Excellent
#426 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 11% in state
Lake Forest Elementary School
Elementary School · ALACHUA
4401 SE 4TH AVE, Gainesville, FL 32641
Enrollment
286
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
286
Student-Teacher
11.4:1
Score
8.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Gainesville
#3 of 39
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#394 of 2,196
In district
#5 of 54
ALACHUA
Academic growth
9.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Lake Forest Elementary School
Lake Forest Elementary School is a regular public elementary school in Gainesville, Florida. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 286 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 11.4:1, ensuring a supportive learning environment with 25 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a mid-size suburb, Lake Forest Elementary is well-positioned for community engagement and parental involvement.
While the school’s MySchoolScout Rating is 4.4 out of 10 and its state ranking places it at #2511 out of 3816 schools across Florida (placing it in the 34th percentile), Lake Forest Elementary focuses on fostering student development beyond just test scores. The academic performance data shows that 32% of students are proficient or above in both ELA/Reading and Math, indicating areas where the school has room for improvement but also highlighting its commitment to growth. Lake Forest Elementary School is situated in a neighborhood surrounded by residential homes and parks, providing a safe and nurturing environment for young learners.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Lake Forest Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Lake Forest Elementary School — Students at Lake Forest Elementary School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 27%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
92.7%
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: 9.8/10.
How Lake Forest Elementary School Compares
See how Lake Forest Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 22% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 22% (2019) to 22% (2021).
Location
4401 SE 4TH AVE, Gainesville, FL 32641
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lake Forest Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BOULWARE SPRINGS CHARTER (rated 9.1/10, 2.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is JOSEPH WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, CARING & SHARING LEARNING SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 2.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Gainesville, see our Gainesville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 32641 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$36,814
Median Home Value
$123,600
Median Rent
$1,034/mo
Population
15,082
College Educated
20%
Homeownership
59.1%
Avg Commute
21.2 min
Poverty Rate
28.8%
Median Age
37
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lake Forest Elementary School has a median household income of $36,814. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $123,600, with a median rent of $1,034/month. The area has a poverty rate of 28.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| ANTHONY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Anthony, FL | 8.1 |
| JAMES M. ANDERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cross City, FL | 8.1 |
| LITTLE FLOWER CATHOLIC SCHOOL Pensacola, FL | 8.1 |
| LOUISE S. MCINNIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL De Leon Springs, FL | 8.1 |
| MICANOPY AREA COOPERATIVE SCHOOL INC. Micanopy, FL | 8.1 |
| NAPLES PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Naples, FL | 8.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lake Forest Elementary School
What grades does Lake Forest Elementary School serve?
Lake Forest Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Lake Forest Elementary School?
Lake Forest Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 286 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lake Forest Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lake Forest Elementary School is 11.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lake Forest Elementary School rank in FL?
Lake Forest Elementary School is ranked #426 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Lake Forest Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lake Forest Elementary School has 32.2% math proficiency and 32.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lake Forest Elementary School a charter school?
No, Lake Forest Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lake Forest Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Lake Forest Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lake Forest Elementary School?
92.7% of students at Lake Forest 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. City-level (Gainesville). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 286
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 11.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 25
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 92.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Alachua County
- Phone
- (352) 955-6710
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ALACHUA- District Enrollment
- 28,749
- Schools in District
- 68
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,075
- District Rank
- #5 of 54
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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