Summary:
Zip code 32765 in Oviedo, Florida, is home to two public middle schools, Jackson Heights Middle School and Tuskawilla Middle School, both serving grades 6-8 within the highly-rated Seminole County school district.
Jackson Heights Middle School is the clear standout, ranking in the top 20% of Florida middle schools (84th percentile) and earning a 4-star rating. It significantly outperforms its local counterpart across nearly all academic metrics, with average ELA proficiency at 75.3% and math at 67.3%, both well above district and state averages. The school excels in advanced coursework, achieving 100% proficiency in Geometry and 89% in Algebra 1. Its chronic absenteeism rate is a low 16.5%, indicating strong student engagement. In contrast, Tuskawilla Middle School holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 62nd percentile. While it still generally outperforms state averages in 6th and 7th grade, its performance lags behind Jackson Heights, with a 29.4% chronic absenteeism rate—nearly double that of its neighbor and a key warning sign for disengagement.
A notable finding is that higher spending does not guarantee better results; Tuskawilla spends $344 more per student ($8,649 vs. $8,305) yet achieves lower scores. Both schools share a common "8th grade math dip," where proficiency drops sharply from 7th to 8th grade, likely because high-performing students are tested separately in advanced math courses. This highlights the importance of advanced coursework as a key differentiator, with Jackson Heights showing a particularly strong pipeline for preparing students in science and math. For parents, Jackson Heights offers a clear academic advantage, while Tuskawilla may benefit from targeted improvements in attendance and advanced program access.
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