Summary:
Zip code 32219 in Jacksonville, Florida, is home to two elementary schools—Dinsmore Elementary School and S. A. Hull Elementary School—both part of the Duval school district, which ranks in the bottom third of Florida districts, serving students from pre-kindergarten through grade 5 in a community facing notable economic and attendance challenges.
Dinsmore Elementary School is the larger and more stable school, with 562 students, a lower free/reduced lunch rate of 39%, and a student-teacher ratio of 20:1. It consistently ranks in the top half of Florida elementary schools, though its percentile has slipped from the 66th to the 54th over three years. In contrast, S. A. Hull Elementary School is smaller (188 students) and serves a higher-need population, with 64% of students qualifying for free/reduced lunch and a chronic absenteeism rate of 60.5%—nearly double the state average. Despite these challenges, Hull has shown remarkable improvement, jumping from the 17th percentile (1-star) to the 34th percentile (2-star) in just two years, suggesting its interventions are gaining traction.
Key differences emerge in test scores. Dinsmore excels in math, with 4th graders scoring 77% proficient versus Hull’s 43%, and 3rd graders at 66% versus Hull’s 59%. However, Hull’s 5th graders outperform Dinsmore in both ELA (63% vs. 54%) and math (67% vs. 58%). A notable paradox is spending: Hull invests $15,001 per student—65% more than Dinsmore’s $9,100—yet overall performance remains lower, highlighting that high absenteeism undermines even generous resources. Both schools share a strength in 5th-grade science, scoring above the district average. For parents, Dinsmore offers consistency and strong math programs, while Hull represents a school on an upward trajectory, though its attendance crisis remains a critical concern.
Thank you for your feedback!