Ave Maria University Prep School Photo

Best Manatee County Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 35 private schools serving 6,066 students in Manatee County, FL (there are 80 public schools, serving 51,619 public students). 11% of all K-12 students in Manatee County, FL are educated in private schools (compared to the FL state average of 14%).
The top-ranked private schools in Manatee County, FL include IMG Academy, Bradenton Christian School, and Ave Maria University Prep School.
The average tuition cost is $14,322, which is higher than the Florida private school average tuition cost of $14,120.
59% of private schools in Manatee County, FL are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Baptist).

Top-Ranked Manatee County Private Schools (2026)

School
Location
Quick Facts
IMG Academy
IMG Academy Photo - IMG Academy's Academic Center is in the hear of campus and offers classes, resources, and college placement support to each student-athlete.
5500 34th Street West
Bradenton, FL 34210
(800) 872-6425
Gr: 6-12 | 1,351 student Avg. class size: 12 students Sports: 11 | Extracurrculars: 16 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Manatee Learning Academy
Manatee Learning Academy Photo
(2)
6210 17th Ave W
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 794-0088
Gr: PK-12 | 159 students Tuition listed
Ave Maria University Prep School
Ave Maria University Prep School Photo
Special Education School (Christian)
(5)
3200 75TH ST WEST
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 840-5331
Gr: 1-12 | 60 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Bradenton Christian School
(Christian)
(1)
3304 43rd St W
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 792-5454
Gr: PK-12 | 891 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 13 | Extracurrculars: 10
CES Academy– Bradenton, FL
CES Academy– Bradenton, FL Photo - CES Academy of Bradenton helps each student win and belong because everyonedeserves a chance to succeed in school and life.
(Christian)
(9)
2615 26th St W
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 751-2525
Gr: K-12 | 92 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 1 Tuition listed
Community Christian School
(Baptist)
5500 18th Street E
Bradenton, FL 34203
(941) 756-8748
Gr: PK-12 | 406 students Avg. class size: 18 students Sports: 4 Tuition listed
Core Learning Center
Daycare / Preschool
605 13th Ave W
Palmetto, FL 34221
(941) 729-9069
Gr: K | 42 students Avg. class size: 15 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Easterseals Academy SWFL
Special Education School
350 Braden Ave
Sarasota, FL 34237
(941) 355-7637
Gr: K-12 | 96 students Avg. class size: 6 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
St. Joseph Catholic School
St. Joseph Catholic School Photo - Mrs. Smith fourth graders celebrate Saints Day.
(Catholic)
2990 26th St W
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 755-2611
Gr: PK-8 | 259 students Sports: 13 | Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition listed
Saint Stephen's Episcopal School
Saint Stephen's Episcopal School Photo - Located on the McLewis Bayou, SSES is the only area school with direct access to the Manatee River and Gulf of Mexico. The school capitalizes on that premier location by teaching One Ocean, a custom-designed Pre-K through grade 12 marine science curriculum that provides an opportunity for each student to study the wonders of the ocean environment.
(Episcopal)
(14)
315 41st St. W.
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 746-2121
Gr: PK-12 | 680 students Avg. class size: 15 students Sports: 16 | Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
1218 7th Ave. E.
Bradenton, FL 34208
(941) 746-1915
Gr: K-12 | 19 students Avg. class size: 10 students Sports: 2 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
West Coast Christian Academy
(Seventh Day Adventist)
1112 49th Avenue East
Bradenton, FL 34203
(941) 755-9667
Gr: PK-12 | 50 students Avg. class size: 12 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Amikids Manatee
All-boys | Alternative School
6413 9 St E
Bradenton, FL 34203
(941) 751-7027
Gr: 6-9 | 45 students
Bowen Primary Academy
1116 35th Street West 1202
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 748-6648
Gr: PK-4 | 10 students
Center Montessori School
Montessori School
(2)
6024 26th Street West
Bradenton, FL 34207
(941) 753-4987
Gr: PK-8 | 134 students Extracurrculars: 9 Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Dba-sunshine Academy
(Church of God)
2520 43rd St W
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 794-3143
Gr: PK-8 | 154 students Avg. class size: 10 students Tuition listed
Educational Harbor
Alternative School (Baptist)
415 49th St E Palmetto, FL 34221
Palmetto, FL 34221
(941) 842-3427
Gr: K-12 | 57 students
Family Life Community School
(Christian)
1616 59th Street West
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 792-7911
Gr: NS-8 | 77 students Avg. class size: 10 students Extracurrculars: 6 Tuition listed
The Goddard School
The Goddard School Photo
Daycare / Preschool
14534 Arbor Green Trail
Bradenton, FL 34202
(941) 752-6600
Gr: NS-K Tuition listed
Gulfcoast Christian Academy
(Baptist)
1700 51st Ave E
Bradenton, FL 34203
(941) 755-0332
Gr: K-11 | 21 students
Horizon Educational Systems
Alternative School
Po Box 10826
Bradenton, FL 34282
(941) 751-4501
Gr: K-12 | 105 students Tuition listed
Igloo Academy
5309 29th Street East
Ellenton, FL 34222
(941) 723-3663
Gr: 3-12 | 56 students
Inspiration Academy
Inspiration Academy Photo
(Christian)
7900 40th Ave West
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 795-5466
Gr: 6-12 | 176 students Avg. class size: 9 students Sports: 3 Tuition listed
1017 5th St W
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 224-9172
Gr: 1-10 | 15 students
The New College Child Center
Daycare / Preschool
540 58th St
Sarasota, FL 34243
(941) 355-0561
Gr: K-1 | 24 students Tuition listed
Next Generation Academics Inc
(Christian)
4635 26th St W,
Bradenton, FL 34205
(941) 251-2491
Gr: K-9 | 32 students
Pinnacle Academy
Special Education School
(2)
6215 Lorraine Road
Bradenton, FL 34202
(941) 755-1400
Gr: PK-12 | 160 students Avg. class size: 8 students Tuition listed
6102 39th Ave W
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 284-4076
Gr: 3-11 | 14 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Primrose School At Lakewood Ranch Town Center
Daycare / Preschool
9127 Town Center Pkwy
Bradenton, FL 34202
(941) 373-6363
Gr: PK-K | 194 students
Providence Community School
(Christian)
5512 26th St W
Bradenton, FL 34207
(941) 727-6860
Gr: PK-12 | 152 students Avg. class size: 8 students
Queen Of Angels Academy, Inc.
Alternative School (Catholic)
611 19th Street, West
Bradenton, FL 34205
Gr: K-12 | 25 students Tuition listed
Risen Savior Academy
(Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod)
(5)
14605 59th Ave E
Bradenton, FL 34211
(941) 756-7545
Gr: NS-K | 97 students
Shepherd's Heart Christian School
(Christian)
6502 44th Ave E
Bradenton, FL 34203
(941) 782-8929
Gr: K-12 | 41 students
Suncoast Baptist Academy
(Baptist)
1816 10th St W
Palmetto, FL 34221
(941) 722-3360
Gr: K-12 | 18 students Avg. class size: 9 students Tuition listed
Woodland Academy
(Christian)
9607 E State Road 70
Bradenton, FL 34202
(941) 753-8588
Gr: K-8 | 251 students
[+] Show Closed Private Schools in Manatee County, Florida

Manatee County Private Schools (Closed)

School
Location
Quick Facts
7431 Manatee Avenue W
Bradenton, FL 34209
(941) 792-7500
Gr: 6-12 | 76 students Avg. class size: 10 students Tuition & acceptance rate listed
Esthers School (Closed 2025)
Special Education School (Christian)
1200 Glory Way Blvd
Bradenton, FL 34212
(941) 358-0802
Gr: K-9 | 23 students
7700 Cortez Rd. W.
Bradenton, FL 34210
(941) 792-1000
Gr: NS-12 | 46 students Tuition listed

Overview

This County (Manatee County)
This State (FL)
# Schools
37 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
6,066 Students
479,179 Students
% Average Students of Color
33%
47%

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
496 Teachers
41,511 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
10:1
12:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
62%
51%
Average Class Size
12 students
16 students
Average Number of AP Courses
15 courses
14 courses
Average SAT score
1096
(Out of 1600)
1191
Average ACT score
23
(Out of 36)
25

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$14,322
$14,120
Average % on Financial Aid
39%
47%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$4,375
$6,131
Average Acceptance Rate
62%
80%
Average Endowment Size
$39.5 million
$105.22 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.65
0.73
# American Indian Students
16 Students
1,217 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
415 Students
13,059 Students
% Asian Students
7%
3%
# Hispanic Students
659 Students
91,061 Students
% Hispanic Students
11%
19%
# Black Students
386 Students
55,408 Students
% Black Students
7%
12%
# White Students
3,218 Students
182,923 Students
% White Students
55%
39%
# Hawaiian Students
10 Students
1,211 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
1,198 Students
127,793 Students
% of Others Students
20%
27%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
8 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
8 sports
7 sports

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Manatee County, FL?
The top-ranked private schools in Manatee County, FL include IMG Academy, Bradenton Christian School, and Ave Maria University Prep School.
How many private schools are located in Manatee County?
35 private schools are located in Manatee County.
How much do private schools cost in Manatee County?
The average tuition cost is $14,322, which is higher than the Florida private school average tuition cost of $14,120.
How diverse are private schools in Manatee County?
Manatee County private schools are approximately 33% minority students, which is lower than the Florida private school average of 47%.
What percentage of students in Manatee County go to private school?
11% of all K-12 students in Manatee County are educated in private schools (compared to the FL state average of 14%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Manatee County?
59% of private schools in Manatee County are religiously affiliated (most commonly Christian and Baptist).
Which private schools in Manatee County are often viewed compared to one another?

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