Skip to main content

Below Average

#3170 of 3,777 schools in FL

James S. Rickards Middle School

Middle School · BROWARD

6000 NE 9TH AVE, Oakland Park, FL 33334

Enrollment

762

Student-Teacher

18.1:1

Score

4.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Oakland Park

#4 of 6

public schools

Florida middle schools

#479 of 573

In district

#268 of 319

BROWARD

About James S. Rickards Middle School

James S. Rickards Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Oakland Park, a large suburban community in Broward County. The school has an enrollment of 762 students with a student-teacher ratio of 18.1:1, supported by 42 full-time equivalent teachers.

Academically, the school is currently facing significant challenges with room for growth. Proficiency rates are notably low, with 36% of students meeting or exceeding standards in ELA/Reading and 30% in Math across grade levels. The school's academic score of 1.9/10 reflects these struggles, placing it in the lower percentile of Florida schools.

These numbers indicate that students here would benefit from additional academic support and intervention programs to help them build foundational skills. For families considering James S. Rickards, it's important to understand that this school is in a rebuilding phase academically.

Parents should be prepared to discuss their child's specific needs and learning goals with school staff, and may want to explore what supplementary resources or tutoring might be available. The school's suburban setting offers community resources that families can leverage alongside their school experience.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at James S. Rickards Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.0Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-1.32 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics2.8Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31%
Math vs. State Avg-37.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-23.4 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)45%
vs. Expected-20.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile10th
Resources & Environment6.1Above Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,419

James S. Rickards Middle School — Students at James S. Rickards Middle School score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

58.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 30.4%
School
State
52.5%
ELA Proficiency 35.8%
School
State
51.8%

Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
41%
ELA
41%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
31%
2024
Math
31%
ELA
35.7%

* 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: 6.0/10.

How James S. Rickards Middle School Compares

See how James S. Rickards Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.9/10
16th percentile in FL
Academic
2.8/10
2.8/10
Growth
6.0/10
Above average
Environment
6.1/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers

Location

6000 NE 9TH AVE, Oakland Park, FL 33334

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering James S. Rickards Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. FLORANADA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Fort Lauderdale), which scores notably higher. Another option is INNOVATION CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Pompano Beach), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SHEPHERD OF THE COAST LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 1.2 miles away, in nearby Fort Lauderdale), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Oakland Park, see our Oakland Park schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.2 mi
School Distance Rating
LAKEWOOD RANCH PREPARATORY ACADEMY Fort Lauderdale 0.3 mi
NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL Oakland Park 0.5 mi 2.9
NORTH ANDREWS GARDENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oakland Park 0.6 mi 5.5
FLORANADA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Lauderdale 0.8 mi 8.6
CYPRESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pompano Beach 1.2 mi 5.6
FUVIS LEARNING CENTER Oakland Park 1.2 mi
MILLENNIUM LEADERSHIP CHRISTIAN ACADEMY INC Oakland Park 1.2 mi 5.0
SHEPHERD OF THE COAST LUTHERAN SCHOOL Fort Lauderdale 1.2 mi 7.4
HI TECH KIDZ KOLLEGE Pompano Beach 1.3 mi 6.5
NEW GENERATION MONTESSORI CHILDREN'S ACADEMY Pompano Beach 1.5 mi
WESTMINSTER ACADEMY Fort Lauderdale 1.4 mi 6.1
PURPOSE ACADEMY Pompano Beach 1.6 mi 4.7
INNOVATION CHARTER SCHOOL Pompano Beach 1.6 mi 7.5
EXCELSIOR INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Pompano Beach 1.5 mi
CHRIST CHURCH SCHOOL Fort Lauderdale 1.7 mi 6.3
PRIDE & JOY LEARNING Oakland Park 1.8 mi 4.8
MCNAB ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pompano Beach 1.7 mi 5.6
CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL Fort Lauderdale 2.0 mi 5.4
LLOYD ESTATES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oakland Park 2.1 mi 4.7
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Oakland Park 2.2 mi 6.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33334 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,512

Median Home Value

$430,500

Median Rent

$1,615/mo

Population

30,889

College Educated

32.7%

Homeownership

56.4%

Avg Commute

26.4 min

Poverty Rate

14%

Median Age

41.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding James S. Rickards Middle School has a median household income of $69,512. It is an area where 33% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $430,500, with a median rent of $1,615/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.0%. The average commute for residents is 26 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
ARLINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL 4.9
BAIR MIDDLE SCHOOL Sunrise, FL 4.9
BOK ACADEMY Lake Wales, FL 4.9
BUCHANAN MIDDLE SCHOOL Tampa, FL 4.9
CHASCO MIDDLE SCHOOL Port Richey, FL 4.9
CREWS LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL. Spring Hill, FL 4.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about James S. Rickards Middle School

What grades does James S. Rickards Middle School serve?

James S. Rickards Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend James S. Rickards Middle School?

James S. Rickards Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 762 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at James S. Rickards Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at James S. Rickards Middle School is 18.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does James S. Rickards Middle School rank in FL?

James S. Rickards Middle School is ranked #3170 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is James S. Rickards Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

James S. Rickards Middle School has a composite rating of 4.9 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 S. Rickards Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, James S. Rickards Middle School has 30.4% math proficiency and 35.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is James S. Rickards Middle School a charter school?

No, James S. Rickards Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is James S. Rickards Middle School a Title I school?

No, James S. Rickards Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James S. Rickards Middle School?

58.3% of students at James S. Rickards 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 →

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
762
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
42
Free/Reduced Lunch
58.3%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Broward County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

BROWARD
District Enrollment
251,408
Schools in District
325
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,121
District Rank
#268 of 319

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.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.