Serving 685 students in grades 6-8, Highlands Middle School ranks in the bottom 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 44% (which is lower than the Florida state average of 52%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 26% (which is lower than the Florida state average of 52%).
The student-teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than the Florida state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 91% 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: 6-8
- Enrollment: 685 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1
- Minority Enrollment: 91%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in FL
- Math Proficiency: 44% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 26% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 33% (Btm 50%)
- Attendance Zone: Highlands Middle School serves the northwest part of Jacksonville, FL, covering an area of approximately 123.2 square miles. Most students can expect a typical drive of 15-20 minutes to reach the school, with the furthest edge of the attendance zone being about 13.5 miles away.
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
School Overview
Highlands Middle School's student population of 685 students has declined by 8% over five school years.
The teacher population of 31 teachers has declined by 24% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
685 students
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Total Classroom Teachers
31 teachers
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
School Calendar
School Motto
Every Student. Every Day.
School Rankings
Highlands Middle School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 3,662 schools in Florida (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Highlands Middle School is 0.41, 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
#2962 out of 3662 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
52%
Showing 2013–2023. Full 14-year historical data available below ↓
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
26%
52%
Showing 2012–2022. Full 13-year historical data available below ↓
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
33%
52%
Student-Teacher Ratio
22:1
17:1
Showing 2016–2025. Full 39-year historical data available below ↓
Asian
1%
3%
Showing 2008–2025. Full 24-year historical data available below ↓
Hispanic
10%
38%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 37-year historical data available below ↓
Black
76%
21%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
White
9%
34%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Two or more races
4%
4%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 15-year historical data available below ↓
All Ethnic Groups
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Chronically Absent Students
(22-23)19.7%
33.8%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
61%
42%
Showing 2016–2025. Full 38-year historical data available below ↓
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (20-21)
1%
4%
Showing 2009–2021. 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 Highlands Middle School's ranking?
Highlands Middle School is ranked #2962 out of 3,662 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Florida.
What schools are Highlands Middle School often compared to?
Highlands Middle Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Oceanway School, Jean Ribault Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
44% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average), while 26% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average).
How many students attend Highlands Middle School?
685 students attend Highlands Middle School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
76% of Highlands Middle School students are Black, 10% of students are Hispanic, 9% of students are White, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Asian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Highlands Middle School?
Highlands Middle School has a student ration of 22:1, which is higher than the Florida state average of 17:1.
What grades does Highlands Middle School offer ?
Highlands Middle School offers enrollment in grades 6-8 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Highlands Middle School part of?
Highlands Middle School is part of Duval School District.
In what neighborhood is Highlands Middle School located?
Highlands Middle School is located in the Highlands neighborhood of Jacksonville, FL. There are 7 other public schools located in Highlands.
School Reviews
2 10/10/2025
Teacher does not make students adhere to dress code. Too much violence. Food is awful. You cannot talk to the teacher or principal. Teachers that are not qualified to teach. And school notes is a waste of time/not up-to-date
2 10/10/2025
This is awful. There is no communication from the teachers. Duval county public school system created a very expensive system where parents and teachers can communicate, but it is not used by the teachers and the principal doesn't make the teacher use site as intended. The site has a homework page where the teachers are suppose to put in the student's homework and assignments for the week so the parent knows what work their child has to do. The site is never updated by teachers. Also, talking to the Principal is non-exsitant, due to the fact that she is off the campus or in a meeting with district; Yeah right. The fact is that the Principal doesn't want to deal with the concern of the parents. The principal behaves as the parents concern about the child isn't important enough to spend the time listen to the concerns. The violence at the school is also a major concern. I was worried about my son's safety everyday I sent him to this school. My son also told me that sometimes the bathrooms did not have soap for the students to wash their hands. I WARN parents not to send their child to this school!!!
1 10/10/2025
This school is bad, I used to go to Highlands for sixth grade and boy it was horrible! I got bullied a lot by people there. The gyms were full with violence! Pepper spraying too, they did security where they would check if we had any weapons because of a child bringing a gun to school? It was horrible, worst part is that the teachers don't care. Some. My class in reading back in 2019 used to bully our teacher for being too nice and then she quitted and we didn''t have a teacher until later. Most teachers there are dumb. It Removed to have been at that school. It's like the kids run the school instead of the principal and Teachers.
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