Summary:
Zip code 32216 in Jacksonville, FL, is home to two vastly different high schools within the Duval County school district: a large, high-performing charter school and a small, specialized alternative school.
River City Science Academy is the standout school in the area, serving 991 students in grades 6-12. It consistently ranks in the top 15-20% of Florida high schools, achieving a perfect 100% graduation rate in 2024-2025 and outperforming district and state averages in every test subject. However, a major paradox exists: despite its academic excellence, the school has a chronic absenteeism rate of 47%, nearly half its student body. In contrast, Gateway Community Services is a very small alternative school with only 9 students. It spends $34,002 per student—3.5 times more than River City Science Academy—to provide intensive support and a low 4.5:1 student-teacher ratio, yet its historical graduation rate was just 10%.
Both schools serve a similar percentage of economically disadvantaged students (around 55% free/reduced lunch), highlighting the diverse educational needs within the same zip code. River City Science Academy offers a high-volume, high-achievement environment with a 17.6:1 student-teacher ratio and per-pupil spending of $9,737. Gateway Community Services, on the other hand, is a high-cost, low-volume alternative school focused on at-risk youth. For parents, River City Science Academy is the clear choice for strong academics, though the high absenteeism rate is a significant concern worth investigating. Gateway Community Services serves a specialized population and is not a typical school for most families.
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