Summary:
In zip code 32254 (Jacksonville, FL), there is one middle school, James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School, serving grades 6 through 8 with a substantial enrollment of 980 students.
James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School is a standout institution that dramatically outperforms its district, Duval, which is ranked 54th out of 70 districts in Florida (a 1-star rating). The school itself is a 5-star, top-tier performer, ranking in the 96th percentile statewide for the 2025-2026 school year. Academic proficiency is exceptionally high across all subjects: English Language Arts proficiency ranges from 86% to 90%, Math from 88% to 89%, and End-of-Course exams show near-perfect scores, including 98% proficiency in Geometry and 97% in Civics. The school's chronic absenteeism rate of 21.1% is less than half the district rate of 44.8%, and only 23.57% of students are eligible for free/reduced lunch, indicating a more affluent student body. The school spends $8,163 per student with a student-teacher ratio of 22.7:1.
The most striking finding is the massive disconnect between the school's elite performance and its district's low ranking, suggesting it is a specialized magnet school that draws high-achieving students. The school's trajectory is improving, with its state ranking climbing from the 91st percentile to the 96th percentile over recent years. Despite a relatively high student-teacher ratio, the school's success is driven by a rigorous college-prep curriculum, highly effective teachers, and a motivated student body. This school is a "diamond in the rough" within a struggling district, offering exceptional academic opportunities for families in the area.
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