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Darnell Cookman Middle/High School

Q: Is Darnell Cookman Middle/High School a good school?

Darnell Cookman Middle/High School ranks 180 th of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public, Magnet Grades 6-12

180^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 838 Florida High Schools

Better than 79% of Florida high schools

Summary

Darnell Cookman Middle/High School in Jacksonville, FL, is a high-performing magnet school serving 1,068 students in grades 6 through 12, offering a unique continuous academic track in the Duval district.

This school stands out for its exceptional graduation rate, achieving 100% in four of the last five years, far exceeding the district average of 94.3% and nearby schools like A. Philip Randolph Academies (91.9%). Darnell Cookman also excels in humanities and sciences, with a 97% proficiency rate in US History and 91% in Biology 1, rivaling top-tier magnets like Stanton College Preparatory (99% in both). Its chronic absenteeism rate of 20% is less than half the district average (44.8%) and significantly lower than Riverside High School (62%). Notably, the school achieves these results with a per-student spending of $7,899, the lowest among comparable high-performing magnets like Paxon School/Advanced Studies ($9,569) and Douglas Anderson School Of The Arts ($11,014), indicating efficient resource use.

However, a key challenge is middle school math proficiency, with only 28% of 6th graders proficient compared to 60% statewide, a persistent issue over three years. Despite this, the school’s 6-12 model creates a strong feeder pattern, where 8th-grade ELA proficiency (69%) leads to 10th-grade success (83%), and 8th-grade science (70%) feeds into exceptional Biology scores. While Darnell Cookman ranks lower than nearby elite magnets like Stanton (#11 in state) and Paxon (#62), it serves a more diverse student body, with 39% qualifying for free/reduced lunch versus 12% at Stanton, demonstrating strong outcomes with a broader population.

1,068

Students ?

25.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$7,899

Per pupil spending ?

39.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1701 N Davis St
Jacksonville, FL 32209

(904) 630-6805

District: Duval

Racial breakdown:

African American:

58.9%

Asian:

15.3%

White:

13.0%

See top rated Florida high schools

Compare Darnell Cookman Middle/High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 95th percentile in 2016 → 79th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranks in the top 21% of Florida high schools

✓100% graduate in 4 years — above the Florida average (92%)

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Duval

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 16 percentile points since 2016

!Math scores 16 pts below the Florida average

!Large classes — about 25 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school67%

District avg58%

Florida avg63%

Middle school

512^th of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Top 42%▼ down 34 pts since 2016

From top 8% (2016) to top 42% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

180^th of 838

Florida public high schools ?

Top 21%▼ down 16 pts since 2016

From top 5% (2016) to top 21% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

6^th of 32High 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)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	57.0	512 of 1216	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	66.0	375 of 1205	68.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	68.2	352 of 1196	70.6%	★★★★☆
2023	69.6	332 of 1177	71.8%	★★★★☆
2022	70.8	294 of 1148	74.4%	★★★★☆
2021	75.0	257 of 1136	77.4%	★★★★☆
2019	86.6	122 of 1099	88.9%	★★★★☆
2018	89.8	92 of 1035	91.1%	★★★★★
2017	82.1	165 of 1031	84.0%	★★★★☆
2016	89.0	83 of 997	91.7%	★★★★★
2014	82.7	138 of 999	86.2%	★★★★☆
2013	80.7	159 of 956	83.4%	★★★★☆
2012	90.0	61 of 897	93.2%	★★★★★
2011	89.3	59 of 891	93.4%	★★★★★
2010	92.1	35 of 839	95.8%	★★★★★
2009	94.2	17 of 780	97.8%	★★★★★
2008	94.8	12 of 740	98.4%	★★★★★
2007	96.6	7 of 736	99.0%	★★★★★
2006	96.4	8 of 675	98.8%	★★★★★
2005	96.9	6 of 602	99.0%	★★★★★
2004	96.5	5 of 593	99.2%	★★★★★

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	65.3	180 of 838	78.5%	★★★★☆
2025	67.8	164 of 844	80.6%	★★★★☆
2024	65.5	169 of 807	79.1%	★★★★☆
2023	70.0	130 of 792	83.6%	★★★★☆
2022	69.3	135 of 774	82.6%	★★★★☆
2021	73.5	96 of 746	87.1%	★★★★☆
2019	81.0	51 of 734	93.1%	★★★★★
2018	82.7	47 of 716	93.4%	★★★★★
2017	84.1	40 of 714	94.4%	★★★★★
2016	87.2	35 of 693	94.9%	★★★★★
2014	82.2	66 of 687	90.4%	★★★★★
2013	82.7	59 of 648	90.9%	★★★★★
2012	80.2	47 of 606	92.2%	★★★★★
2011	88.5	59 of 622	90.5%	★★★★★
2010	90.8	36 of 620	94.2%	★★★★★
2009	87.5	53 of 587	91.0%	★★★★★

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

US History97%+23 vs state

Biology 191%+17 vs state

Civics86%+9 vs state

English Language Arts70%+9 vs state

Science70%+18 vs state

Geometry63%+7 vs state

Algebra 152%-11 vs state

Math45%-16 vs state

3.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, June 14, 2012

this school is the worse they charge for everything the staff is horrible and my child always come home complaning a better school is paxton they have more activies and clubs this school has so little to do all they do is work this school is terrible dont go there Close Quote

by a teacher
Wednesday, October 21, 2009

What an honor and pleasure it has been to be part of such a focused and functioning body of education whose one goal is to safeguard our students into the direction of academic and lifelong success. Thank you Darnell Cookman. Close Quote

Schools Near Darnell Cookman Middle/High 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 US History (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 English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	FAST Math 6th 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 US History End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Darnell Cookman Middle/High School	Public, Magnet	6-12	1701 N Davis St	Jacksonville	32209	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	Yes	(904) 630-6805	1,068	42	25.4	39.1%	139 (13.0%)	629 (58.9%)	80 (7.5%)	163 (15.3%)	4 (0.4%)	6 (0.6%)	47 (4.4%)	65.3	180^th of 838 public high schools	78.5%		67.8	164^th of 844 public high schools	80.6%	16	67.0	66.0	69.0	77.0	83.0	28.0	53.0	70.0	52.0	63.0	91.0	97.0	86.0	$7,899	$782	$7,117
Stanton College Preparatory	Public, Magnet	9-12	1149 W 13th St	Jacksonville	32209	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	No	(904) 630-6760	1,270	73	17.3	11.6%	371 (29.2%)	171 (13.5%)	116 (9.1%)	481 (37.9%)	7 (0.6%)	10 (0.8%)	114 (9.0%)	91.2	11^th of 838 public high schools	98.7%		91	14^th of 844 public high schools	98.3%	3				98.0	97.0					86.0	99.0	99.0		$11,014	$748	$10,267
Andrew Jackson High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	3816 N Main St	Jacksonville	32206	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	Yes	(904) 630-6950	839	36	23.3	48.2%	43 (5.1%)	724 (86.3%)	41 (4.9%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	26 (3.1%)	47.1	377^th of 838 public high schools	55.0%		43.6	415^th of 844 public high schools	50.8%	38				44.0	55.0				54.0	59.0	82.0	92.0		$9,339	$942	$8,397
A. Philip Randolph Academies	Public, Magnet	9-12	1157 Golfair Blvd	Jacksonville	32209	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	Yes	(904) 924-3011	349	21	16.6	65.3%	34 (9.7%)	277 (79.4%)	23 (6.6%)	4 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (3.2%)	32.9	554^th of 838 public high schools	33.9%		40.2	461^st of 844 public high schools	45.4%	93				41.0	32.0				31.0	49.0	66.0	83.0		$16,042	$1,958	$14,084
Duval Regional Juvenile Detention Center	Public	5-12	1214 E 8th St	Jacksonville	32206	Duval County	Duval	No	No	No	Yes	(904) 798-4819	97	7	13.8	52.6%	30 (30.9%)	55 (56.7%)	9 (9.3%)	1 (1.0%)	1 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.0%)								(n/a)
The Bridge To Success Academy At W Jacksonville	Public	9-12	2115 Commonwealth Ave	Jacksonville	32209	Duval County	Duval	No	No	No	Yes	(904) 630-6952	220	11	20.0	68.6%	15 (6.8%)	192 (87.3%)	3 (1.4%)	4 (1.8%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (2.3%)	9	712^th of 838 public high schools	15.0%		10.3	700^th of 844 public high schools	17.1%	12					17.0				25.0	35.0	47.0	32.0		$16,789	$4,073	$12,717
Grand Park Career Center	Public	6-12	2335 W 18th St	Jacksonville	32209	Duval County	Duval	No	No	No	Yes	(904) 630-6894	215	16	13.4	74.9%	14 (6.5%)	178 (82.8%)	11 (5.1%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	1 (0.5%)	9 (4.2%)	3.6	757^th of 838 public high schools	9.7%		3.5	770^th of 844 public high schools	8.8%	13			10.0	9.0	11.0		13.0	6.0	9.0	16.0	29.0	38.0	7.0	$17,910	$1,817	$16,092
Pretrial Detention Facility	Public	6-12	1701 Prudential Dr	Jacksonville	32207	Duval County	Duval	No	No	No	No	(904) 630-5717	31	6	5.1	80.6%	8 (25.8%)	21 (67.7%)	1 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (3.2%)	1.5	811^th of 838 public high schools	3.2%		3	776^th of 844 public high schools	8.1%	35										5.0	9.0	19.0		$20,072	$768	$19,305
Douglas Anderson School Of The Arts	Public, Magnet	9-12	2445 San Diego Rd	Jacksonville	32207	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	No	(904) 346-5620	1,035	51	20.2	15.7%	591 (57.1%)	244 (23.6%)	112 (10.8%)	34 (3.3%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	50 (4.8%)	80.4	66^th of 838 public high schools	92.1%		76.4	100^th of 844 public high schools	88.2%	34				84.0	85.0				50.0	79.0	87.0	93.0		$9,625	$714	$8,910
Paxon School/Advanced Studies	Public, Magnet	9-12	3239 Norman E Thagard Blvd	Jacksonville	32254	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	No	(904) 693-7583	1,278	61	20.9	27.2%	312 (24.4%)	639 (50.0%)	137 (10.7%)	107 (8.4%)	10 (0.8%)	6 (0.5%)	67 (5.2%)	80.7	62^nd of 838 public high schools	92.6%		78.9	82^nd of 844 public high schools	90.3%	20				88.0	84.0					77.0	87.0	97.0		$9,569	$1,476	$8,092

Frequently Asked Questions about Darnell Cookman Middle/High School

How many students attend Darnell Cookman Middle/High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,068 students attended Darnell Cookman Middle/High School.

What is the racial makeup of Darnell Cookman Middle/High School?

Students at Darnell Cookman Middle/High School are 59% African American, 15% Asian, 13% White, 7% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races.

What district is Darnell Cookman Middle/High School in?

Duval

Is Darnell Cookman Middle/High School a good school?

Darnell Cookman Middle/High School ranks 180^th of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Rate Darnell Cookman Middle/High School!

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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.