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Needs Improvement

#3606 of 3,778 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

3.5

Grades

4th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Florida schools

#3,606 of 3,778

In Quincy

#8 of 9

public schools

In district

#11 of 12

GADSDEN

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James A. Shanks Middle School

3.5/10

Middle School in Quincy · grades 4th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

George W. Munroe Elementary School

4.8/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Carter Parramore Academy

6.3/10

1.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About James A. Shanks Middle School

James A. Shanks Middle School is a public middle school in Quincy, FL, part of GADSDEN. James A.

Shanks Middle School serves approximately 526 students, and covers grades 4th-8th, and has a 17.5:1 student-teacher ratio. James A. Shanks Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10 and ranks #3,606 of 3,778 schools in FL.

Structured state assessment records for James A. Shanks Middle School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.5 pts below district
  • This school 3.5 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.0
  • FL avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

James A. Shanks Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

59% of students at James A. Shanks Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.3Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.6 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.7Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency23% (2024 FAST)
Reading/ELA Proficiency16.4% (2024 FAST)
Math vs. State Avg-34.8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-36.3 pts
Overall Proficiency20% (2024 FAST, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)35% (model expectation from 2024 FAST)
vs. Expected-15.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile9th
Resources & Environment4.9Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$13,871
Chronic Absenteeism58.7%

James A. Shanks Middle School — Students at James A. Shanks Middle School score 20% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 32.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.2% (2024 FAST)
ELA Proficiency 26.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
52.6% (2024 FAST)

Based on 38 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
51%
ELA
46%
2010
Math
54%
ELA
45%
2011
Math
40%
ELA
33%
2012
Math
31%
ELA
34%
2013
Math
41%
ELA
32%
2014
Math
37%
ELA
27%
2015
Math
27%
ELA
26%
2016
Math
32%
ELA
23%
2017
Math
28%
ELA
22%
2018
Math
41%
ELA
29%
2019
Math
41%
ELA
29%
2020*
Math
26%
ELA
23%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
23%
2022
Math
21.4%
ELA
22.4%
2024
Math
23%
ELA
16.4%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How James A. Shanks Middle School Compares

See how James A. Shanks Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.5/10
5th percentile in FL
Academic
2.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
4.9/10
Below Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
90%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
30 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
58.7%

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, HAVANA MAGNET SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 11.8 miles away, in nearby Havana), 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 4.8
CARTER PARRAMORE ACADEMY Quincy 1.1 mi 6.3
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 3.1
HEAD START PROGRAM Quincy 1.4 mi 5.3
GADSDEN VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM Quincy 1.4 mi
CROSSROAD ACADEMY Quincy 2.8 mi 5.6
GADSDEN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Havana 6.7 mi 4.0
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 5.9
WEST GADSDEN MIDDLE SCHOOL Quincy 8.5 mi 6.5
GREENSBORO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Quincy 8.6 mi 6.9
FORT BRADEN SCHOOL Tallahassee 11.6 mi 4.2
HAVANA MAGNET SCHOOL Havana 11.8 mi 7.5
HLC LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Havana 12.9 mi 5.5
CANOPY OAKS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tallahassee 15.7 mi 4.1
CHATTAHOOCHEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Chattahoochee 16.1 mi 5.4

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
PINES MIDDLE SCHOOL Pembroke Pines, FL 3.5
UNION PARK MIDDLE Orlando, FL 3.5
BUCHANAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Tampa, FL 3.4
COUNTRY CLUB MIDDLE SCHOOL Miami Lakes, FL 3.6
MERRITT BROWN MIDDLE SCHOOL Panama City, FL 3.6
ARLINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL 3.7

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 ranks #3,606 of 3,778 schools in FL.

What is James A. Shanks Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

James A. Shanks Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.5 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at James A. Shanks Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James A. Shanks Middle School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 26% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
50 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
49 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
58.7%

District

GADSDEN
District Enrollment
4,705
Schools in District
17
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,871
District Rank
#11 of 12

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