Summary:
Zip code 32220 in Jacksonville, Florida, is served by two elementary schools, Thomas Jefferson Elementary and Whitehouse Elementary School, both part of the Duval school district, and together they educate 848 students from kindergarten through fifth grade with no middle or high schools in the area.
These two schools present distinct academic strengths for families to consider. Whitehouse Elementary School stands out for its exceptional performance in math and science, with 5th-grade science proficiency at 78% and 5th-grade math at 73%, both far exceeding district and state averages. It also holds a higher state ranking (54th percentile) and spends more per student ($10,622) with a lower student-teacher ratio (16.5:1). However, its chronic absenteeism rate is alarmingly high at 55%, and its state ranking has been declining over the past three years. In contrast, Thomas Jefferson Elementary excels in English Language Arts, particularly in upper grades, with 5th-grade ELA at 60% outperforming Whitehouse. While it has a lower state ranking (43rd percentile) and a 2-star rating, its ranking has been improving, and its chronic absenteeism rate (37.1%) is lower than Whitehouse's, though still above state averages.
Key metrics reveal a complex picture. Thomas Jefferson Elementary has a larger enrollment (468 students) and a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch (46.37%) compared to Whitehouse (52.11%). The most critical takeaway is the chronic absenteeism crisis at Whitehouse Elementary School, where over half of students miss significant school, likely undermining its strong test scores. Meanwhile, Thomas Jefferson's upward trajectory suggests improvement despite fewer resources, highlighting that factors beyond spending drive school performance. Parents should weigh each school's academic focus against attendance challenges when choosing.
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