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
Enrollment
260
Student-Teacher
23.6:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Enrollment
260
Student-Teacher
23.6:1
Score
7.7
Grades
Kindergarten – 6th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
47.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 82% (2019) to 77% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 72% (2019) to 72% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- Walk Score
- 4 Car-Dependent
- City Safety
- High (4,013/100K)
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
- Phone
- (386) 326-2762
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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