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Average

#2495 of 3,777 schools in FL

Palatka JR - SR High School

High School · PUTNAM

302 MELLON RD, Palatka, FL 32177

Enrollment

1,606

Student-Teacher

21.7:1

Score

5.8

Grades

7th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Palatka

#4 of 8

public schools

Florida high schools

#274 of 748

In district

#10 of 16

PUTNAM

Academic growth

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Palatka JR - SR High School

Palatka Jr-Sr High School serves 1,606 students in grades 7-12 in Palatka, Florida, operating with a student-teacher ratio of 21.7:1 and 74 full-time equivalent teachers. This comprehensive public school provides education for both middle and high school students in Putnam County. The school is working to improve academic outcomes, with current proficiency rates showing room for growth.

Approximately 31% of students perform at or above proficient levels in English Language Arts and reading, while 32% achieve proficiency in mathematics across all grade levels tested. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 out of 10 and ranks in the 6th percentile among Florida's high schools. Palatka Jr-Sr High School serves a diverse community where the median household income is $45,455 and about 12% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher.

The surrounding ZIP code has a population of 26,290, with a poverty rate of 22.4% and median home values around $150,700. As one of the larger educational institutions in the area, the school plays an important role in providing comprehensive secondary education to students in this close-knit Florida town, where families value accessible public education for their children's academic and personal development.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Palatka JR - SR High 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Palatka JR - SR High School is 21.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.2Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.63 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics2.6Needs Improvement25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency13%
Reading/ELA Proficiency30%
Math vs. State Avg-34.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-20.3 pts
Overall Proficiency22%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-19.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile8th
College Readiness8.5Excellent30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation25.2%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.0Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,305

Palatka JR - SR High School — Students at Palatka JR - SR High School score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 28.0%
School
State
50.9%
ELA Proficiency 31.7%
School
State
51.6%

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
36%
ELA
35%
2021*
Math
13%
ELA
30%
2024
Math
31.5%
ELA
31.3%

* 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: 7.2/10.

How Palatka JR - SR High School Compares

See how Palatka JR - SR High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.8/10
34th percentile in FL
Academic
2.6/10
2.6/10
Growth
7.2/10
Above average
Environment
4.0/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
74 teachers

Location

302 MELLON RD, Palatka, FL 32177

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Palatka JR - SR High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. Q.I. ROBERTS JR. - SR. HIGH SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 12.1 miles away, in nearby Florahome), which scores notably higher. Another option is CRESCENT CITY JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 14.4 miles away, in nearby Crescent City), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, INTERLACHEN JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 3.2/10, 13.0 miles away, in nearby Interlachen), a more accessible option. For more schools in Palatka, see our Palatka schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 13.3 mi
School Distance Rating
MELLON LEARNING CENTER Palatka 0.2 mi 4.7
PUTNAM ACADEMY OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Palatka 0.4 mi 5.7
SCHOOL OF THE HEIGHTS Palatka 0.5 mi 7.2
WILLIAM D. MOSELEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palatka 1.0 mi 6.2
HILLCREST ACADEMY Palatka 1.2 mi 5.6
JAMES A. LONG ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palatka 1.7 mi 5.1
THE CHILDREN'S READING CENTER Palatka 2.0 mi 7.7
KELLEY SMITH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palatka 2.4 mi 8.4
PUTNAM VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Palatka 2.4 mi 4.4
PENIEL BAPTIST ACADEMY Palatka 2.7 mi 6.4
BROWNING-PEARCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL San Mateo 5.8 mi 6.8
DESERET ACADEMY Satsuma 6.7 mi 5.8
ST JOHNS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Palatka 10.1 mi 5.2
Q.I. ROBERTS JR. - SR. HIGH SCHOOL Florahome 12.1 mi 8.3
ST. JOHNS COUNTY JAIL (DJJ) Hastings 12.1 mi
DEEP CREEK ACADEMY Hastings 12.1 mi
INTERLACHEN JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Interlachen 13.0 mi 3.2
CRESCENT CITY JR-SR HIGH SCHOOL Crescent City 14.4 mi 6.6
SOUTH WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Elkton 13.5 mi 5.7
ROBERT H. JENKINS JR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Interlachen 13.3 mi 6.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 32177 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$47,486

Median Home Value

$158,800

Median Rent

$940/mo

Population

26,046

College Educated

12.8%

Homeownership

63.3%

Avg Commute

24.8 min

Poverty Rate

24.3%

Median Age

41.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Palatka JR - SR High School has a median household income of $47,486. It is a community where 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $158,800, with a median rent of $940/month. The area has a poverty rate of 24.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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
CHOCTAWHATCHEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Fort Walton Beach, FL 5.8
EASTSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Gainesville, FL 5.8
GULF HIGH SCHOOL New Port Richey, FL 5.8
JENSEN BEACH HIGH SCHOOL Jensen Beach, FL 5.8
LAWTON CHILES HIGH SCHOOL Tallahassee, FL 5.8
MELBOURNE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Melbourne, FL 5.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Palatka JR - SR High School

What grades does Palatka JR - SR High School serve?

Palatka JR - SR High School serves students in grades 7th through 12th.

How many students attend Palatka JR - SR High School?

Palatka JR - SR High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,606 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Palatka JR - SR High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Palatka JR - SR High School is 21.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Palatka JR - SR High School rank in FL?

Palatka JR - SR High School is ranked #2495 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Palatka JR - SR High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Palatka JR - SR High School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Palatka JR - SR High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Palatka JR - SR High School has 28.0% math proficiency and 31.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Palatka JR - SR High School a charter school?

No, Palatka JR - SR High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Palatka JR - SR High School a Title I school?

No, Palatka JR - SR High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Palatka JR - SR High School?

65.6% of students at Palatka JR - SR High 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
52 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
53 Bikeable
City Safety
High (4,013/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Palatka). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
1,606
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
74
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Distant Town
County
Putnam County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PUTNAM
District Enrollment
10,178
Schools in District
19
Per-Pupil Spending
$12,682
District Rank
#10 of 16

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

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