Fishweir Elementary School

Fishweir Elementary School is a public school in Jacksonville, FL's Riverside neighborhood serving 442 students in grades PK-5, and it stands out as a high-performing school within the Duval district, consistently earning a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger over the past five years.

Fishweir's academic performance is notably strong, with proficiency rates that significantly exceed district averages across all subjects and grade levels. For example, 79% of 5th graders are proficient in science compared to the district's 56%, and 77% of 3rd graders meet math standards versus the district's 61%. The school also has a remarkably low chronic absenteeism rate of 22%, which is less than half the district average of 44.8%. This combination of high test scores and strong attendance creates a stable learning environment that sets Fishweir apart from many nearby schools, such as Ramona Boulevard Elementary School and Pinedale Elementary School, which face higher absenteeism rates exceeding 60%.

Interestingly, Fishweir achieves these results with a higher student-teacher ratio of 20:1 and lower per-student spending ($9,536) compared to many neighboring schools. This efficiency suggests effective teaching and a supportive community, as only 29.4% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch—a much lower rate than the average of about 61% among nearby schools. While Fishweir was a top-tier 5-star school before the pandemic, it has settled into a very strong 4-star tier since 2021, still outperforming peers like Ruth N. Upson Elementary School and West Riverside Elementary School. For parents, Fishweir offers a proven track record of academic excellence, particularly in science, within a well-supported school community.