Darnell Cookman Middle/high School

Darnell-Cookman School of the Medical Arts is a secondary school within the Duval County Public Schools system in Jacksonville, Florida, USA. It is a National Blue Ribbon School as recognized by the US Department of Education. It is also an "A" school in Florida's grading system.
Serving 1,068 students in grades 6-12, Darnell Cookman Middle/high School ranks in the top 50% of all schools in Florida for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 49% (which is lower than the Florida state average of 52%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 68% (which is higher than the Florida state average of 52%).
The student-teacher ratio of 25:1 is higher than the Florida state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 87% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Florida state average of 66% (majority Hispanic and Black).

Quick Facts (2026)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 6-12
  • Enrollment: 1,068 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 25:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 87%
  • : ≥95% (Top 20% in FL)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 49% (Btm 50%)
  • : 68% (Top 20%)
  • : 77% (Top 10%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education

Top Rankings

Darnell Cookman Middle/high School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Florida for:

Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency

School Overview

Darnell Cookman Middle/high School's student population of 1,068 students has declined by 7% over five school years.
The teacher population of 42 teachers has declined by 26% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 6-12
(No virtual instruction)
View AI Prompt
Total Students
1,068 students
View AI Prompt
Total Classroom Teachers
42 teachers
View AI Prompt
Colors
Blue and Gold
School Calendar

School Rankings

Darnell Cookman Middle/high School ranks within the top 50% of all 3,662 schools in Florida (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Darnell Cookman Middle/high School is 0.61, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
This School
State Level (FL)
#1292 out of 3662 schools
(Top 50%)
View AI Prompt
49%
52%
View AI Prompt
68%
52%
View AI Prompt
77%
52%
No Summary generated because only 2 years of data available
Student-Teacher Ratio
25:1
17:1
View AI Prompt
Asian
15%
3%
View AI Prompt
Hispanic
8%
38%
View AI Prompt
Black
59%
21%
View AI Prompt
White
13%
34%
View AI Prompt
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
4%
4%
View AI Prompt
All Ethnic Groups
0.61
View AI Prompt
≥95%
87%
View AI Prompt
(22-23)
17.5%
33.8%
No Summary generated because only 3 years of data available
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
39%
42%
View AI Prompt
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (20-21)
2%
4%
View AI Prompt
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Darnell Cookman Middle/high School's ranking?
Darnell Cookman Middle/high School is ranked #1292 out of 3,662 schools, which ranks it among the top 50% of public schools in Florida.
What schools are Darnell Cookman Middle/high School often compared to?
Darnell Cookman Middle/high Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like James Weldon Johnson College Preparatory Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
49% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average), while 68% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Darnell Cookman Middle/high School?
The graduation rate of Darnell Cookman Middle/high School is 95%, which is higher than the Florida state average of 87%.
How many students attend Darnell Cookman Middle/high School?
1,068 students attend Darnell Cookman Middle/high School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
59% of Darnell Cookman Middle/high School students are Black, 15% of students are Asian, 13% of students are White, 8% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, and 1% of students are Hawaiian.
What is the student-teacher ratio of Darnell Cookman Middle/high School?
Darnell Cookman Middle/high School has a student ration of 25:1, which is higher than the Florida state average of 17:1.
What grades does Darnell Cookman Middle/high School offer ?
Darnell Cookman Middle/high School offers enrollment in grades 6-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Darnell Cookman Middle/high School part of?
Darnell Cookman Middle/high School is part of Duval School District.
In what neighborhood is Darnell Cookman Middle/high School located?
Darnell Cookman Middle/high School is located in the Urban Core neighborhood of Jacksonville, FL. There are 5 other public schools located in Urban Core.

School Reviews

Review Darnell Cookman Middle/high School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

  • Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
  • Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Rate this school:

Recent Articles

Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Media Literacy as a Core Skill: How to Tell if a School Teaches It Well
Learn how to evaluate whether a public school teaches media literacy effectively, from fact-checking and source evaluation to digital citizenship and critical thinking.
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Screen Time, Paper Learning, and the New Back-to-Basics Debate
Explore why some public schools are reducing screen time, bringing back paper learning, and rethinking the balance between technology and traditional instruction.
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Student Data, AI Tools, and Privacy: Questions to Ask Your District
Learn how public schools use AI, protect student data, and the key privacy questions every parent should ask their school district in 2026.

Quick Facts (2026)

  • School Type: Magnet School
  • Grades: 6-12
  • Enrollment: 1,068 students
  • Student-Teacher Ratio: 25:1
  • Minority Enrollment: 87%
  • : ≥95% (Top 20%)
  • : Top 50%
  • : 49% (Btm 50%)
  • : 68% (Top 20%)
  • : 77% (Top 10%)
  • Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education

Request Information

Related School Videos

Quick Links