Excellent
#13 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 1% in state
Garden Elementary School
Elementary School · SARASOTA
700 CENTER RD, Venice, FL 34285
Enrollment
509
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
509
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Venice
#1 of 10
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#11 of 2,196
In district
#2 of 56
SARASOTA
Equity
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Garden Elementary School
Garden Elementary School is a public elementary school in Venice, Florida, serving roughly 509 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade. It earns a composite score of 9.4 out of 10, placing it among the most exceptional schools in the state — ranked 13th out of 3,777 public schools in Florida and first among all ten schools in Venice. Academic performance and student growth are both standout strengths here.
The school scores 9.3 for academics and 9.4 for growth, reflecting consistent, measurable progress across grade levels. Ranking 11th out of 2,196 elementary schools statewide puts Garden Elementary in the top fraction of a percent among its direct peers. A student-teacher ratio of 13.8 to 1 supports the kind of focused instruction that drives those results.
Families comparing elementary options in the Venice area will find Garden Elementary difficult to beat on the data. Its overall rating of Exceptional reflects strong performance across every measured dimension, not a single outlier metric pulling the score up. For parents prioritizing both academic achievement and demonstrated student growth, this school consistently ranks at the top of any meaningful comparison.
What's said publicly about Garden Elementary School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Garden Elementary School — Students at Garden Elementary School score 70% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 47%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
54.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.4/10.
How Garden Elementary School Compares
See how Garden Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 59% (2019) to 71% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 58% (2019) to 69% (2021).
Location
700 CENTER RD, Venice, FL 34285
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Garden Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. VENICE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 2.9 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is GLENALLEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 10.0 miles away, in nearby North Port), a more accessible option. Additionally, LAUREL NOKOMIS SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Nokomis), a more accessible option. For more schools in Venice, see our Venice schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 11.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SKY ACADEMY VENICE Venice | 0.2 mi | 5.9 |
| HOPE PRESBYTERIAN SCHOOL Venice | 2.5 mi | — |
| STUDENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Venice | 2.6 mi | 8.7 |
| VENICE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Venice | 2.7 mi | 7.4 |
| VENICE MIDDLE SCHOOL Venice | 2.8 mi | 7.9 |
| VENICE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Venice | 2.9 mi | 8.8 |
| ISLAND VILLAGE MONTESSORI SCHOOL Venice | 3.4 mi | 7.6 |
| TAYLOR RANCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Venice | 3.4 mi | 8.0 |
| EPIPHANY CATHEDRAL SCHOOL Venice | 3.5 mi | 6.9 |
| LAUREL NOKOMIS SCHOOL Nokomis | 4.3 mi | 8.1 |
| EUROPEAN ACADEMY OF EARLY EDUCATION Nokomis | 4.8 mi | — |
| STATE COLLEGE OF FLA COLLEGIATE SCHOOL-VENICE Venice | 5.6 mi | 6.7 |
| ENGLEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Englewood | 8.2 mi | 7.4 |
| ENGLEWOOD CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Englewood | 8.4 mi | 5.8 |
| SKY ACADEMY ENGLEWOOD Venice | 8.9 mi | 7.3 |
| PINE VIEW SCHOOL Osprey | 9.0 mi | 8.9 |
| KINDERGARTEN PREP North Port | 9.0 mi | 4.7 |
| VICTORY BAPTIST ACADEMY Osprey | 10.1 mi | 5.3 |
| GLENALLEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL North Port | 10.0 mi | 8.3 |
| LEMON BAY HIGH SCHOOL Englewood | 11.2 mi | 4.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 34285 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$67,712
Median Home Value
$295,400
Median Rent
$1,485/mo
Population
18,821
College Educated
39.7%
Homeownership
80%
Avg Commute
22.4 min
Poverty Rate
7.2%
Median Age
69.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Garden Elementary School has a median household income of $67,712. It is a well-educated community where 40% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $295,400, with a median rent of $1,485/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 22 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| FREEDOM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bradenton, FL | 9.4 |
| ROBERT M. PATERSON ELEMENTARY Orange Park, FL | 9.4 |
| SAN JOSE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Dunedin, FL | 9.4 |
| SOUTH LAKE ELEMENTARY Titusville, FL | 9.4 |
| SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sarasota, FL | 9.4 |
| VINELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rotonda West, FL | 9.4 |
Compare Garden Elementary School with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Garden Elementary School
What grades does Garden Elementary School serve?
Garden Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Garden Elementary School?
Garden Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 509 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Garden Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Garden Elementary School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Garden Elementary School rank in FL?
Garden Elementary School is ranked #13 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Garden Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Garden Elementary School has a composite rating of 9.4 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Garden Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Garden Elementary School has 67.4% math proficiency and 63.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Garden Elementary School a charter school?
No, Garden Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Garden Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Garden Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Garden Elementary School?
54.6% of students at Garden Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 509
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 37
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 54.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Sarasota County
- Phone
- (941) 486-2110
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SARASOTA- District Enrollment
- 45,314
- Schools in District
- 63
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $14,033
- District Rank
- #2 of 56
Other Schools in This District
Compare This School
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.
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