Summary:
In zip code 32641, there is one middle school, Abraham Lincoln Middle School, serving grades 6 through 8 in Gainesville, Florida, with 613 students and a majority of students (55%) from low-income households.
Abraham Lincoln Middle School presents a mixed but interesting profile for parents. The school is part of the Alachua district, which ranks low statewide, yet this school consistently outperforms its district averages. A standout strength is its advanced math program: in the most recent year, 100% of students taking the Geometry End-of-Course (EOC) exam were proficient, and 89% were proficient in Algebra 1—far exceeding both district and state averages. English Language Arts (ELA) is also a consistent bright spot, with proficiency rates in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades all at or above the state average. Additionally, the school has a notably low chronic absenteeism rate of 24.2%, significantly better than the district and state averages of over 31%, which suggests a positive school culture and strong attendance efforts.
However, there are clear challenges. The school struggles with grade-level math, particularly in 8th grade, where only 23% of students were proficient—a 38-point gap below the state average. This creates a "math paradox" where advanced students excel while many others fall behind. The school's state ranking has also been volatile, shifting from the 62nd percentile to the 49th and back to the 51st percentile over three years. Overall, Abraham Lincoln Middle School is a relative bright spot within its district, offering strong advanced academics and consistent ELA instruction, but parents should be aware of the significant disparity in math performance and the need for targeted support in standard math classes.
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