Middle Schools in Washington

Washington County, Florida, is home to two middle schools serving grades 6-8: Roulhac Middle School and Vernon Middle School, both part of the Washington district, which ranks in the lower half of Florida districts.

Roulhac Middle School is the higher-performing and more consistent school, earning a 3-star rating for three consecutive years and ranking in the 58th percentile statewide. It outperforms Vernon Middle School in core subjects like English Language Arts (62.3% vs. 49.7% proficiency) and has a lower chronic absenteeism rate (29.8% vs. 36.1%). Roulhac also serves a less economically disadvantaged population, with 43.72% of students receiving free/reduced lunch compared to Vernon’s 59.46%. In contrast, Vernon Middle School has shown dramatic improvement, jumping from a 1-star to a 2-star rating, and boasts an exceptional 86% proficiency in Algebra 1—the highest subject score in the district and 10 points above Roulhac. However, Vernon struggles with high chronic absenteeism and grade-level volatility, such as a 73% math proficiency in 7th grade dropping to 50% in 8th grade.

Key takeaways include a spending paradox: Vernon spends $867 more per student ($11,588 vs. $10,721) but achieves lower overall scores, likely due to higher costs from supporting a more disadvantaged student body. Chronic absenteeism is a critical differentiator, with Vernon’s 36.1% rate far exceeding the state average of 31.4%, while Roulhac’s 29.8% is below it. Both schools fall below the state average in Civics proficiency (Roulhac 84%, Vernon 58%, state 77%), suggesting a district-wide weakness. For parents, Roulhac Middle School offers stable, above-average academics, while Vernon Middle School provides a standout math program but faces challenges with attendance and consistency.