Summary:
In zip code 32073 (Orange Park, FL), there are two public middle schools serving grades 6-8: Lakeside Junior High School and Orange Park Junior High School, both part of the Clay County School District, which ranks 17th out of 70 districts in Florida.
Lakeside Junior High School is the clear standout, ranking in the 73rd percentile statewide (330 out of 1216) with a 4-star rating for the 2025-2026 school year. It consistently outperforms Orange Park Junior High School, which ranks in the 41st percentile (719 out of 1216) with a 2-star rating. Lakeside excels in advanced math, with 100% of students proficient in Geometry and 95% in Algebra 1, far exceeding district and state averages. It also has a lower student-teacher ratio (16.5:1 vs. 19.3:1), higher per-student spending ($10,887 vs. $9,798), and lower chronic absenteeism (27.0% vs. 39.9%). In every tested subject for 2025-2026, Lakeside outperforms Orange Park, including 8th grade science (68% vs. 50%) and 7th grade ELA (64% vs. 53%).
Orange Park Junior High faces significant challenges, with a chronic absenteeism rate of 39.9%—well above the district average of 26.7% and state average of 31.4%. Its free/reduced lunch rate is 66.83%, higher than Lakeside's 58.03%, indicating greater socioeconomic needs. Despite these hurdles, Orange Park shows strength in advanced math, with 86% proficiency in Algebra 1 and 95% in Geometry, though still trailing Lakeside. Overall, Lakeside offers a more robust academic environment with better resources and outcomes, while Orange Park requires additional support to address systemic issues affecting student engagement and performance.
Thank you for your feedback!