Best Elementary Schools in Gainesville, FL

The city of Gainesville, Florida is home to 21 elementary schools that serve students from pre-kindergarten through 5th or 6th grade. These schools are part of the Alachua school district, which is ranked 43 out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

A few schools stand out as high-performing, including Expressions Learning Arts Academy, a charter school that ranks 346 out of 2,256 Florida elementary schools and has a 4-star rating. It boasts particularly strong test scores, with 92% of 3rd graders proficient or better in English Language Arts and 75% proficient or better in Math. Another high-performing charter school is Boulware Springs Charter, which ranks 513 out of 2,256 and has a 4-star rating, excelling in Math with 89% of 3rd graders and 85% of 4th graders proficient or better. The public Kimball Wiles Elementary School also stands out, ranking 565 out of 2,256 and having a 4-star rating with strong test scores.

However, the data reveals significant performance gaps between the highest and lowest-performing schools, both within the Alachua district and compared to state averages. Schools with higher rates of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, a proxy for socioeconomic status, tend to have lower academic performance. Addressing chronic absenteeism, which is as high as 52.5% at some schools, may be a key lever for improving student outcomes across the district.