Summary:
The 8 public schools in zip code 75766, all part of the Jacksonville Independent School District (Isd), serve a community facing significant economic challenges, with an average free/reduced lunch rate of nearly 90% across elementary, middle, and high school grades.
Within this district, Joe Wright Elementary stands out as a high performer, consistently achieving near-state-average test scores in Reading and Math despite having a 94.49% poverty rate, and its state ranking has improved to the 63rd percentile. In contrast, West Side Elementary faces the steepest challenges, with the highest poverty rate (96.33%) and the lowest state ranking (12th percentile) among elementary schools. A notable anomaly is Jacksonville Middle, where only 10.1% of 7th graders are proficient in math, yet 87.5% of students taking Algebra I are proficient—far exceeding state averages—suggesting a highly effective advanced program. The Compass Center, a small alternative high school, spends $52,671 per student and maintains a 0% dropout rate, though its academic performance data is unavailable. East Side Elementary and Fred Douglass show declining state rankings, while Jacksonville High School posts a solid 92.2% graduation rate.
Key takeaways include that poverty is a dominant factor but not destiny, as Joe Wright Elementary proves effective leadership can overcome socioeconomic hurdles. The district's low student-teacher ratio of 13.1:1 does not translate into high scores, and the Spanish-language test results show wide disparities, with Joe Wright's Spanish-speaking students outperforming state averages in 3rd grade Reading while West Side had 0% proficiency in 4th grade Spanish Reading. Overall, the district ranks in the 13th percentile statewide, highlighting systemic challenges that require targeted interventions.
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