Schools Near Savanna Lakewood Ranch — Ratings and Guide
One of the first questions I hear from families considering Savanna at Lakewood Ranch is about schools. It makes sense — you're choosing more than a house when you buy in this part of Bradenton. You're choosing the hallways your kids walk through every morning. I've helped families move into Savanna specifically because of the school zoning, so here's a breakdown of every nearby option I'd want you to know about.
[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER: Aerial or street-level photo of Savanna at Lakewood Ranch entrance gate on Lorraine Road]
Public Elementary Schools Near Savanna Lakewood Ranch
B.D. Gullett Elementary
B.D. Gullett Elementary serves students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and sits at 12125 44th Avenue East in Bradenton. This is a large, high-performing school with approximately 1,314 students and a student-teacher ratio of about 17 to 1. It currently holds an 8 out of 10 on GreatSchools and an A-minus on Niche. State test scores show roughly 80 percent of students proficient in math and 74 percent proficient in reading — both well above the Florida average of 52 percent. For families in Savanna at Lakewood Ranch, Gullett is a strong public elementary option within the Manatee County School District.
Robert E. Willis Elementary
Robert E. Willis Elementary is the standout elementary school in the Lakewood Ranch area. Located at 14705 The Masters Avenue, it serves pre-K through fifth grade with about 780 students and a 16-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Willis holds a perfect 10 out of 10 on GreatSchools and an A-minus on Niche, with approximately 85 percent of students proficient in math and 79 percent in reading. When I walk buyers through the Savanna neighborhood, Willis is one of the schools I make sure to mention early in the conversation because those numbers are hard to match anywhere in Manatee County.
[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER: Photo of Robert E. Willis Elementary school building or campus]
Middle Schools Serving the Savanna Area
Dr. Mona Jain Middle School
Dr. Mona Jain Middle School serves grades six through eight and is one of the newer middle schools in the Lakewood Ranch corridor. The school enrolls approximately 927 students and holds an A-minus on Niche. State test scores show about 71 percent proficiency in math and 61 percent in reading. Advanced students benefit from strong results in upper-level courses — the school reported 94 percent proficiency in Algebra 1 and 100 percent in Geometry during the 2024-2025 school year. Jain Middle consistently outperforms both the Manatee district average and the state of Florida across multiple subjects.
R. Dan Nolan Middle School
R. Dan Nolan Middle School is located at 6615 Greenbrook Boulevard in the heart of Lakewood Ranch. It serves grades six through eight with about 776 students and a 19-to-1 student-teacher ratio. Nolan holds an 8 out of 10 on GreatSchools, with roughly 77 percent of students proficient in math and 68 percent in reading. It performs above average compared to other public and charter schools in Florida at the same grade level. For Savanna at Lakewood Ranch families, both Jain and Nolan are strong middle school options depending on your specific zoning assignment.
High School: Lakewood Ranch High
Lakewood Ranch High School is the primary public high school for families in Savanna and the broader Lakewood Ranch community. The school holds a 6 out of 10 on GreatSchools and an A-minus on Niche. It's a large school with a wide range of AP courses, athletics, and extracurricular programs. I tell buyers that the GreatSchools number doesn't capture the full picture — the school's Niche grade reflects solid overall academics, strong college prep offerings, and a well-rounded student experience. Families I've worked with in Savanna at Lakewood Ranch generally speak positively about their experience at LWR High.
[IMAGE PLACEHOLDER: Lakewood Ranch High School exterior or campus photo]
Charter and Private Schools Near Savanna Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy
Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy is a public charter school serving grades K through 12 with about 1,369 students and an 18-to-1 student-teacher ratio. It opened in August 2022 and is managed by Charter Schools USA. State test scores show approximately 74 percent proficiency in math and 71 percent in reading, and the school consistently outperforms both its district and the state across nearly every subject and grade level. For families in Savanna who want a charter option that runs all the way through high school, LWR Prep is worth a close look.
Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch
Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch is a charter school at 10535 Portal Crossing in Bradenton, serving pre-K through eighth grade. It currently holds a 3 out of 10 on GreatSchools. I include it here for completeness, but I'd encourage any family considering this school to tour it in person and review the most recent test data before making a decision.
Out-of-Door Academy
Out-of-Door Academy is a private school with its middle and upper school campus at 5950 Deer Drive in Sarasota — a short drive from Savanna at Lakewood Ranch. It holds an A-plus on Niche and ranks within the top 20 percent of private schools in Florida. ODA is the highest-rated private school in the Sarasota area and offers a rigorous academic program from preschool through 12th grade. Tuition applies, but for families who want a smaller, private school environment near the Lakewood Ranch corridor, it's the top choice in this market.
How I Help Buyers Choose the Right School Zone
School zoning in Manatee County can shift, and the assigned school for your specific lot in Savanna at Lakewood Ranch may differ from your neighbor's depending on when boundaries were last redrawn. I always recommend confirming your zoning directly with the Manatee County School District before closing on a home. When I work with buyers, I pull the current zoning for the exact address we're looking at — not the neighborhood in general — so there are no surprises after move-in.
If you're a family relocating to the Lakewood Ranch area and schools are a top priority, I'd be glad to walk you through the options and help you find a home in the right zone. Schedule a buyer consultation and we'll map it out together.
John Belt, REALTOR® Keller Williams On The Water 941-720-1200 | john@beltsalon.com