Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 32256

Zip code 32256 in Jacksonville, Florida, is home to five elementary schools serving grades PK-8, with a mix of four charter schools and one traditional public school within the Duval district.

The standout school in the area is River City Science Academy Southeast, which earned a 5-star rating and ranks in the 91st percentile statewide. It boasts the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (24.1%), the lowest student-teacher ratio (15.4), and the lowest percentage of students on free/reduced lunch (21.07%). In contrast, Twin Lakes Academy Elementary School, the only traditional public school, is the lowest-performing with a 1-star rating and a chronic absenteeism rate of 48.1%, nearly double the state average. The most improved school is Duval Charter School At Southside, which jumped from the 30th to the 61st percentile in two years. Duval Charter At Baymeadows spends the most per student ($10,008) but ranks in the 31st percentile, while River City Science Academy Innovation School is the second-best performer with a 3-star rating.

Key takeaways include that charter schools dominate but vary widely in quality, with the top and bottom performers both being charters. There is a strong link between socioeconomic status and performance, as schools with higher free/reduced lunch rates tend to have lower rankings. Chronic absenteeism is a major issue at Twin Lakes Academy, likely driving its low scores. The River City Science Academy network shows consistent success with low student-teacher ratios and low absenteeism. Finally, higher spending does not guarantee better results, as the most efficient school (River City Science Academy Southeast) spends the least per student.