Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Southside Middle School

Public, Magnet Grades 6-8

1120^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,216 Florida Middle Schools

Better than 8% of Florida middle schools

Summary

Southside Middle School in Jacksonville, FL, serves 805 students in grades 6-8 and is part of the Duval school district, which ranks in the bottom third of Florida districts. The school has a long history of very low academic performance, consistently ranking in the bottom 10-15% of all Florida middle schools over the past decade, with a current 0-star rating and a state rank of 1,120 out of 1,216 schools.

The most striking issue at Southside Middle is its extreme chronic absenteeism rate, which reached 64.3% in the 2023-2024 school year—nearly double the district average of 44.8% and more than double the state average of 31.4%. This rate is significantly higher than nearby higher-performing schools like Twin Lakes Academy Middle School (14.4%) and Julia Landon College Preparatory & Leadership Development S (16.0%). The school also shows a dramatic split in academic performance: while 99% of students taking the Algebra 1 End-of-Course (EOC) exam were proficient and 84% were proficient in Biology 1 EOC, only 44% were proficient in Civics EOC and just 14% in 8th Grade Science. This suggests that a small group of advanced students excels in high school credit courses, but the majority of the student body struggles with grade-level content.

Southside Middle is part of a cluster of struggling schools in the area, including Arlington Middle School, Alfred I. Dupont Middle School, and Matthew W. Gilbert Middle School, all of which rank in the bottom 10% of the state. The school's per-student spending of $9,266 is in the middle of the pack compared to neighbors, indicating that funding alone is not the issue. Instead, the combination of high absenteeism and systemic challenges appears to drive the school's persistent low performance, with no signs of improvement over the past decade.

805

Students ?

20.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,266

Per pupil spending ?

47%

Free/discounted lunch ?

2948 Knights Ln E
Jacksonville, FL 32216

(904) 739-5238

District: Duval

Students who attend Southside Middle School usually attend:

High:

Englewood High School

Feeder schools for Southside Middle School:

Elementary:	Englewood Elementary School
	Greenfield Elementary School
	Hogan-Spring Glen Elementary School
	Southside Estates Elementary School
	More...
	Spring Park Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

50.9%

African American:

22.5%

White:

16.4%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Southside Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 13th percentile in 2016 → 8th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (36% vs 63% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (8th percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (64% vs 31% Florida)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school36%

District avg56%

Florida avg63%

1,120^th of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Bottom 8%▼ down 5 pts since 2016

From bottom 13% (2016) to bottom 8% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

25^th 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	9.9	1120 of 1216	7.9%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	8.0	1127 of 1205	6.5%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	9.3	1112 of 1196	7.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	14.3	1047 of 1177	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	13.5	1036 of 1148	9.8%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	12.7	1032 of 1136	9.2%	☆☆☆☆☆
2019	10.1	1007 of 1099	8.4%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	12.2	935 of 1035	9.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	14.9	901 of 1031	12.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	16.9	864 of 997	13.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	12.7	889 of 999	11.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	15.8	816 of 956	14.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	17.9	750 of 897	16.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	17.4	744 of 891	16.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	22.1	674 of 839	19.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	18.0	647 of 780	17.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	28.9	557 of 740	24.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	28.4	548 of 736	25.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	28.9	497 of 675	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	27.3	472 of 602	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	20.6	497 of 593	16.2%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Algebra 199%+36 vs state

Biology 184%+10 vs state

Civics44%-33 vs state

English Language Arts32%-29 vs state

Math30%-28 vs state

Science14%-38 vs state

1.0

1 rating · 1 written review

5★0

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

Rate Southside Middle School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a citizen
Tuesday, January 19, 2016

I saw pictures on FCN about the Principal and the ice bucket Challenge. She needs that every day and might help her be a Professional and a better person. She is out for herself about climbing the ladder a control freak that calls the school a business. Got rid of very good experience teachers for young inexperience ones. Every one walks on eggshells. Close Quote

Schools Near Southside Middle School

Load more schools when map is moved

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 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th 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
Southside Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	2948 Knights Ln E	Jacksonville	32216	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	Yes	(904) 739-5238	805	39	20.6	47.0%	132 (16.4%)	181 (22.5%)	410 (50.9%)	52 (6.5%)	7 (0.9%)	2 (0.2%)	21 (2.6%)	9.9	1120^th of 1216 public middle schools	7.9%		8	1127^th of 1205 public middle schools	6.5%	7	31.0	33.0	32.0	26.0	32.0	34.0	14.0	99.0		84.0	44.0	$9,266	$1,122	$8,144
Alfred I. Dupont Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	2710 Dupont Ave	Jacksonville	32217	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	Yes	(904) 739-5200	579	33	17.5	50.9%	98 (16.9%)	200 (34.5%)	215 (37.1%)	39 (6.7%)	8 (1.4%)	2 (0.3%)	17 (2.9%)	10.5	1114^th of 1216 public middle schools	8.4%		11.5	1099^th of 1205 public middle schools	8.8%	15	25.0	29.0	33.0	25.0	38.0	32.0	19.0	70.0		81.0	45.0	$11,179	$1,599	$9,579
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
Arlington Middle School	Public	6-8	8141 Lone Star Rd	Jacksonville	32211	Duval County	Duval	No	No	No	Yes	(904) 720-1680	684	35	19.5	63.0%	129 (18.9%)	339 (49.6%)	155 (22.7%)	22 (3.2%)	6 (0.9%)	1 (0.1%)	32 (4.7%)	10.5	1115^th of 1216 public middle schools	8.3%		9.3	1117^th of 1205 public middle schools	7.3%	2	24.0	26.0	29.0	37.0	18.0	46.0	17.0	89.0		95.0	46.0	$11,263	$1,549	$9,714
Matthew W. Gilbert Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	1424 Franklin St	Jacksonville	32206	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	Yes	(904) 630-6700	555	25	22.2	78.6%	29 (5.2%)	448 (80.7%)	56 (10.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	18 (3.2%)	9.6	1121^st of 1216 public middle schools	7.8%		12.2	1092^nd of 1205 public middle schools	9.4%	29	27.0	27.0	32.0	11.0	28.0	38.0	26.0	89.0			51.0	$12,070	$2,159	$9,911
Mandarin Middle School	Public	6-8	5100 Hood Rd	Jacksonville	32257	Duval County	Duval	No	No	No	No	(904) 292-0555	1,118	51	21.9	27.6%	576 (51.5%)	193 (17.3%)	238 (21.3%)	29 (2.6%)	9 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	73 (6.5%)	51.1	603^rd of 1216 public middle schools	50.4%		49.8	597^th of 1205 public middle schools	50.5%	6	57.0	67.0	60.0	62.0	29.0	70.0	48.0	85.0	95.0	88.0	83.0	$10,126	$1,530	$8,595
Twin Lakes Academy Middle School	Public	6-8	8050 Point Meadows Dr	Jacksonville	32256	Duval County	Duval	No	No	No	No	(904) 538-0825	914	46	19.8	43.8%	223 (24.4%)	368 (40.3%)	226 (24.7%)	38 (4.2%)	5 (0.5%)	4 (0.4%)	50 (5.5%)	21.4	1021^st of 1216 public middle schools	16.0%		17.8	1037^th of 1205 public middle schools	13.9%	16	46.0	41.0	46.0	40.0	32.0	29.0	39.0	74.0	98.0	98.0	62.0	$10,390	$1,975	$8,415
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
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
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

Frequently Asked Questions about Southside Middle School

How many students attend Southside Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 805 students attended Southside Middle School.

Is Southside Middle School a good school?

Southside Middle School ranks in the bottom 7.9% of Florida middle schools.

What high school do graduates of Southside Middle School attend?

Students who attend Southside Middle School usually go on to attend Englewood High School

What district is Southside Middle School in?

Duval

What is the racial makeup of Southside Middle School?

Students at Southside Middle School are 51% Hispanic, 22% African American, 16% White, 6% Asian, 3% Two or more races.

Rate Southside Middle School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida Middle School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Jacksonville, FL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Southside Middle School!

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.