Summary:
This analysis examines six elementary schools in Jacksonville, Florida (zip code 32211), all part of the Duval school district, which serves a diverse student population with high poverty rates, as indicated by an average free/reduced lunch rate of 61.24%.
The standout school in the area is Parkwood Heights Elementary School, which is the "most improved" school, jumping from the 7th to the 23rd percentile in a single year and earning its first star, with notable gains in 5th-grade Science (19% to 57%) and 3rd-grade Math (32% to 56%). In contrast, Bridgeprep Academy presents a "high-performing niche" paradox: despite a low overall 5th percentile rank, it excels in advanced middle school coursework, with 85% proficiency in Algebra 1 and 84% in Civics, far exceeding state averages. Arlington Elementary School stands out as an "efficient operator," achieving a 21st percentile rank—higher than most peers—with only 179 students, a low 13.7:1 student-teacher ratio, and spending $13,137 per student, outperforming Bridgeprep Academy which spends more ($13,666) but ranks lower (5th percentile).
A critical issue across the area is chronic absenteeism, averaging 52.5% across four schools with data, far exceeding the district (44.8%) and state (31.4%) averages, with Woodland Acres Elementary School at a staggering 63.5%. The two K-8 schools, Global Leadership Academy Discovery and Bridgeprep Academy, show a "performance paradox": low elementary rankings (3rd and 5th percentile) but strong middle school test scores, suggesting a "two schools in one" dynamic. Notably, higher spending does not guarantee better results, as Parkwood Heights Elementary spends the least ($9,582) but ranks highest (23rd percentile), while Arlington Elementary achieves the highest single test score in the zip code (76% 3rd-grade Math proficiency) despite a 58.9% chronic absenteeism rate, highlighting the potential of smaller, intimate learning environments.
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