Summary:
In zip code 32204, there is one elementary school, Central Riverside Elementary School, serving grades PK through 5 in Jacksonville, Florida, a community where nearly half of the students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Central Riverside Elementary School stands out as a high-performing school within the Duval district, which ranks in the bottom third of Florida. The school consistently outperforms its district in nearly every subject and grade level, often meeting or exceeding state averages. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, 5th-grade math proficiency was 81%, compared to the district's 54% and the state's 57%. Math is a clear strength, with 4th-grade math proficiency reaching 77% in 2025-2026, a full 12 points above the state average. Despite these strong test scores, the school's state ranking has dropped significantly, from the 80th percentile (4 stars) in 2024-2025 to the 55th percentile (3 stars) in 2025-2026, suggesting other schools across Florida improved at a faster rate.
Key metrics include a student-teacher ratio of 15:1, per-student spending of $11,787, and a chronic absenteeism rate of 33.9%—which is above the state average but significantly lower than the district average of 44.8%. This lower absenteeism rate may contribute to the school's academic success. With a 49.57% free/reduced lunch rate, the school serves a community with economic need, yet achieves above-state-average test scores, indicating effective teaching and leadership. For parents, Central Riverside Elementary School offers a strong academic option within a struggling district, particularly excelling in math, though its declining state ranking is a point to monitor.
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