Biltmore Elementary School

Biltmore Elementary School in Jacksonville, FL, is a small public school serving 206 students in grades PK-5 within the Duval district, located in a high-poverty community where 74% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Biltmore is currently facing a serious crisis, ranking in the bottom 1% of all Florida elementary schools with a 0-star rating. The most pressing issue is an extreme chronic absenteeism rate of 64.4%—double the state average and far higher than nearby schools like Tiger Academy (37.3%) and R. V. Daniels Elementary (32.3%). This level of absenteeism makes consistent learning nearly impossible and is likely driving the school's sharp academic decline. While Biltmore spends $16,303 per student—more than some higher-performing nearby schools—the money isn't translating into results. For comparison, Pickett Elementary, just 1.89 miles away, serves a similar population but ranks in the 59th percentile with a 3-star rating, spending significantly less per student. This shows that high poverty doesn't have to mean low performance.

There is one small bright spot: Biltmore's 4th-grade math proficiency rate improved to 40% in 2025-2026, up from 31% the previous year. While still below district and state averages, this positive trend suggests a specific teacher or program may be making a difference. However, the school's overall trajectory remains deeply concerning. To turn things around, Biltmore must urgently address its attendance crisis as a first step, while also learning from the successful strategies used at nearby schools like Pickett. Without dramatic intervention, the school risks continued decline.