Summary:
This analysis examines three elementary schools in the 34231 zip code of Sarasota, Florida, serving grades PK through 5 as part of the high-performing Sarasota School District, which is ranked 9th out of 70 districts in the state.
Phillippi Shores Elementary School is the standout performer in this area, consistently exceeding both district and state averages across all subjects and grade levels. It holds a top 10% state ranking (90th percentile) for the 2025-2026 school year and has maintained a 4 or 5-star rating over the past three years. In contrast, Wilkinson Elementary School faces the most significant challenges, with the lowest state ranking (33rd percentile, 2-star), the highest chronic absenteeism rate (31.9%), and the highest percentage of students on free/reduced lunch (72.51%). Gulf Gate Elementary School sits in the middle, with a 3-star rating and a state ranking in the 67th percentile, showing mixed performance that includes recent improvements in 4th grade subjects.
A key finding is the inverse relationship between per-student spending and performance: Wilkinson has the highest spending ($23,696 per student) but the lowest test scores, while Phillippi Shores has the lowest spending ($15,150) and the highest performance. This suggests higher spending is a response to greater student needs rather than a direct driver of achievement. Additionally, chronic absenteeism is a critical issue at Wilkinson, where the rate matches the state average of 31.4% and is significantly higher than the district average of 20.1%. Phillippi Shores demonstrates consistent year-over-year improvement, such as in 5th Grade Science rising from 75% to 81%, while Gulf Gate shows promising progress in 4th Grade ELA (53% to 75%) and Math (66% to 73%), indicating effective strategies may be taking hold.
Thank you for your feedback!