Gamble Rogers Middle School, St Augustine FL

Original Research by School Decision on Gamble Rogers Middle School

Gamble Rogers Middle School sits on US Highway 1 South in St. Augustine, serving sixth through eighth graders in St. Johns County's regular public school system. The school draws from a city that blends a densely walkable historic downtown, a growing suburban edge, and a coastal character that draws both young professionals and retirees. St. Johns County is publicly reported to be among the fastest-growing counties in the United States, and that growth shapes everything from housing costs to school funding conversations.

On academic performance, the picture is mixed across subjects and grades. Florida's FAST assessments show that sixth-grade math proficiency is the strongest result here, sitting comfortably above the majority threshold. Eighth-grade math comes in somewhat lower but still reflects most students reaching proficiency. ELA results at all three grade levels trail math, with seventh and eighth grade ELA both below the majority. Eighth-grade science proficiency, measured on the Florida Statewide Science Assessment, is the softest number in the data, with fewer than half of students reaching the proficient mark. Families who want to understand science instruction and support more deeply may want to ask the school directly about what intervention or acceleration looks like in that area.

Placed against the only other district in St. Johns County, Gamble Rogers lands above the midpoint on the overall proficiency index across tested subjects and grades. That is a real position, though the comparison set here is small, so a parent should read it as local context rather than a broad endorsement.

Enrollment sits at a size that is typical for a traditional three-grade middle school. The school is predominantly white, with Black, Hispanic, and multiracial students each representing meaningful shares of the student body. A majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, a share that is worth noting given that it can affect the resources and social mix a school navigates daily. Data on students with IEPs and English learners was not available in what was provided.

The only program the data surfaces is basketball under athletics. That is a narrow slice of what the school likely offers; a parent interested in extracurriculars, electives, or enrichment should consult the school directly, since the profile does not include a broader course or activity inventory.

The housing market immediately around the school on US-1 South reflects home values close to the statewide Florida median and well above the national one, with values having dipped modestly year over year. Rents in the area carry a rent-to-income ratio that is on the high side by national standards, and the estimated monthly mortgage at current rates is a meaningful monthly commitment. Prospective families should also factor in two voter-approved measures from November 2024: a new property tax increase tied to teacher and staff salaries, school safety, and programs like science, art, music, and athletics; and a renewed half-cent sales surtax for capital construction and technology. Both passed publicly and both affect the ongoing cost of homeownership in the district, though the sales surtax is described publicly as keeping the local sales tax rate lower than neighboring counties.

The St. Johns district itself is publicly reported as managing rapid growth, with new schools and expansions an ongoing part of capital planning. The broader civic infrastructure in St. Augustine, including the county library system with a Southeast Branch directly on US-1 South, the Sunshine Bus fixed-route service, and extensive parks, gives families practical access to community resources without relying solely on a car.

Attendance and chronic absenteeism data were not available in what was provided, and no graduation rate applies here since the school serves only middle grades.

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Academic performance

How students perform on state tests, by grade, set against the district.

Math

Grade 669%

School 69% · District 81% · ▼ 12 pts below district

▲ 7 pts above state median · ▼ 12 pts below county median

Grade 754%

School 54% · District 63% · ▼ 9 pts below district

▲ 5 pts above state median · ▼ 10 pts below county median

Grade 860%

School 60% · District 83% · ▼ 23 pts below district

▲ 9 pts above state median · ▼ 24 pts below county median

English language arts

Grade 663%

School 63% · District 76% · ▼ 13 pts below district

▲ 3 pts above state median · ▼ 14 pts below county median

Grade 757%

School 57% · District 74% · ▼ 17 pts below district

▲ 2 pts above state median · ▼ 19 pts below county median

Grade 856%

School 56% · District 75% · ▼ 19 pts below district

▲ 2 pts above state median · ▼ 20 pts below county median

Science

Grade 847%

School 47% · District 75% · ▼ 28 pts below district

▲ 1 pts above state median · ▼ 27 pts below county median

This schoolST. JOHNS, same grade

Graduation rate (ACGR) reflects the federally published Adjusted Cohort Graduation Rate for the most recent year available. We refresh this data annually at the close of each academic year in June. The federal source publishes a banded rate (for example, "90-94%") instead of an exact number for cohorts small enough to risk identifying individual students. The state distribution chart, where shown, plots every school in the state with a published rate or band; schools whose rate is federally suppressed are excluded. Where the federal source publishes a band rather than an exact rate, the school is placed within its band using a stable, ID-derived offset, so its position is consistent across visits.

Proficiency by household income

English language arts

Grade 6Lower-income54%Higher-income72%18 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income51%Higher-income63%12 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income45%Higher-income67%23 pp gap

Mathematics

Grade 6Lower-income60%Higher-income78%18 pp gap

Grade 7Lower-income45%Higher-income71%26 pp gap

Grade 8Lower-income55%Higher-income68%12 pp gap