Fort Caroline Middle School

Fort Caroline Middle School in Jacksonville, FL, is a mid-sized school serving 401 students in grades 6-8 within the Duval County Public School District, and it has recently achieved its highest state ranking in over a decade, moving to a 2-star rating and the 33rd percentile.

This school stands out for its remarkable upward trajectory, especially when compared to nearby schools like Southside Middle School and Matthew W. Gilbert Middle School, which are stagnant or declining in the bottom 10% of the state. Fort Caroline is bucking the trend with significant positive movement. A key strength is its exceptional performance in advanced coursework, particularly in Algebra 1 and Biology 1 End-of-Course (EOC) exams. For example, in 2025-2026, 77% of students were proficient in Algebra 1, outperforming both the district (61%) and state (63%). This creates a "two-speed" academic profile where the school excels in advanced subjects but still works to bring the general student population up to grade level in standard assessments like FAST ELA and Math.

Another differentiator is its lower chronic absenteeism rate of 42.7%, which is significantly better than many neighbors such as The Bridge to Success Academy Middle School (81.6%) and Matthew W. Gilbert Middle School (81.5%). While the school spends a higher amount per student ($11,370) than top-performing magnet schools like LaVilla School of the Arts ($9,692) and Julia Landon College Preparatory & Leadership Development S ($7,711), it serves a more economically diverse student body (50.6% free/reduced lunch). For families in the area, Fort Caroline represents a stable and improving neighborhood option that is a relative bright spot compared to other zoned middle schools in the region.