Booker High School

Q: Is Booker High School a good school?

Booker High School ranks 478 th of 807 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Booker High School is a public high school in Sarasota, Florida, serving 1,309 students in grades 9-12. The school stands out for its diverse student population, with a higher percentage of African American and Hispanic students compared to nearby schools like Riverview High School and Sarasota High School.

However, Booker High School's academic performance, as measured by standardized test scores, lags behind the surrounding high-performing schools. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, Booker's proficiency rates in Algebra 1 (28%), Geometry (37%), and 10th grade English Language Arts (39%) were significantly lower than the Sarasota district and state averages. The school's four-year graduation rate has also fluctuated in recent years, ranging from 81.4% to 86.9%, which is lower than schools like Sarasota Military Academy (95.5%).

Booker High School's challenges may be linked to its higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 62.73% to 67.91% in recent years, which is much higher than the more affluent schools in the area. This suggests that the school serves a more economically disadvantaged population, which could be a contributing factor to the lower academic performance and higher chronic absenteeism rates. With targeted interventions and support, Booker High School has the potential to improve and provide a quality education for its diverse student body.

Detail:

Public, Magnet 9-12

3201 N Orange Ave
Sarasota, FL 34234

(941) 355-2967

District: Sarasota

SchoolDigger Rank:
478^th of 807 Florida High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $12,879

Feeder schools for Booker High School:

Elementary:	Emma E. Booker Elementary School
	Gocio Elementary School
	Southside Elementary School
	Tatum Ridge Elementary School
	More...
	Tuttle Elementary School
Middle:	Booker Middle School
	McIntosh Middle School

Student/teacher ratio: 19.0

Number of students: 1,395

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

47.0%

African American:

23.4%

White:

21.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 68.2%

See top rated Florida high schools

Compare Booker High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Booker High School ranks worse than 59.2% of high schools in Florida. It also ranks 8^th among 9 ranked high schools in the Sarasota School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 34.8. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Booker High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

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 Booker High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (47%), African American (23.4%), White (21.1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 68.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Booker High School is 19, which is the 4^th best among 9 high schools in the Sarasota School District. (See more...)

Compare Booker High School employs 73 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Booker High School is $12,879, which is the 2^nd highest among 9 high schools in the Sarasota School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Booker High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Booker High School 478^th of 807 Florida public high schools. (See Booker High School in the ranking list.)

Sarasota:

SchoolDigger ranks Sarasota 8^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Booker High School.

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Rank History for Booker High School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	52.75	248^th	484	48.8%
2005	59.19	208^th	487	57.3%
2006	46.37	272^nd	477	43.0%
2007	48.44	302^nd	563	46.4%
2008	48.81	317^th	577	45.1%
2009	53.22	302^nd	587	48.6%
2010	55.28	307^th	620	50.5%
2011	56.12	296^th	622	52.4%
2012	42.20	309^th	606	49.0%
2013	39.64	377^th	648	41.8%
2014	47.03	349^th	687	49.2%
2016	36.37	407^th	693	41.3%
2017	38.30	394^th	714	44.8%
2018	43.37	343^rd	716	52.1%
2019	42.87	355^th	734	51.6%
2021	34.81	423^rd	746	43.3%
2022	37.25	422^nd	774	45.5%
2023	33.62	464^th	792	41.4%
2024	34.80	478^th	807	40.8%

See the entire list of Florida High 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: 3)

50%

Reviews:

by a parent
Monday, February 25, 2019

Booker is two different high schools. The VPA is a highly-ranked, competitive college prep high school - to the point that almost all VPA classes and students are segregated in separate buildings from the rest of the school. If your child is not in the VPA, they don't have the time or inclination to do right by them. After a number of incidents where administration showed their glaring lack of commitment to my non-
VPA child's best interests, I transferred my child to a different high school and saw grades go from Ds to A/Bs in one year. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Booker High School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	487	117	6	13	0	n/a	n/a	0	623
1989	495	125	7	11	0	n/a	n/a	0	638
1990	484	136	8	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	640
1991	484	114	8	9	0	n/a	n/a	0	615
1992	585	160	15	44	0	n/a	n/a	0	804
1993	677	199	20	72	0	n/a	n/a	0	968
1994	713	263	30	87	0	n/a	n/a	0	1093
1995	788	324	32	133	0	n/a	n/a	0	1277
1996	788	324	32	133	0	n/a	n/a	0	1277
1997	846	345	31	157	1	n/a	n/a	0	1380
1998	930	359	24	151	1	n/a	n/a	0	1465
1999	961	321	32	195	1	n/a	n/a	0	1510
2000	923	347	29	215	2	n/a	n/a	0	1516
2001	889	364	27	218	1	n/a	n/a	0	1499
2002	873	389	22	271	1	n/a	n/a	0	1556
2003	873	389	22	271	1	n/a	n/a	0	1556
2004	904	385	24	277	0	n/a	n/a	0	1590
2005	926	385	26	270	1	n/a	n/a	0	1608
2006	877	428	29	322	1	n/a	n/a	0	1657
2007	820	483	22	345	1	n/a	n/a	46	1717
2008	677	443	26	331	2	n/a	n/a	56	1535
2009	536	393	20	261	0	n/a	n/a	44	1254
2010	486	315	15	270	2	n/a	n/a	52	1140
2011	428	284	11	278	3	0	58	0	1062
2012	380	283	8	279	3	1	57	0	1011
2013	349	259	8	307	3	1	52	0	979
2014	341	317	13	370	8	1	48	0	1098
2015	356	313	12	349	7	2	48	0	1087
2016	356	366	14	374	7	1	50	0	1168
2017	389	349	16	393	7	0	53	0	1207
2018	403	326	12	431	2	0	60	0	1234
2019	379	355	13	466	2	0	70	0	1285
2020	385	329	14	475	2	0	79	0	1284
2021	358	351	15	505	2	1	72	0	1304
2022	335	326	17	536	3	2	77	0	1296
2023	308	312	21	583	2	2	81	0	1309
2024	294	326	20	655	4	0	96	0	1395

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 Booker High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	623	38.0	16.3	14.9
1989	638	42.0	15.1	15
1990	640	44.0	14.5	14.5
1991	615	40.0	15.3	11.1
1992	804	45.0	17.8	17.2
1993	968	49.0	19.8	23
1994	1093	58.0	18.8	21.2
1995	1277	52.0	24.6	29.2
1996	1277	52.0	24.6	29.2
1997	1380	60.0	23.0	26.3
1998	1465	63.0	23.3	31.2
1999	1510	68.0	22.2	39.1
2000	1516	70.0	21.7	39
2001	1499	69.0	21.7	38.8
2002	1556	77.0	20.2	37.4
2003	1556	77.0	20.2	37.4
2004	1590	91.0	17.5	39.1
2005	1608	92.0	17.5	44.8
2006	1657	95.0	17.4	33.4
2007	1717	93.0	18.5	47.3
2008	1535	93.0	16.5	42.8
2009	1254	77.1	16.3	54.2
2010	1140	69.0	16.5	62.3
2011	1062	66.0	16.0	63.1
2012	1011	63.0	16.0	67.2
2013	979	60.0	16.3	67
2014	1098	68.0	16.1	64.4
2015	1087	69.0	15.7	66.4
2016	1168	67.0	17.4	67.6
2017	1207	69.0	17.4	62
2018	1234	71.0	17.3	71.9
2019	1285	69.0	18.6	66.2
2020	1284	72.0	17.8	62.6
2021	1304	72.6	17.9	63.5
2022	1296	71.0	18.2	62.7
2023	1309	75.0	17.4	67.9
2024	1395	73.0	19.0	68.2

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 Booker High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	623	38.0	16.3	14.9
1989	638	42.0	15.1	15
1990	640	44.0	14.5	14.5
1991	615	40.0	15.3	11.1
1992	804	45.0	17.8	17.2
1993	968	49.0	19.8	23
1994	1093	58.0	18.8	21.2
1995	1277	52.0	24.6	29.2
1996	1277	52.0	24.6	29.2
1997	1380	60.0	23.0	26.3
1998	1465	63.0	23.3	31.2
1999	1510	68.0	22.2	39.1
2000	1516	70.0	21.7	39
2001	1499	69.0	21.7	38.8
2002	1556	77.0	20.2	37.4
2003	1556	77.0	20.2	37.4
2004	1590	91.0	17.5	39.1
2005	1608	92.0	17.5	44.8
2006	1657	95.0	17.4	33.4
2007	1717	93.0	18.5	47.3
2008	1535	93.0	16.5	42.8
2009	1254	77.1	16.3	54.2
2010	1140	69.0	16.5	62.3
2011	1062	66.0	16.0	63.1
2012	1011	63.0	16.0	67.2
2013	979	60.0	16.3	67
2014	1098	68.0	16.1	64.4
2015	1087	69.0	15.7	66.4
2016	1168	67.0	17.4	67.6
2017	1207	69.0	17.4	62
2018	1234	71.0	17.3	71.9
2019	1285	69.0	18.6	66.2
2020	1284	72.0	17.8	62.6
2021	1304	72.6	17.9	63.5
2022	1296	71.0	18.2	62.7
2023	1309	75.0	17.4	67.9
2024	1395	73.0	19.0	68.2

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 Booker High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$206 (2.0%)	$9,899 (98.0%)	$10,105
2019	$218 (2.2%)	$9,685 (97.8%)	$9,903
2020	$208 (2.0%)	$9,966 (98.0%)	$10,174
2021	$448 (4.2%)	$10,144 (95.8%)	$10,592
2022	$400 (3.5%)	$11,141 (96.5%)	$11,540
2023	$725 (5.6%)	$12,153 (94.4%)	$12,879

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Booker High 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 355^th of 734 High schools	Ranks 464^th of 792 High schools	10.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
9th Grade English Language Arts (Booker High School)	50	47	3%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Sarasota)	65	63	2%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	55	51	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Booker High School)	51	47	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Sarasota)	63	56	7%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	53	49	4%
End of Course Biology 1 (Booker High School)	65	51	14%
End of Course Biology 1 (Sarasota)	77	72	5%
End of Course Biology 1 (Florida)	67	63	4%
End of Course US History (Booker High School)	75	59	16%
End of Course US History (Sarasota)	78	72	6%
End of Course US History (Florida)	70	63	7%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Booker High School)	40	29	11%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Sarasota)	73	69	4%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Booker High School)	39	35	4%
End of Course Geometry (Sarasota)	70	64	6%
End of Course Geometry (Florida)	57	50	7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1285	1309	1.9%
African American	355	312	12.1%
American Indian	2	2
Asian	13	21	61.5%
Hispanic	466	583	25.1%
Pacific Islander	0	2
White	379	308	18.7%
Two or More Races	70	81	15.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	66.2%	67.9%	1.7%

Schools Near Booker High 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)	EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Biology 1 (2024)	EOC US History (2024)	EOC Civics (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 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Booker High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	3201 N Orange Ave	Sarasota	34234	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	Yes	No	No	(941) 355-2967	1,395	73	19.0	68.2%	294 (21.1%)	326 (23.4%)	655 (47.0%)	20 (1.4%)	4 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	96 (6.9%)	34.8	478^th of 807 public high schools	40.8%		33.6	464^th of 792 public high schools	41.4%	14				40.0	39.0					28.0	37.0	60.0	66.0		$12,879	$725	$12,153
Sarasota Military Academy	Public, Charter	6-12	801 N Orange Ave	Sarasota	34236	Sarasota County	Sarasota	Yes	No	No	No	(941) 926-1700	1,099	76	14.4	53.1%	496 (45.1%)	62 (5.6%)	458 (41.7%)	23 (2.1%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	58 (5.3%)	48.9	316^th of 807 public high schools	60.8%		59.1	207^th of 792 public high schools	73.9%	109	47.0	37.0	45.0	48.0	52.0	46.0	39.0	45.0	44.0	38.0	51.0	55.0	79.0	72.0	$10,398	$696	$9,703
Sarasota High School	Public	9-12	2155 Bahia Vista St	Sarasota	34239	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	No	No	No	(941) 955-0181	2,509	124	20.2	42.7%	1,393 (55.5%)	153 (6.1%)	786 (31.3%)	44 (1.8%)	2 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	129 (5.1%)	49.2	310^th of 807 public high schools	61.6%		56.4	226^th of 792 public high schools	71.5%	84				47.0	51.0					24.0	48.0	76.0	74.0		$10,393	$533	$9,860
Sarasota County Acceleration Academies	Public	9-12	935 N Beneva Rd	Sarasota	34232	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	No	No	No	(941) 315-2122	94	3	31.3	3.2%	42 (44.7%)	15 (16.0%)	32 (34.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (5.3%)								(n/a)													38.0		$7,319	$00	$7,319
Amikids Manatee	Public	6-12	6423 9th St E	Bradenton	34203	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 723-4702	40	3	13.3	92.5%	5 (12.5%)	16 (40.0%)	15 (37.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (10.0%)								(n/a)
Triad	Public	6-12	4430 Beneva Rd	Sarasota	34233	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	No	No	Yes	(941) 361-6752	115	9	12.7	88.7%	30 (26.1%)	48 (41.7%)	26 (22.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (8.7%)	4.1	736^th of 807 public high schools	8.8%		2.7	767^th of 792 public high schools	3.2%	31		0.0	10.0	4.0	13.0		9.0	4.0	12.0	0.0		22.0		32.0	$19,257	$1,856	$17,401
State College Of Florida Collegiate School	Public, Charter	6-12	5840 26th St W	Bradenton	34207	Manatee County	Manatee	Yes	No	No	No	(941) 752-5491	485	20	24.2	45.6%	237 (48.9%)	41 (8.5%)	161 (33.2%)	25 (5.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (4.3%)	89.5	23^rd of 807 public high schools	97.1%		83.1	56^th of 792 public high schools	92.9%	33	80.0	80.0	67.0	79.0	82.0	81.0	90.0	79.0	68.0	95.0	97.0	96.0		97.0	$8,708	$577	$8,131
Riverview High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	1 Ram Way	Sarasota	34231	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	Yes	No	No	(941) 923-1484	2,681	131	20.4	35.1%	1,651 (61.6%)	154 (5.7%)	633 (23.6%)	96 (3.6%)	1 (0.0%)	1 (0.0%)	145 (5.4%)	63.4	185^th of 807 public high schools	77.1%		63.3	178^th of 792 public high schools	77.5%	7				62.0	62.0					35.0	72.0	74.0	77.0		$11,065	$605	$10,460
Suncoast Polytechnical High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	4650 Beneva Rd	Sarasota	34233	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	Yes	No	No	(941) 921-3981	566	29	19.5	36.9%	368 (65.0%)	11 (1.9%)	147 (26.0%)	9 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (5.5%)	91.7	13^th of 807 public high schools	98.4%		90.3	22^nd of 792 public high schools	97.2%	9				91.0	95.0					78.0	96.0	98.0	99.0		$10,428	$685	$9,743
Suncoast Technical College	Public	12	4748 Beneva Rd	Sarasota	34233	Sarasota County	Sarasota	No	No	No	No	(941) 924-1365	0	30	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Booker High School

How many students attend Booker High School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,395 students attended Booker High School.

What is the racial makeup of Booker High School?

Students at Booker High School are 47% Hispanic, 23% African American, 21% White, 7% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

What schools feed into Booker High School?

Booker High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Emma E. Booker Elementary School
Elementary : Gocio Elementary School
Elementary : Southside Elementary School
Elementary : Tatum Ridge Elementary School
Elementary : Tuttle Elementary School
Middle : Booker Middle School
Middle : McIntosh Middle School

What district is Booker High School in?

Sarasota

Is Booker High School a good school?

Booker High School ranks 478^th of 807 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

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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.