Darnell-Cookman School of the Medical Arts is a secondary school within the Duval County Public Schools system in Jacksonville, Florida, USA. It is a National Blue Ribbon School as recognized by the US Department of Education. It is also an "A" school in Florida's grading system.
Serving 1,068 students in grades 6-12, Darnell Cookman Middle/high School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Florida for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 49% (which is lower than the Florida state average of 52%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 68% (which is higher than the Florida state average of 52%).
The student-teacher ratio of 25:1 is higher than the Florida state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 87% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Florida state average of 66% (majority Hispanic and Black).
Quick Facts (26-27)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 1,068 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 25:1
- Minority Enrollment: 87%
- Graduation Rate: ≥95% (Top 20% in FL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 50%
- Math Proficiency: 49% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 68% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 77% (Top 10%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Darnell Cookman Middle/high School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Florida for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Darnell Cookman Middle/high School's student population of 1,068 students has declined by 7% over five school years.
The teacher population of 42 teachers has declined by 26% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 6-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,068 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
42 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
School Calendar
School Rankings
Darnell Cookman Middle/high School ranks within the top 50% of all 3,662 schools in Florida (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Darnell Cookman Middle/high School is 0.61, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#1292 out of 3662 schools
(Top 50%)
(Top 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
49%
52%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
68%
52%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
77%
52%
Student-Teacher Ratio
25:1
17:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
15%
3%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 32-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
8%
38%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 33-year historical data available below ↓
Black
59%
21%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
White
13%
34%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
4%
4%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Graduation Rate
≥95%
88%
Showing 2014–2023. Full 12-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)17.5%
33.8%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
39%
42%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 34-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (20-21)
2%
4%
Showing 2012–2021. Full 23-year historical data available below ↓
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Darnell Cookman Middle/high School's ranking?
Darnell Cookman Middle/high School is ranked #1292 out of 3,662 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Florida.
What schools are Darnell Cookman Middle/high School often compared to?
Darnell Cookman Middle/high Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
49% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average), while 68% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Darnell Cookman Middle/high School?
The graduation rate of Darnell Cookman Middle/high School is 95%, which is higher than the Florida state average of 88%.
How many students attend Darnell Cookman Middle/high School?
1,068 students attend Darnell Cookman Middle/high School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
59% of Darnell Cookman Middle/high School students are Black, 15% of students are Asian, 13% of students are White, 8% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Darnell Cookman Middle/high School?
Darnell Cookman Middle/high School has a student ration of 25:1, which is higher than the Florida state average of 17:1.
What grades does Darnell Cookman Middle/high School offer ?
Darnell Cookman Middle/high School offers enrollment in grades 6-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Darnell Cookman Middle/high School part of?
Darnell Cookman Middle/high School is part of Duval School District.
In what neighborhood is Darnell Cookman Middle/high School located?
Darnell Cookman Middle/high School is located in the Urban Core neighborhood of Jacksonville, FL. There are 5 other public schools located in Urban Core.
School Reviews
5 10/10/2025
Very good school.
5 10/10/2025
Great school and student population.
Review Darnell Cookman Middle/high School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
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