Summary:
This analysis examines three high schools in zip code 32065 (Orange Park, FL), serving grades 9-12 (with one exception), all part of the Clay County School District, which is ranked in the top 25% of Florida districts.
Oakleaf High School is the clear standout, consistently outperforming Ridgeview High School and district averages across all academic subjects. For instance, Oakleaf achieved 88% proficiency in US History versus Ridgeview's 80%, and 71% in Algebra 1 compared to Ridgeview's 65%. Oakleaf also boasts an exceptional 99.3% graduation rate, far exceeding the state average of 92.2%. Interestingly, Ridgeview spends $1,592 more per student ($10,865 vs. $9,273) and has a lower student-teacher ratio (17.8:1 vs. 20:1), yet Oakleaf achieves higher results, suggesting factors like school culture or leadership are key drivers. However, Ridgeview shows significant year-over-year improvement, with Algebra 1 proficiency jumping from 47% to 65%, indicating effective new interventions. Pace Center For Girls Clay is a very small alternative school (50 students) serving a specialized, at-risk population, with a 69.7% chronic absenteeism rate and a 36.4% graduation rate—data that reflects its unique mission rather than a direct comparison to traditional schools.
A major concern is chronic absenteeism: Ridgeview's rate of 38.6% means nearly 2 in 5 students are chronically absent, well above the district (26.7%) and state (31.4%) averages, while Oakleaf's rate of 30.6% is also above the district average. Socioeconomic challenges are present, with 57.59% of Ridgeview students and 51.24% of Oakleaf students qualifying for free/reduced lunch. Overall, Oakleaf offers consistent excellence and top-tier performance, Ridgeview is improving rapidly but faces attendance challenges, and Pace Center provides critical support for its unique student body.
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