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Hippard HouseHippard House · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0
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Schools in Fernandina Beach · Nassau County School District

Fernandina Beach’s public schools outscore 91% of Florida districts

Math proficiency in Fernandina Beach’s districts is 73%, above the Florida average (52%). The grade covers the public school district serving Fernandina Beach, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Florida, not nationally.

#15of 638 Florida townsK–12Where will my kid go?

From Florida state tests taken in spring 2022, when 97% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Reading proficiency
64%
▲ 12 pts vs FL 52%
2021–22
Math proficiency
73%
▲ 21 pts vs FL 52%
2021–22
Graduate on time
91%
▲ 3 pts vs FL 88%
class of 2023
Spent per student
$11.6K
▼ 11% vs FL $13.0K
FY2024
Students per teacher
15.6
FL 18.0 · smaller classes
Schools in town
6
2,929 students on the public path
In brief

Fernandina Beach’s schools, in brief

Better than its incomes would predict

Among the 346 Florida towns with household incomes within a quarter of Fernandina Beach’s, its schools beat 96%, higher than their 91% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓

Above the state on both counts

Reading proficiency is 64% and math 73% in spring 2022, against 52% and 52% statewide; 91% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓

Spending and class size

The district spends $11,625 per student, against $13,006 across Florida (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓

One elementary school, then one elementary, one middle and one high school

From grade 3 the district’s path is Emma Love Hardee Elementary, then Fernandina Beach Middle School, then Fernandina Beach High School. Enrollment is up 6% since 2020–21. See the path ↓

Choice beyond the district

St. Michel Academy (private) is in town. Nassau Virtual Franchise, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. Every school ↓

Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.

The School Grade

What’s behind Fernandina Beach’s grade

A+ Test scoresB+ Graduation

A: better than 91% of Florida school districts, #15 of 638 Florida towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Florida average; test scores are the stronger of the two.

Florida school districts we grade (76)Better than 91%
Lower resultsHigher results
Florida towns with similar household incomes (346)Better than 96%
A firm grade. Ordinary sampling error in 7,318 test results and a graduating class of 978 wouldn’t change the letter. The tests are from spring 2022, when 97% of Fernandina Beach’s students in the tested grades sat them (7,249 in math, 7,387 in reading).

How TownRatings grades schools →

Where will my kid go?

Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Fernandina Beach, with each school’s own grade.

The path, start to finish
PK–2Southside Elementary SchoolNassau County School DistrictNo scores
3–5Emma Love Hardee ElementaryNassau County School DistrictA
6–8Fernandina Beach Middle SchoolNassau County School DistrictA−
9–12Fernandina Beach High SchoolNassau County School DistrictA−

Fernandina Beach’s public schools are run by Nassau County School District, which also serves Callahan and Hilliard. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.

The district

Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.

Nassau County School DistrictGrades PK–12 · 18 schools · 12,575 students, up 6% since 2020–21 · 15.6 per teacher (FL 18.0)
$11,625FL $13,006 · FY2024
A
Test scores · 2021–22

Well above the state in reading

Reading64%
State average 52.1% · 7387 students tested
Math73%
State average 52.2% · 7249 students tested

Fernandina Beach vs. its neighbors

Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Fernandina Beach’s borders.

Schools next door
TownSchoolsMain districts
Fernandina BeachANassau County

Every school in Fernandina Beach

7 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Florida’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).

District schools in Fernandina Beachby address
Southside Elementary School
Elementary · Grades PK–2
591 students14:1Rate it →
Emma Love Hardee Elementary
Elementary · Grades 3–5
A
639 students15:1Rate it →
Fernandina Beach Middle School
Middle · Grades 6–8
A−
721 students18:1Rate it →
Fernandina Beach High School
High · Grades 9–12
A−
978 students17:1Rate it →
Other district programsby referral or application
Nassau County Community School
High · Grades 6–12
Alternative Education
76 students19:1Rate it →
Online schools based in Fernandina Beachnot counted as local schools
Nassau Virtual Franchise
Grades K–12
A
Online
74 students2:1Rate it →
Private schoolstuition; no state tests, so no grade
St. Michel Academy
Elementary · Grades PK–8
Private · Catholic
249 students19:1Rate it →

Left off: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Nassau Adult and Career Center, Nassau Virtual Instruction Program, Nassau Virtual Instruction Program (District Provided) and Contracted Residential Services).

Questions about Fernandina Beach’s schools

Are Fernandina Beach’s schools good?

By Florida’s own tests, yes: the public schools Fernandina Beach children attend outscore 91% of Florida’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A Schools grade, #15 of 638 Florida towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 96%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.

What school district is Fernandina Beach in?

Nassau County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 12,575 students in 18 schools (2024–25).

Where do Fernandina Beach kids go to high school?

Fernandina Beach High School, with 978 students; its own test results earn an A−.

What is Fernandina Beach’s graduation rate?

91% of the class of 2023 in Nassau County School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida.

How much does Fernandina Beach spend per student?

$11,625 in Nassau County School District (FY2024), against $13,006 across Florida. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.

Are there private schools in Fernandina Beach?

Yes: St. Michel Academy (Catholic, grades PK–8, 249 students).

Parents talk

What Fernandina Beach families are saying about school.

Town Square →
Start the conversation

Looking for colleges? Colleges near Fernandina Beach → They have their own page.

School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Florida. Stars are from neighbors.