Summary:
The 12 public schools in Jacksonville's 32218 zip code, all part of the Duval County School District, serve a diverse range of students from elementary through high school, but face a severe, systemic crisis with chronic absenteeism that overshadows all other metrics.
The most urgent issue is that every single school in 32218 has a chronic absenteeism rate above the state average of 31.4%, with the zip code's average hitting a staggering 53.0%. Biscayne High School is in a state of crisis with a 97.5% rate, a 0-star rating, and 0% proficiency in Algebra 1 and Geometry EOCs, while Highlands Estates Academy also has a 0-star rating and a 64.1% absenteeism rate despite having the highest per-student spending ($10,967). In stark contrast, San Mateo Elementary School stands out as a model of efficiency, achieving a consistent 3-star rating and outperforming the district in nearly every subject (e.g., 74% in 3rd-grade Math vs. 61% district) while having the lowest per-student spending ($8,840) and a relatively low free/reduced lunch rate of 39.62%. Oceanway Elementary School is another strong performer with a 3-star rating and the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the zip code (36.4%).
A fascinating paradox exists at Oceanway School (Middle), a 1-star school where the majority of students struggle on standard tests (e.g., 28% proficiency in 6th-grade Math), yet a select group achieves elite results in advanced EOCs (91% in Geometry, 94% in Biology 1). This "two-tiered" system highlights a critical area for investigation. The feeder pattern also reveals a "leaky pipeline": a student from high-performing San Mateo Elementary would likely feed into the struggling Highlands Middle School (0-star, 59.5% absenteeism), potentially losing early gains. Meanwhile, First Coast High School offers a bright spot with a graduation rate (92.7%) on par with the state average, showing that success is possible even within this challenging environment.
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