Manatee County Schools & Education
Manatee County, Florida
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
26/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
86.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
86.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 89.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$6,452
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,118
School Score
26/100
Higher = better
State avg 36/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#54
of 67 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Manatee County
School Verdict
Manatee County faces educational challenges with a school score of 26/100 and a graduation rate of 86.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $6,452 per pupil, Manatee County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Manatee County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 27% below the Florida average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 3.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 5% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Manatee County, Florida
A Dynamic Coastal School System
Manatee County manages 80 public schools with an enrollment of over 50,000 students. This includes a robust infrastructure of 43 elementary, 12 middle, and 13 high schools.
Investing Above the State Average
Manatee County spends $6,452 per pupil, which is higher than the state average of $6,118. This funding supports a system with an 86.0% graduation rate, nearly matching the national 87% benchmark.
Wide-Ranging Choices and Charters
The Manatee District manages over 51,000 students and features 13 charter schools, making up 16.3% of the total landscape. Lakewood Ranch High School is the largest traditional high school with 2,435 students.
Large Suburban Learning Centers
Suburban schools are the norm here, accounting for 51 of the county's 80 schools. With an average size of 656 students, many campuses like Palmetto High exceed 2,000 residents.
Finding a Home in Manatee Schools
The county's high per-pupil investment and strong suburban school presence make it a top choice for families. Explore homes near Lakewood Ranch or Parrish to find some of the county's largest and most modern campuses.
School Overview
Total Schools
80
in Manatee County
Total Enrollment
50,482
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
13
16% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Manatee County
MANATEE
80 Public Schools in Manatee County
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$6,452
State avg $6,118
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Manatee County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Manatee County?
How much does Manatee County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Manatee County, Florida — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Manatee County, Florida?
Manatee County manages 80 public schools with an enrollment of over 50,000 students. This includes a robust infrastructure of 43 elementary, 12 middle, and 13 high schools.
How do schools in Manatee County perform academically?
Manatee County spends $6,452 per pupil, which is higher than the state average of $6,118. This funding supports a system with an 86.0% graduation rate, nearly matching the national 87% benchmark.
What are the major school districts in Manatee County, Florida?
The Manatee District manages over 51,000 students and features 13 charter schools, making up 16.3% of the total landscape. Lakewood Ranch High School is the largest traditional high school with 2,435 students.
What is the school experience like in Manatee County?
Suburban schools are the norm here, accounting for 51 of the county's 80 schools. With an average size of 656 students, many campuses like Palmetto High exceed 2,000 residents.
How can I find homes near good schools in Manatee County, Florida?
The county's high per-pupil investment and strong suburban school presence make it a top choice for families. Explore homes near Lakewood Ranch or Parrish to find some of the county's largest and most modern campuses.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.