Gainesville High School

Q: Is Gainesville High School a good school?

Gainesville High School ranks 404 th of 807 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Gainesville High School is a public high school serving 1,873 students in grades 9-12 in Gainesville, Florida, which is part of the Alachua District. While the school has a diverse student population, it faces several challenges, including declining graduation rates, rising chronic absenteeism, and lower test scores compared to state and district averages.

Gainesville High School's four-year graduation rate has dropped from 95.6% in 2019-2020 to 82.8% in 2022-2023, which is lower than the state and district averages. Additionally, the school has experienced a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 11.2% in 2019-2020 to 26.1% in 2022-2023, which is notably higher than the state and district averages. Academically, Gainesville High School's proficiency rates in subjects like Algebra 1 (23%), 10th grade English Language Arts (47%), and 9th grade English Language Arts (50%) are all below the state and district averages.

Interestingly, when comparing Gainesville High School to nearby schools, some notable differences emerge. F.W. Buchholz High School, located just 3.75 miles away, consistently outperforms Gainesville High School in test scores, graduation rates, and overall school rankings. In contrast, Siatech Mycroschool Inc., a public charter school 4.65 miles away, has significantly lower graduation rates (35.8%) and higher chronic absenteeism (66.8%) compared to Gainesville High School. These comparisons highlight the unique challenges faced by Gainesville High School and the need for targeted interventions to address its declining performance.

Detail:

Public, Magnet 9-12

1900 NW 13th St
Gainesville, FL 32609

(352) 955-6707

District: Alachua

SchoolDigger Rank:
404^th of 807 Florida High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,250

Feeder schools for Gainesville High School:

Elementary:	C. W. Norton Elementary School
	Carolyn Beatrice Parker Elementary
	Glen Springs Elementary School
	Idylwild Elementary School
Middle:	Westwood Middle School

Student/teacher ratio: 24.5

Number of students: 1,791

Racial breakdown:

White:

35.7%

African American:

31.0%

Hispanic:

20.7%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 46.7%

See top rated Florida high schools

Compare Gainesville High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Gainesville High School ranks worse than 50.1% of high schools in Florida. It also ranks 7^th among 12 ranked high schools in the Alachua School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 41.4. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Gainesville High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Gainesville High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (35.7%), African American (31%), Hispanic (20.7%). (See more...)

Compare Details 46.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Gainesville High School is 24.5, which is the 4^th best among 12 high schools in the Alachua School District. (See more...)

Compare Gainesville High School employs 73 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Gainesville High School is $8,250, which is the 7^th highest among 12 high schools in the Alachua School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Gainesville High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Gainesville High School 404^th of 807 Florida public high schools. (See Gainesville High School in the ranking list.)

Alachua:

SchoolDigger ranks Alachua 43^rd of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

What do you think?

Your rating for Gainesville High School?

(Ranking FAQ)

Rank History for Gainesville High School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	70.78	138^th	484	71.5%
2005	64.85	171^st	487	64.9%
2006	65.50	154^th	477	67.7%
2007	65.59	180^th	563	68.0%
2008	65.47	193^rd	577	66.6%
2009	64.66	206^th	587	64.9%
2010	64.34	223^rd	620	64.0%
2011	66.21	212^th	622	65.9%
2012	52.19	217^th	606	64.2%
2013	54.82	249^th	648	61.6%
2014	59.63	230^th	687	66.5%
2016	53.61	241^st	693	65.2%
2017	56.15	225^th	714	68.5%
2018	52.08	261^st	716	63.5%
2019	45.75	322^nd	734	56.1%
2021	49.49	273^rd	746	63.4%
2022	49.41	292^nd	774	62.3%
2023	46.80	321^st	792	59.5%
2024	41.40	404^th	807	49.9%

See the entire list of Florida High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

We're sorry, but no reviews have been submitted for Gainesville High School.

If you have first-hand knowledge about Gainesville High School, submit a rating!

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Gainesville High School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	1261	422	57	46	0	n/a	n/a	0	1786
1989	1147	444	43	58	0	n/a	n/a	0	1692
1990	1123	426	39	70	1	n/a	n/a	0	1659
1991	1087	461	49	64	1	n/a	n/a	0	1662
1992	1040	486	52	66	0	n/a	n/a	0	1644
1993	1056	493	47	81	1	n/a	n/a	0	1678
1994	1091	493	57	118	5	n/a	n/a	0	1764
1995	1167	546	61	122	4	n/a	n/a	0	1900
1996	1167	546	61	122	4	n/a	n/a	0	1900
1997	1260	576	52	116	5	n/a	n/a	0	2009
1998	1274	588	58	109	6	n/a	n/a	0	2035
1999	1209	589	54	113	3	n/a	n/a	0	1968
2000	1192	588	58	125	1	n/a	n/a	0	1964
2001	1160	584	53	123	1	n/a	n/a	0	1921
2002	1055	651	63	121	5	n/a	n/a	0	1895
2003	1055	651	63	121	5	n/a	n/a	0	1895
2004	1083	674	62	113	7	n/a	n/a	0	1939
2005	1136	804	57	133	6	n/a	n/a	0	2136
2006	1090	783	44	132	6	n/a	n/a	0	2055
2007	1037	778	64	170	3	n/a	n/a	38	2090
2008	999	741	71	156	4	n/a	n/a	55	2026
2009	917	717	73	142	3	n/a	n/a	67	1919
2010	902	746	64	131	4	n/a	n/a	81	1928
2011	906	694	0	154	6	0	111	0	1871
2012	887	649	43	168	6	2	78	0	1833
2013	892	700	55	178	7	3	92	0	1927
2014	848	637	67	183	3	0	98	0	1836
2015	827	648	66	182	1	0	117	0	1841
2016	799	667	88	206	2	0	128	0	1890
2017	796	602	84	208	1	0	124	0	1815
2018	780	622	110	234	2	2	127	0	1877
2019	763	585	112	298	5	0	125	0	1888
2020	771	604	123	313	6	0	133	0	1950
2021	689	577	119	303	5	2	128	0	1823
2022	705	591	114	323	4	3	133	0	1873
2023	693	605	103	335	2	1	134	0	1873
2024	639	555	91	370	3	2	131	0	1791

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Gainesville High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1786	93.0	19.2	15.1
1989	1692	90.0	18.8	10.6
1990	1659	88.0	18.8	12.6
1991	1662	88.0	18.8	22.6
1992	1644	89.0	18.4	19.3
1993	1678	95.0	17.7	18.2
1994	1764	99.0	17.8	22.3
1995	1900	102.0	18.6	16.5
1996	1900	102.0	18.6	16.5
1997	2009	100.0	20.1	18.4
1998	2035	99.0	20.6	21.1
1999	1968	105.0	18.7	23
2000	1964	102.0	19.3	23.6
2001	1921	95.0	20.2	21.6
2002	1895	88.0	21.5	32.6
2003	1895	88.0	21.5	32.6
2004	1939	93.0	20.8	32.6
2005	2136	101.0	21.1	35.5
2006	2055	101.0	20.3	35.6
2007	2090	103.0	20.3	34.2
2008	2026	104.5	19.4	32.5
2009	1919	119.3	19.2	36
2010	1928	96.0	20.0	40.4
2011	1871	90.4	20.6	37.5
2012	1833	87.0	21.0	37.1
2013	1927	89.0	21.6	38.1
2014	1836	91.0	20.1	43.7
2015	1841	85.0	21.6	43.5
2016	1890	81.0	23.3	42.5
2017	1815	59.0	30.7	43
2018	1877	80.0	23.4	52.6
2019	1888	77.4	24.3	33.2
2020	1950	77.9	25.0	36.3
2021	1823	70.8	25.7	39.1
2022	1873	76.6	24.4	40.6
2023	1873	63.5	29.4	46.7
2024	1791	73.0	24.5	46.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Gainesville High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1786	93.0	19.2	15.1
1989	1692	90.0	18.8	10.6
1990	1659	88.0	18.8	12.6
1991	1662	88.0	18.8	22.6
1992	1644	89.0	18.4	19.3
1993	1678	95.0	17.7	18.2
1994	1764	99.0	17.8	22.3
1995	1900	102.0	18.6	16.5
1996	1900	102.0	18.6	16.5
1997	2009	100.0	20.1	18.4
1998	2035	99.0	20.6	21.1
1999	1968	105.0	18.7	23
2000	1964	102.0	19.3	23.6
2001	1921	95.0	20.2	21.6
2002	1895	88.0	21.5	32.6
2003	1895	88.0	21.5	32.6
2004	1939	93.0	20.8	32.6
2005	2136	101.0	21.1	35.5
2006	2055	101.0	20.3	35.6
2007	2090	103.0	20.3	34.2
2008	2026	104.5	19.4	32.5
2009	1919	119.3	19.2	36
2010	1928	96.0	20.0	40.4
2011	1871	90.4	20.6	37.5
2012	1833	87.0	21.0	37.1
2013	1927	89.0	21.6	38.1
2014	1836	91.0	20.1	43.7
2015	1841	85.0	21.6	43.5
2016	1890	81.0	23.3	42.5
2017	1815	59.0	30.7	43
2018	1877	80.0	23.4	52.6
2019	1888	77.4	24.3	33.2
2020	1950	77.9	25.0	36.3
2021	1823	70.8	25.7	39.1
2022	1873	76.6	24.4	40.6
2023	1873	63.5	29.4	46.7
2024	1791	73.0	24.5	46.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Gainesville High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$362 (5.8%)	$5,846 (94.2%)	$6,208
2019	$338 (4.9%)	$6,578 (95.1%)	$6,916
2020	$323 (4.6%)	$6,678 (95.4%)	$7,002
2021	$675 (8.2%)	$7,548 (91.8%)	$8,222
2022	$687 (8.8%)	$7,145 (91.2%)	$7,832
2023	$673 (8.2%)	$7,577 (91.8%)	$8,250

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Gainesville High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 322^nd of 734 High schools	Ranks 321^st of 792 High schools	3.3%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
9th Grade English Language Arts (Gainesville High School)	56	58	2%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Alachua)	60	57	3%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	55	51	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Gainesville High School)	55	54	1%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Alachua)	55	52	3%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	53	49	4%
End of Course Biology 1 (Gainesville High School)	62	55	7%
End of Course Biology 1 (Alachua)	66	63	3%
End of Course Biology 1 (Florida)	67	63	4%
End of Course US History (Gainesville High School)	74	61	13%
End of Course US History (Alachua)	71	63	8%
End of Course US History (Florida)	70	63	7%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Gainesville High School)	22	15	7%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Alachua)	56	55	1%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Gainesville High School)	46	52	6%
End of Course Geometry (Alachua)	49	51	2%
End of Course Geometry (Florida)	57	50	7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1888	1873	0.8%
African American	585	605	3.4%
American Indian	5	2	60%
Asian	112	103	8%
Hispanic	298	335	12.4%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	763	693	9.2%
Two or More Races	125	134	7.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	33.2%	46.7%	13.5%

Schools Near Gainesville High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)					FAST Math (2024)			Statewide Science Science (2024)	EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Biology 1 (2024)	EOC US History (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Gainesville High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	1900 NW 13th St	Gainesville	32609	Alachua County	Alachua	No	Yes	No	No	(352) 955-6707	1,791	73	24.5	46.7%	639 (35.7%)	555 (31.0%)	370 (20.7%)	91 (5.1%)	3 (0.2%)	2 (0.1%)	131 (7.3%)	41.4	404^th of 807 public high schools	49.9%		46.8	321^st of 792 public high schools	59.5%	83				50.0	47.0					23.0	53.0	65.0	62.0		$8,250	$673	$7,577
A.Quinn Jones Center	Public	6-12	1108 NW 7th Ave	Gainesville	32601	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 955-6840	91	14	6.3	91.2%	10 (11.0%)	75 (82.4%)	3 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (3.3%)	2.2	785^th of 807 public high schools	2.7%		6.7	684^th of 792 public high schools	13.6%	101	21.0	0.0	10.0	0.0	7.0	0.0	11.0	4.0	11.0	0.0		18.0	8.0		$47,419	$7,429	$39,991
North Central Florida Public Charter School	Public, Charter	8-12	1000 NE 16th Blvd Bldg C	Gainesville	32601	Alachua County	Alachua	Yes	No	No	Yes	(352) 379-2902	187	6	31.1	75.9%	29 (15.5%)	125 (66.8%)	19 (10.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (7.5%)	4.3	730^th of 807 public high schools	9.5%		3.8	733^rd of 792 public high schools	7.4%	3			0.0	21.0	7.0			0.0		0.0	0.0	29.0	14.0		$8,080	$921	$7,158
P. K. Yonge Virtual Franchise	Public, Virtual	6-12	1200 SW 6th St	Gainesville	32601	Alachua County	Uf Lab School	No	No	Yes	No	(352) 392-1554	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Pace	Public	6-12	1010 SE 4th Ave	Gainesville	32601	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 374-8799	51	0		80.4%	6 (11.8%)	33 (64.7%)	2 (3.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (17.6%)								(n/a)
Alachua Eschool (Virtual Franchise)	Public, Virtual	6-12	2802 NE 8th Ave	Gainesville	32641	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	Yes	No	(352) 955-7584	197	1	174.3	51.8%	99 (50.3%)	58 (29.4%)	21 (10.7%)	7 (3.6%)	1 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (5.6%)	44.1	379^th of 807 public high schools	53.0%		47.6	311^th of 792 public high schools	60.7%	68		73.0	39.0	60.0	43.0		55.0	24.0	29.0	26.0	32.0	61.0	74.0	69.0	$6,996	$315	$6,681
Professional Academy Magnet At Loften High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	3000 E University Ave	Gainesville	32641	Alachua County	Alachua	No	Yes	No	No	(352) 955-6839	310	15	20.2	46.5%	151 (48.7%)	77 (24.8%)	57 (18.4%)	5 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (6.5%)	65.9	162^nd of 807 public high schools	79.9%		67	155^th of 792 public high schools	80.4%	7				61.0	71.0					29.0	71.0	91.0	63.0		$14,716	$1,354	$13,362
Alachua Regional Juevnile Detention Center	Public	6-12	3434 NE 39th Ave	Gainesville	32609	Alachua County	Alachua	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(352) 955-2105	47	1	47.0	51.1%	18 (38.3%)	27 (57.4%)	1 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.1%)								(n/a)
Alachua County Jail	Public	6-12	3333 NE 39th Ave	Gainesville	32609	Alachua County	Alachua	No	No	No	No	(352) 955-2160	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
F. W. Buchholz High School	Public, Magnet	6-12	5510 NW 27th Ave	Gainesville	32606	Alachua County	Alachua	No	Yes	No	No	(352) 955-6702	2,444	90	27.0	36.3%	1,105 (45.2%)	572 (23.4%)	350 (14.3%)	205 (8.4%)	3 (0.1%)	6 (0.2%)	203 (8.3%)	62.8	191^st of 807 public high schools	76.3%		69.4	135^th of 792 public high schools	83.0%	56				62.0	64.0					38.0	57.0	78.0	77.0		$7,217	$475	$6,742

Frequently Asked Questions about Gainesville High School

What schools feed into Gainesville High School?

Gainesville High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : C. W. Norton Elementary School
Elementary : Carolyn Beatrice Parker Elementary
Elementary : Glen Springs Elementary School
Elementary : Idylwild Elementary School
Middle : Westwood Middle School

How many students attend Gainesville High School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,791 students attended Gainesville High School.

Is Gainesville High School a good school?

Gainesville High School ranks 404^th of 807 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Gainesville High School in?

Alachua

What is the racial makeup of Gainesville High School?

Students at Gainesville High School are 36% White, 31% African American, 21% Hispanic, 7% Two or more races, 5% Asian.

Rate Gainesville High School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida High School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Gainesville, FL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Gainesville High School!

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.