Summary:
Zip code 34205 in Bradenton, Florida, is home to nine schools within the Manatee County School District, a 2-star district, serving a mix of elementary, middle, high, and alternative education students.
The standout school in this area is Rowlett Middle Academy, a 4-star school that dramatically outperforms all others, ranking in the 77th percentile statewide with 100% proficiency in Geometry and 94% in Civics. This success is notable because it spends less per student ($10,230) than many lower-performing schools. In contrast, the elementary schools are struggling, with G D Rogers Garden- Bullock Elementary ranking in the 4th percentile despite having the highest spending per student ($17,755). Among high schools, Manatee High School is the strongest traditional option, with a 90.6% graduation rate and strong Biology and US History scores, though it suffers from a 44.2% chronic absenteeism rate—the worst in the zip code. Manatee School Of Arts/Sciences is a notable elementary school showing improvement, with 75% of 5th graders proficient in science, far exceeding district and state averages.
A critical finding is the strong link between chronic absenteeism and low performance; schools like G D Rogers Garden- Bullock Elementary (39.7% absenteeism) and Manatee High School (44.2%) are the lowest-ranked in their categories. Alternative schools like the Juvenile Detention Center and Pace Center For Girls serve unique, high-need populations and are not directly comparable to traditional schools. Overall, Rowlett Middle Academy stands as an island of excellence in a district where most elementary and high schools face significant academic and attendance challenges, highlighting that factors like school culture and leadership may matter more than spending alone.
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