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Very Good

#770 of 3,777 schools in FL

Top 20% in state

The Children's Reading Center

Elementary School · PUTNAM

7901 SAINT JOHNS AVE, Palatka, FL 32177

Charter

Enrollment

260

Student-Teacher

23.6:1

Score

7.7

Grades

Kindergarten – 6th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Palatka

#2 of 8

public schools

Florida elementary schools

#695 of 2,196

In district

#4 of 16

PUTNAM

Equity

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About The Children's Reading Center

The Children's Reading Center serves 260 students from kindergarten through sixth grade in Palatka, Florida. This charter elementary school operates with 11 full-time equivalent teachers, maintaining a student-teacher ratio of 23.6 to 1. The school demonstrates strong academic performance, earning a MySchoolScout rating of 7.9 out of 10 and ranking in the 82nd percentile among Florida elementary schools at #673 out of 3,816 statewide.

Students show solid proficiency in core subjects, with 76% achieving proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading, and an impressive 80% meeting or exceeding proficiency standards in mathematics. Located on Saint Johns Avenue, the school serves a community where the median household income is $45,455 and median home values average $150,700. The surrounding ZIP code 32177 is home to approximately 26,290 residents, with 12% holding bachelor's degrees or higher.

While the area faces economic challenges with a poverty rate of 22.4%, The Children's Reading Center appears to be making a meaningful impact on student achievement despite these circumstances. The school operates within Palatka's town setting in Putnam County, providing educational opportunities in a community-focused environment where academic success remains a clear priority.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at The Children's Reading Center is 23.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

The Children's Reading Center is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.5Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+0.22 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.5Exceptional30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency77%
Reading/ELA Proficiency72%
Math vs. State Avg+16.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.8 pts
Overall Proficiency75%
Expected (poverty-adj.)51%
vs. Expected+23.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile93th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment3.0Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,305

The Children's Reading Center — Students at The Children's Reading Center score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

47.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 79.8%
School
State
57.5%
ELA Proficiency 74.5%
School
State
54.3%

Based on 12 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
82%
ELA
72%
2021*
Math
77%
ELA
72%
2024
Math
80%
ELA
75.8%

* 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: 8.5/10.

How The Children's Reading Center Compares

See how The Children's Reading Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.7/10
80th percentile in FL
Academic
9.5/10
9.5/10
Growth
8.5/10
Above average
Environment
3.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
47%
Teaching Staff
24:1 student-teacher ratio
11 teachers

Location

7901 SAINT JOHNS AVE, Palatka, FL 32177

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering The Children's Reading Center may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. KELLEY SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is SCHOOL OF THE HEIGHTS (rated 7.2/10, 2.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, BROWNING-PEARCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby San Mateo), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Palatka, see our Palatka schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 15.4 mi
School Distance Rating
KELLEY SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palatka 0.9 mi 8.4
PENIEL BAPTIST ACADEMY Palatka 2.1 mi 6.4
PALATKA JR - SR HIGH SCHOOL Palatka 2.0 mi 5.8
MELLON LEARNING CENTER Palatka 2.2 mi 4.7
PUTNAM ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Palatka 2.5 mi 5.7
SCHOOL OF THE HEIGHTS Palatka 2.5 mi 7.2
WILLIAM D. MOSELEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palatka 3.0 mi 6.2
HILLCREST ACADEMY Palatka 3.2 mi 5.6
JAMES A. LONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palatka 3.4 mi 5.1
PUTNAM VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Palatka 4.4 mi 4.4
DESERET ACADEMY Satsuma 6.9 mi 5.8
BROWNING-PEARCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL San Mateo 7.7 mi 6.8
Q.I. ROBERTS JR. - SR. HIGH SCHOOL Florahome 10.3 mi 8.3
ST JOHNS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Palatka 11.3 mi 5.2
INTERLACHEN JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Interlachen 11.0 mi 3.2
ROBERT H. JENKINS JR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Interlachen 11.3 mi 6.6
ST. JOHNS COUNTY JAIL (DJJ) Hastings 13.9 mi
DEEP CREEK ACADEMY Hastings 13.9 mi
CRESCENT CITY JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Crescent City 15.6 mi 6.6
SOUTH WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elkton 15.4 mi 5.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 32177 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,486

Median Home Value

$158,800

Median Rent

$940/mo

Population

26,046

College Educated

12.8%

Homeownership

63.3%

Avg Commute

24.8 min

Poverty Rate

24.3%

Median Age

41.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding The Children's Reading Center has a median household income of $47,486. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $158,800, with a median rent of $940/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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
CARR ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL Clarksville, FL 7.7
CENTNER ACADEMY LLC Miami, FL 7.7
MUSLIM ACADEMY OF GREATER ORLANDO Orlando, FL 7.7
PALM BEACH PUBLIC SCHOOL Palm Beach, FL 7.7
SEA PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Satellite Beach, FL 7.7
WILSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Plant City, FL 7.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about The Children's Reading Center

What grades does The Children's Reading Center serve?

The Children's Reading Center serves students in grades Kindergarten through 6th.

How many students attend The Children's Reading Center?

The Children's Reading Center has an enrollment of approximately 260 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at The Children's Reading Center?

The student-teacher ratio at The Children's Reading Center is 23.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does The Children's Reading Center rank in FL?

The Children's Reading Center is ranked #770 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is The Children's Reading Center's MySchoolScout rating?

The Children's Reading Center has a composite rating of 7.7 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 The Children's Reading Center?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, The Children's Reading Center has 79.8% math proficiency and 74.5% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is The Children's Reading Center a charter school?

Yes, The Children's Reading Center is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is The Children's Reading Center a Title I school?

No, The Children's Reading Center is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for The Children's Reading Center?

47.3% of students at The Children's Reading Center 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
4 Car-Dependent
City Safety
High (4,013/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
260
Student-Teacher Ratio
23.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
11
Free/Reduced Lunch
47.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Putnam County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PUTNAM
District Enrollment
10,178
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,682
District Rank
#4 of 16

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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