Middle Schools in Duval

The Duval school district in Florida contains 27 middle schools serving grades 6-8. The schools in this district vary significantly in their academic performance, with some top-ranked schools like Lavilla School Of The Arts and James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School ranking among the best in the state, while others like Southside Middle School, Lake Shore Middle School, and Matthew W. Gilbert Middle School are among the lowest-performing in the Duval district.

Across the district, chronic absenteeism rates are high, with all schools reporting over 31% of students chronically absent. Test scores also vary widely, with some schools significantly outperforming the district and state averages, while others struggle with single-digit proficiency rates. Spending per student ranges from $8,253 to $15,091, with the higher-spending schools tending to be the lower-performing ones. Student-teacher ratios range from 13.5 to 22.9, with the higher-performing schools generally having lower ratios.

The data highlights significant disparities in educational quality and outcomes within the Duval middle school system. The stark performance gap between the top and bottom schools, coupled with the high chronic absenteeism rates and the correlation between low-performing schools and higher rates of economically disadvantaged students, suggests that addressing these inequities should be a top priority for the district. A comprehensive approach to improving teaching and learning, resource allocation, and support for students and families will be crucial in ensuring all students in Duval have access to a high-quality education.