Richardson House · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0Bradenton’s public schools score below 62% of Florida districts on tests and graduation
The grade covers the public school district serving Bradenton, 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 96% 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.
Bradenton’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 438 Florida towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bradenton’s, its schools beat 28%, lower than their 38% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 50% and math 57% in spring 2022, against 52% and 52% statewide; 82% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,296 per student, against $13,006 across Florida (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Six elementary schools, then one middle and one high school
Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 6 the district’s path is W. D. Sugg Middle School, then Manatee High School. Enrollment is up 11% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Bradenton Bay High School, Bradenton Christian School (private), St. Stephen's Episcopal School (private), Ces Academy of Bradenton (private), Tabernacle Christian School (private), Lighthouse Preparatory Christian School (private) and Potters Wheel Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
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 Bradenton’s grade
C+: better than 38% of Florida school districts, #499 of 638 Florida towns. Test scores are above the Florida average; graduation is below it.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bradenton, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Bradenton
W. D. Sugg Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,017 students · 23:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Bradenton
W. D. Sugg Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,017 students · 23:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Bradenton · depends on your address
Manatee High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,998 students · 22:1 students per teacher
W. D. Sugg Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 1,017 students · 23:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Bradenton
Manatee High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,998 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Bradenton
Manatee High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,998 students · 22:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Bradenton
Manatee High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,998 students · 22:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Bradenton
Manatee High School
Grades 8–12 · 1,998 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Bradenton’s public schools are run by Manatee County School District, which also serves Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach and Longboat Key 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.
Below the state in reading
Bradenton vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Bradenton’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Bradenton | C+ | Manatee County |
Every school in Bradenton
19 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 Bradenton’s schools
Are Bradenton’s schools good?
On Florida’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Bradenton children attend score below 62% of Florida’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C+ Schools grade, #499 of 638 Florida towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 28%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Bradenton in?
Manatee County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 54,215 students in 80 schools (2024–25).
Where do Bradenton kids go to high school?
Manatee High School, with 1,998 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Bradenton’s graduation rate?
82% of the class of 2023 in Manatee County School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida.
How much does Bradenton spend per student?
$12,296 in Manatee County School District (FY2024), against $13,006 across Florida. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Bradenton?
Yes: Bradenton Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 967 students), St. Stephen's Episcopal School (religious, grades PK–12, 688 students), Ces Academy of Bradenton (religious, grades K–12, 114 students), Tabernacle Christian School (religious, grades K–12, 38 students), Lighthouse Preparatory Christian School (religious, grades K–11, 37 students) and Potters Wheel Academy (nonsectarian, grades 9–12, 11 students). Bradenton also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Bradenton families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bradenton → 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.