Best Schools in Tallahassee, Florida
80 schools · 42 Elementary · 8 Middle · 11 High · 19 Other
Choosing a school in Tallahassee?
Use this page to compare every school in Tallahassee 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.
Chaires Elementary School
Elementary · Leon. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Springwood Elementary School
Elementary · Leon. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Astoria Park Elementary School
Elementary · Leon. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Tallahassee for 2026 are Chaires Elementary School (9.0/10), Springwood Elementary School (8.6/10), and Astoria Park Elementary School (8.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 51 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
80
52 public · 28 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$251,920
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
80
52 public · 28 private
Avg Score
6.3
out of 10
Median Home
$251,920
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Rates 9.0/10 despite 49% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.8 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 Tallahassee schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Tallahassee
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 51 rated schools; 80 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chaires Elementary School | 9.0 / 10 |
| 2 | Springwood Elementary School | 8.6 / 10 |
| 3 | Astoria Park Elementary School | 8.3 / 10 |
| 4 | Sabal Palm Elementary School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Sealey Elementary School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 6 | Florida State University School | 7.8 / 10 |
| 7 | Frank Hartsfield Elementary School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 8 | Desoto Trail Elementary School | 7.7 / 10 |
| 9 | Ruediger Elementary School | 7.6 / 10 |
| 10 | Roberts Elementary School | 7.6 / 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
- 6.3/10
- Median household income
- $73,555
- Median home value
- $251,920
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 46%
- Avg commute
- 21 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 57%
34% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Tallahassee compares
Florida rank
#172 of 286
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.1
below Florida avg (6.3)
Median household income
$74k
98% of Florida median
Schools in this city
74
Education Snapshot
Tallahassee, FloridaTallahassee serves roughly 38,228 students across 83 schools in 3 districts. The level mix tilts toward elementary: 43 elementary campuses compared to 9 middle schools and 11 high schools, plus 20 combined or alternative programs. The city's average MySchoolScout composite rating is 6.0/10 across 72 scored schools — 0.3 points below Florida's state average of 6.3/10, a gap that makes individual school ratings more instructive than the city-wide number for arriving families. Six charter schools expand the options beyond the three public-district networks. Median household income of $73,688 sits 2% below the Florida median of $75,487, while 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. That degree-attainment rate, set against a composite that trails the statewide benchmark, points parents toward researching specific campuses rather than relying on the 6.0 city average.
Leon runs Tallahassee's public schools
52 public schools. Leon is the dominant district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Tallahassee is a Leon school (50 of 52).
Among 51 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 2.4 to 9.0 — the spread is inside Tallahassee, not a citywide average.
- Leon50 public · 96%
- Famu Lab Sch1 public · 2%
- Fsu Lab Sch1 public · 2%
About Schools in Tallahassee, Florida
Tallahassee's public school landscape spans 52 ranked schools with an average score of 6.1 out of 10 — a solid midfield standing that masks meaningful variation across the city. Parents who do the work of comparing individual schools will find real differences worth acting on.
The upper tier is concentrated at the elementary level. Twelve schools — 23% of all ranked schools — score 7 or above, and the top performers are all primary campuses. Gilchrist Elementary and W T Moore Elementary both score 8.3, the highest marks in the city. Bond Elementary follows at 8.2, Chaires Elementary at 8.1, and Pineview Elementary at 7.9. That five-school cluster near the top of the 10-point scale gives families with elementary-age children a meaningful set of high-performing options to pursue.
The pattern also signals a practical risk: the strong results at the elementary end don't automatically carry through to the secondary level. With a citywide average of 6.1 and only about one in four schools clearing the 7-point threshold, the middle and high school landscape requires closer scrutiny. Parents planning ahead — especially those whose children are in those high-scoring elementary schools now — should research the feeder school paths into middle and high school before assuming the trajectory holds.
Geographically, Tallahassee's school quality tends to track with neighborhood, a pattern common in Florida's capital region. Families who have the flexibility to choose their neighborhood or use school choice programs will have the most options. Florida's open enrollment and magnet school policies can expand access beyond the default zoned assignment, so it's worth investigating district-level choice programs directly with Leon County Schools.
The bottom line: Tallahassee has a competitive group of elementary schools at the top and a wide distribution below them. Families should prioritize individual school scores over citywide averages, map feeder school sequences from elementary through high school, and check current Leon County Schools open enrollment windows before finalizing any decision.
Elementary Schools
42 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 462 students · Pre-K–5th | 9.0 |
| 2 | 419 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.6 |
| 3 | 452 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.3 |
| 4 | 473 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 |
| 5 | 388 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.9 |
| 6 | 324 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.7 |
| 7 | 659 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.7 |
| 8 | 474 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 |
| 9 | 844 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.6 |
| 10 | 891 students · Pre-K–5th | 7.5 |
Show all 42 elementary schools in Tallahassee
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Middle Schools
8 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 680 students · 6th–8th | 7.0 |
| 2 | 731 students · 6th–8th | 6.5 |
| 3 | 781 students · 6th–8th | 5.9 |
| 4 | 879 students · 6th–8th | 5.7 |
| 5 | 934 students · 6th–8th | 5.6 |
| 6 | 871 students · 6th–8th | 5.3 |
| 7 | 486 students · 6th–8th | 5.2 |
| 8 | 564 students · 6th–8th | 2.4 |
High Schools
11 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,928 students · 9th–12th | 6.2 | ||
| 2 | 1,860 students · 9th–12th | 6.1 | ||
| 3 | 381 students · 9th–12th | 5.9 | ||
| 4 | 1,923 students · 9th–12th | 5.5 | ||
| 5 | 1,396 students · 9th–12th | 5.0 | ||
| 6 | 1,575 students · 9th–12th | 4.9 | ||
| 7 | 58 students · 6th–12th | 4.7 | ||
| 8 | 154 students · 6th–12th | 4.1 | ||
Private Schools3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 192 students · 9th–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Giant Campus AcademyPrivate 202 students · 6th–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 11 high schools in Tallahassee
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Other Schools
19 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,871 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.8 | ||
| 2 | 569 students · Kindergarten–12th | 7.5 | ||
| 3 | 65 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 7.1 | ||
| 4 | 424 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.7 | ||
| 5 | 112 students · 1st–12th | 5.4 | ||
| 6 | 36 students · Kindergarten–12th | 4.9 | ||
| 7 | 98 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.7 | ||
| 8 | 79 students · Kindergarten–12th | 2.9 | ||
Private Schools11 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Rose Academy LlcPrivate 45 students · 1st–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | 334 students · Pre-K–12th | Not Rated | ||
Show all 19 other schools in Tallahassee
Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models, so scores are not directly comparable across school types.
Schools in Tallahassee
Tallahassee, Florida · 80 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 11 ZIP codes
Median Income
$73,555
Median Home Value
$251,920
Median Rent
$1,280/mo
Population
293,687
College Educated
46%
Homeownership
57%
Avg Commute
21 min
Poverty Rate
17.0%
Community Profile
Tallahassee has a median household income of $73,555. It is a well-educated community where 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $251,920, with a median rent of $1,280/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.0%. The average commute for residents is 21 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Florida
- Elementary
- 42
- Middle
- 8
- High
- 11
- Other
- 19
Resources
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 Tallahassee, Florida
How many schools are in Tallahassee, Florida?
Tallahassee has 80 schools, including 52 public and 28 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Tallahassee, Florida?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Tallahassee is 6.3 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 Tallahassee, Florida?
The top-ranked school in Tallahassee on MySchoolScout is Chaires Elementary School with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best elementary school in Tallahassee, Florida?
The top-ranked elementary school in Tallahassee on MySchoolScout is Chaires Elementary School with a composite score of 9.0/10.
What is the best middle school in Tallahassee, Florida?
The top-ranked middle school in Tallahassee on MySchoolScout is Elizabeth Cobb Middle School with a composite score of 7.0/10.
What is the best high school in Tallahassee, Florida?
The top-ranked high school in Tallahassee on MySchoolScout is Lawton Chiles High School with a composite score of 6.2/10.
How many school districts serve Tallahassee, Florida?
Tallahassee is served by 3 school districts: Leon, Fsu Lab Sch, Famu Lab Sch.
What is the education level in Tallahassee, Florida?
According to Census data, 46% of adults in Tallahassee have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Tallahassee, Florida?
The median household income in Tallahassee is approximately $73,555 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Tallahassee, Florida?
Yes, Tallahassee has 28 private schools alongside 52 public schools. The top-rated private school is The Magnolia School with a score of 8.6/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Tallahassee, Florida?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Tallahassee is 13.9:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Tallahassee, 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
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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.