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Below Average

#3184 of 3,778 schools in FL

Stephen Foster Elementary School

Elementary School · ALACHUA

3800 NW 6TH ST, Gainesville, FL 32609

Enrollment

386

Student-Teacher

12.9:1

Score

4.4

Grades

Kindergarten – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Florida schools

#3,184 of 3,778

In Gainesville

#30 of 39

public schools

In district

#44 of 54

ALACHUA

School environment

8.6 / 10

Excellent

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Stephen Foster Elementary School

4.4/10

Elementary School in Gainesville · grades Kindergarten – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Z L Sung Sda School

Nearby

1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Gainesville High School

6.4/10

1.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Stephen Foster Elementary School

Stephen Foster Elementary School is a public elementary school in Gainesville, FL, part of ALACHUA. Stephen Foster Elementary School serves approximately 386 students, and covers grades Kindergarten-5th, and has a 12.9:1 student-teacher ratio. Stephen Foster Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10 and ranks #3,184 of 3,778 schools in FL.

Structured state assessment records for Stephen Foster Elementary School show 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.4 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.3
  • FL avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

33% of students at Stephen Foster Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress1.8Needs Improvement50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-2.28 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency42.7% (2024 FAST)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.3% (2024 FAST)
Math vs. State Avg-17.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-7.9 pts
Overall Proficiency45% (2024 FAST, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2024 FAST)
vs. Expected+0.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
Resources & Environment8.6Excellent20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,075
Chronic Absenteeism32.9%

Stephen Foster Elementary School — Students at Stephen Foster Elementary School score 45% 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

65.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 61.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
58.1% (2024 FAST)
ELA Proficiency 61.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.2% (2024 FAST)

Based on 34 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
82%
ELA
83%
2010
Math
79%
ELA
79%
2011
Math
71%
ELA
70%
2012
Math
73%
ELA
70%
2013
Math
76%
ELA
71%
2014
Math
74%
ELA
69%
2015
Math
63%
ELA
62%
2016
Math
61%
ELA
63%
2017
Math
67%
ELA
63%
2018
Math
68%
ELA
62%
2019
Math
68%
ELA
62%
2020*
Math
46%
ELA
52%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
52%
2022
Math
48.2%
ELA
50%
2024
Math
42.7%
ELA
47.3%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Stephen Foster Elementary School Compares

See how Stephen Foster Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.4/10
16th percentile in FL
Academic
6.0/10
Average
Growth
1.8/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
8.6/10
Excellent
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
32.9%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

3800 NW 6TH ST, Gainesville, FL 32609

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Stephen Foster Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. BOULWARE SPRINGS CHARTER (rated 9.7/10, 1.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ST PATRICK INTERPARISH SCHOOL (rated 7.0/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GLEN SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Gainesville, see our Gainesville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.9 mi
School Distance Rating
Z L SUNG SDA SCHOOL Gainesville 1.2 mi
GAINESVILLE HIGH SCHOOL Gainesville 1.4 mi 6.4
SIDNEY LANIER CENTER Gainesville 1.4 mi 3.9
ST PATRICK INTERPARISH SCHOOL Gainesville 1.6 mi 7.0
C. W. NORTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gainesville 1.5 mi 6.1
PERSIMMON EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY LLC Gainesville 1.7 mi
MARJORIE KINNAN RAWLINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gainesville 1.5 mi 3.8
THE ONE ROOM SCHOOL HOUSE PROJECT Gainesville 1.5 mi 5.1
HOWARD W. BISHOP MIDDLE SCHOOL Gainesville 1.7 mi 5.4
RESILIENCE CHARTER SCHOOL INC Gainesville 1.7 mi 5.0
BOULWARE SPRINGS CHARTER Gainesville 1.7 mi 9.7
MORNING MEADOW Gainesville 1.9 mi
NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL Gainesville 1.8 mi 4.2
LANIAKEA MONTESSORI SCHOOL Gainesville 1.9 mi
A.QUINN JONES CENTER Gainesville 2.1 mi 5.0
W. A. METCALFE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gainesville 1.9 mi 4.4
GLEN SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Gainesville 2.0 mi 6.7
CAROLYN BEATRICE PARKER ELEMENTARY Gainesville 2.4 mi 5.3
FLOWERS MONTESSORI Gainesville 2.2 mi
PACE Gainesville 2.9 mi 4.9

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 32609 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$48,121

Median Home Value

$174,500

Median Rent

$1,159/mo

Population

19,694

College Educated

26.9%

Homeownership

52.5%

Avg Commute

20.8 min

Poverty Rate

22.1%

Median Age

35.9

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
LABELLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Labelle, FL 4.4
MERRIAM CHERRY STREET ELEMENTARY Panama City, FL 4.4
NAVY POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pensacola, FL 4.4
PLATO ACADEMY LARGO CHARTER SCHOOL Largo, FL 4.4
ROOSEVELT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Palm Beach, FL 4.4
SEASIDE COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL 4.4

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Stephen Foster Elementary School

What grades does Stephen Foster Elementary School serve?

Stephen Foster Elementary School serves students in grades Kindergarten through 5th.

How many students attend Stephen Foster Elementary School?

Stephen Foster Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 386 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Stephen Foster Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Stephen Foster Elementary School is 12.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Stephen Foster Elementary School rank in FL?

Stephen Foster Elementary School ranks #3,184 of 3,778 schools in FL.

What is Stephen Foster Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Stephen Foster Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Stephen Foster Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Stephen Foster Elementary School has 62% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 62% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Stephen Foster Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Stephen Foster Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Stephen Foster Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Stephen Foster Elementary School?

65.8% of students at Stephen Foster 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
54 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
60 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 5th
Enrollment
386
Student-Teacher Ratio
12.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
30
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Alachua County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
32.9%

District

ALACHUA
District Enrollment
28,749
Schools in District
68
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,075
District Rank
#44 of 54

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