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James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School

Public, Magnet Grades 6-8

54^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,216 Florida Middle Schools

Better than 96% of Florida middle schools

Summary

James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School in Jacksonville, FL, is a high-performing magnet school serving 980 students in grades 6 through 8, and it stands out as a beacon of academic excellence within the Duval County Public School District.

This school consistently earns a 5-star rating and ranks in the 96th percentile among all Florida middle schools, dramatically outperforming nearby schools. For example, in 8th-grade science, James Weldon Johnson achieves 89% proficiency, while a nearby school like Mattie V Rutherford Alt Educational Center has only 7% proficiency. The school also excels in advanced coursework, with near-perfect scores on high school-level exams like Geometry (98% proficient) and Biology (91% proficient). This success is achieved with lower per-student spending ($8,163) compared to many neighboring schools that spend significantly more but achieve far less, such as Joseph Stilwell Middle School ($13,669 per student).

The school's "College Preparatory" magnet model is a proven formula for success, shared with its peer Julia Landon College Preparatory & Leadership Development S, which also boasts a 5-star rating. James Weldon Johnson has exceptionally low chronic absenteeism (21.1%) compared to the district average of 44.8% and crisis levels at schools like Matthew W. Gilbert Middle School (81.5%). While the school's proficiency rates remain elite, there has been a slight decline from peak years, coinciding with a rise in chronic absenteeism from 0.8% to 21.1% since the pandemic. Overall, this school provides a rigorous academic environment that creates an island of excellence in a district facing significant challenges.

980

Students ?

22.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$8,163

Per pupil spending ?

23.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3276 Norman E Thagard Blvd
Jacksonville, FL 32254

(904) 693-7600

District: Duval

Racial breakdown:

African American:

40.8%

White:

29.6%

Asian:

13.5%

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At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 97th percentile in 2016 → 96th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (90% vs 63% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 4% of Florida middle schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Duval

Worth a look

!Large classes — about 23 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school90%

District avg57%

Florida avg63%

54^th of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Top 4%▼ down 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

2^nd of 27Middle Schools in the Duval

54^th of 70Duval among Florida districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	91.4	54 of 1216	95.6%	★★★★★
2025	88.8	91 of 1205	92.4%	★★★★★
2024	88.1	107 of 1196	91.1%	★★★★★
2023	89.0	97 of 1177	91.8%	★★★★★
2022	92.1	60 of 1148	94.8%	★★★★★
2021	90.7	76 of 1136	93.3%	★★★★★
2019	92.4	53 of 1099	95.2%	★★★★★
2018	93.9	45 of 1035	95.7%	★★★★★
2017	94.9	34 of 1031	96.7%	★★★★★
2016	94.7	32 of 997	96.8%	★★★★★
2014	91.3	56 of 999	94.4%	★★★★★
2013	96.3	16 of 956	98.3%	★★★★★
2012	95.8	18 of 897	98.0%	★★★★★
2011	93.5	19 of 891	97.9%	★★★★★
2010	93.6	17 of 839	98.0%	★★★★★
2009	92.0	32 of 780	95.9%	★★★★★
2008	95.6	8 of 740	98.9%	★★★★★
2007	96.8	6 of 736	99.2%	★★★★★
2006	96.1	10 of 675	98.5%	★★★★★
2005	96.4	8 of 602	98.7%	★★★★★
2004	95.9	8 of 593	98.7%	★★★★★

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Geometry98%+42 vs state

Civics97%+20 vs state

Biology 191%+17 vs state

Algebra 189%+26 vs state

Science89%+37 vs state

Math88%+28 vs state

English Language Arts88%+27 vs state

5.0

4 ratings · 4 written reviews

5★4

4★0

3★0

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1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, March 20, 2017

Amazing School! Wonderful opportunity for my child to be there. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, May 9, 2016

Clearly a higher quality of smart and motivated teachers than other schools. All the teachers are accessible and concerned about each student. It's all about LEARNING, and many teachers allow students to re-take tests to allow them to improve their scores.

We really couldn't be any happier with the whole middle school experience. Close Quote

by a student
Sunday, September 23, 2012

I learned so much at James Weldon Johnson, there were so many outstanding teachers. I am now at a college prep high school and other James weldon kids and myself are beyond prepared. James Weldon Johnson had great academics and a comfortable and fun atmosphere. Close Quote

by a student
Friday, July 1, 2011

this school is great the teachers are very helpful. They dont except any foolishness other students at my school are well behaved and very respectfull. My school expects nothing but the best because it is the best Close Quote

Schools Near James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)					FAST Math (2026)					Statewide Science Science (2026)		EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Geometry (2026)	EOC Biology 1 (2026)	EOC Civics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	3276 Norman E Thagard Blvd	Jacksonville	32254	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	No	(904) 693-7600	980	43	22.7	23.6%	290 (29.6%)	400 (40.8%)	93 (9.5%)	132 (13.5%)	4 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	60 (6.1%)	91.4	54^th of 1216 public middle schools	95.6%		88.8	91^st of 1205 public middle schools	92.4%	37			86.0	90.0	89.0			88.0		89.0		89.0	89.0	98.0	91.0	97.0	$8,163	$581	$7,582
Young Mens/Womens Leadership Academy At Eugene J Butler	Public, Magnet	6-8	900 Acorn St	Jacksonville	32209	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	Yes	(904) 630-6900	281	15	18.7	71.2%	17 (6.0%)	236 (84.0%)	19 (6.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (3.2%)	15.3	1086^th of 1216 public middle schools	10.7%		13.6	1077^th of 1205 public middle schools	10.6%	9			28.0	30.0	39.0			36.0	23.0	36.0		39.0	94.0			59.0	$13,962	$1,472	$12,491
The Bridge To Success Academy Middle School	Public	4-8	5443 Moncrief Rd	Jacksonville	32209	Duval County	Duval	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(904) 924-3035	388	20	19.4	79.9%	25 (6.4%)	327 (84.3%)	28 (7.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (1.8%)	14.3	1096^th of 1216 public middle schools	9.9%		9.6	1113^th of 1205 public middle schools	7.6%	17	26.0	20.0	40.0	38.0	32.0	11.0	16.0	32.0	34.0	36.0	13.0	25.0				50.0	$12,344	$2,449	$9,895
Lavilla School Of The Arts	Public, Magnet	6-8	501 N Davis St	Jacksonville	32202	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	No	(904) 633-6069	972	49	19.8	24.9%	409 (42.1%)	354 (36.4%)	113 (11.6%)	21 (2.2%)	2 (0.2%)	5 (0.5%)	68 (7.0%)	75.6	255^th of 1216 public middle schools	79.0%		72.4	298^th of 1205 public middle schools	75.3%	43			76.0	82.0	85.0			55.0	77.0	44.0		68.0	89.0	97.0	99.0	87.0	$9,692	$1,043	$8,649
Jean Ribault Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	3610 Ribault Scenic Dr	Jacksonville	32208	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	Yes	(904) 924-3062	530	33	16.0	70.8%	27 (5.1%)	457 (86.2%)	34 (6.4%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (1.9%)	17.9	1057^th of 1216 public middle schools	13.1%		16.8	1049^th of 1205 public middle schools	12.9%	8			38.0	40.0	39.0			46.0	28.0	44.0		27.0	86.0			56.0	$12,483	$1,706	$10,778
Joseph Stilwell Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	7840 Burma Rd	Jacksonville	32221	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	Yes	(904) 693-7523	489	31	15.7	57.9%	130 (26.6%)	210 (42.9%)	113 (23.1%)	9 (1.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (5.3%)	21.4	1023^rd of 1216 public middle schools	15.9%		22.7	966^th of 1205 public middle schools	19.8%	57			38.0	39.0	42.0			45.0	15.0	59.0		20.0	94.0		86.0	63.0	$13,669	$1,967	$11,702
Mattie V Rutherford Alt Educational Center	Public	4-8	1514 Hubbard St	Jacksonville	32206	Duval County	Duval	No	No	No	Yes	(904) 630-6782	67	12	5.5	86.6%	4 (6.0%)	55 (82.1%)	5 (7.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (4.5%)	1.7	1195^th of 1216 public middle schools	1.7%		2.2	1191^st of 1205 public middle schools	1.2%	4			16.0	12.0	9.0			12.0	5.0	13.0		7.0				20.0
Springfield Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	2034 Hubbard St	Jacksonville	32206	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	No	(904) 630-6600	850	40	21.2	44.1%	77 (9.1%)	674 (79.3%)	46 (5.4%)	12 (1.4%)	4 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	36 (4.2%)	42.9	734^th of 1216 public middle schools	39.6%		47.9	626^th of 1205 public middle schools	48.0%	108			66.0	52.0	57.0			61.0	25.0	40.0		48.0	82.0	66.0	90.0	73.0	$8,878	$901	$7,976
Lake Shore Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	2519 Bayview Rd	Jacksonville	32210	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	Yes	(904) 381-7440	748	44	17.0	67.9%	109 (14.6%)	489 (65.4%)	103 (13.8%)	9 (1.2%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	35 (4.7%)	16.3	1072^nd of 1216 public middle schools	11.8%		18.9	1026^th of 1205 public middle schools	14.9%	46			34.0	27.0	39.0			40.0	26.0	50.0		28.0	81.0			62.0	$12,467	$1,785	$10,684
Julia Landon College Preparatory & Leadership Development S	Public, Magnet	6-8	1819 Thacker Ave	Jacksonville	32207	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	No	(904) 346-5650	895	39	22.9	14.4%	407 (45.5%)	103 (11.5%)	96 (10.7%)	234 (26.1%)	5 (0.6%)	2 (0.2%)	48 (5.4%)	92.4	41^st of 1216 public middle schools	96.6%		89.1	89^th of 1205 public middle schools	92.6%	48			88.0	90.0	89.0			93.0		87.0		82.0	91.0	100.0	100.0	96.0	$7,711	$212	$7,499

Frequently Asked Questions about James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School

What district is James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School in?

Duval

Is James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School a good school?

Yes! James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School is one of the best middle schools in the state. It ranks 54^th of 1216 Florida middle schools.

How many students attend James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 980 students attended James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School?

Students at James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School are 41% African American, 30% White, 13% Asian, 9% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races.

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.