Photo: Dswisener · CC BY-SA 4.0Alachua’s public schools score below 59% of Florida districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Alachua, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Florida, not nationally.
From Florida state tests taken in spring 2022, when 93% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Alachua’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 438 Florida towns with household incomes within a quarter of Alachua’s, its schools beat 19%, lower than their 41% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in reading, below in math
Reading proficiency is 53% and math 51% in spring 2022, against 52% and 52% statewide; 84% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $11,908 per student, against $13,006 across Florida (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school
From grade 3 the district’s path is Alachua Elementary School, then A. L. Mebane Middle School, then Santa Fe High School. See the path ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Alachua’s grade
C+: better than 41% of Florida school districts, #494 of 638 Florida towns. Both inputs trail the Florida average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Alachua, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Alachua
W. W. Irby Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 372 students · 14:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Alachua
W. W. Irby Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 372 students · 14:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Alachua
W. W. Irby Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 372 students · 14:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Alachua
W. W. Irby Elementary School
Grades PK–2 · 372 students · 14:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Alachua
Alachua Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 323 students · 14:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Alachua
Alachua Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 323 students · 14:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Alachua
Alachua Elementary School
Grades 3–5 · 323 students · 14:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Alachua
A. L. Mebane Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 385 students · 19:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Alachua
A. L. Mebane Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 385 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Alachua
A. L. Mebane Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 385 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Alachua
Santa Fe High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,132 students · 24:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Alachua
Santa Fe High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,132 students · 24:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Alachua
Santa Fe High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,132 students · 24:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Alachua
Santa Fe High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,132 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Alachua’s public schools are run by Alachua County School District, which also serves Archer, Gainesville, Hawthorne and High Springs and others. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Alachua vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Alachua’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Alachua | C+ | Alachua County |
| Gainesville | C+ | Alachua County |
| High Springs | C+ | Alachua County |
All 2 neighbors share Alachua County with Alachua, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Alachua
4 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Florida’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Alachua’s schools
Are Alachua’s schools good?
On Florida’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Alachua children attend score below 59% of Florida’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #494 of 638 Florida towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 19%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Alachua in?
Alachua County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 28,204 students in 58 schools (2024–25).
Where do Alachua kids go to high school?
Santa Fe High School, with 1,132 students; its own test results earn a B−.
What is Alachua’s graduation rate?
84% of the class of 2023 in Alachua County School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida.
How much does Alachua spend per student?
$11,908 in Alachua County School District (FY2024), against $13,006 across Florida. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Alachua families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Alachua → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Florida. Stars are from neighbors.