Excellent
#274 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 7% in state
James Tillman Elementary Magnet School
Elementary School · MANATEE
1415 29TH ST E, Palmetto, FL 34221
Enrollment
575
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
575
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
8.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palmetto
#2 of 12
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#254 of 2,196
In district
#11 of 71
MANATEE
Academic growth
9.4 / 10
Exceptional
About James Tillman Elementary Magnet School
James Tillman Elementary Magnet School is a public elementary school in Palmetto, FL, part of the MANATEE. The school serves approximately 575 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 16.4:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.4/10, placing it in the 92.8th percentile among FL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 69% proficiency in math, 10 points above the state average and 39% in reading/language arts, 15 points below the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (9.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $74,314, where 28% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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James Tillman Elementary Magnet School — Students at James Tillman Elementary Magnet School score 50% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.6%
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 James Tillman Elementary Magnet School Compares
See how James Tillman Elementary Magnet School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 65% (2019) to 65% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 34% (2019) to 34% (2021).
Location
1415 29TH ST E, Palmetto, FL 34221
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James Tillman Elementary Magnet School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. PALMETTO CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 2.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is PALMETTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, PALM VIEW K-8 SCHOOL (rated 7.7/10, 2.0 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Palmetto, see our Palmetto schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 34221 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$74,314
Median Home Value
$298,200
Median Rent
$1,459/mo
Population
54,923
College Educated
27.8%
Homeownership
80.5%
Avg Commute
30.2 min
Poverty Rate
11.6%
Median Age
46.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding James Tillman Elementary Magnet School 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.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| COMBEE ACADEMY OF DESIGN AND ENGINEERING Lakeland, FL | 8.4 |
| CYPRESS CREEK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Port Orange, FL | 8.4 |
| CYPRESS TRAILS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Royal Palm Beach, FL | 8.4 |
| DR. PHILLIPS ELEMENTARY Orlando, FL | 8.4 |
| DR. TONI BILBAO PREPARATORY ACADEMY Doral, FL | 8.4 |
| DUNBAR ELEMENTARY MAGNET SCHOOL Tampa, FL | 8.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James Tillman Elementary Magnet School
What grades does James Tillman Elementary Magnet School serve?
James Tillman Elementary Magnet School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend James Tillman Elementary Magnet School?
James Tillman Elementary Magnet School has an enrollment of approximately 575 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James Tillman Elementary Magnet School?
The student-teacher ratio at James Tillman Elementary Magnet School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James Tillman Elementary Magnet School rank in FL?
James Tillman Elementary Magnet School is ranked #274 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is James Tillman Elementary Magnet School's MySchoolScout rating?
James Tillman Elementary Magnet School has a composite rating of 8.4 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 James Tillman Elementary Magnet School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James Tillman Elementary Magnet School has 68.6% math proficiency and 39.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James Tillman Elementary Magnet School a charter school?
No, James Tillman Elementary Magnet School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James Tillman Elementary Magnet School a Title I school?
No, James Tillman Elementary Magnet School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James Tillman Elementary Magnet School?
73.6% of students at James Tillman Elementary Magnet 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. City-level (Palmetto). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 575
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Manatee County
- Phone
- (941) 723-4833
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
MANATEE- District Enrollment
- 52,895
- Schools in District
- 82
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,381
- District Rank
- #11 of 71
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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