Summary:
This analysis examines six elementary schools in the 34209 zip code of Bradenton, Florida, all part of the Manatee school district, serving grades PK-5 and offering a wide range of academic environments for families.
The standout school in the area is Ida M. Stewart Elementary School, which consistently earns top state rankings and 5-star ratings, with test scores far exceeding district and state averages. For example, 84% of its 4th graders were proficient in ELA compared to 55% district-wide. It also has the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (7.7%) and the lowest percentage of students on free/reduced lunch (33%). A strong contender is Palma Sola Elementary School, a 3-star school that outperforms averages in early grades and has a low absenteeism rate of 14.6%. In contrast, H. S. Moody Elementary School has been in decline, earning 1-star ratings with test scores below district averages. The most challenged school is Just For Girls Elementary School, a small single-gender school with the highest free/reduced lunch rate (83%) and an alarming 63.4% chronic absenteeism rate, resulting in the lowest test scores. Jessie P. Miller Elementary School and Sea Breeze Elementary School fall in the middle, both earning 2-star ratings.
Key takeaways for parents include a strong link between chronic absenteeism and performance, with the top two schools having the lowest rates. Per-student spending does not guarantee results, as H. S. Moody spends over $13,000 per student but still struggles. A notable data anomaly shows all four schools reporting 6th-grade math scores had a perfect 100% proficiency rate, which likely indicates a reporting error. Overall, the zip code offers a stark contrast between high-performing Ida M. Stewart and struggling H. S. Moody, highlighting how school culture and demographics can vary dramatically within a small geographic area.
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