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Needs Improvement

#3459 of 3,778 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

3.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Florida schools

#3,459 of 3,778

In Oakland Park

#5 of 6

public schools

In district

#298 of 319

BROWARD

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James S. Rickards Middle School

3.9/10

Middle School in Oakland Park · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy

Nearby

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

Northeast High School

3.5/10

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

About James S. Rickards Middle School

James S. Rickards Middle School is a public middle school in Oakland Park, FL, part of BROWARD. James S.

Rickards Middle School serves approximately 762 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.1:1 student-teacher ratio. James S. Rickards Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #3,459 of 3,778 schools in FL.

Structured state assessment records for James S. Rickards Middle School show 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.8 pts below district
  • This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
  • District avg 5.7
  • FL avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

44% of students at James S. Rickards 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 Progress3.2Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.64 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31% (2024 FAST)
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.7% (2024 FAST)
Math vs. State Avg-24.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.7 pts
Overall Proficiency33% (2024 FAST, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)48% (model expectation from 2024 FAST)
vs. Expected-14.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
Resources & Environment5.2Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,121
Chronic Absenteeism43.8%

James S. Rickards Middle School — Students at James S. Rickards Middle School score 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).

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 37.4% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
52.5% (2024 FAST)
ELA Proficiency 39.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.8% (2024 FAST)

Based on 34 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
59%
ELA
56%
2010
Math
59%
ELA
56%
2011
Math
40%
ELA
45%
2012
Math
43%
ELA
48%
2013
Math
38%
ELA
44%
2014
Math
40%
ELA
38%
2015
Math
41%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
35%
ELA
34%
2017
Math
44%
ELA
39%
2018
Math
41%
ELA
41%
2019
Math
41%
ELA
41%
2020*
Math
18%
ELA
31%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
31%
2022
Math
26.4%
ELA
29.7%
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: 3.2/10.

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
3.9/10
9th percentile in FL
Academic
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
3.2/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
5.2/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
58%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
42 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.8%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 9.2/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Fort Lauderdale), which scores notably higher. Another option is INNOVATION CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Pompano Beach), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SHEPHERD OF THE COAST LUTHERAN SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 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 3.5
NORTH ANDREWS GARDENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oakland Park 0.6 mi 5.8
FLORANADA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Lauderdale 0.8 mi 9.2
CYPRESS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pompano Beach 1.2 mi 6.2
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 7.3
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 8.1
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 6.6
CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL Fort Lauderdale 2.0 mi 5.4
LLOYD ESTATES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Oakland Park 2.1 mi 4.2
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

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ANDREW JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Titusville, FL 3.9
CALOOSA MIDDLE SCHOOL Cape Coral, FL 3.9
CENTENNIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Dade City, FL 3.9
CONWAY MIDDLE Orlando, FL 3.9
ERNEST WARD MIDDLE SCHOOL Walnut Hill, FL 3.9
FORT KING MIDDLE SCHOOL Ocala, FL 3.9

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 ranks #3,459 of 3,778 schools in FL.

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

James S. Rickards Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 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 S. Rickards Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, James S. Rickards Middle School has 37% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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 →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
67 Somewhat Walkable
Transit Score
35 Some Transit
Bike Score
66 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.8%

District

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

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