New School Awarded Best Elementary In America
Niche bases its school rankings on a number of factors. They use statistics to get a grade on each category, but they also factor in current and prior student reviews to gain a better understanding of how these schools work. From there they come up with their grade and eventual ranking.
There is a new #1 when it comes to best elementary schools and a small school in Osprey, Florida has taken the top spot. Pine View School, which boasts a student attendance of nearly 1,900 students, has not only taken the top spot as the best elementary school in Florida, but it has also taken the number one spot in America. This ranking comes from the annual “best” list from Niche.
The new best elementary school in America, Pine View School, is located in the Sarasota County Schools District and is actually a Magnet School, teaching grades 2-12. A Magnet School is still part of the public education system, but it is one that typically has a specific curricular focus to it. The most common themes coming from a Magnet School includes STEM, which is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Magnet Schools also focus on the arts, and vocational or career paths.
Magnet schools encourage enrollment. While they are still part of the public education system, they are not tethered to it. As they look to bring in students from other school districts or zones, they have to offer an environment or experience not seen in regular public schools. The hope behind the Magnet School creation was to then see enrollment numbers climb because of “want” instead of force.
As Magnet Schools offer specialized curriculums, they also attract top students. With their competitive nature, some Magnet Schools only take in 10-20 percent of the students who apply. They often find “gifted” students applying, those who test high and receive great grades.
Since Pine View School is a 2-12 school, they teach kids at all levels – elementary, middle, and high school. On top of being ranked the number one best elementary school in both Florida and the United States, Pine View also finds its middle school ranked, per Niche, in the top 5 for best public middle school in America. Also, per Niche, the Pine View Middle School and the Pine View High School are also ranked by Niche as the number one schools in their respective categories in Florida. Niche also ranked Magnet Schools and overall, Pine View School ranked #6 across the U.S.
So, how exactly did Pine View get ranked as the best elementary school in America? Niche bases its school rankings on a number of factors. They use statistics to get a grade on each category, but they also factor in current and prior student reviews to gain a better understanding of how these schools work. From there they come up with their grade and eventual ranking.
According to state test scores, 99% of the students at Pine View are at least proficient in math. Also, according to the state test scores, 99% of students are also proficient in reading. This gave Pine View School an A+ grade for Academics. But this wasn’t the only category that Pine View Schools scored high in. Teachers received an A-, Clubs and Activities got a B+, Administration received a solid A, cafeteria food got the lowest grade with a B, Diversity brought in a B+, College Pre got an A+, Health and Safety got an A, and Resources and Facilities joined food with a B. Overall, Niche gave Pine View School a resounding A+ grade. No wonder it ended up as the best elementary school in America.
Not only does Niche rate the best public schools, but they also rate the best private schools. Their breakdown is quite impressive as they also touch on catholic schools, boarding schools, as well as school districts. If you are curious to see where your school ranks, whether it be the best elementary, middle, or high school, you can find it here.
