Best Schools in Palatka, Florida
12 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 5 Other
Choosing a school in Palatka?
Use this page to compare every school in Palatka by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
The Children's Reading Center
Elementary · Putnam. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
School of the Heights
Elementary. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences
Middle · Putnam. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Palatka for 2026 are The Children's Reading Center (8.5/10), School of the Heights (7.2/10), and Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences (6.5/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 12 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
12
8 public · 4 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$158,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
12
8 public · 4 private
Avg Score
5.9
out of 10
Median Home
$158,800
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 8.5/10 despite 47% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.6 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Palatka schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Palatka
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (12 of 12). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Children's Reading Center | 8.5 / 10 |
| 2 | School of the Heights | 7.2 / 10 |
| 3 | Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences | 6.5 / 10 |
| 4 | Peniel Baptist Academy | 6.4 / 10 |
| 5 | James A. Long Elementary School | 5.7 / 10 |
| 6 | Mellon Learning Center | 5.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Hillcrest Academy | 5.6 / 10 |
| 8 | Kelley Smith Elementary School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 9 | St Johns Christian School | 5.3 / 10 |
| 10 | William D. Moseley Elementary School | 5.2 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.9/10
- Median household income
- $47,486
- Median home value
- $158,800
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 13%
- Avg commute
- 25 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 63%
17% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Palatka compares
Florida rank
#205 of 280
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.4
below Florida avg (6.3)
Median household income
$47k
63% of Florida median
Schools in this city
12
About Schools in Palatka, Florida
Palatka, Florida is home to 12 schools, including 8 public schools and 4 private schools. The city's schools span 5 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 1 high school.
With an average rating of 5.9 out of 10, schools in Palatka show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Palatka is The Children's Reading Center with a composite score of 8.5/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Palatka is served by 1 school district: PUTNAM. These districts collectively serve 10,178 students.
Palatka's community shows 13% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $47,486. The poverty rate in the area is 24.3%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 260 students · Kindergarten–6th | 8.5 | ||
| 2 | 542 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.7 | ||
| 3 | 752 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.3 | ||
| 4 | 585 students · Kindergarten–6th | 5.2 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | School of the Heights
Private
135 students · Pre-K–6th | 7.2 | ||
Middle Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 195 students · 6th–8th | 6.5 |
High Schools
1 school| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,606 students · 7th–12th | 4.7 |
Other Schools
5 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 291 students · Pre-K–12th | 5.6 | ||
| 2 | 37 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.6 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Peniel Baptist Academy
Private
198 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.4 | ||
| 2 | Hillcrest Academy
Private
74 students · Kindergarten–11th | 5.6 | ||
| 3 | St Johns Christian School
Private
117 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.3 | ||
Schools in Palatka
Palatka, Florida · 12 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$47,486
Median Home Value
$158,800
Median Rent
$940/mo
Population
26,046
College Educated
13%
Homeownership
63%
Avg Commute
25 min
Poverty Rate
24.3%
Community Profile
Palatka has a median household income of $47,486. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $158,800, with a median rent of $940/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Florida
- Elementary
- 5
- Middle
- 1
- High
- 1
- Other
- 5
Resources
School District
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Florida
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Palatka, Florida
How many schools are in Palatka, Florida?
Palatka has 12 schools, including 8 public and 4 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Palatka, Florida?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Palatka is 5.9 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Palatka, Florida?
The top-ranked school in Palatka on MySchoolScout is The Children's Reading Center with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best elementary school in Palatka, Florida?
The top-ranked elementary school in Palatka on MySchoolScout is The Children's Reading Center with a composite score of 8.5/10.
What is the best middle school in Palatka, Florida?
The top-ranked middle school in Palatka on MySchoolScout is Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences with a composite score of 6.5/10.
What is the best high school in Palatka, Florida?
The top-ranked high school in Palatka on MySchoolScout is Palatka JR - SR High School with a composite score of 4.7/10.
How many school districts serve Palatka, Florida?
Palatka is served by 1 school district: Putnam.
What is the education level in Palatka, Florida?
According to Census data, 13% of adults in Palatka have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Palatka, Florida?
The median household income in Palatka is approximately $47,486 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Palatka, Florida?
Yes, Palatka has 4 private schools alongside 8 public schools. The top-rated private school is School of the Heights with a score of 7.2/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Palatka, Florida?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Palatka is 15.5:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Palatka, Florida?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Florida Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.