Highlands Middle School

Summary:

Highlands Middle School is a public middle school in Jacksonville, Florida, serving 697 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Duval District, which is ranked 54 out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Highlands Middle School stands out for several key factors. It has a significantly higher percentage of African American students (77.19%) compared to state and district averages. The school also experiences high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 12.1% to 24.5% in recent years, which is notably higher than the state and district. Academically, Highlands Middle School consistently underperforms the state and district in standardized tests, with proficiency rates ranging from 25% to 48% in the 2023-2024 school year, while the state and district averages were significantly higher. Additionally, the school has a high percentage of students (72.6% to 74.31%) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

When compared to nearby schools within the same district, Highlands Middle School is underperforming. For instance, James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School and Lavilla School of the Arts consistently outperform Highlands Middle School in test scores and other key metrics. The persistent underperformance of Highlands Middle School, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger, suggests the need for a comprehensive, long-term strategy to address the school's challenges and improve student outcomes.

Detail:

Public, Magnet 6-8

10913 Pine Estates Rd E
Jacksonville, FL 32218

(904) 696-8771

District: Duval

SchoolDigger Rank:
945^th of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,463

Feeder schools for Highlands Middle School:

Elementary:	Biscayne Elementary School
	Dinsmore Elementary School
	Garden City Elementary School
	Highlands Elementary School
	More...
	Pine Estates Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 22.4

Number of students: 697

Racial breakdown:

African American:

77.2%

White:

8.2%

Hispanic:

8.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 72.6%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Highlands Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Highlands Middle School ranks worse than 79% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 14^th among 26 ranked middle schools in the Duval School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 23.89. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a high 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

Compare Details Racial makeup is: African American (77.2%), Hispanic (8.2%), White (8.2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 72.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Highlands Middle School is 22.4. 22 middle schools in the Duval School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Highlands Middle School employs 31 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highlands Middle School is $10,463, which is the 9^th highest among 26 middle schools in the Duval School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Highlands Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Highlands Middle School 945^th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Highlands Middle School in the ranking list.)

Duval:

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

Average Rating:

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Rank History for Highlands Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	24.63	474^th	593	20.1%
2005	17.05	518^th	602	14.0%
2006	22.46	530^th	675	21.5%
2007	20.45	599^th	736	18.6%
2008	27.45	569^th	740	23.1%
2009	20.69	630^th	780	19.2%
2010	17.93	699^th	839	16.7%
2011	16.55	750^th	891	15.8%
2012	19.82	734^th	897	18.2%
2013	14.88	819^th	956	14.3%
2014	14.60	871^st	999	12.8%
2016	16.99	863^rd	997	13.4%
2017	18.89	857^th	1031	16.9%
2018	11.79	940^th	1035	9.2%
2019	13.03	981^st	1099	10.7%
2021	14.93	1002^nd	1136	11.8%
2022	21.45	940^th	1148	18.1%
2023	25.29	907^th	1177	22.9%
2024	23.89	945^th	1196	21.0%

See the entire list of Florida Middle School Rankings!

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

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Highlands Middle School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	764	667	5	1	0	n/a	n/a	0	1437
1989	771	691	3	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	1477
1990	701	747	5	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	1464
1991	688	756	4	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	1460
1992	1178	452	5	9	0	n/a	n/a	0	1644
1993	1174	485	4	12	1	n/a	n/a	0	1676
1994	1064	496	2	5	2	n/a	n/a	0	1569
1995	1014	555	4	9	5	n/a	n/a	0	1587
1996	1014	555	4	9	5	n/a	n/a	0	1587
1997	1049	579	4	10	4	n/a	n/a	0	1646
1998	1058	578	4	9	3	n/a	n/a	0	1652
1999	982	607	3	8	4	n/a	n/a	0	1604
2000	856	628	2	10	4	n/a	n/a	0	1500
2001	754	634	5	11	2	n/a	n/a	0	1406
2002	702	776	6	23	0	n/a	n/a	0	1507
2003	702	776	6	23	0	n/a	n/a	0	1507
2004	707	827	5	26	1	n/a	n/a	0	1566
2005	142	822	2	23	1	n/a	n/a	0	990
2006	153	930	4	37	2	n/a	n/a	0	1126
2007	141	989	4	40	1	n/a	n/a	14	1189
2008	100	1011	7	44	0	n/a	n/a	28	1190
2009	77	830	7	18	2	n/a	n/a	23	957
2010	71	775	5	38	1	n/a	n/a	6	896
2011	73	762	6	41	3	0	16	0	901
2012	70	723	9	48	2	0	16	0	868
2013	58	772	5	44	1	1	17	0	898
2014	60	794	5	38	1	1	17	0	916
2015	65	693	1	35	0	1	20	0	815
2016	79	669	2	37	0	2	13	0	802
2017	88	616	3	32	0	0	17	0	756
2018	66	688	2	36	0	2	23	0	817
2019	76	767	4	35	0	1	23	0	906
2020	73	741	2	46	1	2	30	0	895
2021	79	587	4	44	1	1	31	0	747
2022	71	518	5	54	2	1	34	0	685
2023	57	538	4	57	0	3	38	0	697

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 Highlands Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1437	74.0	19.4	21.1
1989	1477	73.0	20.2	19.6
1990	1464	72.0	20.3	20.9
1991	1460	68.0	21.4	14.7
1992	1644	74.0	22.2	18.1
1993	1676	74.0	22.6	20
1994	1569	71.0	22.1	17.3
1995	1587	70.0	22.7	41.6
1996	1587	70.0	22.7	41.6
1997	1646	72.0	22.9	40.8
1998	1652	72.0	22.9	26.4
1999	1604	75.0	21.4	47.3
2000	1500	72.0	20.8	51.1
2001	1406	72.0	19.5	54.5
2002	1507	72.0	20.9	51.4
2003	1507	72.0	20.9	51.4
2004	1566	76.0	20.6	51.6
2005	990	47.0	21.1	65.4
2006	1126	57.0	19.8	59.4
2007	1189	61.0	19.5	59
2008	1190	68.0	17.5	55.5
2009	957	63.2	15.7	71.8
2010	896	54.0	16.5	70.7
2011	901	47.0	19.1	72.8
2012	868	45.0	19.2	78.8
2013	898	45.0	19.9	74.7
2014	916	48.0	19.0	64.3
2015	815	46.0	17.7	61.1
2016	802	46.0	17.4	71.7
2017	756	45.0	16.8	70.4
2018	817	39.0	20.9	74.4
2019	906	39.0	23.2	71.4
2020	895	35.0	25.5	70.7
2021	747	41.0	18.2	72.7
2022	685	34.0	20.1	74.3
2023	697	31.0	22.4	72.6

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 Highlands Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1437	74.0	19.4	21.1
1989	1477	73.0	20.2	19.6
1990	1464	72.0	20.3	20.9
1991	1460	68.0	21.4	14.7
1992	1644	74.0	22.2	18.1
1993	1676	74.0	22.6	20
1994	1569	71.0	22.1	17.3
1995	1587	70.0	22.7	41.6
1996	1587	70.0	22.7	41.6
1997	1646	72.0	22.9	40.8
1998	1652	72.0	22.9	26.4
1999	1604	75.0	21.4	47.3
2000	1500	72.0	20.8	51.1
2001	1406	72.0	19.5	54.5
2002	1507	72.0	20.9	51.4
2003	1507	72.0	20.9	51.4
2004	1566	76.0	20.6	51.6
2005	990	47.0	21.1	65.4
2006	1126	57.0	19.8	59.4
2007	1189	61.0	19.5	59
2008	1190	68.0	17.5	55.5
2009	957	63.2	15.7	71.8
2010	896	54.0	16.5	70.7
2011	901	47.0	19.1	72.8
2012	868	45.0	19.2	78.8
2013	898	45.0	19.9	74.7
2014	916	48.0	19.0	64.3
2015	815	46.0	17.7	61.1
2016	802	46.0	17.4	71.7
2017	756	45.0	16.8	70.4
2018	817	39.0	20.9	74.4
2019	906	39.0	23.2	71.4
2020	895	35.0	25.5	70.7
2021	747	41.0	18.2	72.7
2022	685	34.0	20.1	74.3
2023	697	31.0	22.4	72.6

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 Highlands Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$785 (11.3%)	$6,176 (88.7%)	$6,961
2019	$960 (15.9%)	$5,063 (84.1%)	$6,022
2020	$1,033 (16.7%)	$5,152 (83.3%)	$6,184
2021	$2,295 (24.2%)	$7,204 (75.8%)	$9,498
2022	$3,158 (30.6%)	$7,174 (69.4%)	$10,331
2023	$2,985 (28.5%)	$7,479 (71.5%)	$10,463

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Highlands Middle 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 981^st of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 907^th of 1177 Middle schools	12.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Highlands Middle School)	33	27	6%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Duval)	47	43	4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Highlands Middle School)	25	36	11%
6th Grade Mathematics (Duval)	51	41	10%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Highlands Middle School)	25	24	1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Duval)	44	42	2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Highlands Middle School)	31	30	1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Duval)	47	41	6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Highlands Middle School)	25	23	2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Duval)	49	42	7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Highlands Middle School)	14	31	17%
8th Grade Mathematics (Duval)	32	28	4%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Highlands Middle School)	24	39	15%
8th Grade Science (Duval)	40	35	5%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Highlands Middle School)	40	67	27%
End of Course Civics (Duval)	69	63	6%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Highlands Middle School)	91	95	4%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Duval)	60	55	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	906	697	23.1%
African American	767	538	29.9%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	4	4
Hispanic	35	57	62.9%
Pacific Islander	1	3	200%
White	76	57	25%
Two or More Races	23	38	65.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	71.4%	72.6%	1.2%

Schools Near Highlands Middle School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)			FAST Math (2024)			Statewide Science Science (2024)	EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Biology 1 (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Highlands Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	10913 Pine Estates Rd E	Jacksonville	32218	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	Yes	(904) 696-8771	697	31	22.4	72.6%	57 (8.2%)	538 (77.2%)	57 (8.2%)	4 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	38 (5.5%)	23.9	945^th of 1196 public middle schools	21.0%		25.3	907^th of 1177 public middle schools	22.9%	38	33.0	33.0	32.0	47.0	16.0	48.0	25.0	74.0			60.0	$10,463	$2,985	$7,479
Somerset Academy-Middle Eagle Campus	Public, Charter	6-8	2100 Dunn Ave	Jacksonville	32218	Duval County	Duval	Yes	No	No	Yes	(904) 503-0661	188	4	47.0	75.5%	13 (6.9%)	157 (83.5%)	10 (5.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (4.3%)	32.9	825^th of 1196 public middle schools	31.0%		43.7	654^th of 1177 public middle schools	44.4%	171	48.0	33.0	43.0	50.0	37.0	60.0	25.0	42.0			36.0	$7,994	$790	$7,204
Jean Ribault Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	3610 Ribault Scenic Dr	Jacksonville	32208	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	Yes	(904) 924-3062	679	39	17.4	77.6%	34 (5.0%)	598 (88.1%)	30 (4.4%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (2.1%)	17.5	1033^rd of 1196 public middle schools	13.6%		19.8	983^rd of 1177 public middle schools	16.5%	50	28.0	23.0	37.0	23.0	20.0	42.0	23.0	85.0			53.0	$10,695	$3,164	$7,531
Oceanway School	Public	6-8	143 Oceanway Ave	Jacksonville	32218	Duval County	Duval	No	No	No	Yes	(904) 714-4680	927	45	20.6	51.2%	359 (38.7%)	383 (41.3%)	102 (11.0%)	19 (2.0%)	5 (0.5%)	4 (0.4%)	55 (5.9%)	34.6	799^th of 1196 public middle schools	33.2%		28.6	859^th of 1177 public middle schools	27.0%	60	36.0	37.0	43.0	48.0	29.0	57.0	35.0	59.0	58.0	97.0	69.0	$9,201	$1,989	$7,213
The Bridge To Success Academy Middle School	Public	4-8	5443 Moncrief Rd	Jacksonville	32209	Duval County	Duval	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(904) 924-3035	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Springfield Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	2034 Hubbard St	Jacksonville	32206	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	No	(904) 630-6600	885	43	20.5	49.0%	108 (12.2%)	679 (76.7%)	49 (5.5%)	16 (1.8%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	31 (3.5%)	44.6	665^th of 1196 public middle schools	44.4%		49.2	575^th of 1177 public middle schools	51.1%	90	51.0	46.0	49.0	59.0	24.0	33.0	48.0	81.0	83.0	90.0	59.0	$8,425	$1,196	$7,228
Mattie V Rutherford Alt Educational Center	Public	4-8	1514 Hubbard St	Jacksonville	32206	Duval County	Duval	No	No	No	Yes	(904) 630-6782	82	11	7.4	84.1%	17 (20.7%)	60 (73.2%)	3 (3.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.4%)	2.5	1184^th of 1196 public middle schools	1.0%		2.9	1157^th of 1177 public middle schools	1.7%	27	4.0	8.0	9.0	0.0	6.0	10.0	2.0				13.0
Young Mens/Womens Leadership Academy At Eugene J Butler	Public, Magnet	6-8	900 Acorn St	Jacksonville	32209	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	Yes	(904) 630-6900	333	16	20.8	78.7%	9 (2.7%)	283 (85.0%)	26 (7.8%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.6%)	15.4	1048^th of 1196 public middle schools	12.4%		9.2	1090^th of 1177 public middle schools	7.4%	42	24.0	21.0	34.0	18.0	29.0	31.0	28.0	76.0			66.0	$13,983	$2,998	$10,985
James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	3276 Norman E Thagard Blvd	Jacksonville	32254	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	No	(904) 693-7600	986	45	21.9	29.1%	312 (31.6%)	385 (39.0%)	66 (6.7%)	161 (16.3%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	59 (6.0%)	88.1	107^th of 1196 public middle schools	91.1%		89	97^th of 1177 public middle schools	91.8%	10	80.0	78.0	81.0	81.0		71.0	66.0	78.0	98.0	98.0	90.0	$7,386	$1,111	$6,276
Fort Caroline Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	3787 University Club Blvd	Jacksonville	32277	Duval County	Duval	No	Yes	No	Yes	(904) 745-4927	424	28	15.1	60.6%	65 (15.3%)	276 (65.1%)	49 (11.6%)	9 (2.1%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	22 (5.2%)	24	940^th of 1196 public middle schools	21.4%		22.8	943^rd of 1177 public middle schools	19.9%	3	36.0	32.0	29.0	35.0	47.0	34.0	22.0	85.0		100.0	54.0	$12,130	$2,850	$9,282

Frequently Asked Questions about Highlands Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Highlands Middle School?

Students at Highlands Middle School are 77% African American, 8% White, 8% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races.

Is Highlands Middle School a good school?

Highlands Middle School ranks in the bottom 21.0% of Florida middle schools.

How many students attend Highlands Middle School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 697 students attended Highlands Middle School.

What district is Highlands Middle School in?

Duval

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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.