Since a good education is one of the keys to success, the choice of an elementary school can be one of the most important decisions for a child’s educational future. The education a child receives in the first six or seven years of school is the foundation for all future learning. A good foundation will make it easier for a child to succeed and get the most out of the educational opportunities offered in middle and high school.
Some websites like SchoolDigger.com allow you to search for the top public schools in every state. Although many private elementary schools may provide an excellent education they generally do not publicize their test scores or may not use the same tests, so it is impossible to rank the private schools. Florida’s ranked listing of elementary schools is based on the combined 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test) scores for reading and math.
According to SchoolDigger.com the top rated elementary school in Florida is the Pine View School in Osprey, Sarasota County. It is a grade K-12 public school for gifted students with a 17.4 student to teacher ratio with a combined FCAT score of 808.3.
The other top scoring public elementary schools are as follows:
Robert L. Stevenson Elementary in Merritt Island, Brevard County, is a grade K-6 school with 427 students and a 16.4 student to teacher ratio. Comined FCAT score of 787.
Freedom 7 Elementary/International Studies in Cocoa Beach, Brevard County, is a grade K-6 school with 412 students and a 15.8 student to teacher ratio. Combined FCAT score of 774.7.
Jacksonville Beach Elementary School in Jacksonville Beach, Duval County, is a grade K-5 school with 616 students and a 16.0 student to teacher ratio. Combined FCAT score of 769.3.
Waters Edge Elementary School in Boca Raton, Palm Beach County, is a grade K-5 school with 879 students and a 16.9 student to teacher ratio. Combined FCAT score of 761.
Arthur Robert Ashe, Junior Middle School in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, is a grade 6-8 school with 634 students and a 13.2 student to teacher ratio. Combined FCAT score of 760.3.
W. Melbourne Elementary For Science in West Melbourne, Brevard County, is a grade K-6 school with 414 students and a 16.6 student to teacher ratio. Combined FCAT score of 760.
Suntree Elementary School in Melbourne, Brevard County, is a grade PK-6 school with 805 students and a 14.1 student to teacher ratio. Combined FCAT score of 754.
Bevis Elementary School in Lithia, Hillsborough County, is a grade PK-5 school with 775 students and a 12.9 student to teacher ratio. Combined FCAT score of 750.4.
Killearn Lakes Elementary School in Tallahassee, Leon County, is a grade PK-5 school with 929 students and a 15.6 student to teacher ratio. Combined FCAT score of 749.3.
These numbers and ranking are current for the 2008-2009 school year and only reflect the rankings based on FCAT scores. More detailed city by city information can be found at GreatSchools.net which provides school rankings for each city as well as city demographics and student demographics. Schools can be compared within a city and the site also includes some parent feedback, public comments, and test score information.
