Summary:
Zip code 32233 in Atlantic Beach, Florida, is home to a single middle school, Mayport Coastal Science Middle School, which serves grades 6 through 8 as part of the Duval County school district.
Mayport Coastal Science Middle School presents a fascinating "two-school" dynamic. In advanced, high school-level courses, it is a powerhouse, achieving near-perfect proficiency rates in Algebra 1 (94%), Geometry (100%), and Biology 1 (99%)—far exceeding both district and state averages. However, in grade-level math, the school struggles significantly, particularly in 7th grade where only 24% of students are proficient compared to the state average of 53%. This suggests a strong honors track but potential challenges in core math instruction for the general student body. The school's overall state ranking has declined slightly over three years, from the 67th percentile to the 59th percentile, despite many test scores being above state averages, indicating other schools are improving faster.
Key metrics show an enrollment of 821 students with a student-teacher ratio of 21:1 and per-student spending of $9,814, which is below the national average. The school serves a relatively affluent population, with only 22.66% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. Chronic absenteeism is a notable concern at 34.3%, which is higher than the state average of 31.4% despite the low poverty rate. This likely contributes to the inconsistent grade-level test scores. The school's mixed performance—excelling in advanced coursework while lagging in foundational subjects—raises questions about resource allocation and whether the focus on high-achieving programs may come at the expense of broader math and reading support.
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