James Tillman Elementary Magnet School

Q: Is James Tillman Elementary Magnet School a good school?

James Tillman Elementary Magnet School ranks 1081 st of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

James Tillman Elementary Magnet School is a public elementary school in Palmetto, Florida, serving 520 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Manatee School District, which is ranked 34 out of 68 districts in the state and has a 3-star rating.

James Tillman Elementary Magnet School has a diverse student population, with a significant Hispanic (42.12%) and African American (30%) representation. However, the school has struggled with high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 21% to 42.6% in recent years. Academically, the school's performance on standardized tests is generally below the district and state averages, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math lower than the Manatee district and Florida state. Additionally, a high percentage of students (74.04%) qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a significant socioeconomic disadvantage among the student population.

When compared to nearby schools, such as G.D. Rogers Garden-Bullock Elementary and Ballard Elementary, James Tillman Elementary Magnet School has a similar demographic profile and struggles with low academic performance and high chronic absenteeism. In contrast, Palmetto Charter School, located just 2 miles away, has significantly higher academic achievement and a much lower chronic absenteeism rate. Despite these challenges, James Tillman Elementary Magnet School has shown gradual improvement in its statewide ranking, suggesting that targeted interventions and support could help the school make further progress.

Detail:

Public, Magnet PK, KG-5

1415 29th St E
Palmetto, FL 34221

(941) 723-4833

District: Manatee

SchoolDigger Rank:
1081^st of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,893

Students who attend James Tillman Elementary Magnet School usually attend:

Middle:	Buffalo Creek Middle School
High:	Palmetto High School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.4

Number of students: 575

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

43.5%

African American:

30.3%

White:

18.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 73.6%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare James Tillman Elementary Magnet School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details James Tillman Elementary Magnet School ranks better than 52.1% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 18^th among 41 ranked elementary schools in the Manatee School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 50.52. (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 James Tillman Elementary Magnet School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (43.5%), African American (30.3%), White (18.3%). (See more...)

Compare Details 73.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at James Tillman Elementary Magnet School is 16.4. 41 elementary schools in the Manatee School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare James Tillman Elementary Magnet School employs 35 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at James Tillman Elementary Magnet School is $11,893, which is the 22^nd highest among 41 elementary schools in the Manatee School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

James Tillman Elementary Magnet 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 James Tillman Elementary Magnet School.

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Rank History for James Tillman Elementary Magnet School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	17.52	1448^th	1688	14.2%
2007	7.61	1706^th	1786	4.5%
2008	18.93	1531^st	1789	14.4%
2009	17.57	1617^th	1847	12.5%
2010	17.94	1661^st	1919	13.4%
2011	15.85	1773^rd	1985	10.7%
2012	24.52	1572^nd	1984	20.8%
2013	27.18	1559^th	2029	23.2%
2014	28.14	1552^nd	2064	24.8%
2016	5.08	2044^th	2087	2.1%
2017	17.71	1843^rd	2112	12.7%
2018	30.39	1509^th	2118	28.8%
2019	31.78	1547^th	2182	29.1%
2021	41.83	1271^st	2247	43.4%
2022	50.16	1069^th	2219	51.8%
2023	50.16	1093^rd	2240	51.2%
2024	50.52	1081^st	2256	52.1%

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: 3)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Thursday, February 25, 2016

When my family first moved to Palmetto I really loved the school. The principle was always into everything. last year that all changed and the school started going down hill. Teachers are great I think if we had another all in principal, everything would be great. Close Quote

Enrollment information for James Tillman Elementary Magnet School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	170	157	0	105	0	n/a	n/a	0	432
1989	163	150	0	141	0	n/a	n/a	0	454
1990	163	162	0	165	0	n/a	n/a	0	490
1991	184	151	0	140	0	n/a	n/a	0	475
1992	177	180	0	155	0	n/a	n/a	0	512
1993	92	293	0	176	0	n/a	n/a	0	561
1994	69	268	0	172	0	n/a	n/a	0	509
1995	61	304	0	167	0	n/a	n/a	0	532
1996	61	304	0	167	0	n/a	n/a	0	532
1997	52	331	1	186	0	n/a	n/a	0	570
1998	28	330	0	190	0	n/a	n/a	0	548
1999	33	337	1	188	0	n/a	n/a	0	559
2000	35	368	1	220	0	n/a	n/a	0	624
2001	37	350	2	214	0	n/a	n/a	0	603
2002	42	347	2	285	0	n/a	n/a	0	676
2003	42	347	2	285	0	n/a	n/a	0	676
2004	32	324	2	326	0	n/a	n/a	0	684
2005	49	246	4	263	1	n/a	n/a	0	563
2006	43	225	3	261	1	n/a	n/a	0	533
2007	32	187	9	296	1	n/a	n/a	23	548
2008	30	147	7	263	1	n/a	n/a	27	475
2009	30	159	6	254	1	n/a	n/a	20	470
2010	28	192	4	246	1	n/a	n/a	12	483
2011	31	163	3	277	1	0	3	0	478
2012	31	165	2	266	1	0	14	0	479
2013	26	148	2	248	0	0	12	0	436
2014	37	156	4	269	0	0	14	0	480
2015	50	191	2	297	0	1	15	0	556
2016	35	199	1	316	0	1	16	0	568
2017	50	170	2	272	0	0	21	0	515
2018	75	194	2	255	0	0	21	0	547
2019	101	219	3	272	0	0	21	0	616
2020	96	241	3	301	0	0	28	0	669
2021	90	196	3	246	1	1	27	0	564
2022	105	163	5	261	1	1	26	0	562
2023	101	156	9	219	1	0	34	0	520
2024	105	174	7	250	0	1	38	0	575

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 James Tillman Elementary Magnet School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	432	26.0	16.6	65.3
1989	454	25.0	18.1	67.4
1990	490	28.0	17.5	73.1
1991	475	29.0	16.3	71.2
1992	512	31.0	16.5	62.7
1993	561	33.0	17.0	77.4
1994	509	31.0	16.4	83.5
1995	532	31.0	17.2	85.3
1996	532	31.0	17.2	85.3
1997	570	31.0	18.4	85.1
1998	548	32.0	17.1	82.3
1999	559	35.0	16.0	92.3
2000	624	37.0	16.9	92.8
2001	603	39.0	15.5	83.4
2002	676	46.0	14.7	86.2
2003	676	46.0	14.7	86.2
2004	684	49.0	14.0	84.1
2005	563	44.0	12.8	86
2006	533	41.0	13.0	85.6
2007	548	36.0	15.2	90.3
2008	475	33.0	14.4	91.5
2009	470	29.6	16.8	89.1
2010	483	31.0	15.5	94.1
2011	478	31.0	15.4	93.1
2012	479	37.0	12.9	92.1
2013	436	34.0	12.8	92.4
2014	480	32.0	15.0	93.8
2015	556	37.0	15.0	100
2016	568	40.0	14.2	79.8
2017	515	35.0	14.7	85
2018	547	40.0	13.6	79.5
2019	616	37.0	16.6	76.3
2020	669	41.0	16.3	71.7
2021	564	41.0	13.7	68.3
2022	562	39.0	14.4	71.5
2023	520	31.0	16.7	74
2024	575	35.0	16.4	73.6

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 James Tillman Elementary Magnet School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	432	26.0	16.6	65.3
1989	454	25.0	18.1	67.4
1990	490	28.0	17.5	73.1
1991	475	29.0	16.3	71.2
1992	512	31.0	16.5	62.7
1993	561	33.0	17.0	77.4
1994	509	31.0	16.4	83.5
1995	532	31.0	17.2	85.3
1996	532	31.0	17.2	85.3
1997	570	31.0	18.4	85.1
1998	548	32.0	17.1	82.3
1999	559	35.0	16.0	92.3
2000	624	37.0	16.9	92.8
2001	603	39.0	15.5	83.4
2002	676	46.0	14.7	86.2
2003	676	46.0	14.7	86.2
2004	684	49.0	14.0	84.1
2005	563	44.0	12.8	86
2006	533	41.0	13.0	85.6
2007	548	36.0	15.2	90.3
2008	475	33.0	14.4	91.5
2009	470	29.6	16.8	89.1
2010	483	31.0	15.5	94.1
2011	478	31.0	15.4	93.1
2012	479	37.0	12.9	92.1
2013	436	34.0	12.8	92.4
2014	480	32.0	15.0	93.8
2015	556	37.0	15.0	100
2016	568	40.0	14.2	79.8
2017	515	35.0	14.7	85
2018	547	40.0	13.6	79.5
2019	616	37.0	16.6	76.3
2020	669	41.0	16.3	71.7
2021	564	41.0	13.7	68.3
2022	562	39.0	14.4	71.5
2023	520	31.0	16.7	74
2024	575	35.0	16.4	73.6

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 James Tillman Elementary Magnet School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,365 (13.5%)	$8,712 (86.5%)	$10,077
2019	$1,590 (15.1%)	$8,967 (84.9%)	$10,557
2020	$1,474 (14.5%)	$8,685 (85.5%)	$10,159
2021	$2,064 (16.8%)	$10,213 (83.2%)	$12,278
2022	$2,506 (20.5%)	$9,713 (79.5%)	$12,217
2023	$2,243 (18.9%)	$9,650 (81.1%)	$11,893

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on James Tillman Elementary Magnet 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 1547^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1093^rd of 2240 Elementary schools	22.1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (James Tillman Elementary Magnet School)	29	41	12%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Manatee)	51	46	5%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (James Tillman Elementary Magnet School)	60	67	7%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Manatee)	60	59	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (James Tillman Elementary Magnet School)	40	51	11%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Manatee)	56	55	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (James Tillman Elementary Magnet School)	67	70	3%
4th Grade Mathematics (Manatee)	65	65
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (James Tillman Elementary Magnet School)	28	42	14%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Manatee)	52	57	5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (James Tillman Elementary Magnet School)	63	67	4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Manatee)	60	63	3%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (James Tillman Elementary Magnet School)	34	51	17%
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	616	520	15.6%
African American	219	156	28.8%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	3	9	200%
Hispanic	272	219	19.5%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	101	101
Two or More Races	21	34	61.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	76.3%	74%	2.3%

Schools Near James Tillman Elementary Magnet 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
James Tillman Elementary Magnet School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1415 29th St E	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	No	Yes	No	Yes	(941) 723-4833	575	35	16.4	73.6%	105 (18.3%)	174 (30.3%)	250 (43.5%)	7 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	38 (6.6%)	50.5	1081^st of 2256 public elementary schools	52.1%		50.2	1093^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	51.2%	12	39.0	48.0	40.0				72.0	72.0	69.0				45.0				$11,893	$2,243	$9,650
Hola! Elementary @ Msa	Public, Charter	PK, KG-5	700 Haben Blvd	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(941) 708-8770	474	31	15.2	47.3%	117 (24.7%)	45 (9.5%)	284 (59.9%)	4 (0.8%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (4.6%)								(n/a)	47.0	37.0	43.0				58.0	60.0	53.0				37.0
Blackburn Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3904 17th St E	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 723-4800	456	40	11.5	79.6%	113 (24.8%)	108 (23.7%)	210 (46.1%)	5 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (4.4%)	25.5	1753^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	22.3%		34.1	1492^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	33.4%	261	38.0	40.0	36.0				57.0	42.0	46.0				28.0				$13,714	$2,320	$11,394
Palm View K-8 School	Public	PK, KG-8	6025 Bayshore Rd	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 723-4812	571	47	12.1	77.6%	153 (26.8%)	113 (19.8%)	275 (48.2%)	8 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (3.9%)	30.3	1609^th of 2256 public elementary schools	28.7%		30	1608^th of 2240 public elementary schools	28.2%	1	39.0	33.0	36.0	46.0	39.0	43.0	60.0	49.0	45.0	57.0	68.0	44.0	31.0	28.0	92.0	64.0	$14,041	$2,878	$11,164
Palmetto Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	1607 17th St W	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	Yes	No	No	No	(941) 723-3711	436	30	14.5	30.0%	320 (73.4%)	30 (6.9%)	63 (14.4%)	4 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (4.4%)	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
Palmetto Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1540 10th St W	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 723-4822	545	42	12.9	76.9%	95 (17.4%)	81 (14.9%)	330 (60.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	37 (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	489	34	14.3	81.4%	24 (4.9%)	152 (31.1%)	294 (60.1%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (3.5%)	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
Manatee Community Action Agency-Head Start	Public	PK	302 Manatee Ave E	Bradenton	34208	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 750-6667	12	2	6.0		2 (16.7%)	5 (41.7%)	4 (33.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (8.3%)								(n/a)
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	464	38	12.2	77.2%	36 (7.8%)	170 (36.6%)	230 (49.6%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (5.4%)	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
Ballard Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	912 18th St W	Bradenton	34205	Manatee County	Manatee	No	Yes	No	Yes	(941) 708-8400	417	30	13.9	77.7%	86 (20.6%)	98 (23.5%)	197 (47.2%)	10 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (6.2%)	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

Frequently Asked Questions about James Tillman Elementary Magnet School

What is the racial makeup of James Tillman Elementary Magnet School?

Students at James Tillman Elementary Magnet School are 43% Hispanic, 30% African American, 18% White, 7% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

How many students attend James Tillman Elementary Magnet School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 575 students attended James Tillman Elementary Magnet School.

Is James Tillman Elementary Magnet School a good school?

James Tillman Elementary Magnet School ranks 1081^st of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of James Tillman Elementary Magnet School attend?

Students who attend James Tillman Elementary Magnet School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Buffalo Creek Middle School
High : Palmetto High School

What district is James Tillman Elementary Magnet School in?

Manatee

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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.