Best High Schools in Zip Code 32084

Zip code 32084 in St. Augustine, Florida, is home to 8 high schools serving a diverse range of students, from a large comprehensive public school to specialized institutions for students with unique needs. The standout school for academic performance is St. Augustine High School, the largest in the area with 1,717 students and the only one with a 4-star rating, ranking in the 78th percentile of Florida high schools. In contrast, specialized schools like Deaf High School (Fsdb) and Blind High School (Fsdb) serve students with sensory disabilities and, despite very low test scores, achieve a remarkable 97.3% graduation rate at the Deaf school, exceeding the state average. Alternative schools such as St. Johns Technical High School and Gaines Alternative At Hamblen face significant challenges with chronic absenteeism, with rates near 57%, highlighting engagement issues.

Key metrics reveal stark contrasts across the schools. Enrollment ranges from 53 students at First Coast Technical College to 1,717 at St. Augustine High School. Spending per student varies dramatically, from $9,817 at St. Augustine High School to $47,918 at the FSDB schools, reflecting the high cost of specialized education. The student-teacher ratio also varies widely, from 4.8:1 at First Coast Technical College to 21.4:1 at St. Augustine High School. The average graduation rate across schools with data is 74.4%, but this is skewed by the 0.0% rate at Gaines Alternative, which likely transitions students to other programs for diplomas.

Interesting findings include the "high spending, low performance" reality of the FSDB schools, which spend nearly five times more per student than St. Augustine High School but have the lowest test scores—a reflection of their mission to serve students with profound disabilities. The data also highlights a tale of two districts: the St. Johns district, ranked 4th in Florida, and the Deaf/Blind district, ranked last. St. Augustine High School shows a performance paradox, excelling in Biology (82% proficient) and US History (86%) but struggling in Algebra 1 (37% proficient), suggesting a need for targeted math support.