Best Schools in Palmetto, Florida
15 schools · 7 Elementary · 2 Middle · 3 High · 3 Other
Choosing a school in Palmetto?
Use this page to compare every school in Palmetto 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.
Palmetto Charter School
Elementary · Manatee. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Manatee Virtual School ( Virtual Franchise)
Other · Manatee. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
James Tillman Elementary Magnet School
Elementary · Manatee. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Palmetto for 2026 are Palmetto Charter School (9.8/10), Manatee Virtual School ( Virtual Franchise) (8.9/10), and James Tillman Elementary Magnet School (8.6/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 13 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
15
14 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$298,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
15
14 public · 1 private
Avg Score
7.0
out of 10
Median Home
$298,200
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 8.6/10 despite 74% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.0 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 Palmetto schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Palmetto
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (13 of 15). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Palmetto Charter School | 9.8 / 10 |
| 2 | Manatee Virtual School ( Virtual Franchise) | 8.9 / 10 |
| 3 | James Tillman Elementary Magnet School | 8.6 / 10 |
| 4 | Palmetto Elementary School | 8.2 / 10 |
| 5 | Blackburn Elementary School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 6 | Virgil Mills Elementary School | 8.0 / 10 |
| 7 | Buffalo Creek Middle School | 7.2 / 10 |
| 8 | Palm View K-8 School | 7.1 / 10 |
| 9 | Imagine Charter School at North Manatee | 6.5 / 10 |
| 10 | Manatee School for the Arts | 5.6 / 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
- 7.0/10
- Median household income
- $74,314
- Median home value
- $298,200
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 28%
- Avg commute
- 30 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 81%
62% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Palmetto compares
Florida rank
#65 of 280
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.7
above Florida avg (6.3)
Median household income
$74k
99% of Florida median
Schools in this city
13
About Schools in Palmetto, Florida
Palmetto, Florida is home to 15 schools, including 14 public schools and 1 private school. The city's schools span 7 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 3 high schools.
With an average rating of 7.0 out of 10, schools in Palmetto perform strongly 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 Palmetto is Palmetto Charter School with a composite score of 9.8/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Palmetto is served by 1 school district: MANATEE. These districts collectively serve 52,895 students.
Palmetto's community shows 28% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $74,314. The poverty rate in the area is 11.6%.
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
7 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 436 students · Kindergarten–8th | 9.8 |
| 2 | 575 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.6 |
| 3 | 545 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.2 |
| 4 | 456 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.1 |
| 5 | 833 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.0 |
| 6 | 571 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.1 |
| 7 | 773 students · Pre-K–8th | 6.5 |
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,122 students · 6th–8th | 7.2 |
| 2 | 463 students · 6th–8th | 3.1 |
High Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,001 students · 6th–12th | 5.6 |
| 2 | 2,194 students · 9th–12th | 5.0 |
| 3 | 22 students · 9th–12th | — |
Other Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 38 students · 1st–12th | 8.9 | ||
| 2 | 9 students · Kindergarten–12th | — | ||
| 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 | Educational Harbor
Private
65 students · Kindergarten–12th | 5.0 | ||
Schools in Palmetto
Palmetto, Florida · 15 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$74,314
Median Home Value
$298,200
Median Rent
$1,459/mo
Population
54,923
College Educated
28%
Homeownership
81%
Avg Commute
30 min
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Community Profile
Palmetto has a median household income of $74,314. It is an area where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $298,200, with a median rent of $1,459/month. The area has a poverty rate of 11.6%. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Florida
- Elementary
- 7
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 3
- Other
- 3
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 Palmetto, Florida
How many schools are in Palmetto, Florida?
Palmetto has 15 schools, including 14 public and 1 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Palmetto, Florida?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Palmetto is 7.0 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 Palmetto, Florida?
The top-ranked school in Palmetto on MySchoolScout is Palmetto Charter School with a composite score of 9.8/10.
What is the best elementary school in Palmetto, Florida?
The top-ranked elementary school in Palmetto on MySchoolScout is Palmetto Charter School with a composite score of 9.8/10.
What is the best middle school in Palmetto, Florida?
The top-ranked middle school in Palmetto on MySchoolScout is Buffalo Creek Middle School with a composite score of 7.2/10.
What is the best high school in Palmetto, Florida?
The top-ranked high school in Palmetto on MySchoolScout is Manatee School for the Arts with a composite score of 5.6/10.
How many school districts serve Palmetto, Florida?
Palmetto is served by 1 school district: Manatee.
What is the education level in Palmetto, Florida?
According to Census data, 28% of adults in Palmetto have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Palmetto, Florida?
The median household income in Palmetto is approximately $74,314 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Palmetto, Florida?
Yes, Palmetto has 1 private school alongside 14 public schools. The top-rated private school is Educational Harbor with a score of 5.0/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Palmetto, Florida?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Palmetto is 16.0:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Palmetto, 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.
Related reading
- Best Public Schools in Florida 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in Jacksonville, Miami & Tampa for Families Exploring School Choicebest schools
- Best Schools in Jacksonville, FL — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Miami, FL — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Orlando, FL — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
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.