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 67% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Gulf Gate Elementary School is a mid-sized elementary school (PK-5) in the highly-rated Sarasota County School District, serving 596 students in a neighborhood with moderate economic diversity, where about 55% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Gulf Gate is a solid school that finds itself in a challenging position, surrounded by some of the highest-performing elementary schools in the state. While schools like Ashton Elementary, Lakeview Elementary, and Southside Elementary consistently rank in the top 10% of Florida schools, Gulf Gate's recent state ranking has dropped to the 67th percentile. This decline coincides with a dramatic spike in chronic absenteeism, which jumped from a very low 4.7% in 2022-2023 to 20.1% in 2023-2024. The school also spends significantly more per student ($19,235) than its higher-performing neighbors, suggesting a potential inefficiency in resource allocation. On a positive note, Gulf Gate's 4th-grade English Language Arts (ELA) proficiency rate of 75% was a standout, outperforming both the district and state averages.

Academically, Gulf Gate shows a consistent weakness in math, with proficiency rates in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades all falling below the district average. The school's demographic profile (55% free/reduced lunch) is more aligned with the struggling cluster of nearby schools, such as Wilkinson Elementary and Imagine School at Palmer Ranch, yet its academic performance is significantly better than those schools. This suggests Gulf Gate is effectively serving a more challenging student population than its high-achieving neighbors, though the recent spike in absenteeism threatens this relative success.

596

Students ?

13.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$19,235

Per pupil spending ?

54.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

6500 S Lockwood Ridge Rd
Sarasota, FL 34231

(941) 361-6499

District: Sarasota

Students who attend Gulf Gate Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Riverview High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

62.2%

Hispanic:

27.3%

Two or more races:

6.5%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Gulf Gate Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 77th percentile in 2016 → 67th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (68% vs 62% meeting standards)

✓Above the Florida median (67th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 10 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school68%

District avg73%

Florida avg62%

733^rd of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Top 33%▼ down 9 pts since 2016

From top 23% (2016) to top 33% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

18^th of 31Elementary Schools in the Sarasota

9^th of 70Sarasota 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	65.7	733 of 2240	67.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	59.2	898 of 2258	60.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	77.4	467 of 2256	79.3%	★★★★☆
2023	82.1	362 of 2240	83.8%	★★★★☆
2022	54.6	954 of 2219	57.0%	★★★☆☆
2021	70.3	643 of 2247	71.4%	★★★★☆
2019	77.9	448 of 2182	79.5%	★★★★☆
2018	75.5	479 of 2118	77.4%	★★★★☆
2017	80.3	371 of 2112	82.4%	★★★★☆
2016	74.9	490 of 2087	76.5%	★★★★☆
2014	77.6	415 of 2064	79.9%	★★★★☆
2013	72.0	522 of 2029	74.3%	★★★★☆
2012	73.6	495 of 1984	75.1%	★★★★☆
2011	68.0	651 of 1985	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2010	71.8	526 of 1919	72.6%	★★★★☆
2009	67.1	607 of 1847	67.1%	★★★☆☆
2008	75.1	407 of 1789	77.2%	★★★★☆
2007	72.1	483 of 1786	73.0%	★★★★☆
2006	70.8	503 of 1688	70.2%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts69%+9 vs state

Science67%+7 vs state

Math66%~ state avg

3.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

Rate Gulf Gate Elementary School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, February 8, 2019

If your kid is kicked and hit in the crotch, punched in the crotch, face, and stomach, has a kid hold his known allergen up to him/her, don't expect justice for your kid. Apparently this is just "kids being kids". I've given up. The principal doesn't care, the counselor doesn't care, front staff doesnt care, the only ones who care are the teachers who are pressured to keep discipline records down. Virtual school next yr for us I think! Close Quote

Schools Near Gulf Gate Elementary School

Load more schools when map is moved

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 (2025)	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
Gulf Gate Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6500 S Lockwood Ridge Rd	Sarasota	34231	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	No	No	No	(941) 361-6499	596	45	13.2	54.9%	371 (62.2%)	17 (2.9%)	163 (27.3%)	6 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (6.5%)	65.7	733^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	67.3%		59.2	898^th of 2258 public elementary schools	60.2%	165	66.0	75.0	67.0				65.0	73.0	60.0				67.0				$19,235	$1,528	$17,708
Imagine School At Palmer Ranch	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	6220 McIntosh Rd	Sarasota	34238	Sarasota County	Sarasota	Yes	No	No	No	(941) 257-1124	433	30	14.3	3.5%	210 (48.5%)	9 (2.1%)	178 (41.1%)	13 (3.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (5.1%)	22.9	1848^th of 2240 public elementary schools	17.5%		33.2	1552^nd of 2258 public elementary schools	31.3%	296	43.0	36.0	53.0	53.0	48.0	66.0	40.0	44.0	47.0	62.0	67.0	81.0	44.0	40.0	100.0	73.0	$11,111	$34	$11,077
Phillippi Shores Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	4747 S Tamiami Trl	Sarasota	34231	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	Yes	No	No	(941) 361-6424	696	44	15.8	34.8%	466 (67.0%)	44 (6.3%)	139 (20.0%)	7 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (5.7%)	86.2	228^th of 2240 public elementary schools	89.8%		88	226^th of 2258 public elementary schools	90.0%	2	78.0	71.0	77.0				81.0	83.0	87.0				81.0				$15,150	$255	$14,896
Wilkinson Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3400 Wilkinson Rd	Sarasota	34231	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 361-6477	422	33	12.9	72.5%	159 (37.7%)	52 (12.3%)	176 (41.7%)	8 (1.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (6.2%)	36.3	1496^th of 2240 public elementary schools	33.2%		27.1	1722^nd of 2258 public elementary schools	23.7%	226	59.0	44.0	48.0				67.0	58.0	52.0				52.0				$23,696	$3,263	$20,434
Ashton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5110 Ashton Rd	Sarasota	34233	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	No	No	No	(941) 361-6440	964	59	16.4	28.0%	703 (72.9%)	12 (1.2%)	129 (13.4%)	53 (5.5%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	63 (6.5%)	92.9	68^th of 2240 public elementary schools	97.0%		93.1	81^st of 2258 public elementary schools	96.4%	13	77.0	82.0	80.0				97.0	89.0	93.0				88.0				$14,216	$264	$13,952
Southside Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1901 Webber St	Sarasota	34239	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	No	No	No	(941) 361-6420	696	46	15.1	22.1%	526 (75.6%)	22 (3.2%)	88 (12.6%)	14 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	46 (6.6%)	96.6	15^th of 2240 public elementary schools	99.3%		95.9	29^th of 2258 public elementary schools	98.7%	14	90.0	87.0	89.0				98.0	95.0	94.0				91.0				$14,291	$220	$14,071
Brentwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2500 Vinson Ave	Sarasota	34232	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 361-6230	590	47	12.5	61.7%	298 (50.5%)	68 (11.5%)	187 (31.7%)	8 (1.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (4.7%)	72.7	559^th of 2240 public elementary schools	75.0%		53.7	1025^th of 2258 public elementary schools	54.6%	466	71.0	58.0	72.0				76.0	73.0	75.0				74.0				$23,848	$3,323	$20,525
Alta Vista Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1050 S Euclid Ave	Sarasota	34237	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 361-6400	453	33	13.7	84.3%	109 (24.1%)	74 (16.3%)	226 (49.9%)	5 (1.1%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	37 (8.2%)	65.3	746^th of 2240 public elementary schools	66.7%		57.3	941^st of 2258 public elementary schools	58.3%	195	60.0	64.0	53.0				75.0	78.0	76.0				71.0				$21,464	$2,908	$18,556
Innovation Academy Srq	Public, Charter	K-5	845 S School Ave	Sarasota	34237	Sarasota County	Sarasota	Yes	No	No	Yes	(941) 952-5277	96	7	13.7	85.4%	14 (14.6%)	42 (43.8%)	33 (34.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (7.3%)	2.1	2222^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	0.8%		29.5	1660^th of 2258 public elementary schools	26.5%	562			27.0						27.0				13.0				$11,667	$1,293	$10,375
Sarasota Academy Of The Arts	Public, Charter	K-8	582 McIntosh Rd	Sarasota	34232	Sarasota County	Sarasota	Yes	No	No	No	(941) 377-2278	193	17	11.1	55.4%	94 (48.7%)	5 (2.6%)	72 (37.3%)	3 (1.6%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (9.3%)	64.5	770^th of 2240 public elementary schools	65.6%		31.5	1601^st of 2258 public elementary schools	29.1%	831	69.0	79.0	63.0	52.0	39.0	62.0	88.0	89.0	53.0	63.0	56.0	47.0	79.0	38.0	62.0	86.0	$10,470	$200	$10,270

Frequently Asked Questions about Gulf Gate Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Gulf Gate Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Gulf Gate Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Riverview High School

What is the racial makeup of Gulf Gate Elementary School?

Students at Gulf Gate Elementary School are 62% White, 27% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 3% African American, 1% Asian.

What district is Gulf Gate Elementary School in?

Sarasota

Is Gulf Gate Elementary School a good school?

Gulf Gate Elementary School ranks 733^rd of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Gulf Gate Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 596 students attended Gulf Gate Elementary School.

Rate Gulf Gate Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida Elementary School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Sarasota, FL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Gulf Gate Elementary School!

Latest Florida data All new data »

2024–25 attendance dataAug 18, 2026

2025–26 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataMar 20, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

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.