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Larimer Memorial LibraryLarimer Memorial Library · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0
C
Schools in Palatka · Putnam County School District

Palatka’s public schools score below 70% of Florida districts on tests and graduation

Math proficiency in Palatka’s districts is 39%, below the Florida average (52%). The grade covers the public school district serving Palatka, 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.

#556of 638 Florida townsK–12Where will my kid go?

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.

Reading proficiency
40%
▼ 12 pts vs FL 52%
2021–22
Math proficiency
39%
▼ 13 pts vs FL 52%
2021–22
Graduate on time
90%
▲ 2 pts vs FL 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$13.9K
▲ 7% vs FL $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
19.7
FL 18.0 · larger classes
Schools in town
8
2,904 students on the public path
In brief

Palatka’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 38 Florida towns with household incomes within a quarter of Palatka’s, its schools beat 47%, higher than their 30% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Results trail the state

In spring 2022, 40% of tested students were proficient in reading and 39% in math, against 52% and 52% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓

Graduation

90% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida. Districts ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $13,859 per student, against $13,006 across Florida (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

Two elementary schools, then one middle school

Which elementary school depends on the address; from grade 7 the district’s path is Palatka Jr. - Sr. High School. Enrollment is up 26% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences, School of the Heights (private) and Hillcrest Academy (private) are in town. Putnam Virtual Instruction Program, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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.

The School Grade

What’s behind Palatka’s grade

D Test scoresB Graduation

C: better than 30% of Florida school districts, #556 of 638 Florida towns. Graduation is above the Florida average; test scores are below it.

Florida school districts we grade (76)Better than 30%
Lower resultsHigher results
Florida towns with similar household incomes (38)Better than 47%
C−C+A fairly firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 5,467 test results and a graduating class of 675 could put Palatka anywhere from C− to C+. The tests are from spring 2022, when 96% of Palatka’s students in the tested grades sat them (5,077 in math, 5,857 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Palatka, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
K–62 schoolsDepends on your addressD to B+
7–12Palatka Jr. - Sr. High SchoolPutnam County School DistrictD

Palatka’s public schools are run by Putnam County School District, which also serves Crescent City, Interlachen, Pomona Park and Welaka. 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.

Putnam County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 18 schools · 10,082 students, up 26% since 2020–21 · 19.7 per teacher (FL 18.0)
$13,859FL $13,006 · FY2024
C
Test scores · 2021–22

Well below the state in reading

Reading40%
State average 52.1% · 5857 students tested
Math39%
State average 52.2% · 5077 students tested

Palatka vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Palatka’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
PalatkaCPutnam County

Every school in Palatka

9 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).

District schools in Palatkaby address
Teen Parent PK Child Care Program
Prekindergarten · Grades PK
2 studentsRate it →
Kelley Smith Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–6
B+
776 students19:1Rate it →
William D. Moseley Elementary School
Elementary · Grades K–6
D
558 students19:1Rate it →
Palatka Jr. - Sr. High School
High · Grades 7–12
D
1,568 students23:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Mellon Learning Center
Grades PK–12
C−
Special Education
297 students17:1Rate it →
Charter schoolsfree, open by application
Putnam Academy of Arts and Sciences
Middle · Grades 6–8
B−
Charter
192 studentsRate it →
Online schools based in Palatkanot counted as local schools
Putnam Virtual Instruction Program (District Provided)
Grades K–12
Online
26 studentsRate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
School of the Heights
Elementary · Grades PK–6
Private · Religious
157 students12:1Rate it →
Hillcrest Academy
Grades K–12
Private · Religious
83 students12:1Rate it →

Left off: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Putnam Virtual Instruction Program and Putnam Virtual Franchise).

Questions about Palatka’s schools

Are Palatka’s schools good?

On Florida’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Palatka children attend score below 70% of Florida’s school districts on tests and graduation, a C Schools grade, #556 of 638 Florida towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 47%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Palatka in?

Putnam County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 10,082 students in 18 schools (2024–25).

What is Palatka’s graduation rate?

90% of the class of 2023 in Putnam County School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida.

How much does Palatka spend per student?

$13,859 in Putnam County School District (FY2024), against $13,006 across Florida. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Palatka?

Yes: School of the Heights (religious, grades PK–6, 157 students) and Hillcrest Academy (religious, grades K–12, 83 students). Palatka also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.

Parents talk

What Palatka families are saying about school.

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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.