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
Enrollment
762
Student-Teacher
18.1:1
Score
4.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
58.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 18% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 31% (2021).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (754) 322-4400
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in Florida 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in Jacksonville, Miami & Tampa for Families Exploring School Choicebest schools
- Best Schools in Jacksonville, FL — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Miami, FL — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Orlando, FL — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
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.