Southwest Middle School

Q: Is Southwest Middle School a good school?

Southwest Middle School ranks 773 rd of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Southwest Middle School is a public middle school located in Palm Bay, Florida, serving grades 7-8 with a total enrollment of 920 students. The school is part of the Brevard District, which is ranked 22 out of 68 districts in Florida and is rated 3 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

Southwest Middle School stands out from nearby schools like Delaura Middle School, Lyndon B. Johnson Middle School, and Herbert C. Hoover Middle School in several ways. It has a more diverse student population, with a higher percentage of African American and Hispanic students. However, its academic performance, as measured by standardized test scores, is generally lower than the nearby schools, with proficiency rates below the district and state averages. Additionally, Southwest Middle School has a significantly higher chronic absenteeism rate and a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch.

Despite the lower academic performance, Southwest Middle School has a higher spending per student compared to the nearby schools. The school's declining performance over the years, as evidenced by its dropping statewide ranking and star rating, suggests that there may be unique challenges the school is facing that the other schools do not. The higher student-teacher ratio at Southwest Middle School may also contribute to the lower academic performance. Overall, the insights about Southwest Middle School indicate that it faces some significant challenges that the nearby schools do not, and there may be opportunities for improvement in addressing these issues.

Detail:

Public 7-8

451 Eldron Blvd SE
Palm Bay, FL 32909

(321) 952-5800

District: Brevard

SchoolDigger Rank:
773^rd of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,724

Students who attend Southwest Middle School usually attend:

High:

Bayside High School

Feeder schools for Southwest Middle School:

Elementary:	Columbia Elementary School
	John F. Turner Senior Elementary School
	Sunrise Elementary School
	Westside Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 17.2

Number of students: 899

Racial breakdown:

White:

44.3%

African American:

25.6%

Hispanic:

18.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 57.5%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Southwest Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Southwest Middle School ranks worse than 64.6% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 9^th among 11 ranked middle schools in the Brevard School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 36.39. (See more...)

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 Southwest Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (44.3%), African American (25.6%), Hispanic (18.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 57.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Southwest Middle School is 17.2. 5 middle schools in the Brevard School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Southwest Middle School employs 52 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Southwest Middle School is $9,724. 9 middle schools in the Brevard School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Southwest Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Southwest Middle School 773^rd of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Southwest Middle School in the ranking list.)

Brevard:

SchoolDigger ranks Brevard 22^nd of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Southwest Middle School.

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Rank History for Southwest Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	78.61	120^th	675	82.2%
2007	73.47	188^th	736	74.5%
2008	70.90	205^th	740	72.3%
2009	68.18	260^th	780	66.7%
2010	67.88	278^th	839	66.9%
2011	69.21	281^st	891	68.5%
2012	62.59	334^th	897	62.8%
2013	60.39	367^th	956	61.6%
2014	53.67	461^st	999	53.9%
2016	50.77	489^th	997	51.0%
2017	47.46	538^th	1031	47.8%
2018	44.37	583^rd	1035	43.7%
2019	43.11	640^th	1099	41.8%
2021	29.05	817^th	1136	28.1%
2022	30.93	806^th	1148	29.8%
2023	26.80	886^th	1177	24.7%
2024	36.39	773^rd	1196	35.4%

See the entire list of Florida Middle School Rankings!

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

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 3)

50%

Reviews:

by a student on FaceBook
Friday, March 21, 2014

The teachers are nice but the map score are chorus women, excellent, chorus men, superior, orchestra beginning and advanced, excellent, and band's wind ensemble, good the lowest the school has ever had Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, February 24, 2014

it is so sad that southwest claims to be a school that has special needs education, but if they have a special needs child with a color thats not their favorite, they will push that child out in the schools for children with real behavioral problems. dont send your special needs child there, its not for them. sad, sad sad. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Southwest Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1989	934	67	6	30	0	n/a	n/a	0	1037
1990	1057	75	20	44	0	n/a	n/a	0	1196
1991	1120	115	25	57	2	n/a	n/a	0	1319
1992	1179	142	24	61	2	n/a	n/a	0	1408
1993	1298	168	13	64	2	n/a	n/a	0	1545
1994	1367	194	18	73	1	n/a	n/a	0	1653
1995	1517	223	24	100	6	n/a	n/a	0	1870
1996	1517	223	24	100	6	n/a	n/a	0	1870
1997	1472	231	30	100	8	n/a	n/a	0	1841
1998	1545	252	31	105	7	n/a	n/a	0	1940
1999	1080	182	21	60	2	n/a	n/a	0	1345
2000	1097	176	14	81	3	n/a	n/a	0	1371
2001	1027	185	19	102	4	n/a	n/a	0	1337
2002	1096	230	17	153	3	n/a	n/a	0	1499
2003	1096	230	17	153	3	n/a	n/a	0	1499
2004	1024	201	12	173	2	n/a	n/a	0	1412
2005	993	226	11	177	6	n/a	n/a	0	1413
2006	969	250	18	195	6	n/a	n/a	0	1438
2007	904	287	15	185	3	n/a	n/a	66	1460
2008	848	325	13	173	7	n/a	n/a	61	1427
2009	779	318	17	178	7	n/a	n/a	73	1372
2010	785	301	23	162	7	n/a	n/a	74	1352
2011	546	206	16	175	7	1	65	0	1016
2012	540	202	11	178	2	2	88	0	1023
2013	528	197	10	185	4	1	69	0	994
2014	500	211	13	177	6	1	58	0	966
2015	444	221	10	159	3	1	67	0	905
2016	450	209	8	154	3	0	57	0	881
2017	424	197	11	197	2	0	49	0	880
2018	413	175	5	193	4	0	52	0	842
2019	414	175	10	172	2	1	59	0	833
2020	426	211	13	172	3	1	72	0	898
2021	417	213	9	177	4	0	84	0	904
2022	445	220	8	191	3	2	71	0	940
2023	413	233	11	185	4	2	72	0	920
2024	398	230	11	167	4	2	87	0	899

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 Southwest Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	1037	49.0	21.1	15
1990	1196	57.0	20.9	22.6
1991	1319	71.0	18.5	18.7
1992	1408	76.0	18.5	19.5
1993	1545	77.0	20.1	23.2
1994	1653	88.0	18.8	25.4
1995	1870	97.0	19.3	22.1
1996	1870	97.0	19.3	22.1
1997	1841	95.0	19.4	22.1
1998	1940	99.0	19.6	19.8
1999	1345	70.0	19.2	26.2
2000	1371	71.0	19.3	10.1
2001	1337	75.0	17.8	38.9
2002	1499	80.0	18.7	37.1
2003	1499	80.0	18.7	37.1
2004	1412	81.0	17.4	29.2
2005	1413	78.0	18.1	42.8
2006	1438	79.0	18.2	36.6
2007	1460	77.0	19.0	39
2008	1427	83.0	17.2	46.3
2009	1372	90.2	16.5	52.5
2010	1352	87.5	15.4	58.9
2011	1016	70.0	14.5	55.3
2012	1023	61.0	16.7	59
2013	994	65.0	15.2	62
2014	966	50.0	19.3	63.7
2015	905	53.0	17.0	64.2
2016	881	53.0	16.6	65.7
2017	880	50.0	17.6	68.3
2018	842	53.0	15.8	61.3
2019	833	50.0	16.6	64.8
2020	898	46.0	19.5	61.2
2021	904	49.0	18.4	67.8
2022	940	48.0	19.5	67.3
2023	920	46.0	20.0	57.6
2024	899	52.0	17.2	57.5

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 Southwest Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1989	1037	49.0	21.1	15
1990	1196	57.0	20.9	22.6
1991	1319	71.0	18.5	18.7
1992	1408	76.0	18.5	19.5
1993	1545	77.0	20.1	23.2
1994	1653	88.0	18.8	25.4
1995	1870	97.0	19.3	22.1
1996	1870	97.0	19.3	22.1
1997	1841	95.0	19.4	22.1
1998	1940	99.0	19.6	19.8
1999	1345	70.0	19.2	26.2
2000	1371	71.0	19.3	10.1
2001	1337	75.0	17.8	38.9
2002	1499	80.0	18.7	37.1
2003	1499	80.0	18.7	37.1
2004	1412	81.0	17.4	29.2
2005	1413	78.0	18.1	42.8
2006	1438	79.0	18.2	36.6
2007	1460	77.0	19.0	39
2008	1427	83.0	17.2	46.3
2009	1372	90.2	16.5	52.5
2010	1352	87.5	15.4	58.9
2011	1016	70.0	14.5	55.3
2012	1023	61.0	16.7	59
2013	994	65.0	15.2	62
2014	966	50.0	19.3	63.7
2015	905	53.0	17.0	64.2
2016	881	53.0	16.6	65.7
2017	880	50.0	17.6	68.3
2018	842	53.0	15.8	61.3
2019	833	50.0	16.6	64.8
2020	898	46.0	19.5	61.2
2021	904	49.0	18.4	67.8
2022	940	48.0	19.5	67.3
2023	920	46.0	20.0	57.6
2024	899	52.0	17.2	57.5

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 Southwest Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$457 (6.0%)	$7,132 (94.0%)	$7,589
2019	$1,014 (11.7%)	$7,632 (88.3%)	$8,645
2020	$333 (4.5%)	$7,046 (95.5%)	$7,378
2021	$584 (7.0%)	$7,791 (93.0%)	$8,375
2022	$1,070 (12.5%)	$7,500 (87.5%)	$8,571
2023	$1,794 (18.4%)	$7,929 (81.5%)	$9,724

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Southwest Middle 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 640^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 886^th of 1177 Middle schools	17%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts (Southwest Middle School)	50	40	10%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Brevard)	58	53	5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Southwest Middle School)	48	30	18%
7th Grade Mathematics (Brevard)	62	53	9%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Southwest Middle School)	50	38	12%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Brevard)	63	52	11%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Southwest Middle School)	28	22	6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Brevard)	43	30	13%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Southwest Middle School)	44	29	15%
8th Grade Science (Brevard)	53	48	5%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Southwest Middle School)	62	48	14%
End of Course Civics (Brevard)	75	69	6%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Southwest Middle School)	91	74	17%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Brevard)	64	54	10%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Southwest Middle School)	98	90	8%
End of Course Geometry (Brevard)	62	51	11%
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	833	920	10.4%
African American	175	233	33.1%
American Indian	2	4	100%
Asian	10	11	10%
Hispanic	172	185	7.6%
Pacific Islander	1	2	100%
White	414	413	0.2%
Two or More Races	59	72	22%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	64.8%	57.6%	7.2%

Schools Near Southwest Middle 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 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 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 Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Southwest Middle School	Public	7-8	451 Eldron Blvd SE	Palm Bay	32909	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 952-5800	899	52	17.2	57.5%	398 (44.3%)	230 (25.6%)	167 (18.6%)	11 (1.2%)	4 (0.4%)	2 (0.2%)	87 (9.7%)	36.4	773^rd of 1196 public middle schools	35.4%		26.8	886^th of 1177 public middle schools	24.7%	113		44.0	43.0		47.0	28.0	30.0	69.0	85.0	60.0	$9,724	$1,794	$7,929
Central Middle School	Public	7-8	2600 Wingate Blvd	West Melbourne	32904	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 722-4150	1,060	58	18.2	53.8%	575 (54.2%)	154 (14.5%)	220 (20.8%)	35 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.4%)	72 (6.8%)	46.5	636^th of 1196 public middle schools	46.8%		43.1	661^st of 1177 public middle schools	43.8%	25		53.0	46.0		47.0	29.0	43.0	57.0	92.0	65.0	$9,741	$1,666	$8,075
Stone Magnet Middle School	Public, Magnet	7-8	1101 E University Blvd	Melbourne	32901	Brevard County	Brevard	No	Yes	No	Yes	(321) 723-0741	585	38	15.3	63.8%	240 (41.0%)	179 (30.6%)	98 (16.8%)	14 (2.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (9.1%)	31.4	850^th of 1196 public middle schools	28.9%		30	845^th of 1177 public middle schools	28.2%	5		46.0	40.0		41.0	17.0	29.0	58.0	85.0	52.0	$12,390	$3,154	$9,236
Herbert C. Hoover Middle School	Public	7-8	2000 Hawk Haven Dr	Indialantic	32903	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 727-1611	443	26	17.0	35.2%	347 (78.3%)	22 (5.0%)	47 (10.6%)	5 (1.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (4.7%)	80.1	200^th of 1196 public middle schools	83.3%		78.5	213^th of 1177 public middle schools	81.9%	13		72.0	66.0		73.0	43.0	59.0	70.0	100.0	80.0	$10,503	$1,695	$8,808
Lyndon B. Johnson Middle School	Public	7-8	2155 Croton Rd	Melbourne	32935	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 242-6430	554	33	16.7	56.5%	294 (53.1%)	74 (13.4%)	125 (22.6%)	5 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	56 (10.1%)	52.1	557^th of 1196 public middle schools	53.4%		51.1	549^th of 1177 public middle schools	53.4%	8		48.0	53.0		54.0	36.0	45.0	82.0	88.0	61.0	$11,144	$1,898	$9,245
Delaura Middle School	Public	7-8	300 Jackson Ave	Satellite Beach	32937	Brevard County	Brevard	No	No	No	No	(321) 773-7581	825	44	18.7	20.7%	638 (77.3%)	23 (2.8%)	73 (8.8%)	19 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	69 (8.4%)	88.3	101^st of 1196 public middle schools	91.6%		86.8	124^th of 1177 public middle schools	89.5%	23		74.0	75.0		81.0	73.0	64.0	95.0	100.0	87.0	$8,860	$1,229	$7,631
Sebastian River Middle School	Public	6-8	9400 Fellsmere Rd	Sebastian	32958	Indian River County	Indian River	No	No	No	Yes	(772) 564-5111	838	39	21.4	60.1%	378 (45.1%)	108 (12.9%)	309 (36.9%)	11 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (3.8%)	53.9	530^th of 1196 public middle schools	55.7%		40.4	697^th of 1177 public middle schools	40.8%	167	52.0	48.0	47.0	60.0	59.0	48.0	54.0	89.0	100.0	62.0	$9,463	$2,598	$6,865
Sebastian Charter Junior High School	Public, Charter	6-8	782 Wave St	Sebastian	32958	Indian River County	Indian River	Yes	No	No	No	(772) 388-8838	296	1	296.0	48.6%	191 (64.5%)	26 (8.8%)	57 (19.3%)	5 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (5.7%)	87.8	111^th of 1196 public middle schools	90.7%		91.4	68^th of 1177 public middle schools	94.2%	43	74.0	72.0	81.0	89.0	26.0	80.0	87.0	91.0	100.0	91.0	$9,842	$1,060	$8,781

Frequently Asked Questions about Southwest Middle School

Is Southwest Middle School a good school?

Southwest Middle School ranks 773^rd of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Southwest Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 899 students attended Southwest Middle School.

What district is Southwest Middle School in?

Brevard

What high school do graduates of Southwest Middle School attend?

Students who attend Southwest Middle School usually go on to attend Bayside High School

What is the racial makeup of Southwest Middle School?

Students at Southwest Middle School are 44% White, 26% African American, 19% Hispanic, 10% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

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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.