Very Good
#1299 of 3,778 schools in FL
Top 34% in state
Rufus E. Payne Elementary School
Elementary School · DUVAL
6725 HEMA RD, Jacksonville, FL 32209
Enrollment
224
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
224
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
7.1
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#1,299 of 3,778
In Jacksonville
#33 of 184
public schools
In district
#40 of 194
DUVAL
Equity
8.2 / 10
Excellent
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Rufus E. Payne Elementary School
Elementary School in Jacksonville · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Tiger Academy
0.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
S. A. Hull Elementary School
0.8 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Rufus E. Payne Elementary School
Rufus E. Payne Elementary School is a public elementary school in Jacksonville, FL, part of DUVAL. Rufus E.
Payne Elementary School serves approximately 224 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Rufus E. Payne Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 out of 10 and ranks #1,299 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for Rufus E. Payne Elementary School show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.1 · Very Good
- District avg 5.7
- FL avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
66% of students at Rufus E. Payne Elementary 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Rufus E. Payne Elementary School — Students at Rufus E. Payne Elementary School score 51% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 36%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
86.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 34 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: 8.0/10.
How Rufus E. Payne Elementary School Compares
See how Rufus E. Payne Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
6725 HEMA RD, Jacksonville, FL 32209
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Rufus E. Payne Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SALLYE B. MATHIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 1.5 miles away), with a comparable rating. Another option is PICKETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.0/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER ELEMENTARY (rated 5.5/10, 1.3 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Jacksonville, see our Jacksonville schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.6 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 32209 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$29,468
Median Home Value
$92,300
Median Rent
$1,042/mo
Population
35,490
College Educated
11.9%
Homeownership
47.7%
Avg Commute
25.2 min
Poverty Rate
37.1%
Median Age
37.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ALL SOULS CATHOLIC SCHOOL Sanford, FL | 7.1 |
| OLYMPUS INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Boca Raton, FL | 7.1 |
| OUR LADY OF LOURDES CATHOLIC SCHOOL Dunedin, FL | 7.1 |
| OUR LADY QUEEN OF MARTYRS SCHOOL Fort Lauderdale, FL | 7.1 |
| ST PATRICK CATHOLIC SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL | 7.1 |
| THE DISCOVERY SCHOOL Jacksonville Beach, FL | 7.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Rufus E. Payne Elementary School
What grades does Rufus E. Payne Elementary School serve?
Rufus E. Payne Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Rufus E. Payne Elementary School?
Rufus E. Payne Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 224 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Rufus E. Payne Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Rufus E. Payne Elementary School is 16:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Rufus E. Payne Elementary School rank in FL?
Rufus E. Payne Elementary School ranks #1,299 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Rufus E. Payne Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Rufus E. Payne Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.1 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 Rufus E. Payne Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Rufus E. Payne Elementary School has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Rufus E. Payne Elementary School a charter school?
No, Rufus E. Payne Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Rufus E. Payne Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Rufus E. Payne Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Rufus E. Payne Elementary School?
86.2% of students at Rufus E. Payne Elementary 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.
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 224
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 14
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 86.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large City
- County
- Duval County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 66.1%
- Phone
- (904) 924-3020
Resources & Links
District
DUVAL- District Enrollment
- 127,971
- Schools in District
- 208
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,578
- District Rank
- #40 of 194
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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