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Very Good

#820 of 3,777 schools in FL

Top 22% in state

Virgil Mills Elementary School

Elementary School · MANATEE

7200 69TH ST E, Palmetto, FL 34221

Enrollment

833

Student-Teacher

15.7:1

Score

7.6

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Palmetto

#5 of 12

public schools

Florida elementary schools

#739 of 2,196

In district

#24 of 71

MANATEE

Equity

8.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Virgil Mills Elementary School

Virgil Mills Elementary School serves 833 students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade in Palmetto, Florida. With 53 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 15.7:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom. The school demonstrates solid academic performance, earning a 7.7 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking in the 80th percentile among Florida elementary schools at #747 out of 3,816 schools statewide.

Students show strong achievement in core subjects, with 64% scoring proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, and an even higher 67% reaching proficiency in Mathematics. Located at 7200 69th Street East, Virgil Mills Elementary draws families from the surrounding 34221 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $71,679 and median home values reach $271,200. The community of over 52,000 residents includes 26% of adults with bachelor's degrees or higher, while maintaining a relatively low poverty rate of 11.6%.

The school sits in a rural setting near the town of Palmetto in Manatee County, offering students a quieter educational environment while remaining accessible to the broader Tampa Bay metropolitan area.

What Parents Should Know

Located in a rural area, Virgil Mills Elementary School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Above Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.88 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.8Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency69%
Reading/ELA Proficiency65%
Math vs. State Avg+8.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+9.8 pts
Overall Proficiency67%
Expected (poverty-adj.)53%
vs. Expected+14.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile82th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.7Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,900

Virgil Mills Elementary School — Students at Virgil Mills Elementary School score 67% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 53%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

43%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 68.4%
School
State
58.1%
ELA Proficiency 65.0%
School
State
54.2%

Based on 10 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
72%
ELA
68%
2021*
Math
69%
ELA
65%
2024
Math
67%
ELA
64%

* 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: 6.8/10.

How Virgil Mills Elementary School Compares

See how Virgil Mills Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.6/10
78th percentile in FL
Academic
8.8/10
8.8/10
Growth
6.8/10
Above average
Environment
7.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
43%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
53 teachers

Location

7200 69TH ST E, Palmetto, FL 34221

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Virgil Mills Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FREEDOM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.4/10, 6.5 miles away, in nearby Bradenton), which scores notably higher. Another option is JAMES TILLMAN ELEMENTARY MAGNET SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 4.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, ANNIE LUCY WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 4.6 miles away, in nearby Parrish), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Palmetto, see our Palmetto schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.6 mi
School Distance Rating
BUFFALO CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL Palmetto 0.1 mi 7.1
PARRISH CHARTER ACADEMY Parrish 0.9 mi 7.7
IMAGINE CHARTER SCHOOL AT NORTH MANATEE Palmetto 2.1 mi 6.7
PARRISH COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL Parrish 3.1 mi 5.7
BARBARA A HARVEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Parrish 3.2 mi 7.3
BLACKBURN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palmetto 3.8 mi 6.3
PALM VIEW K-8 SCHOOL Palmetto 4.2 mi 7.7
JAMES TILLMAN ELEMENTARY MAGNET SCHOOL Palmetto 4.5 mi 8.4
EDUCATIONAL HARBOR Palmetto 4.4 mi 5.0
ANNIE LUCY WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Parrish 4.6 mi 7.8
THE PORT ACADEMY Palmetto 5.4 mi
MANATEE SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS Palmetto 5.4 mi 4.2
LINCOLN MEMORIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Palmetto 5.5 mi 4.9
MANATEE VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM Palmetto 5.6 mi
MANATEE VIRTUAL SCHOOL ( VIRTUAL FRANCHISE) Palmetto 5.6 mi 6.9
FREEDOM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bradenton 6.5 mi 9.4
MANATEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bradenton 6.5 mi 5.1
JUST FOR GIRLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bradenton 6.6 mi 7.5
CARLOS E. HAILE MIDDLE SCHOOL Bradenton 6.6 mi 7.0
LIGHTHOUSE PREPARATORY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bradenton 6.6 mi

Neighborhood 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 Virgil Mills Elementary 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
ABESS PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL 7.6
ADA MERRITT K-8 CENTER Miami, FL 7.6
ANTIOCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Crestview, FL 7.6
ATLANTIC WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Margate, FL 7.6
BAYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Lauderdale, FL 7.6
BELLEVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Belleview, FL 7.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Virgil Mills Elementary School

What grades does Virgil Mills Elementary School serve?

Virgil Mills Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Virgil Mills Elementary School?

Virgil Mills Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 833 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Virgil Mills Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Virgil Mills Elementary School is 15.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Virgil Mills Elementary School rank in FL?

Virgil Mills Elementary School is ranked #820 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Virgil Mills Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Virgil Mills Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.6 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 Virgil Mills Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Virgil Mills Elementary School has 68.4% math proficiency and 65.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Virgil Mills Elementary School a charter school?

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

Is Virgil Mills Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Virgil Mills Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Virgil Mills Elementary School?

43.0% of students at Virgil Mills 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
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
28 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,394/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
833
Student-Teacher Ratio
15.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
53
Free/Reduced Lunch
43.0%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Manatee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

MANATEE
District Enrollment
52,895
Schools in District
82
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,381
District Rank
#24 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.

Read our full methodology

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