Somerset Academy-Middle Eagle Campus

Somerset Academy-Middle Eagle Campus is a small middle school in Jacksonville, FL, serving 177 students in grades 6-8 within the Duval school district, where a high percentage of students (78.5%) come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The most remarkable story at Somerset is its exceptional performance in Civics. In the most recent school year, 86% of students were proficient on the Civics End-of-Course exam, dramatically outperforming the district average of 68% and the state average of 77%. This represents a stunning turnaround from just two years prior, when only 36% of students were proficient. This "Civics miracle" suggests a highly effective, targeted intervention that the school can build upon. While math scores have been inconsistent from year to year, the school's Algebra 1 track is a bright spot, with 78% of test-takers proficient—well above the district and state averages. Somerset also stands out for its efficiency: despite spending less per student ($9,866) than many nearby schools, it achieves better results than several peers, including its direct neighbor, Highlands Middle School, which is located just 0.29 miles away. Somerset outperforms Highlands in nearly every subject, despite serving a student body with a higher poverty rate.

Chronic absenteeism, at 44.1%, remains a challenge, though it is improving and is far lower than at nearby schools like Matthew W. Gilbert Middle School (81.5%) and The Bridge To Success Academy Middle School (81.6%). The school currently holds a 2-star rating and ranks in the 32nd percentile statewide, a significant improvement from its lowest point nearly a decade ago. While it is not competing with the top-performing James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School (a 5-star school serving a much wealthier population), Somerset is showing clear signs of stabilization and growth, making it a school to watch for families seeking a small, improving environment with a standout Civics program.