Ballard Elementary School

Summary:

Ballard Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Bradenton, Florida, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of around 400. The school is part of the Manatee School District, which is ranked 34 out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 3-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Ballard Elementary has consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 21.4% in 2018-2019 to 44.7% in 2021-2022, which is significantly higher than the state and district averages. The school's test scores are also consistently lower than the Manatee district and Florida state averages across all grade levels and subjects, with only 35-47% of Ballard students proficient in English Language Arts and Math, compared to 51-63% for the district and 53-60% for the state. Additionally, Ballard Elementary has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 72.46% to 82.5% over the past few years, indicating a higher concentration of economically disadvantaged students. As a result, Ballard Elementary has consistently ranked in the bottom 20% of Florida elementary schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger for most years.

Compared to nearby schools, such as William Monroe Rowlett Academy for Arts and Communication, which is located just 2.11 miles away and ranked in the top 30% of Florida elementary schools with much higher proficiency rates, Ballard Elementary's performance is significantly lower. This correlation between socioeconomic status and academic performance is well-documented, and the data for Ballard Elementary aligns with this trend. However, the consistently high chronic absenteeism rates at Ballard Elementary may also be a significant factor in the school's low academic performance, and addressing this issue could be a key focus for the school's improvement.

Detail:

Public, Magnet PK, KG-5

912 18th St W
Bradenton, FL 34205

(941) 708-8400

District: Manatee

SchoolDigger Rank:
1774^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $13,565

Students who attend Ballard Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Martha B. King Middle School
High:	Manatee High School

Student/teacher ratio: 14.8

Number of students: 400

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

48.0%

African American:

23.8%

White:

22.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 82.5%

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Compare Ballard Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Ballard Elementary School ranks worse than 78.6% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 31^st among 41 ranked elementary schools in the Manatee School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 24.79. (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 Ballard Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (48%), African American (23.8%), White (22%). (See more...)

Compare Details 82.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ballard Elementary School is 14.8. 22 elementary schools in the Manatee School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Ballard Elementary School employs 27 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ballard Elementary School is $13,565, which is the 9^th highest among 41 elementary schools in the Manatee School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Manatee:

SchoolDigger ranks Manatee 34^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Ballard Elementary School.

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Rank History for Ballard Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	28.70	1240^th	1688	26.5%
2007	34.60	1228^th	1786	31.2%
2008	27.76	1373^rd	1789	23.3%
2009	17.78	1610^th	1847	12.8%
2010	18.38	1657^th	1919	13.7%
2011	21.67	1664^th	1985	16.2%
2012	18.85	1686^th	1984	15.0%
2013	26.60	1583^rd	2029	22.0%
2014	26.18	1594^th	2064	22.8%
2016	16.68	1821^st	2087	12.7%
2017	8.40	2029^th	2112	3.9%
2018	10.10	1995^th	2118	5.8%
2019	19.54	1854^th	2182	15.0%
2021	29.81	1579^th	2247	29.7%
2022	24.51	1713^th	2219	22.8%
2023	18.95	1937^th	2240	13.5%
2024	24.79	1774^th	2256	21.4%

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

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Sunday, July 14, 2019

Best thing I could have done was enroll my son into Ballard Elementary he has excelled tremendously academic and behavior wise and 4th grade here he comes teachers and staff you guys rock Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Ballard Elementary teachers are some of the most kind, caring, and hardworking teachers I have ever met. They truly care for the students and their success. My child could not have gotten a better education than they did at Ballard. It has a small school, neighborhood atmosphere where everyone is out to succeed. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Ballard Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	400	123	5	30	1	n/a	n/a	0	559
1989	372	103	2	38	0	n/a	n/a	0	515
1990	393	112	2	34	0	n/a	n/a	0	541
1991	384	100	2	58	0	n/a	n/a	0	544
1992	354	100	5	82	0	n/a	n/a	0	541
1993	347	116	3	84	0	n/a	n/a	0	550
1994	358	107	2	77	0	n/a	n/a	0	544
1995	351	136	3	96	0	n/a	n/a	0	586
1996	351	136	3	96	0	n/a	n/a	0	586
1997	342	114	4	139	0	n/a	n/a	0	599
1998	295	87	3	122	0	n/a	n/a	0	507
1999	289	102	2	125	0	n/a	n/a	0	518
2000	255	107	1	144	0	n/a	n/a	0	507
2001	252	116	4	149	0	n/a	n/a	0	521
2002	264	111	3	222	0	n/a	n/a	0	600
2003	264	111	3	222	0	n/a	n/a	0	600
2004	250	89	2	228	0	n/a	n/a	0	569
2005	239	83	6	216	1	n/a	n/a	0	545
2006	245	82	6	246	2	n/a	n/a	0	581
2007	186	79	3	233	2	n/a	n/a	27	530
2008	161	73	1	231	1	n/a	n/a	28	495
2009	159	80	1	199	1	n/a	n/a	30	470
2010	135	72	2	168	0	n/a	n/a	26	403
2011	122	88	1	172	2	0	15	0	400
2012	139	105	1	166	1	0	26	0	438
2013	128	116	0	154	2	0	29	0	429
2014	137	133	1	164	0	0	32	0	467
2015	129	154	1	165	1	1	36	0	487
2016	108	124	0	170	0	1	31	0	434
2017	125	146	1	196	0	1	38	0	507
2018	94	122	1	204	0	1	34	0	456
2019	87	114	1	196	0	1	39	0	438
2020	90	117	0	184	0	0	34	0	425
2021	87	112	0	189	0	0	26	0	414
2022	75	95	0	182	1	0	23	0	376
2023	88	95	7	192	1	0	17	0	400

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 Ballard Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	559	31.0	18.0	52.8
1989	515	33.0	15.6	63.3
1990	541	35.0	15.4	60.6
1991	544	34.0	16.0	59.7
1992	541	35.0	15.4	55.1
1993	550	29.0	19.0	60
1994	544	33.0	16.5	59
1995	586	33.0	17.8	62.1
1996	586	33.0	17.8	62.1
1997	599	34.0	17.6	65.4
1998	507	29.0	17.5	65.3
1999	518	31.0	16.7	81.3
2000	507	30.0	16.9	77.9
2001	521	30.0	17.4	65.5
2002	600	36.0	16.7	74.8
2003	600	36.0	16.7	74.8
2004	569	38.0	15.0	82.6
2005	545	37.0	14.7	80.4
2006	581	40.0	14.5	74
2007	530	40.0	13.3	77.7
2008	495	41.0	12.1	80.5
2009	470	34.8	14.2	88.4
2010	403	27.0	14.9	92.6
2011	400	28.0	14.2	88.3
2012	438	29.0	15.1	86.5
2013	429	31.0	13.8	89.7
2014	467	30.0	15.5	91
2015	487	36.0	13.5	100
2016	434	32.0	13.5	79
2017	507	35.0	14.4	82.8
2018	456	36.0	12.6	77.9
2019	438	29.0	15.1	76.7
2020	425	29.0	14.6	75.8
2021	414	31.0	13.3	72.5
2022	376	27.0	13.9	77.7
2023	400	27.0	14.8	82.5

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 Ballard Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	559	31.0	18.0	52.8
1989	515	33.0	15.6	63.3
1990	541	35.0	15.4	60.6
1991	544	34.0	16.0	59.7
1992	541	35.0	15.4	55.1
1993	550	29.0	19.0	60
1994	544	33.0	16.5	59
1995	586	33.0	17.8	62.1
1996	586	33.0	17.8	62.1
1997	599	34.0	17.6	65.4
1998	507	29.0	17.5	65.3
1999	518	31.0	16.7	81.3
2000	507	30.0	16.9	77.9
2001	521	30.0	17.4	65.5
2002	600	36.0	16.7	74.8
2003	600	36.0	16.7	74.8
2004	569	38.0	15.0	82.6
2005	545	37.0	14.7	80.4
2006	581	40.0	14.5	74
2007	530	40.0	13.3	77.7
2008	495	41.0	12.1	80.5
2009	470	34.8	14.2	88.4
2010	403	27.0	14.9	92.6
2011	400	28.0	14.2	88.3
2012	438	29.0	15.1	86.5
2013	429	31.0	13.8	89.7
2014	467	30.0	15.5	91
2015	487	36.0	13.5	100
2016	434	32.0	13.5	79
2017	507	35.0	14.4	82.8
2018	456	36.0	12.6	77.9
2019	438	29.0	15.1	76.7
2020	425	29.0	14.6	75.8
2021	414	31.0	13.3	72.5
2022	376	27.0	13.9	77.7
2023	400	27.0	14.8	82.5

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 Ballard Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,756 (16.5%)	$8,885 (83.5%)	$10,641
2019	$1,708 (14.0%)	$10,470 (86.0%)	$12,178
2020	$1,545 (11.4%)	$12,048 (88.6%)	$13,593
2021	$2,220 (15.1%)	$12,516 (84.9%)	$14,736
2022	$2,815 (19.8%)	$11,424 (80.2%)	$14,239
2023	$2,581 (19.0%)	$10,984 (81.0%)	$13,565

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Ballard 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 1854^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1937^th of 2240 Elementary schools	1.5%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Ballard Elementary School)	35	35
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Manatee)	51	46	5%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Ballard Elementary School)	51	46	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Manatee)	60	59	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Ballard Elementary School)	25	24	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Manatee)	56	55	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Ballard Elementary School)	43	44	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Manatee)	65	65
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Ballard Elementary School)	40	49	9%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Manatee)	52	57	5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Ballard Elementary School)	54	34	20%
5th Grade Mathematics (Manatee)	60	63	3%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Ballard Elementary School)	26	20	6%
5th Grade Science (Manatee)	48	49	1%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	438	400	8.7%
African American	114	95	16.7%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	1	7	600%
Hispanic	196	192	2%
Pacific Islander	1	0	100%
White	87	88	1.1%
Two or More Races	39	17	56.4%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	76.7%	82.5%	5.8%

Schools Near Ballard 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)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Civics (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 English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Ballard Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	912 18th St W	Bradenton	34205	Manatee County	Manatee	No	Yes	No	Yes	(941) 708-8400	400	27	14.8	82.5%	88 (22.0%)	95 (23.8%)	192 (48.0%)	7 (1.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (4.3%)	24.8	1774^th of 2256 public elementary schools	21.4%		18.9	1937^th of 2240 public elementary schools	13.5%	163	35.0	34.0	47.0				46.0	38.0	43.0				46.0				$13,565	$2,581	$10,984
G D Rogers Garden- Bullock Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	515 13th Ave W	Bradenton	34205	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 209-7540	504	38	13.4	78.0%	42 (8.3%)	176 (34.9%)	257 (51.0%)	5 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (4.8%)	9.9	2155^th of 2256 public elementary schools	4.5%		17.5	1970^th of 2240 public elementary schools	12.1%	185	20.0	18.0	23.0				31.0	30.0	53.0				17.0				$15,155	$2,768	$12,388
Jessie P. Miller Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	601 43rd St W	Bradenton	34209	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 741-3300	614	39	15.7	66.4%	290 (47.2%)	64 (10.4%)	202 (32.9%)	7 (1.1%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	47 (7.7%)	46.4	1188^th of 2256 public elementary schools	47.3%		31.7	1561^st of 2240 public elementary schools	30.3%	373	46.0	44.0	48.0				73.0	57.0	54.0				44.0				$11,569	$1,666	$9,903
Robert H. Prine Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3801 Southern Pkwy W	Bradenton	34205	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 751-7006	744	51	14.5	74.7%	185 (24.9%)	129 (17.3%)	391 (52.6%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (4.8%)	22.6	1834^th of 2256 public elementary schools	18.7%		22.7	1808^th of 2240 public elementary schools	19.3%	26	39.0	35.0	32.0				56.0	49.0	35.0				23.0				$12,213	$2,239	$9,974
Manatee School Of Arts/Sciences	Public, Charter	K-5	3700 32nd St W	Bradenton	34205	Manatee County	Manatee	Yes	No	No	Yes	(941) 755-5012	130	11	11.8	73.1%	71 (54.6%)	9 (6.9%)	43 (33.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (5.4%)	20.1	1897^th of 2256 public elementary schools	15.9%		21.3	1858^th of 2240 public elementary schools	17.1%	39	43.0	27.0					50.0	27.0									$11,127	$551	$10,577
William Monroe Rowlett Academy For Arts And Communication	Public, Magnet, Charter	K-5	3500 9th St E	Bradenton	34208	Manatee County	Manatee	Yes	Yes	No	No	(941) 708-6100	918	61	15.0	43.2%	484 (52.7%)	90 (9.8%)	278 (30.3%)	12 (1.3%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	52 (5.7%)	68	682^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	69.8%		69.4	641^st of 2240 public elementary schools	71.4%	41	67.0	57.0	64.0				68.0	70.0	59.0				53.0				$9,900	$00	$9,900
Palmetto Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1540 10th St W	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 723-4822	570	40	14.2	77.9%	117 (20.5%)	89 (15.6%)	323 (56.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	39 (6.8%)	30.2	1617^th of 2256 public elementary schools	28.3%		43.7	1234^th of 2240 public elementary schools	44.9%	383	43.0	42.0	40.0				54.0	50.0	45.0				36.0				$13,164	$2,542	$10,623
Manatee Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1609 6th Ave E	Bradenton	34208	Manatee County	Manatee	No	Yes	No	Yes	(941) 741-3319	525	33	15.9	85.7%	36 (6.9%)	174 (33.1%)	297 (56.6%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (3.0%)	11.1	2124^th of 2256 public elementary schools	5.9%		7.8	2176^th of 2240 public elementary schools	2.9%	52	19.0	23.0	34.0				28.0	29.0	40.0				35.0				$12,978	$2,783	$10,194
Palmetto Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	1607 17th St W	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	Yes	No	No	No	(941) 723-3711	418	29	14.4	27.0%	313 (74.9%)	27 (6.5%)	59 (14.1%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.6%)	92.7	93^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	95.9%		94	64^th of 2240 public elementary schools	97.1%	29	78.0	80.0	77.0	74.0	89.0	83.0	94.0	89.0	81.0	89.0	93.0	86.0	86.0	76.0	96.0	91.0	$13,757	$00	$13,757
Just For Girls Elementary School	Public	K-5	3809 59th St W	Bradenton	34209	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 293-3954	43	5	8.6	86.0%	11 (25.6%)	16 (37.2%)	13 (30.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (7.0%)								(n/a)	9.0						27.0										$6,902	$34	$6,868

Frequently Asked Questions about Ballard Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Ballard Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Ballard Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Martha B. King Middle School
High : Manatee High School

What district is Ballard Elementary School in?

Manatee

Is Ballard Elementary School a good school?

Ballard Elementary School ranks in the bottom 21.4% of Florida elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Ballard Elementary School?

Students at Ballard Elementary School are 48% Hispanic, 24% African American, 22% White, 4% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

How many students attend Ballard Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 400 students attended Ballard Elementary School.

Rate Ballard Elementary School!

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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.