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Ruth N. Upson Elementary School

Summary:

Ruth N. Upson Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 376 students in grades PK-5 in Jacksonville, Florida, which is part of the Duval School District. Despite the district's 1-star rating, this school consistently outperforms the district and state averages in academic proficiency across various subjects and grade levels.

One key differentiator is Ruth N. Upson's strong academic performance, with 74% of 4th graders proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 47% for the Duval District and 53% for the state. In math, 80% of 4th graders were proficient or better, versus 53% for the district and 58% for the state. However, the school has a significantly higher chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 44.1% to 44.4% in recent years, which is notably higher than the 23.0% to 68.1% range at nearby schools like Central Riverside Elementary School and Annie R. Morgan Elementary School.

Another notable aspect of Ruth N. Upson Elementary is its racial diversity, with a more even distribution of White (44.68%), African American (36.7%), and Hispanic (7.45%) students, compared to the nearby schools that tend to have a higher concentration of either White or African American students. Additionally, the school has a higher spending per student, ranging from $9,258 to $11,384 in recent years, which is higher than the $9,349 to $14,918 range at the nearby schools. This suggests the school may have access to additional resources and support to address the needs of its diverse student population, despite the high chronic absenteeism rate.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 1090 Dancy St
       Jacksonville, FL  32205

(904) 381-7485

District: Duval

SchoolDigger Rank:
484th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $10,922 Help


Students who attend Ruth N. Upson Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:    Lake Shore Middle School
High:    Riverside High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.3 Help
Number of students:  376

Racial breakdown:

White:
44.7%
African American:
36.7%
Two or more races:
10.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  61.4% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Ruth N. Upson Elementary School ranks better than 78.5% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 15th among 119 ranked elementary schools in the Duval School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 76.89. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Racial makeup is: White (44.7%), African American (36.7%), two or more races (10.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 61.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Ruth N. Upson Elementary School is 16.3, which is the 59th best among 119 elementary schools in the Duval School District. (See more...)
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Compare Ruth N. Upson Elementary School employs 23 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Ruth N. Upson Elementary School is $10,922, which is the 58th highest among 119 elementary schools in the Duval School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Ruth N. Upson Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Duval:

SchoolDigger ranks Duval 54th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Ruth N. Upson Elementary School?

Rank History for Ruth N. Upson Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 15.65 1476th 1688 12.6%
2007 20.98 1487th 1786 16.7%
2008 36.68 1211th 1789 32.3%
2009 26.96 1448th 1847 21.6%
2010 51.44 1006th 1919 47.6%
2011 60.05 837th 1985 57.8%
2012 47.87 1044th 1984 47.4%
2013 34.85 1365th 2029 32.7%
2014 30.42 1506th 2064 27.0%
2016 57.27 885th 2087 57.6%
2017 67.65 665th 2112 68.5%
2018 63.63 745th 2118 64.8%
2019 70.84 593rd 2182 72.8%
2021 77.61 480th 2247 78.6%
2022 66.66 697th 2219 68.6%
2023 81.21 382nd 2240 82.9%
2024 76.89 484th 2256 78.5%
See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Ruth N. Upson Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3.7)
67%

0%

0%

0%

33%

  

Reviews:
by a parent
Tuesday, December 12, 2017

Open Quote I have no complaints on my child's teachers. So far they have been amazing. The office staff however are the snobbiest and rudest people I've met. They bully the parents and students themselves, so how can you ask them to stop a child from bullying??? The principal would rather tell you to go to the superintendent, than to try and solve problems herself. Not a way to lead others. There are so many first year teachers at this school and I know why. When your leader of the school acts the way she does, I'm sure it's hard to keep the good employees!!!! Close Quote


Facebook Profile Picture by a parent on FaceBook
Thursday, June 7, 2012

Open Quote You know your kid had a good year and a great teacher when he's so upset the year is over he's crying about missing his teacher! I'm so thankful for teachers like Mr. Dowen and that Alex had a great experience in 2nd grade! It just goes to show you what an impact a teacher can have on a kid, good or bad!
Cheers to you Mr.D! Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, January 26, 2012

Open Quote My son attends this school, and he loves it. As a parent I am impressed as well. This school is like a hidden gem in our neighborhood. Teachers and staff have always been receptive to any questions or concerns I have had. We are fortunate to live in this neighborhood, and this school is a big part of the reason why. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Ruth N. Upson Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 366 158 13 0 1 n/a n/a 0 538
1989 354 179 11 0 0 n/a n/a 0 544
1990 354 216 8 0 0 n/a n/a 0 578
1991 362 233 3 4 0 n/a n/a 0 602
1992 355 134 0 2 0 n/a n/a 0 491
1993 327 139 1 6 0 n/a n/a 0 473
1994 337 140 1 3 0 n/a n/a 0 481
1995 235 171 9 2 1 n/a n/a 0 418
1996 235 171 9 2 1 n/a n/a 0 418
1997 257 154 9 2 1 n/a n/a 0 423
1998 258 220 13 7 1 n/a n/a 0 499
1999 267 248 9 4 1 n/a n/a 0 529
2000 227 229 10 7 1 n/a n/a 0 474
2001 205 263 11 7 1 n/a n/a 0 487
2002 187 268 12 6 1 n/a n/a 0 474
2003 187 268 12 6 1 n/a n/a 0 474
2004 187 223 9 8 0 n/a n/a 0 427
2005 185 232 8 12 0 n/a n/a 0 437
2006 161 218 5 9 0 n/a n/a 0 393
2007 143 205 5 8 0 n/a n/a 17 378
2008 135 161 3 13 0 n/a n/a 12 324
2009 155 168 2 17 1 n/a n/a 20 363
2010 164 172 4 20 2 n/a n/a 5 367
2011 173 168 4 19 2 0 7 0 373
2012 191 204 3 16 2 0 19 0 435
2013 191 205 3 18 2 0 17 0 436
2014 213 215 4 20 3 1 17 0 473
2015 206 184 4 21 4 1 19 0 439
2016 199 188 8 31 3 0 38 0 467
2017 200 146 6 32 0 0 35 0 419
2018 207 157 6 29 0 0 41 0 440
2019 214 150 5 24 3 0 37 0 433
2020 198 140 6 40 3 1 27 0 415
2021 180 131 6 24 3 0 26 0 370
2022 155 131 3 28 0 0 28 0 345
2023 168 138 4 28 0 0 38 0 376

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Ruth N. Upson Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 538 25.0 21.5 41.1
1989 544 26.0 20.9 45.6
1990 578 28.0 20.6 48.4
1991 602 28.0 21.5 53.7
1992 491 23.0 21.3 40.9
1993 473 22.0 21.5 46.5
1994 481 22.0 21.9 26.4
1995 418 22.0 19.0 50
1996 418 22.0 19.0 50
1997 423 22.0 19.2 53.9
1998 499 25.0 20.0 48.9
1999 529 25.0 21.2 72.4
2000 474 25.0 19.0 72.8
2001 487 26.0 18.7 72.9
2002 474 24.0 19.8 70.9
2003 474 24.0 19.8 70.9
2004 427 25.0 17.1 70.3
2005 437 27.0 16.2 72.3
2006 393 27.0 14.6 68.7
2007 378 26.0 14.5 77.6
2008 324 22.0 14.7 70.5
2009 363 23.8 15.8 80.5
2010 367 25.0 14.6 80.4
2011 373 23.0 16.2 79.4
2012 435 27.0 16.1 79.1
2013 436 28.0 15.5 76.1
2014 473 27.0 17.5 61.7
2015 439 28.0 15.6 61.5
2016 467 27.0 17.2 71.5
2017 419 28.0 14.9 66.6
2018 440 29.0 15.1 67.3
2019 433 26.0 16.6 65.4
2020 415 26.0 15.9 61
2021 370 23.0 16.0 65.1
2022 345 26.0 13.2 68.7
2023 376 23.0 16.3 61.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Ruth N. Upson Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 538 25.0 21.5 41.1
1989 544 26.0 20.9 45.6
1990 578 28.0 20.6 48.4
1991 602 28.0 21.5 53.7
1992 491 23.0 21.3 40.9
1993 473 22.0 21.5 46.5
1994 481 22.0 21.9 26.4
1995 418 22.0 19.0 50
1996 418 22.0 19.0 50
1997 423 22.0 19.2 53.9
1998 499 25.0 20.0 48.9
1999 529 25.0 21.2 72.4
2000 474 25.0 19.0 72.8
2001 487 26.0 18.7 72.9
2002 474 24.0 19.8 70.9
2003 474 24.0 19.8 70.9
2004 427 25.0 17.1 70.3
2005 437 27.0 16.2 72.3
2006 393 27.0 14.6 68.7
2007 378 26.0 14.5 77.6
2008 324 22.0 14.7 70.5
2009 363 23.8 15.8 80.5
2010 367 25.0 14.6 80.4
2011 373 23.0 16.2 79.4
2012 435 27.0 16.1 79.1
2013 436 28.0 15.5 76.1
2014 473 27.0 17.5 61.7
2015 439 28.0 15.6 61.5
2016 467 27.0 17.2 71.5
2017 419 28.0 14.9 66.6
2018 440 29.0 15.1 67.3
2019 433 26.0 16.6 65.4
2020 415 26.0 15.9 61
2021 370 23.0 16.0 65.1
2022 345 26.0 13.2 68.7
2023 376 23.0 16.3 61.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Ruth N. Upson Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $826 (9.6%) $7,758 (90.4%) $8,584
2019 $922 (11.1%) $7,363 (88.9%) $8,283
2020 $1,136 (12.3%) $8,123 (87.7%) $9,258
2021 $1,060 (10.9%) $8,706 (89.2%) $9,765
2022 $2,714 (23.8%) $8,670 (76.2%) $11,384
2023 $2,702 (24.7%) $8,220 (75.3%) $10,922

Data source: Florida Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Ruth N. Upson Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Ranks 593rd of 2182 Elementary schoolsRanks 382nd of 2240 Elementary schools
 10.1%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 % proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Ruth N. Upson Elementary School)6352
 11%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Duval)5147
 4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5853
 5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Ruth N. Upson Elementary School)7454
 20%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Duval)6156
 5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)6258
 4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Ruth N. Upson Elementary School)6671
 5%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Duval)5250
 2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5857
 1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Ruth N. Upson Elementary School)8584
 1%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Duval)6458
 6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6461
 3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Ruth N. Upson Elementary School)6169
 8%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Duval)5047
 3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5655
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Ruth N. Upson Elementary School)7162
 9%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Duval)5750
 7%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6052
 8%
5th Grade Science (Ruth N. Upson Elementary School)5067
 17%
   5th Grade Science (Duval)4948
 1%
   5th Grade Science (Florida)5351
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)		 Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)		 Change (%)
Total Students433376
 13.2%
African American150138
 8%
American Indian30
 100%
Asian54
 20%
Hispanic2428
 16.7%
Pacific Islander00
White214168
 21.5%
Two or More Races3738
 2.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients65.4%61.4%
 3.9%

Schools Near Ruth N. Upson Elementary School








Frequently Asked Questions about Ruth N. Upson Elementary School

Students at Ruth N. Upson Elementary School are 45% White, 37% African American, 10% Two or more races, 7% Hispanic, 1% Asian.

Ruth N. Upson Elementary School ranks 484th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students who attend Ruth N. Upson Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Lake Shore Middle School
High : Riverside High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 376 students attended Ruth N. Upson Elementary School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.




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