Stephen Foster Elementary School

Q: Is Stephen Foster Elementary School a good school?

Stephen Foster Elementary School ranks 1612 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Summary:

Stephen Foster Elementary School is a public elementary school in Gainesville, Florida, serving 458 students from kindergarten to 5th grade. The school is part of the Alachua School District, which is ranked 43 out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Stephen Foster Elementary has a significantly higher percentage of African American students (41.48%) compared to nearby schools, which range from 19.96% to 87.31% African American students. The school has also experienced a notable increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 8.8% in 2019-2020 to 25.8% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the 11.4% to 27.9% range of nearby schools. Additionally, Stephen Foster's test scores are generally lower than the Alachua district and Florida state averages, with only 34% of 5th-grade students proficient or better in Statewide Science, compared to 50% in the Alachua district and 53% statewide.

While some nearby schools, such as Littlewood Elementary and Boulware Springs Charter, have higher test scores and lower chronic absenteeism rates, others, like Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Elementary and W.A. Metcalfe Elementary, have similar or even lower performance metrics compared to Stephen Foster. The school's high percentage of students from low-income families, ranging from 57.41% to 65.07% over the past few years, may be contributing to its performance challenges, highlighting the need for targeted interventions and support to address the unique needs of the student population.

Detail:

Public, Magnet K-5

3800 NW 6th St
Gainesville, FL 32609

(352) 955-6706

District: Alachua

SchoolDigger Rank:
1612^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,431

Students who attend Stephen Foster Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:

Westwood Middle School

Student/teacher ratio: 12.5

Number of students: 386

Racial breakdown:

African American:

42.0%

White:

28.2%

Hispanic:

14.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 65.8%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Stephen Foster Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Stephen Foster Elementary School ranks worse than 71.5% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 21^st among 28 ranked elementary schools in the Alachua School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 30.24. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Stephen Foster Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (42%), White (28.2%), Hispanic (14%). (See more...)

Compare Details 65.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Stephen Foster Elementary School is 12.5, which is the 6^th best among 28 elementary schools in the Alachua School District. (See more...)

Compare Stephen Foster Elementary School employs 30.8 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Stephen Foster Elementary School is $11,431, which is the 7^th highest among 28 elementary schools in the Alachua School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Stephen Foster Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Alachua:

SchoolDigger ranks Alachua 43^rd of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Stephen Foster Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	70.31	509^th	1688	69.8%
2007	63.01	695^th	1786	61.1%
2008	83.60	235^th	1789	86.9%
2009	72.80	467^th	1847	74.7%
2010	79.39	333^rd	1919	82.6%
2011	74.91	470^th	1985	76.3%
2012	79.04	366^th	1984	81.6%
2013	81.74	322^nd	2029	84.1%
2014	82.54	325^th	2064	84.3%
2016	70.05	592^nd	2087	71.6%
2017	63.16	762^nd	2112	63.9%
2018	66.81	683^rd	2118	67.8%
2019	65.80	717^th	2182	67.1%
2021	47.90	1134^th	2247	49.5%
2022	41.40	1279^th	2219	42.4%
2023	32.87	1531^st	2240	31.7%
2024	30.24	1612^th	2256	28.5%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Stephen Foster Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	375	221	5	3	0	n/a	n/a	0	604
1989	414	206	8	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	634
1990	504	219	7	12	1	n/a	n/a	0	743
1991	495	244	7	17	0	n/a	n/a	0	763
1992	499	263	8	20	1	n/a	n/a	0	791
1993	315	302	8	13	0	n/a	n/a	0	638
1994	264	293	7	24	1	n/a	n/a	0	589
1995	220	242	9	21	2	n/a	n/a	0	494
1996	220	242	9	21	2	n/a	n/a	0	494
1997	201	227	13	18	2	n/a	n/a	0	461
1998	181	212	9	11	0	n/a	n/a	0	413
1999	186	191	6	11	0	n/a	n/a	0	394
2000	166	186	5	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	369
2001	159	191	6	13	0	n/a	n/a	0	369
2002	161	174	7	19	0	n/a	n/a	0	361
2003	161	174	7	19	0	n/a	n/a	0	361
2004	165	154	2	24	0	n/a	n/a	0	345
2005	195	155	16	35	1	n/a	n/a	0	402
2006	234	201	13	36	1	n/a	n/a	0	485
2007	193	147	15	33	1	n/a	n/a	58	447
2008	187	166	25	40	1	n/a	n/a	58	477
2009	204	186	27	29	0	n/a	n/a	55	501
2010	174	178	27	30	0	n/a	n/a	57	466
2011	173	222	1	30	0	0	38	0	464
2012	151	205	21	37	0	4	37	0	455
2013	143	202	28	38	0	4	44	0	459
2014	148	203	36	52	0	5	40	0	484
2015	161	182	37	44	0	2	49	0	475
2016	172	229	37	49	0	1	48	0	536
2017	158	241	30	53	0	2	45	0	529
2018	161	249	22	50	0	4	33	0	519
2019	182	229	32	53	1	3	39	0	539
2020	160	178	32	51	1	3	47	0	472
2021	121	196	30	43	1	2	39	0	432
2022	126	200	20	58	2	1	45	0	452
2023	134	190	27	63	3	1	40	0	458
2024	109	162	28	54	3	0	30	0	386

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Stephen Foster Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	604	32.0	18.8	40.1
1989	634	33.0	19.2	36.6
1990	743	39.0	19.0	40.2
1991	763	43.0	17.7	39.4
1992	791	46.0	17.1	33
1993	638	40.0	16.0	57.7
1994	589	39.0	15.1	64.9
1995	494	33.0	15.0	67.6
1996	494	33.0	15.0	67.6
1997	461	31.0	14.9	71.1
1998	413	29.0	14.2	67.6
1999	394	28.0	14.1	75.6
2000	369	26.0	14.2	79.1
2001	369	27.0	13.7	83.7
2002	361	26.0	13.9	94.2
2003	361	26.0	13.9	94.2
2004	345	25.0	13.8	90.4
2005	402	29.0	13.9	77.6
2006	485	31.0	15.6	61.4
2007	447	32.0	14.0	74
2008	477	35.5	13.4	72.6
2009	501	45.4	13.2	74.2
2010	466	38.0	12.2	70.2
2011	464	39.5	11.7	61.6
2012	455	38.3	11.8	59.1
2013	459	35.0	13.1	58.8
2014	484	38.0	12.7	62.8
2015	475	40.0	11.8	51.8
2016	536	40.0	13.4	53.4
2017	529	35.0	15.1	55.2
2018	519	40.0	12.9	66.9
2019	539	36.8	14.6	52.7
2020	472	35.4	13.3	53.2
2021	432	31.4	13.7	57.4
2022	452	31.4	14.3	63.1
2023	458	29.3	15.6	65.1
2024	386	30.8	12.5	65.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Stephen Foster Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	604	32.0	18.8	40.1
1989	634	33.0	19.2	36.6
1990	743	39.0	19.0	40.2
1991	763	43.0	17.7	39.4
1992	791	46.0	17.1	33
1993	638	40.0	16.0	57.7
1994	589	39.0	15.1	64.9
1995	494	33.0	15.0	67.6
1996	494	33.0	15.0	67.6
1997	461	31.0	14.9	71.1
1998	413	29.0	14.2	67.6
1999	394	28.0	14.1	75.6
2000	369	26.0	14.2	79.1
2001	369	27.0	13.7	83.7
2002	361	26.0	13.9	94.2
2003	361	26.0	13.9	94.2
2004	345	25.0	13.8	90.4
2005	402	29.0	13.9	77.6
2006	485	31.0	15.6	61.4
2007	447	32.0	14.0	74
2008	477	35.5	13.4	72.6
2009	501	45.4	13.2	74.2
2010	466	38.0	12.2	70.2
2011	464	39.5	11.7	61.6
2012	455	38.3	11.8	59.1
2013	459	35.0	13.1	58.8
2014	484	38.0	12.7	62.8
2015	475	40.0	11.8	51.8
2016	536	40.0	13.4	53.4
2017	529	35.0	15.1	55.2
2018	519	40.0	12.9	66.9
2019	539	36.8	14.6	52.7
2020	472	35.4	13.3	53.2
2021	432	31.4	13.7	57.4
2022	452	31.4	14.3	63.1
2023	458	29.3	15.6	65.1
2024	386	30.8	12.5	65.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Stephen Foster Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$832 (8.8%)	$8,577 (91.2%)	$9,409
2019	$887 (9.3%)	$8,653 (90.7%)	$9,541
2020	$1,020 (9.8%)	$9,424 (90.2%)	$10,444
2021	$2,042 (17.2%)	$9,863 (82.8%)	$11,906
2022	$2,083 (18.1%)	$9,413 (81.9%)	$11,496
2023	$2,023 (17.7%)	$9,408 (82.3%)	$11,431

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Stephen Foster Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 717^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1531^st of 2240 Elementary schools	35.5%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Stephen Foster Elementary School)	62	40	22%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Alachua)	57	50	7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Stephen Foster Elementary School)	68	42	26%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Alachua)	58	52	6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Stephen Foster Elementary School)	66	55	11%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Alachua)	55	55
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Stephen Foster Elementary School)	70	56	14%
4th Grade Mathematics (Alachua)	60	58	2%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Stephen Foster Elementary School)	61	53	8%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Alachua)	55	51	4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Stephen Foster Elementary School)	65	47	18%
5th Grade Mathematics (Alachua)	57	48	9%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Stephen Foster Elementary School)	58	48	10%
5th Grade Science (Alachua)	55	46	9%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	48	5%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	539	458	15%
African American	229	190	17%
American Indian	1	3	200%
Asian	32	27	15.6%
Hispanic	53	63	18.9%
Pacific Islander	3	1	66.7%
White	182	134	26.4%
Two or More Races	39	40	2.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	52.7%	65.1%	12.4%

Schools Near Stephen Foster Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)			FAST Math (2024)			Statewide Science Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Stephen Foster Elementary School	Public, Magnet	K-5	3800 NW 6th St	Gainesville	32609	Alachua County	Alachua	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 955-6706	386	31	12.5	65.8%	109 (28.2%)	162 (42.0%)	54 (14.0%)	28 (7.3%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (7.8%)	30.2	1612^th of 2256 public elementary schools	28.5%		32.9	1531^st of 2240 public elementary schools	31.7%	81	54.0	49.0	39.0	49.0	53.0	26.0	34.0	$11,431	$2,023	$9,408
C. W. Norton Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2200 NW 45th Ave	Gainesville	32605	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6765	539	39	13.8	51.2%	237 (44.0%)	139 (25.8%)	89 (16.5%)	21 (3.9%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	51 (9.5%)	38.1	1397^th of 2256 public elementary schools	38.1%		36.3	1434^th of 2240 public elementary schools	36.0%	37	54.0	51.0	51.0	46.0	41.0	49.0	44.0	$10,476	$1,778	$8,698
Fearnside Family Services Center	Public	PK	3600 NE 15th St	Gainesville	32609	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	No	(352) 955-6875	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	3500 NE 15th St	Gainesville	32609	Alachua County	Alachua	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 955-6715	420	29	14.5	91.2%	14 (3.3%)	358 (85.2%)	25 (6.0%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.8%)	4.3	2229^th of 2256 public elementary schools	1.2%		6.2	2190^th of 2240 public elementary schools	2.2%	39	5.0	21.0	22.0	5.0	17.0	33.0	22.0	$14,496	$3,404	$11,093
The One Room School House Project	Public, Charter	K-6	4180 NE 15th St	Gainesville	32609	Alachua County	Alachua	Yes	No	No	Yes	(352) 376-4014	188	11	17.0	70.2%	50 (26.6%)	103 (54.8%)	15 (8.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (10.6%)	36.8	1436^th of 2256 public elementary schools	36.3%		53.3	1014^th of 2240 public elementary schools	54.7%	422	52.0	47.0	35.0	41.0	58.0	65.0	35.0	$8,236	$809	$7,427
Boulware Springs Charter	Public, Charter	K-5	1303 NE 23rd Ave	Gainesville	32609	Alachua County	Alachua	Yes	No	No	Yes	(352) 244-9732	158	13	12.1	66.5%	38 (24.1%)	97 (61.4%)	10 (6.3%)	3 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (6.3%)	75.6	513^th of 2256 public elementary schools	77.3%		82.6	354^th of 2240 public elementary schools	84.2%	159	67.0	50.0	67.0	89.0	85.0	58.0	58.0	$9,407	$1,296	$8,110
W. A. Metcalfe Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1250 NE 18th Ave	Gainesville	32609	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6713	444	35	12.6	87.2%	27 (6.1%)	367 (82.7%)	24 (5.4%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (5.4%)	6.3	2209^th of 2256 public elementary schools	2.1%		5.3	2199^th of 2240 public elementary schools	1.8%	10	28.0	30.0	22.0	26.0	25.0	27.0	19.0	$10,705	$2,173	$8,531
Glen Springs Elementary School	Public	K-5	2826 NW 31st Ave	Gainesville	32605	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6708	443	30	14.7	44.9%	211 (47.6%)	107 (24.2%)	58 (13.1%)	16 (3.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (11.3%)	63.8	778^th of 2256 public elementary schools	65.5%		61.1	817^th of 2240 public elementary schools	63.5%	39	71.0	60.0	61.0	65.0	51.0	51.0	65.0	$11,155	$1,792	$9,363
Carolyn Beatrice Parker Elementary	Public	K-5	1912 NW 5th Ave	Gainesville	32603	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6705	502	35	14.2	40.0%	175 (34.9%)	115 (22.9%)	158 (31.5%)	28 (5.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	25 (5.0%)	38.5	1379^th of 2256 public elementary schools	38.9%		40.8	1311^th of 2240 public elementary schools	41.5%	68	51.0	46.0	50.0	42.0	54.0	48.0	47.0	$11,375	$1,694	$9,681
Early Learning Academy At Duval	Public	PK-K	2106 NE 8th Ave	Gainesville	32641	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6703	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Stephen Foster Elementary School

What district is Stephen Foster Elementary School in?

Alachua

What schools do graduates of Stephen Foster Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Stephen Foster Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Westwood Middle School

Is Stephen Foster Elementary School a good school?

Stephen Foster Elementary School ranks 1612^th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

How many students attend Stephen Foster Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 386 students attended Stephen Foster Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Stephen Foster Elementary School?

Students at Stephen Foster Elementary School are 42% African American, 28% White, 14% Hispanic, 8% Two or more races, 7% Asian.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.