Very Good
#970 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 26% in state
Rufus E. Payne Elementary School
Elementary School · DUVAL
6725 HEMA RD, Jacksonville, FL 32209
Enrollment
224
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
224
Student-Teacher
16:1
Score
7.4
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Jacksonville
#24 of 184
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#865 of 2,196
In district
#28 of 194
DUVAL
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Exceptional
About Rufus E. Payne Elementary School
Rufus E. Payne Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Jacksonville, Florida. Serving students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade, the school has an enrollment of 224 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 with 14 full-time equivalent teachers.
The academic performance at Rufus E. Payne Elementary School is rated at 3.1 out of 10 by MySchoolScout, placing it in the 32nd percentile among Florida schools. In terms of proficiency rates, 42% of students are proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading, while 52% meet or exceed standards in math.
While the school has room for academic growth, Rufus E. Payne Elementary School focuses on fostering a nurturing environment where each student can develop and thrive. The school is situated in a large city setting, providing students with access to urban resources and community opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Rufus E. Payne Elementary School — Students at Rufus E. Payne Elementary School score 32% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 30%).
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 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: 8.8/10.
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
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 42% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 22% (2021).
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. RUTLEDGE H. PEARSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 2.1 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER ELEMENTARY (rated 7.1/10, 1.3 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, HIGHLANDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 1.7 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Rufus E. Payne Elementary School has a median household income of $29,468. It is a community where 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $92,300, with a median rent of $1,042/month. The area has a poverty rate of 37.1%, 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 |
|---|---|
| BELLEVIEW CHRISTIAN ACADEMY / LFCS Belleview, FL | 7.4 |
| CHRISTIAN HERITAGE ACADEMY Jacksonville, FL | 7.4 |
| GLADES ACADEMY INC Pahokee, FL | 7.4 |
| KELSEY L. PHARR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miami, FL | 7.4 |
| KILLARNEY ELEMENTARY Winter Park, FL | 7.4 |
| LOURDES ACADEMY Daytona Beach, FL | 7.4 |
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 is ranked #970 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Rufus E. Payne Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Rufus E. Payne Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.4 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 Rufus E. Payne Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Rufus E. Payne Elementary School has 51.6% math proficiency and 42.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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FBI UCR. County-level only.
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
- Phone
- (904) 924-3020
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
DUVAL- District Enrollment
- 127,971
- Schools in District
- 208
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,578
- District Rank
- #28 of 194
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 methodologyRelated reading
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- Florida School Choice Guide: Public vs Private vs Charter — What the Data Showsguides
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