Below Average
#3258 of 3,777 schools in FL
James A. Shanks Middle School
Middle School · GADSDEN
1400 W KING ST, Quincy, FL 32351
Enrollment
526
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
4.8
Grades
4th – 8th
Enrollment
526
Student-Teacher
17.5:1
Score
4.8
Grades
4th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Quincy
#8 of 9
public schools
Florida middle schools
#500 of 573
In district
#11 of 12
GADSDEN
School environment
7.8 / 10
Very strong
About James A. Shanks Middle School
James A. Shanks Middle School is a public middle school located in Quincy, Florida, in Gadsden County. With an enrollment of 526 students and a student-teacher ratio of 17.5:1, the school offers personalized attention to its diverse student body.
The school has 30 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to helping students succeed academically. James A. Shanks Middle School is situated in a rural area near the town, providing a close-knit community feel.
Despite having room for academic growth, the school focuses on supporting each student's development and learning needs. The ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 19% and Math proficiency at 26%, indicating areas where improvement can be made with dedicated effort. With a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.6 out of 10 and ranking in the lower percentiles statewide, there is clear potential for enhancement in academic performance.
The school's setting in a rural area offers students a unique blend of community support and natural surroundings, fostering a supportive environment for learning and growth.
What Parents Should Know
Located in a rural area, James A. Shanks Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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James A. Shanks Middle School — Students at James A. Shanks Middle School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
89.5%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 14 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.5/10.
How James A. Shanks Middle School Compares
See how James A. Shanks Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 26% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 29% (2019) to 23% (2021).
Location
1400 W KING ST, Quincy, FL 32351
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James A. Shanks Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. TALLAVANA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 7.3 miles away, in nearby Havana), which scores notably higher. Another option is ROBERT F. MUNROE DAY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 8.0 miles away, in nearby Havana), which scores notably higher. Additionally, GREENSBORO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 8.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Quincy, see our Quincy schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 16.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GEORGE W. MUNROE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Quincy | 0.4 mi | 6.5 |
| CARTER PARRAMORE ACADEMY Quincy | 1.1 mi | 6.7 |
| BOLD STEP INFANT CARE Quincy | 1.1 mi | — |
| GADSDEN CENTRAL ACADEMY Quincy | 1.2 mi | — |
| GADSDEN TECHNICAL COLLEGE Quincy | 1.4 mi | — |
| STEWART STREET ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Quincy | 1.4 mi | 3.9 |
| HEAD START PROGRAM Quincy | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| GADSDEN VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM Quincy | 1.4 mi | — |
| CROSSROAD ACADEMY Quincy | 2.8 mi | 5.3 |
| GADSDEN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Havana | 6.7 mi | 6.5 |
| TALLAVANA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Havana | 7.3 mi | 7.9 |
| ROBERT F. MUNROE DAY SCHOOL Havana | 8.0 mi | 7.5 |
| GADSDEN ELEMENTARY MAGNET SCHOOL Quincy | 8.5 mi | 7.0 |
| WEST GADSDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL Quincy | 8.5 mi | 6.8 |
| GREENSBORO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Quincy | 8.6 mi | 7.5 |
| FORT BRADEN SCHOOL Tallahassee | 11.6 mi | 4.3 |
| HAVANA MAGNET SCHOOL Havana | 11.8 mi | 5.1 |
| HLC LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Havana | 12.9 mi | 5.5 |
| CANOPY OAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tallahassee | 15.7 mi | 4.8 |
| CHATTAHOOCHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chattahoochee | 16.1 mi | 5.6 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 32351 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$39,219
Median Home Value
$119,600
Median Rent
$838/mo
Population
16,808
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
65.3%
Avg Commute
28.4 min
Poverty Rate
33.5%
Median Age
37.4
Community Profile
The community surrounding James A. Shanks Middle School has a median household income of $39,219. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $119,600, with a median rent of $838/month. The area has a poverty rate of 33.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ELECTA LEE MAGNET MIDDLE SCHOOL Bradenton, FL | 4.8 |
| MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL Tampa, FL | 4.8 |
| MERRITT BROWN MIDDLE SCHOOL Panama City, FL | 4.8 |
| RICHMOND HEIGHTS MIDDLE SCHOOL Miami, FL | 4.8 |
| ADAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL Tampa, FL | 4.7 |
| CARVER MIDDLE SCHOOL Delray Beach, FL | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James A. Shanks Middle School
What grades does James A. Shanks Middle School serve?
James A. Shanks Middle School serves students in grades 4th through 8th.
How many students attend James A. Shanks Middle School?
James A. Shanks Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 526 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James A. Shanks Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at James A. Shanks Middle School is 17.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James A. Shanks Middle School rank in FL?
James A. Shanks Middle School is ranked #3258 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is James A. Shanks Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
James A. Shanks Middle School has a composite rating of 4.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at James A. Shanks Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James A. Shanks Middle School has 26.0% math proficiency and 19.1% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is James A. Shanks Middle School a charter school?
No, James A. Shanks Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James A. Shanks Middle School a Title I school?
No, James A. Shanks Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James A. Shanks Middle School?
89.5% of students at James A. Shanks Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 4th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 526
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 30
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 89.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Gadsden County
- Phone
- (850) 875-8737
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
GADSDEN- District Enrollment
- 4,705
- Schools in District
- 17
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,871
- District Rank
- #11 of 12
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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