Idylwild Elementary School

Summary:

Idylwild Elementary School is a public elementary school in Gainesville, Florida, serving 533 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Alachua District, which is ranked 43 out of 68 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Idylwild Elementary stands out for several key factors. It has a significantly higher percentage of African American students (50.84%) compared to nearby schools, which range from 11.9% to 91.76% African American. The school also struggles with high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 46.1% to 57.9% over the past few years, much higher than the state and district averages, as well as nearby charter schools like Boulware Springs Charter (11.4%) and Expressions Learning Arts Academy (0.0%). Academically, Idylwild's test scores are consistently lower than district and state averages across all grade levels and subjects, with 5th-grade science proficiency at 36% compared to the district's 50% and the state's 53%.

Idylwild's high rates of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 72.13% to 78.87%, may contribute to its lower performance. The school has consistently ranked in the bottom 20% of Florida elementary schools over the past decade, presenting an opportunity for the district and school leadership to implement targeted interventions and strategies to address the underlying issues and improve student outcomes. Examining the practices of the higher-performing nearby schools, such as the charter schools, could provide valuable insights to help Idylwild better serve its students.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

4601 SW 20th Terrace
Gainesville, FL 32608

(352) 955-6709

District: Alachua

SchoolDigger Rank:
1938^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $13,386

Students who attend Idylwild Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Abraham Lincoln Middle School
High:	Gainesville High School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.3

Number of students: 628

Racial breakdown:

African American:

54.0%

Hispanic:

21.3%

White:

12.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 74.5%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Idylwild Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Idylwild Elementary School ranks worse than 85.9% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 24^th among 28 ranked elementary schools in the Alachua School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 18.65. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Idylwild Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (54%), Hispanic (21.3%), White (12.1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 74.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Idylwild Elementary School is 16.3. 25 elementary schools in the Alachua School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Idylwild Elementary School employs 38.4 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Idylwild Elementary School is $13,386, which is the 4^th highest among 28 elementary schools in the Alachua School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Idylwild Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Alachua:

SchoolDigger ranks Alachua 43^rd of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Idylwild Elementary School.

What do you think?

Your rating for Idylwild Elementary School?

(Ranking FAQ)

Rank History for Idylwild Elementary School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	32.85	1174^th	1688	30.5%
2007	31.27	1289^th	1786	27.8%
2008	26.20	1395^th	1789	22.0%
2009	34.41	1310^th	1847	29.1%
2010	29.53	1443^rd	1919	24.8%
2011	18.25	1725^th	1985	13.1%
2012	34.50	1330^th	1984	33.0%
2013	38.17	1272^nd	2029	37.3%
2014	32.64	1448^th	2064	29.8%
2016	23.54	1654^th	2087	20.7%
2017	18.90	1811^th	2112	14.3%
2018	17.51	1841^st	2118	13.1%
2019	20.19	1838^th	2182	15.8%
2021	13.87	2024^th	2247	9.9%
2022	7.28	2146^th	2219	3.3%
2023	21.09	1870^th	2240	16.5%
2024	18.65	1938^th	2256	14.1%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Friday, June 13, 2014

A year ago, we moved from a country where our main language was spanish, my child knows the english language only from an academic environment, but it was not a barrier for her or her teachers. They did a great job helping her to adapt to the new school, new culture and new friends. Is an excellent school, the principal is very nice and respectful with their students, as well as the teachers. My child really had a great experience in this school! I'm grateful for all the help and the feedback that I received from the teachers through her year in Idylwild. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Idylwild Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	346	332	4	7	1	n/a	n/a	0	690
1989	297	201	7	11	0	n/a	n/a	0	516
1990	364	264	15	13	1	n/a	n/a	0	657
1991	414	261	21	14	2	n/a	n/a	0	712
1992	440	261	19	17	3	n/a	n/a	0	740
1993	388	310	16	29	3	n/a	n/a	0	746
1994	388	318	9	40	2	n/a	n/a	0	757
1995	306	395	15	52	1	n/a	n/a	0	769
1996	306	395	15	52	1	n/a	n/a	0	769
1997	344	377	24	50	0	n/a	n/a	0	795
1998	354	386	23	48	3	n/a	n/a	0	814
1999	295	433	14	36	1	n/a	n/a	0	779
2000	216	312	15	15	2	n/a	n/a	0	560
2001	238	301	19	10	5	n/a	n/a	0	573
2002	221	263	13	14	3	n/a	n/a	0	514
2003	221	263	13	14	3	n/a	n/a	0	514
2004	218	261	23	27	3	n/a	n/a	0	532
2005	223	207	34	32	4	n/a	n/a	0	500
2006	243	255	43	43	7	n/a	n/a	0	591
2007	245	257	49	38	5	n/a	n/a	49	643
2008	210	233	35	37	3	n/a	n/a	60	578
2009	200	251	36	36	1	n/a	n/a	56	580
2010	191	257	30	40	0	n/a	n/a	52	570
2011	188	311	0	75	0	0	78	0	652
2012	154	307	24	64	0	0	48	0	597
2013	146	335	27	70	1	0	65	0	644
2014	150	364	35	81	1	1	50	0	682
2015	144	377	44	87	1	2	55	0	710
2016	166	401	35	92	1	7	40	0	742
2017	155	458	36	108	1	9	36	0	803
2018	135	436	27	113	4	7	52	0	774
2019	111	382	24	111	3	7	49	0	687
2020	112	396	19	94	1	3	61	0	686
2021	86	348	13	77	0	1	49	0	574
2022	93	412	13	105	1	1	47	0	672
2023	89	271	18	109	0	1	45	0	533
2024	76	339	31	134	1	1	46	0	628

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Idylwild Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	690	36.0	19.1	48.7
1989	516	29.0	17.7	46.5
1990	657	33.0	19.9	47.8
1991	712	36.0	19.7	50.8
1992	740	37.0	20.0	45.8
1993	746	37.0	20.2	56.2
1994	757	42.0	18.0	54.7
1995	769	43.0	17.9	63.2
1996	769	43.0	17.9	63.2
1997	795	44.0	18.1	62.9
1998	814	46.0	17.7	65.7
1999	779	45.0	17.3	73.9
2000	560	40.0	14.0	78
2001	573	36.0	15.9	75.2
2002	514	36.0	14.3	82.1
2003	514	36.0	14.3	82.1
2004	532	34.0	15.6	77.3
2005	500	36.0	13.9	77.6
2006	591	40.0	14.8	69.5
2007	643	43.0	15.0	69.9
2008	578	42.5	13.6	74.9
2009	580	50.1	13.8	82.3
2010	570	41.0	13.9	83.2
2011	652	48.5	13.4	78.7
2012	597	45.6	13.0	81.9
2013	644	46.0	14.0	77
2014	682	50.0	13.6	81.8
2015	710	52.0	13.6	70.1
2016	742	55.0	13.4	70.8
2017	803	51.0	15.7	73.1
2018	774	57.0	13.5	81.9
2019	687	48.5	14.1	70.9
2020	686	44.1	15.5	69.5
2021	574	44.5	12.8	72.1
2022	672	39.7	16.9	78.9
2023	533	28.5	18.7	77.9
2024	628	38.4	16.3	74.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Idylwild Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	690	36.0	19.1	48.7
1989	516	29.0	17.7	46.5
1990	657	33.0	19.9	47.8
1991	712	36.0	19.7	50.8
1992	740	37.0	20.0	45.8
1993	746	37.0	20.2	56.2
1994	757	42.0	18.0	54.7
1995	769	43.0	17.9	63.2
1996	769	43.0	17.9	63.2
1997	795	44.0	18.1	62.9
1998	814	46.0	17.7	65.7
1999	779	45.0	17.3	73.9
2000	560	40.0	14.0	78
2001	573	36.0	15.9	75.2
2002	514	36.0	14.3	82.1
2003	514	36.0	14.3	82.1
2004	532	34.0	15.6	77.3
2005	500	36.0	13.9	77.6
2006	591	40.0	14.8	69.5
2007	643	43.0	15.0	69.9
2008	578	42.5	13.6	74.9
2009	580	50.1	13.8	82.3
2010	570	41.0	13.9	83.2
2011	652	48.5	13.4	78.7
2012	597	45.6	13.0	81.9
2013	644	46.0	14.0	77
2014	682	50.0	13.6	81.8
2015	710	52.0	13.6	70.1
2016	742	55.0	13.4	70.8
2017	803	51.0	15.7	73.1
2018	774	57.0	13.5	81.9
2019	687	48.5	14.1	70.9
2020	686	44.1	15.5	69.5
2021	574	44.5	12.8	72.1
2022	672	39.7	16.9	78.9
2023	533	28.5	18.7	77.9
2024	628	38.4	16.3	74.5

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Idylwild Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$969 (10.3%)	$8,429 (89.7%)	$9,398
2019	$1,181 (11.5%)	$9,123 (88.5%)	$10,304
2020	$1,571 (14.9%)	$8,992 (85.1%)	$10,564
2021	$2,849 (21.7%)	$10,257 (78.3%)	$13,106
2022	$2,417 (20.7%)	$9,283 (79.3%)	$11,701
2023	$3,003 (22.4%)	$10,382 (77.6%)	$13,386

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Idylwild Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 1838^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1870^th of 2240 Elementary schools	0.8%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Idylwild Elementary School)	35	25	10%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Alachua)	57	50	7%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Idylwild Elementary School)	59	30	29%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Alachua)	58	52	6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Idylwild Elementary School)	39	26	13%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Alachua)	55	55
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Idylwild Elementary School)	48	25	23%
4th Grade Mathematics (Alachua)	60	58	2%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Idylwild Elementary School)	33	26	7%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Alachua)	55	51	4%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Idylwild Elementary School)	37	25	12%
5th Grade Mathematics (Alachua)	57	48	9%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Idylwild Elementary School)	33	40	7%
5th Grade Science (Alachua)	55	51	4%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	687	533	22.4%
African American	382	271	29.1%
American Indian	3	0	100%
Asian	24	18	25%
Hispanic	111	109	1.8%
Pacific Islander	7	1	85.7%
White	111	89	19.8%
Two or More Races	49	45	8.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	70.9%	77.9%	7%

Schools Near Idylwild Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)			FAST Math (2024)			Statewide Science Science (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Idylwild Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4601 SW 20th Terrace	Gainesville	32608	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6709	628	38	16.3	74.5%	76 (12.1%)	339 (54.0%)	134 (21.3%)	31 (4.9%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	46 (7.3%)	18.6	1938^th of 2256 public elementary schools	14.1%		21.1	1870^th of 2240 public elementary schools	16.5%	68	36.0	32.0	43.0	43.0	35.0	41.0	36.0	$13,386	$3,003	$10,382
Expressions Learning Arts Academy	Public, Charter	K-5	5408 SW 13th St	Gainesville	32608	Alachua County	Alachua	Yes	No	No	No	(352) 373-5223	78	10	8.0	38.5%	41 (52.6%)	8 (10.3%)	11 (14.1%)	10 (12.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.3%)	7 (9.0%)	82.7	346^th of 2256 public elementary schools	84.7%		89.2	188^th of 2240 public elementary schools	91.6%	158	92.0	73.0	60.0	75.0	64.0	70.0	80.0	$9,121	$854	$8,266
Caring & Sharing Learning School	Public, Charter	PK, KG-6	1951 SE 4th St	Gainesville	32641	Alachua County	Alachua	Yes	No	No	Yes	(352) 372-1004	320	13	24.6	75.9%	1 (0.3%)	296 (92.5%)	10 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (4.1%)	59	885^th of 2256 public elementary schools	60.8%		64	754^th of 2240 public elementary schools	66.3%	131	74.0	53.0	50.0	91.0	53.0	56.0	32.0	$9,571	$1,549	$8,022
Carolyn Beatrice Parker Elementary	Public	K-5	1912 NW 5th Ave	Gainesville	32603	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6705	502	35	14.2	40.0%	175 (34.9%)	115 (22.9%)	158 (31.5%)	28 (5.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	25 (5.0%)	38.5	1379^th of 2256 public elementary schools	38.9%		40.8	1311^th of 2240 public elementary schools	41.5%	68	51.0	46.0	50.0	42.0	54.0	48.0	47.0	$11,375	$1,694	$9,681
Joseph Williams Elementary School	Public, Magnet	K-5	1245 SE 7th Ave	Gainesville	32641	Alachua County	Alachua	No	Yes	No	Yes	(352) 955-6719	458	29	15.6	68.6%	36 (7.9%)	298 (65.1%)	20 (4.4%)	74 (16.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (6.3%)	35.1	1488^th of 2256 public elementary schools	34.0%		36.3	1433^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	36.0%	55	40.0	44.0	55.0	38.0	46.0	50.0	50.0	$10,448	$1,742	$8,707
Littlewood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	812 NW 34th St	Gainesville	32605	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6712	720	48	14.9	47.4%	294 (40.8%)	189 (26.3%)	149 (20.7%)	35 (4.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (7.4%)	52.4	1032^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	54.3%		66.9	694^th of 2240 public elementary schools	69.0%	338	59.0	54.0	55.0	59.0	61.0	45.0	51.0	$11,387	$1,924	$9,463
Kimball Wiles Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4601 SW 75th St	Gainesville	32608	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6955	830	58	14.3	48.1%	339 (40.8%)	184 (22.2%)	144 (17.3%)	91 (11.0%)	4 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	67 (8.1%)	73.3	565^th of 2256 public elementary schools	75.0%		76.7	472^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	78.9%	93	65.0	62.0	73.0	55.0	67.0	72.0	66.0	$10,368	$1,514	$8,854
Wiles Head Start	Public	PK	4556 SW 75th St	Gainesville	32608	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	No	(352) 955-7010	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Early Learning Academy At Duval	Public	PK-K	2106 NE 8th Ave	Gainesville	32641	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6703	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
W. A. Metcalfe Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1250 NE 18th Ave	Gainesville	32609	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6713	444	35	12.6	87.2%	27 (6.1%)	367 (82.7%)	24 (5.4%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (5.4%)	6.3	2209^th of 2256 public elementary schools	2.1%		5.3	2199^th of 2240 public elementary schools	1.8%	10	28.0	30.0	22.0	26.0	25.0	27.0	19.0	$10,705	$2,173	$8,531

Frequently Asked Questions about Idylwild Elementary School

How many students attend Idylwild Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 628 students attended Idylwild Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Idylwild Elementary School?

Students at Idylwild Elementary School are 54% African American, 21% Hispanic, 12% White, 7% Two or more races, 5% Asian.

What district is Idylwild Elementary School in?

Alachua

What schools do graduates of Idylwild Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Idylwild Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Abraham Lincoln Middle School
High : Gainesville High School

Is Idylwild Elementary School a good school?

Idylwild Elementary School ranks in the bottom 14.1% of Florida elementary schools.

Rate Idylwild Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida Elementary School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Gainesville, FL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Idylwild Elementary School!

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.