6.0 avg / 10

Best Schools in Palatka, Florida

12 schools · 5 Elementary · 1 Middle · 1 High · 5 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 8

Private: 4

Districts: 1

Avg Rating: 6.0/10

Estimated Scores: 33%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 6.0/10
Median household income: $47,486
Median home value: $158,800
Bachelor's degree or higher: 13%
Avg commute: 25 min
Owner-occupied homes: 63%

How Palatka compares

Florida rank

#202 of 280

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.3

below Florida avg (6.4)

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 6.0 out of 10, schools in Palatka show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Palatka is Kelley Smith Elementary School with a composite score of 8.4/10, 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.

Filter by Level: All Levels (12) Elementary (5) Middle (1) High (1)

Filter by Type: All Types (12) Public (8) Private (4)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (12) Academics (12) Growth (8) Diversity (8) Resources (8)

Filter by ZIP: 32177 (12)

Elementary Schools

5 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	KELLEY SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 752 students · Kindergarten–6th	752	Kindergarten–6th	8.4
2	THE CHILDREN'S READING CENTER 260 students · Kindergarten–6th	260	Kindergarten–6th	7.7
3	WILLIAM D. MOSELEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 585 students · Kindergarten–6th	585	Kindergarten–6th	6.2
4	JAMES A. LONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 542 students · Kindergarten–6th	542	Kindergarten–6th	5.1
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	135	Pre-K–6th	Not Rated

Middle Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	PUTNAM ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES 195 students · 6th–8th	195	6th–8th	5.7

High Schools

1 school

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	PALATKA JR - SR HIGH SCHOOL 1,606 students · 7th–12th	1,606	7th–12th	5.8

Other Schools

5 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	MELLON LEARNING CENTER 291 students · Pre-K–12th	291	Pre-K–12th	4.7
2	PUTNAM VIRTUAL FRANCHISE 37 students · Kindergarten–12th	37	Kindergarten–12th	4.4
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	198	Pre-K–12th	Not Rated
2	HILLCREST ACADEMY Private 74 students · Kindergarten–11th	74	Kindergarten–11th	Not Rated
3	ST JOHNS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Private 117 students · Kindergarten–12th	117	Kindergarten–12th	Not Rated

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.

Quick Facts

State: Florida
Total Schools: 12
Elementary: 5
Middle: 1
High: 1
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 6.0/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Palatka schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Palatka 📊 Niche Palatka Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School District

PUTNAM

19 schools · 10,178 students

Nearby Cities

Interlachen (2 schools)

14 mi

Crescent City (2 schools)

16 mi

Green Cove Springs (13 schools)

24 mi

Keystone Heights (3 schools)

23 mi

Melrose (1 school)

23 mi

St. Augustine (44 schools)

25 mi

Fort Mc Coy (1 school)

26 mi

Hawthorne (3 schools)

25 mi

Saint Johns (13 schools)

30 mi

Palm Coast (14 schools)

27 mi

Other Major Cities in Florida

Top metros statewide by school count.

Miami 497 schools Orlando 299 schools Jacksonville 296 schools Tampa 239 schools Hialeah 118 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently 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 6.0 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Palatka, Florida?

The top-ranked school in Palatka on MySchoolScout is Kelley Smith Elementary School with a composite score of 8.4/10.

What is the best elementary school in Palatka, Florida?

The top-ranked elementary school in Palatka on MySchoolScout is Kelley Smith Elementary School with a composite score of 8.4/10.

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 5.7/10.

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 5.8/10.

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 based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.