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
Enrollment
1,606
Student-Teacher
21.7:1
Score
5.8
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65.6%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 36% (2019) to 13% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 35% (2019) to 30% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (386) 329-0577
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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