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Excellent

#486 of 3,777 schools in FL

Top 13% in state

Gulf Gate Elementary School

Elementary School · SARASOTA

6500 S LOCKWOOD RIDGE RD, Sarasota, FL 34231

Enrollment

624

Student-Teacher

12.7:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Sarasota

#8 of 36

public schools

Florida elementary schools

#451 of 2,196

In district

#14 of 56

SARASOTA

School environment

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Gulf Gate Elementary School

Gulf Gate Elementary School serves 624 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Sarasota, Florida, earning recognition as one of the county's top-performing elementary schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranking in the 91st percentile statewide at #355 out of 3,816 Florida schools, the school demonstrates strong academic achievement across all grade levels. The school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 12.7 to 1 with 49 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an environment where students can receive more individualized attention.

Academic performance is particularly noteworthy, with 70% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 66% reach proficiency in Mathematics. These results reflect the school's commitment to helping students master essential skills during their foundational years. Gulf Gate Elementary draws families from the surrounding 34231 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $67,543 and 37% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The community's median home value of $337,400 reflects the established nature of this suburban neighborhood. Located on South Lockwood Ridge Road, the school serves families in Sarasota County's large suburban setting, providing a stable educational foundation in a well-established residential community.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.84 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency60%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65%
Math vs. State Avg-0.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.8 pts
Overall Proficiency63%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected+19.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.9Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,753

Gulf Gate Elementary School — Students at Gulf Gate Elementary School score 62% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 65.8%
School
State
58.1%
ELA Proficiency 69.4%
School
State
54.2%

Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
72%
ELA
73%
2021*
Math
60%
ELA
65%
2024
Math
65.7%
ELA
69.7%

* 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: 6.9/10.

How Gulf Gate Elementary School Compares

See how Gulf Gate Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
87th percentile in FL
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
49 teachers

Location

6500 S LOCKWOOD RIDGE RD, Sarasota, FL 34231

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gulf Gate Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.4/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ASHTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, WILKINSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Sarasota, see our Sarasota schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.6 mi
School Distance Rating
MANGROVE SCHOOL OF SARASOTA Sarasota 1.2 mi 5.3
SALTMEADOW SCHOOL Sarasota 1.2 mi
RIVERVIEW HIGH SCHOOL Sarasota 1.6 mi 7.0
SARASOTA VIRTUAL ACADEMY (VIRTUAL FRANCHISE) Sarasota 1.8 mi
IMAGINE SCHOOL AT PALMER RANCH Sarasota 1.7 mi 5.8
SUNCOAST POLYTECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL Sarasota 1.9 mi 7.9
ESE SPECIAL PROGRAMS Sarasota 1.9 mi
SARASOTA VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM Sarasota 1.9 mi 3.8
WILKINSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sarasota 2.1 mi 8.3
PHILLIPPI SHORES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sarasota 2.0 mi 7.5
TRIAD Sarasota 2.1 mi 5.8
INCARNATION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Sarasota 2.7 mi 8.2
SARASOTA MIDDLE SCHOOL Sarasota 2.5 mi 7.1
COMMUNITY DAY SCHOOL Sarasota 2.7 mi 7.2
BROOKSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL Sarasota 2.9 mi 7.1
ASHTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sarasota 2.8 mi 8.4
NEWGATE SCHOOL Sarasota 2.9 mi 8.4
BRICKHOUSE ACADEMY Sarasota 3.3 mi
SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sarasota 3.6 mi 9.4
THE OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY Sarasota 3.6 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 34231 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,721

Median Home Value

$363,400

Median Rent

$1,707/mo

Population

32,203

College Educated

38.5%

Homeownership

65.9%

Avg Commute

21.6 min

Poverty Rate

9.1%

Median Age

55.1

Community Profile

The community surrounding Gulf Gate Elementary School has a median household income of $69,721. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $363,400, with a median rent of $1,707/month. The local poverty rate of 9.1% 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
ACREAGE PINES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Loxahatchee, FL 8.1
ARCOLA LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miami, FL 8.1
ATLANTIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cocoa, FL 8.1
AZALEA PARK ELEMENTARY Orlando, FL 8.1
BEACHLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vero Beach, FL 8.1
BIG CYPRESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Naples, FL 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gulf Gate Elementary School

What grades does Gulf Gate Elementary School serve?

Gulf Gate Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Gulf Gate Elementary School?

Gulf Gate Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 624 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gulf Gate Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Gulf Gate Elementary School is 12.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gulf Gate Elementary School rank in FL?

Gulf Gate Elementary School is ranked #486 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Gulf Gate Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gulf Gate Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.1 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 Gulf Gate Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gulf Gate Elementary School has 65.8% math proficiency and 69.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gulf Gate Elementary School a charter school?

No, Gulf Gate Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Gulf Gate Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Gulf Gate Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gulf Gate Elementary School?

60.9% of students at Gulf Gate 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
52 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
60 Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,165/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Sarasota). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
624
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
49
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Sarasota County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

SARASOTA
District Enrollment
45,314
Schools in District
63
Per-Pupil Spending
$14,033
District Rank
#14 of 56

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

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