2019 Best Schools in Alachua CountyAbout this List

Oak Hall School

• Private School
• Gainesville, FL
• PK, K-12
• 20

Alum: I absolutely loved Oak Hall. Having attended from the 3rd grade on, I spent almost all of my developmental years there, and found that the school was not only academically enriching but also personally empowering. The support system to excel in whatever you were willing to put the effort into, or to found and build lasting organizations on campus based on your specific interests, is unparalleled here. Ambition is a core facet of the school's culture, and the experience I had there continues to drive me today as a rising Junior in college.
Read 20 Reviews

• A+

• 798 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Eastside High School

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• 9-12
• 264

Alum: Eastside High School was the best decision I could have possibly made when looking at high schools that will better my education and life style resources; therefore, preparing me for the college atmosphere, and all things that pertain to it, and real life scenarios. I commend the Alachua County School board for their steadily hard work to keep the students involved in extra curricular activities. Being a IB student can really take a toll on a personal life when there is no time for anything but studies, but at Eastside they bring it to a point that individuals must interact with each other through many activities and clubs throughout the school. Eastside was an amazing experience, especially if you got involved; the only downside for me was that the school was across time and sometimes it was a rough to even travel the distance, but I guess you cant complain when you are for certain you are getting great experience for life. Go Rams!
Read 264 Reviews

• A+

• 1,447 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Saint Francis Catholic Academy

• Private School
• Gainesville, FL
• 9-12
• 78

Alum: The school went through a lot of change during my time there, but as of right now I think it's heading in a good direction. A lot of teachers have come and gone but those who have been apart of the staff for some time are quite good at what they do. There are also a good variety of electives offered to students. The sports and clubs are all excellent, though the funding could be a bit more evenly distributed. Many clubs suffer from lack of funds and assistance while sports thrive in excess funding. Not many parents help out around school but the ones that do are very committed and very nice people. The school has decent resources and they're improving, but at a snail's pace. Despite negativities, I had an excellent experience at Saint Francis, and I feel like I'm prepared enough to succeed in college and beyond.
Read 78 Reviews

• A

• 225 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School

• P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School, FL
• K-12
• 126

Senior: PK Yonge was the only school I ever attended. I have been here from kindergarten to 12th grade. I never received preschool education. But PK provided me not only adequate education, they provided me a family and an environment to thrive. This school gives all students the opportunity to be well rounded. For example, I participate in three sports but I also am in the art program and am the president of a few clubs. Overall my experience has been unforgettable. The few things that I’d like to change are the curriculum in elementary where they mix grades together. Such as students in 4th and 5th grade are out together in a class and learn the same material. This causes potential problems because the 4th graders learn the same material the coming year. I also would like to change the cafeteria food to a more healthier and fresher option. The food is heavily refrigerated and not as healthy as other meal options.
Read 126 Reviews

• A

• 1,145 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

F.W. Buchholz High School

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• 9-12
• 269

Alum: The school was great! They have a lot of activities, clubs, and extra-curricular activities at the school that you could join;plus, they make sure no one is left behind in grades, making sure kids are fed and much more! At Buchholz the teachers and staff are like parents to the kids like myself and others that have made bonds with them and it is nice to know that teachers here really care for our well-beings and make sure we can do the best to our abilities.
Read 269 Reviews

• A

• 2,252 Students
• 25:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Expressions Learning Arts Academy

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• K-5

• A

• 85 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Alachua Learning Academy Middle

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• 6-8

• A

• 61 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Hidden Oak Elementary School

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• PK, K-5

• A

• 791 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Micanopy Area Cooperative School

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• PK, K-5

• A-

• 198 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Gainesville High School

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• 9-12
• 412

Sophomore: Gainesville High School is filled with diversity all throughout. Gainesville High School has three great programs, including the Academy of Health Professions, Academy of Future Teachers, and the Cambridge Program. Students are able to get involved within the school by participating in clubs or the spirit weeks and activities brought by the GHS Student Government. The faculty and staff are very welcoming and are always willing to help you in any way. You are able to approach any teacher or staff without fear and they work alongside with you for your benefit of your own success.
Read 412 Reviews

• A-

• 1,890 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Healthy Learning Academy Charter School

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• K-5

• A-

• 102 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Alachua Learning Academy Elementary School

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• K-5
• 1

Niche User: This is a good learning center within the community of Alachua. The facility could use some work but otherwise is pretty safe.
Read 1 Review

• A-

• 113 Students
• 11:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Kimball Wiles Elementary School

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• PK, K-5
• 1

Alum: This elementary school introduced me to many topics that I'm interested in pursuing now. I'm an incoming University of Florida and am majoring in Nutritional Science. My interest in that major started with my introduction to life science at Kimball Wiles Elementary school.
Read 1 Review

• A-

• 805 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lawton M. Chiles Elementary School

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• PK, K-5
• 1

Alum: Lawton Chiles Elementary School has outstanding teachers who invest so much of their time and money toward the children and their education. The school is like a family, and I still hold many special memories from when I attended.
Read 1 Review

• A-

• 722 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

William S. Talbot Elementary School

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• PK, K-5

• A-

• 717 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

One Room Middle School

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• 6-8

• A-

• 35 Students
• 9:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Cornerstone Academy

• Private School
• Gainesville, FL
• PK, K-12
• 15

High School Senior: Truthfully, I love this school. I couldn't have asked for a better school experience. Everyone is very accepting and loving. The teachers truly care for the students and want you to succeed.
Read 15 Reviews

• B+

• 188 Students
• 10:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The Rock School

• Private School
• Gainesville, FL
• PK, K-12
• 16

Sophomore: The experience at The Rock School has been very good. They are strong about community and faith, as well as bringing in diversity. Foreign exchange students make up a large amount of the student population, and because of this, it has opened my eyes to the world around me. For the most part, the teachers have been wonderful and understanding; The staff has felt like family. Some things that I would like to see in my school would be that although they are strong about community, it would be nice if there would be more areas of student involvement, other than sports. Maybe something artistic, like band, or art for the lower classmen. As well as, more of a variety in electives, so people could chose the ones that fit them better.
Read 16 Reviews

• B+

• 448 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Meadowbrook Elementary School

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• PK, K-5

• B+

• 815 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

C.W. Norton Elementary School

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• PK, K-5

• B+

• 636 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

The One Room School House Project

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• PK, K-5

• B+

• 235 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Professional Academy Magnet at Loften High School

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• PK, 6-12
• 55

Senior: My years at Loften has been a very enlightening time for me. I've gone through many friendships that have taught me many lessons in life, and I've developed relationships with the staff and teachers which have helped through so much in life. I am going into my fourth year here and I am finally learning who I really am and who I really want to be. Throughout the years with the great teachers in my academic classes and the amazing guidance in my academy classes I have maintained above average grades and my GPA is through the roof. There were times I know I've frustrated my teachers and the staff by switching my classes or transferring academies then leaving them again, but not once did someone tell me I was a burden to them. Although I've had a few rocky times in the last four years, my high school experience was amazing thanks to the amazing teachers, staff and of course friends, at Professional Academies Magnet at Loften High School.
Read 55 Reviews

• B+

• 251 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Stephen Foster Elementary School

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• K-5

• B+

• 536 Students
• 13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

J.J. Finley Elementary School

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• K-5

• B+

• 637 Students
• 14:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Archer Elementary School

• Alachua County Public Schools, FL
• PK, K-5
• 1

Parent: Great school with very supportive staff, teachers and Principal. They all know every child, family and there is a big community feel at school. Our son is in 1st grade and we've been extremely happy at Archer!
Read 1 Review

• B+

• 501 Students
• 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio