2022 Best Public Middle Schools in the Jacksonville Area

Palm Valley Academy

• St. Johns County School District, FL
• PK, K-8

• grade A

• 1,856 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Freedom Crossing Academy

• St. Johns County School District, FL
• PK, K-8
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Parent: I have 2 middle school students attending Freedom Crossing Academy. Everything about this school is great. 1 of my children is already taking 10th grade math in 7th grade. They always keep me involved and tell me what is going on also. This school very much helps my Children.
Read 1 Review

• grade A

• 1,477 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Patriot Oaks Academy

• St. Johns County School District, FL
• PK, K-8
• Rating 4.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Parent: Teachers are engaged and responsive. Safe environment. Beautiful campus. Extracurricular activities including sports, band and robotics club are excellent. Great surrounding neighborhood. Been here 2 years and kids are very happy with the school.
Read 3 Reviews

• grade A

• 1,385 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Darnell Cookman Middle/High School

• Duval County Public Schools, FL
• 6-12
• Rating 3.81 out of 5  166 reviews

Junior: I love my experience while attending Darnell Cookman Middle High School! I loved the fact that the school prepared you for life after high school with its rigorous courses. However, they always offered tutoring to ensure you did not fail. This is a school where the teachers love to teach and the students love to learn and it’s the perfect school to get you prepared for college. Although it’s an academic forward school, there are plenty of extracurricular activities as well.
Read 166 Reviews

• grade A

• 1,154 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Valley Ridge Academy

• St. Johns County School District, FL
• K-8
• Rating 3 out of 5  2 reviews

Parent: My 2 kids enjoyed a lot all the years that they been there, the teachers are amazing, all the staff are wonderful.
Read 2 Reviews

• grade A

• 1,359 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Liberty Pines Academy

• St. Johns County School District, FL
• PK, K-8
• Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

Alum: Liberty Pines is a great school! The class sizes are small so you really get a chance to know everyone! The teachers are great as well.
Read 2 Reviews

• grade A

• 1,528 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Alice B. Landrum Middle School

• St. Johns County School District, FL
• 6-8
• Rating 3.71 out of 5  7 reviews

High School Junior: This school offers a variety of absolutely incredible opportunities, regardless of interest of area of expertise.
Read 7 Reviews

• grade A

• 1,183 Students
• 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Fruit Cove Middle School

• St. Johns County School District, FL
• 6-8
• Rating 3.5 out of 5  6 reviews

Alum: I moved to Saint johns county in 2012 and began 7th grade not knowing anyone. I was nervous but the kids and teachers made me feel right at home. My Civics teacher even called my mom after school to tell her that I was doing great, raising my hand and participating during class and for her not to worry. It seemed like the staff knew everyone,always saying good morning to us by our first name which I was not used to .I will be so ever grateful for that experience .
Read 6 Reviews

• grade A

• 1,302 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Switzerland Point Middle School

• St. Johns County School District, FL
• 6-8
• Rating 4.28 out of 5  18 reviews

Middle School Student: Amazing school. Great teachers that make learning fun. Extremely positive environment! Always test ready and helpful tips and tricks to pass on any quiz or test and to also stay calm and focus.
Read 18 Reviews

• grade A

• 1,282 Students
• 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Pacetti Bay Middle School

• St. Johns County School District, FL
• 6-8
• Rating 4 out of 5  6 reviews

Alum: A great school with teachers and faculty that care about their students. The facilities are nice and up to date as the school is relatively new. Athletics are appreciated here and cared for by the administration. However the quality of the cafeteria food has worsened in recent years. Other than that, Pacetti Bay is a great school to help a student transition in high school and beyond.
Read 6 Reviews

• grade A

• 1,365 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Saint Marys Middle School

• Camden County Schools, GA
• 6-8
• Rating 3.88 out of 5  8 reviews

Alum: Being in Saint Mary's Middle School was a great experience. Great teachers, food and everything in between!
Read 8 Reviews

• grade A

• 1,039 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

River City Science Academy Middle - High School

• Duval County Public Schools, FL
• 6-12
• Rating 3.99 out of 5  107 reviews

Parent: My daughter is in her first year of attending RCSA and is in the 8th grade. My wife and I have been extremely pleased with the entire experience including the quality of the teachers, the leadership provided by the administration, and the opportunities for our daughter to participate in advanced classes such as honors biology and geometry. The level of communication from the teachers as well as the school is excellent with weekly RCSA newsletters and weekly progress reports regarding our daughters academic progress. Most importantly we value the culture that is deeply embedded within and throughout the entire RCSA community. We are thankful to have found RCSA and looking forward to our daughter transitioning into the RCSA high school next year!
Read 107 Reviews

• grade A

• 937 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lakeside Junior High School

• Clay County School District, FL
• 6-8
• Rating 3.56 out of 5  9 reviews

Middle School Student: This school is great for middle school kids! Kid come in from Fleming island, Ridgeview , Montclair, And sometimes from out of town! I highly recommend this school for you child! :)
Read 9 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 857 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Green Cove Springs Junior High School

• Clay County School District, FL
• 7-8

• grade A minus

• 832 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Fernandina Beach Middle School

• Nassau County School District, FL
• 6-8
• Rating 3 out of 5  5 reviews

• grade A minus

• 683 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Mill Creek Elementary School

• St. Johns County School District, FL
• PK, K-8

• grade A minus

• 1,255 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Fernandina Beach High School

• Nassau County School District, FL
• K-12
• Rating 3.88 out of 5  115 reviews

Senior: I entered as a sophomore from a magnet school operating on a block schedule. It was far easier to complete assignments and socialize with my peers seeing as I saw them every day. My guidance counselor worked with me to create a schedule that was flexible yet challenging. I joined the schools marching band with no experience and was able to rise up in skill quickly.
There were more academic choices for me to choose from and a wider variety of clubs and sports.

In terms of the environment, the campus itself is run down and outdated. While the school is abundant in educational resources, many teachers find themselves purchasing their own supplies. The cafeteria food is selected by the district however there is a lack of healthy or fresh options.

Since COVID-19 affected many parts of the graduating class year, the administration has worked tirelessly to provide some sort of normalcy for the senior class.
Read 115 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 956 Students
• 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Julia Landon College Preparatory & Leadership Development School

• Duval County Public Schools, FL
• 6-8
• Rating 4.18 out of 5  17 reviews

Middle School Student: Landon was a three year school that provided me with the necessary resources and preparation for high school. Every year there were two difficult classes, two extremely entertaining classes, three classes where we did not do much and one boring class. But there were many activities that kept students interested and more importantly things for students that they can put on applications or resumes. As an outgoing eighth grader I can say that I feel fully prepared for high school and I am ready to further my education.
Read 17 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 861 Students
• 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School

• Duval County Public Schools, FL
• 6-8
• Rating 3.95 out of 5  21 reviews

High School Senior: The teachers are excellent! Each one was very knowledgable of their subject. Reading and writing, science, math, and history were always taught very well, and I came away with great information. The teaching methods differed from teacher to teacher, but each one was able to help me learn. Scheduling was fairly straightforward and easy, just take the classes you have to take, and choose whatever electives you'd like. The workload was substantial, but nothing unbearable. Overall the academics were absolutely fantastic, preparing me for high school extremely well.
Read 21 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 991 Students
• 24:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Oakleaf Junior High School

• Clay County School District, FL
• 6-8
• Rating 3.57 out of 5  7 reviews

Parent: It's making me more aware of what I need it know and participate in my student's school academic and extra curricular activities.
Read 7 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 1,179 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Lake Asbury Junior High School

• Clay County School District, FL
• 7-8
• Rating 3 out of 5  2 reviews

Alum: Lake Asbury JH allowed me to transition into upper level school seamlessly. The academics and atmosphere were great. Mrs. Eaton was the best english teacher I have ever had.
Read 2 Reviews

• grade A minus

• 1,145 Students
• 16:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Gamble Rogers Middle School

• St. Johns County School District, FL
• 6-8
• Rating 2.5 out of 5  6 reviews

Middle School Student: Gamble Rogers is a great middle school. I an currently going into 8th grade virtually because of Covid-19 and they are seeming to do well with it. Most of the staff are great and the school has enough supplies and is up to date. The 7th grade civics teacher, Tracy Melgard was rated best In the state of Flordia. It also provides some great extracurricular activities such as Drama, Band, Phototography, etc. The also have an outstanding program for gifted kids and disabled kids. The St.Augustine area is also very nice but can be a bit pricey for lower income families, who might find more affordability inland, near Elkton. I would definitely consider moving here if you are starting a Family. The School Districts great and definitely worth it!
Read 6 Reviews

• grade B+

• 920 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

Sebastian Middle School

• St. Johns County School District, FL
• 6-8
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Alum: I really enjoyed my time at Sebastian Middle school. All the teachers were very helpful and pushed me to develope academically. Along with this, the facility itself is very nice and the sports programs were excellent.
Read 1 Review

• grade B+

• 748 Students
• 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

R.J. Murray Middle School

• St. Johns County School District, FL
• 6-8
• Rating 3.75 out of 5  4 reviews

Alum: Murray is a great school, especially for the arts program. All of the arts teachers have a lot of knowledge about what they are teaching. The best part is that you do not need any experience to try different classes. If you want to learn an instrument just sign up for an into class. The Cambridge program is a lot of work but will definitely prepare you for high school. They give lots of projects but are the nicest, most encouraging group of teachers.
Read 4 Reviews

• grade B+

• 718 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio

LaVilla School of the Arts

• Duval County Public Schools, FL
• 6-8
• Rating 4 out of 5  12 reviews

Parent: My daughter only got to complete one year here before we had to move. We are heartbroken she cannot continue. The staff is amazing and so inspiring in helping the kids pursue their chosen passions. They teach the kids how to both give and accept appropriate criticism to help their peers grow. We were a part of the drama department and there’s not enough space to say how much of an impact they made on us. They truly care about their students and seem to take joy in developing their talents. As with any school, kids are going to get out what they put in.
Read 12 Reviews

• grade B+

• 1,008 Students
• 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio