Sweetwater Elementary School

Summary:

Sweetwater Elementary School is a public elementary school in Port Orange, Florida, serving 694 students in grades PK-5. As part of the Volusia County School District, Sweetwater consistently outperforms the district and state averages in academic performance, ranking among the top 7% of elementary schools in Florida.

Sweetwater Elementary's academic excellence is evident across all grade levels and subjects. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 80% of Sweetwater's 5th-grade students scored proficient or better in Statewide Science, compared to just 58% for Palm Terrace Elementary and 53% for the state. Additionally, Sweetwater has a diverse student population, with a racial makeup that is more representative of the local community than many nearby schools, such as Turie T. Small Elementary. Despite this diversity, Sweetwater maintains its high academic standards, indicating effective teaching practices and a supportive learning environment.

Interestingly, Sweetwater Elementary achieves these impressive results while spending less per student than some of the nearby schools, suggesting efficient resource allocation and a focus on instructional priorities. The school's low chronic absenteeism rate, at 12.9% compared to 31.9% to 43.9% at nearby schools, further highlights Sweetwater's ability to engage and support its students. As a high-performing, diverse, and cost-effective school, Sweetwater Elementary could serve as a model for other schools in the Volusia County School District and potentially offer opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

5800 Victoria Gardens Blvd
Port Orange, FL 32127

(386) 322-7530

District: Volusia

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

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,609

Students who attend Sweetwater Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Silver Sands Middle School
High:	Atlantic High School

Student/teacher ratio: 15.0

Number of students: 662

Racial breakdown:

White:

78.7%

Hispanic:

7.9%

Two or more races:

6.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 39.4%

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Compare Sweetwater Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Sweetwater Elementary School ranks better than 92.9% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 2^nd among 48 ranked elementary schools in the Volusia School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 90.49. (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 Racial makeup is: White (78.7%), Hispanic (7.9%), two or more races (6.2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 39.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Sweetwater Elementary School is 15. 29 elementary schools in the Volusia School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Sweetwater Elementary School employs 44 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Sweetwater Elementary School is $9,609. 37 elementary schools in the Volusia School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Volusia:

SchoolDigger ranks Volusia 36^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Sweetwater Elementary School.

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Rank History for Sweetwater Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	82.36	255^th	1688	84.9%
2007	83.08	257^th	1786	85.6%
2008	83.01	250^th	1789	86.0%
2009	88.49	134^th	1847	92.7%
2010	85.74	201^st	1919	89.5%
2011	85.68	201^st	1985	89.9%
2012	85.74	222^nd	1984	88.8%
2013	85.40	235^th	2029	88.4%
2014	87.39	208^th	2064	89.9%
2016	88.63	177^th	2087	91.5%
2017	93.28	70^th	2112	96.7%
2018	92.27	94^th	2118	95.6%
2019	91.27	121^st	2182	94.5%
2021	92.12	118^th	2247	94.7%
2022	92.64	106^th	2219	95.2%
2023	91.55	127^th	2240	94.3%
2024	90.49	160^th	2256	92.9%

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, June 11, 2017

This is the best school in the area hands down.
I have 2 children going there and it does not disappoint. Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, July 18, 2012

This is by far the best elementary school in Volusia County. Mrs. Miller has been so outstanding as the principal of this school. She has put together a team of teachers and staff that really love the kids and their jobs. I couldn't be any happier having my children there. I moved to my house specifically to be zoned for this school. Close Quote

by a parent on FaceBook
Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Having moved around a lot, my oldest son has been to many elementary schools. Sweetwater is the best one by far. The whole faculty cares about the success and safety of the students. I would recommend this elementary school to any parent that wants the best for their child. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Sweetwater Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1995	643	37	6	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	691
1996	643	37	6	5	0	n/a	n/a	0	691
1997	704	41	8	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	765
1998	706	47	12	14	1	n/a	n/a	0	780
1999	813	42	12	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	878
2000	813	48	14	11	1	n/a	n/a	0	887
2001	779	38	13	14	1	n/a	n/a	0	845
2002	910	22	20	21	2	n/a	n/a	0	975
2003	910	22	20	21	2	n/a	n/a	0	975
2004	915	43	29	27	3	n/a	n/a	0	1017
2005	847	42	41	30	4	n/a	n/a	0	964
2006	840	49	38	41	3	n/a	n/a	0	971
2007	833	48	40	25	3	n/a	n/a	29	978
2008	474	30	18	15	2	n/a	n/a	18	557
2009	471	25	15	11	3	n/a	n/a	12	537
2010	560	23	24	24	3	n/a	n/a	16	650
2011	577	30	25	29	2	0	14	0	677
2012	547	45	18	22	2	0	17	0	651
2013	505	38	23	17	3	0	19	0	605
2014	537	37	23	16	4	0	23	0	640
2015	525	36	13	22	3	0	20	0	619
2016	542	35	15	26	3	0	20	0	641
2017	523	26	16	31	2	1	23	0	622
2018	531	32	18	37	2	4	28	0	652
2019	553	34	15	46	1	1	34	0	684
2020	515	32	19	53	1	1	33	0	654
2021	462	33	13	46	0	1	33	0	588
2022	530	35	22	55	0	2	50	0	694
2023	546	22	16	54	0	3	53	0	694
2024	521	22	23	52	0	3	41	0	662

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 Sweetwater Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1995	691	36.0	19.2	14.9
1996	691	36.0	19.2	14.9
1997	765	37.0	20.7	12.8
1998	780	42.0	18.6	15.1
1999	878	43.0	20.4	15.8
2000	887	47.0	18.9	14.2
2001	845	45.0	18.8	14.4
2002	975	50.0	19.5	15.9
2003	975	50.0	19.5	15.9
2004	1017	53.0	19.2	21.2
2005	964	59.0	16.3	17
2006	971	59.0	16.5	18.6
2007	978	66.0	14.8	17.2
2008	557	40.0	13.9	17.8
2009	537	41.0	14.5	18.1
2010	650	45.5	14.2	24.9
2011	677	46.6	14.5	28.8
2012	651	47.6	13.6	34.3
2013	605	41.0	14.7	33.9
2014	640	47.0	13.6	37
2015	619	45.0	13.7	42
2016	641	47.0	13.6	41.7
2017	622	48.0	12.9	46.6
2018	652	46.0	14.1	45.6
2019	684	46.1	14.8	45.3
2020	654	45.1	14.4	42.5
2021	588	42.8	13.7	40.6
2022	694	45.5	15.2	41.2
2023	694	45.0	15.4	38.5
2024	662	44.0	15.0	39.4

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 Sweetwater Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1995	691	36.0	19.2	14.9
1996	691	36.0	19.2	14.9
1997	765	37.0	20.7	12.8
1998	780	42.0	18.6	15.1
1999	878	43.0	20.4	15.8
2000	887	47.0	18.9	14.2
2001	845	45.0	18.8	14.4
2002	975	50.0	19.5	15.9
2003	975	50.0	19.5	15.9
2004	1017	53.0	19.2	21.2
2005	964	59.0	16.3	17
2006	971	59.0	16.5	18.6
2007	978	66.0	14.8	17.2
2008	557	40.0	13.9	17.8
2009	537	41.0	14.5	18.1
2010	650	45.5	14.2	24.9
2011	677	46.6	14.5	28.8
2012	651	47.6	13.6	34.3
2013	605	41.0	14.7	33.9
2014	640	47.0	13.6	37
2015	619	45.0	13.7	42
2016	641	47.0	13.6	41.7
2017	622	48.0	12.9	46.6
2018	652	46.0	14.1	45.6
2019	684	46.1	14.8	45.3
2020	654	45.1	14.4	42.5
2021	588	42.8	13.7	40.6
2022	694	45.5	15.2	41.2
2023	694	45.0	15.4	38.5
2024	662	44.0	15.0	39.4

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 Sweetwater Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$325 (4.1%)	$7,510 (95.9%)	$7,835
2019	$362 (4.6%)	$7,462 (95.4%)	$7,824
2020	$362 (4.4%)	$7,925 (95.6%)	$8,286
2021	$696 (7.3%)	$8,893 (92.7%)	$9,589
2022	$1,586 (16.4%)	$8,077 (83.6%)	$9,664
2023	$1,412 (14.7%)	$8,198 (85.3%)	$9,609

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Sweetwater 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 121^st of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 127^th of 2240 Elementary schools	0.1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Sweetwater Elementary School)	76	72	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Volusia)	58	51	7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Sweetwater Elementary School)	82	83	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Volusia)	60	54	6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Sweetwater Elementary School)	83	77	6%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Volusia)	54	53	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Sweetwater Elementary School)	87	86	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Volusia)	59	58	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Sweetwater Elementary School)	82	84	2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Volusia)	54	54
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Sweetwater Elementary School)	82	82
5th Grade Mathematics (Volusia)	54	50	4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Sweetwater Elementary School)	83	82	1%
5th Grade Science (Volusia)	56	61	5%
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	684	694	1.5%
African American	34	22	35.3%
American Indian	1	0	100%
Asian	15	16	6.7%
Hispanic	46	54	17.4%
Pacific Islander	1	3	200%
White	553	546	1.3%
Two or More Races	34	53	55.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	45.3%	38.5%	6.8%

Schools Near Sweetwater 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
Sweetwater Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5800 Victoria Gardens Blvd	Port Orange	32127	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	No	(386) 322-7530	662	44	15.0	39.4%	521 (78.7%)	22 (3.3%)	52 (7.9%)	23 (3.5%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.5%)	41 (6.2%)	90.5	160^th of 2256 public elementary schools	92.9%		91.5	127^th of 2240 public elementary schools	94.3%	33	74.0	80.0	70.0	84.0	82.0	78.0	80.0	$9,609	$1,412	$8,198
Spruce Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	642 Taylor Rd	Port Orange	32127	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 322-7500	771	60	12.8	56.2%	530 (68.7%)	54 (7.0%)	107 (13.9%)	34 (4.4%)	3 (0.4%)	2 (0.3%)	41 (5.3%)	74.2	539^th of 2256 public elementary schools	76.1%		73.8	537^th of 2240 public elementary schools	76.0%	2	66.0	54.0	65.0	65.0	67.0	75.0	72.0	$11,239	$1,496	$9,744
Horizon Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4751 Hidden Lake Dr	Port Orange	32129	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 756-7150	749	55	13.6	58.6%	405 (54.1%)	164 (21.9%)	91 (12.1%)	22 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	67 (8.9%)	66.5	711^th of 2256 public elementary schools	68.5%		58.5	877^th of 2240 public elementary schools	60.8%	166	66.0	53.0	58.0	71.0	58.0	60.0	68.0	$10,597	$1,916	$8,681
Sugar Mill Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1101 Charles St	Port Orange	32129	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 756-7130	576	38	15.1	70.5%	418 (72.6%)	51 (8.9%)	53 (9.2%)	8 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	45 (7.8%)	61.9	820^th of 2256 public elementary schools	63.7%		55.3	962^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	57.1%	142	62.0	57.0	57.0	54.0	62.0	58.0	68.0	$10,647	$1,591	$9,057
Cypress Creek Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6100 S Williamson Blvd	Port Orange	32128	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	No	(386) 322-5162	797	52	15.3	35.1%	607 (76.2%)	32 (4.0%)	68 (8.5%)	46 (5.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (5.4%)	86.3	274^th of 2256 public elementary schools	87.9%		87.1	243^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	89.2%	31	76.0	67.0	74.0	80.0	67.0	76.0	80.0	$9,321	$940	$8,381
Port Orange Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	402 Dunlawton Ave	Port Orange	32127	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 756-7100	380	24	16.1	67.1%	266 (70.0%)	20 (5.3%)	50 (13.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	42 (11.1%)	71.1	616^th of 2256 public elementary schools	72.7%		73.4	547^th of 2240 public elementary schools	75.6%	69	65.0	59.0	61.0	64.0	68.0	64.0	67.0	$9,937	$1,031	$8,906
South Daytona Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	600 Elizabeth Pl	South Daytona	32119	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 756-7180	787	45	17.4	82.2%	341 (43.3%)	235 (29.9%)	120 (15.2%)	5 (0.6%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	84 (10.7%)	26.5	1728^th of 2256 public elementary schools	23.4%		27	1681^st of 2240 public elementary schools	25.0%	47	33.0	44.0	47.0	38.0	32.0	42.0	49.0	$9,321	$1,582	$7,740
R. J. Longstreet Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2745 S Peninsula Dr	Daytona Beach	32118	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 756-7280	364	29	12.7	73.1%	214 (58.8%)	44 (12.1%)	62 (17.0%)	10 (2.7%)	3 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (8.5%)	46.6	1184^th of 2256 public elementary schools	47.5%		64.5	747^th of 2240 public elementary schools	66.7%	437	53.0	43.0	57.0	49.0	37.0	67.0	63.0	$12,132	$1,781	$10,352
DME Academy	Private, Nonsectarian	9-12	2441 Bellevue Ave	Daytona Beach	32114	Volusia County		(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(386) 271-3378																			(n/a)
Turie T. Small Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	800 South St	Daytona Beach	32114	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 239-6340	407	21	19.3	91.4%	32 (7.9%)	280 (68.8%)	56 (13.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (9.1%)	23.8	1805^th of 2256 public elementary schools	20.0%		19.8	1902^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	15.1%	97	23.0	41.0	37.0	30.0	45.0	52.0	45.0	$12,862	$3,221	$9,641

Frequently Asked Questions about Sweetwater Elementary School

What district is Sweetwater Elementary School in?

Volusia

What schools do graduates of Sweetwater Elementary School attend?

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

Middle : Silver Sands Middle School
High : Atlantic High School

Is Sweetwater Elementary School a good school?

Yes. Sweetwater Elementary School ranks in the top 7.1% of Florida elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Sweetwater Elementary School?

Students at Sweetwater Elementary School are 79% White, 8% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 3% Asian, 3% African American.

How many students attend Sweetwater Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 662 students attended Sweetwater 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.