Excellent
#7 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 1% in state
Robert M. Paterson Elementary
Elementary School · CLAY
5400 PINE AVE, Orange Park, FL 32003
Enrollment
693
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
693
Student-Teacher
12.2:1
Score
9.4
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Orange Park
#1 of 21
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#6 of 2,196
In district
#1 of 47
CLAY
Academic growth
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Robert M. Paterson Elementary
Robert M. Paterson Elementary serves 693 students in grades PK through 6 in Orange Park, Florida. It earns a composite score of 9.4 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — driven by a 9.2 academic score and a standout 9.7 growth score that signals students here are advancing at an unusually fast pace.
The numbers place Paterson in rare company. It ranks 7th out of 3,777 public schools across Florida and 6th among 2,196 Florida elementary schools, outperforming 100% of schools statewide. Within Orange Park itself, it holds the top spot, ranking 1st out of 21 local schools.
Those figures reflect consistent, measurable results rather than a single strong year. A student-teacher ratio of 12.2 to 1 keeps class sizes tight, giving teachers more time with individual students. That structure likely supports the school's high growth marks — students aren't just arriving with strong foundations, they're making meaningful academic gains year over year.
For families comparing elementary options in Clay County or broader Northeast Florida, Paterson's performance data puts it among the strongest public elementary schools in the entire state.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Robert M. Paterson Elementary — Students at Robert M. Paterson Elementary score 74% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
31.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 12 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.7/10.
How Robert M. Paterson Elementary Compares
See how Robert M. Paterson Elementary performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 75% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 78% (2019) to 74% (2021).
Location
5400 PINE AVE, Orange Park, FL 32003
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Robert M. Paterson Elementary may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FLEMING ISLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is THUNDERBOLT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 1.6 miles away, in nearby Fleming Island), with a comparable rating. Additionally, MONTCLAIR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 4.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Orange Park, see our Orange Park schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 32003 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$119,046
Median Home Value
$387,400
Median Rent
$1,918/mo
Population
29,351
College Educated
47.9%
Homeownership
86.7%
Avg Commute
29.5 min
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Median Age
47.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Robert M. Paterson Elementary has a median household income of $119,046. It is a well-educated community where 48% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $387,400, with a median rent of $1,918/month. The local poverty rate of 5.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| FREEDOM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bradenton, FL | 9.4 |
| GARDEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Venice, FL | 9.4 |
| SOUTH LAKE ELEMENTARY Titusville, FL | 9.4 |
| SOUTHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sarasota, FL | 9.4 |
| VINELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Rotonda West, FL | 9.4 |
| CHISHOLM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL New Smyrna Beach, FL | 9.3 |
Compare Robert M. Paterson Elementary with similar schools nearby
Side-by-side ratings, test scores, and demographics for the schools parents most often weigh against this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Robert M. Paterson Elementary
What grades does Robert M. Paterson Elementary serve?
Robert M. Paterson Elementary serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend Robert M. Paterson Elementary?
Robert M. Paterson Elementary has an enrollment of approximately 693 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Robert M. Paterson Elementary?
The student-teacher ratio at Robert M. Paterson Elementary is 12.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Robert M. Paterson Elementary rank in FL?
Robert M. Paterson Elementary is ranked #7 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Robert M. Paterson Elementary's MySchoolScout rating?
Robert M. Paterson Elementary has a composite rating of 9.4 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 Robert M. Paterson Elementary?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Robert M. Paterson Elementary has 86.8% math proficiency and 82.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Robert M. Paterson Elementary a charter school?
No, Robert M. Paterson Elementary is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Robert M. Paterson Elementary a Title I school?
No, Robert M. Paterson Elementary is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Robert M. Paterson Elementary?
31.6% of students at Robert M. Paterson Elementary 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
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 693
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 57
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 31.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Clay County
- Phone
- (904) 336-2575
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
CLAY- District Enrollment
- 39,362
- Schools in District
- 54
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,252
- District Rank
- #1 of 47
Compare This School
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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