Southern Oaks Middle School

Q: Is Southern Oaks Middle School a good school?

Southern Oaks Middle School ranks 860 th of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Summary:

Southern Oaks Middle School is a public middle school in Port St Lucie, Florida, serving 894 students in grades 6-8. The school stands out for its strong academic performance, particularly in advanced math courses, but also faces challenges related to chronic absenteeism and declining statewide rankings.

One of the key strengths of Southern Oaks Middle School is its impressive proficiency rates in Algebra 1 and Geometry end-of-course exams, significantly outperforming the St. Lucie school district and the state of Florida. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school had an 81% proficiency rate in Algebra 1, compared to just 41% for the district and 55% for the state. Similarly, the school's 96% proficiency rate in Geometry was much higher than the district's 35% and the state's 53%. However, the school's overall statewide ranking has been declining, dropping from 451 out of 997 Florida middle schools in 2015-2016 to 860 out of 1,196 in 2023-2024, suggesting it may be struggling in other areas that contribute to the overall ranking.

Another notable aspect of Southern Oaks Middle School is its relatively balanced racial diversity, with approximately 30% White, 32% African American, and 31% Hispanic students. This is in contrast to some of the nearby schools, such as Hidden Oaks Middle School in the Martin district, which consistently ranks among the top middle schools in the state. However, Southern Oaks Middle School faces challenges with a high chronic absenteeism rate, which has risen from 17% in 2019-2020 to 40.4% in the 2022-2023 school year, significantly higher than the state average and nearby schools.

Detail:

Public 6-8

5500 NE Saint James Dr
Port St Lucie, FL 34983

(772) 785-5640

District: St. Lucie

SchoolDigger Rank:
860^th of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,750

Feeder schools for Southern Oaks Middle School:

Elementary:	Floresta Elementary School
	Mariposa Elementary School
	Morningside Elementary School
	Northport K-8 School
	More...
	Rivers Edge Elementary School
	Savanna Ridge Elementary School
	Village Green Environmental Studies School

Student/teacher ratio: 22.6

Number of students: 907

Racial breakdown:

African American:

35.4%

Hispanic:

32.9%

White:

25.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 66%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Southern Oaks Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Southern Oaks Middle School ranks worse than 71.9% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 2^nd among 4 ranked middle schools in the St. Lucie School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 30.2. (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 Southern Oaks Middle School has the largest middle school student body size in the St. Lucie School District. Student population at Southern Oaks Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (35.4%), Hispanic (32.9%), White (25.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 66% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Southern Oaks Middle School is 22.6, which is the highest among 4 middle schools in the St. Lucie School District! (See more...)

Compare Southern Oaks Middle School employs 40 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Southern Oaks Middle School is $9,750, which is the lowest among 4 middle schools in the St. Lucie School District!

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

SchoolDigger ranks Southern Oaks Middle School 860^th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Southern Oaks Middle School in the ranking list.)

St. Lucie:

SchoolDigger ranks St. Lucie 47^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Southern Oaks Middle School.

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Rank History for Southern Oaks Middle School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	39.74	387^th	593	34.7%
2005	45.24	362^nd	602	39.9%
2006	36.05	462^nd	675	31.6%
2007	45.00	431^st	736	41.4%
2008	54.91	363^rd	740	50.9%
2009	51.09	414^th	780	46.9%
2010	54.56	414^th	839	50.7%
2011	59.84	379^th	891	57.5%
2012	57.90	384^th	897	57.2%
2013	63.05	351^st	956	63.3%
2014	55.90	440^th	999	56.0%
2016	53.35	451^st	997	54.8%
2017	49.29	519^th	1031	49.7%
2018	43.44	591^st	1035	42.9%
2019	39.91	676^th	1099	38.5%
2021	32.48	771^st	1136	32.1%
2022	31.42	792^nd	1148	31.0%
2023	23.87	926^th	1177	21.3%
2024	30.20	860^th	1196	28.1%

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: 1)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Tuesday, May 26, 2015

My daughter was on the principals honor roll and the honor roll in the 6th grade. She is an amazing athlete and was interested in all the sports offered. In 7th grade she was suspended for talking!!! How do you suspend a child for talking?? Close Quote

Enrollment information for Southern Oaks Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1995	683	235	7	120	3	n/a	n/a	0	1048
1996	683	235	7	120	3	n/a	n/a	0	1048
1997	727	287	5	115	4	n/a	n/a	0	1138
1998	702	258	7	107	4	n/a	n/a	0	1078
1999	661	227	9	118	2	n/a	n/a	0	1017
2000	631	246	4	136	1	n/a	n/a	0	1018
2001	645	248	2	151	3	n/a	n/a	0	1049
2002	578	286	4	166	1	n/a	n/a	0	1035
2003	578	286	4	166	1	n/a	n/a	0	1035
2004	635	279	9	198	2	n/a	n/a	0	1123
2005	640	294	5	234	3	n/a	n/a	0	1176
2006	504	261	6	252	5	n/a	n/a	0	1028
2007	427	191	11	190	6	n/a	n/a	35	860
2008	442	170	19	191	6	n/a	n/a	36	864
2009	485	180	14	198	3	n/a	n/a	48	928
2010	502	184	17	199	1	n/a	n/a	53	956
2011	481	206	11	192	2	3	40	0	935
2012	483	229	15	203	1	3	41	0	975
2013	456	223	14	210	3	3	30	0	939
2014	443	221	13	233	0	5	35	0	950
2015	423	195	13	231	1	6	32	0	901
2016	429	195	14	243	1	4	32	0	918
2017	405	182	15	249	1	3	32	0	887
2018	431	191	12	273	0	3	39	0	949
2019	362	207	10	272	1	4	44	0	900
2020	357	211	12	270	2	3	48	0	903
2021	325	190	9	253	1	2	47	0	827
2022	301	205	9	262	1	2	49	0	829
2023	274	293	6	274	0	2	45	0	894
2024	232	321	10	298	0	2	44	0	907

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 Southern Oaks Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1995	1048	61.0	17.2	44.8
1996	1048	61.0	17.2	44.8
1997	1138	62.0	18.4	45.9
1998	1078	60.0	18.0	45.8
1999	1017	56.0	18.2	58.4
2000	1018	50.0	20.4	59.8
2001	1049	51.0	20.6	58.9
2002	1035	49.0	21.1	60.9
2003	1035	49.0	21.1	60.9
2004	1123	48.0	23.4	54.9
2005	1176	49.0	24.0	52.6
2006	1028	53.0	19.4	58
2007	860	48.0	17.9	57.5
2008	864	50.5	17.1	55.7
2009	928	64.3	17.2	61.6
2010	956	51.0	18.7	64.5
2011	935	59.0	15.8	58.3
2012	975	66.0	14.7	60.9
2013	939	62.0	15.1	60.1
2014	950	54.0	17.5	63.8
2015	901	56.0	16.0	60.6
2016	918	55.0	16.6	67.3
2017	887	55.0	16.1	67.3
2018	949	53.0	17.9	66.5
2019	900	55.0	16.3	64.4
2020	903	51.1	17.6	62.8
2021	827	43.1	19.1	69.3
2022	829	39.0	21.2	63.6
2023	894	37.0	24.1	76.5
2024	907	40.0	22.6	66

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 Southern Oaks Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1995	1048	61.0	17.2	44.8
1996	1048	61.0	17.2	44.8
1997	1138	62.0	18.4	45.9
1998	1078	60.0	18.0	45.8
1999	1017	56.0	18.2	58.4
2000	1018	50.0	20.4	59.8
2001	1049	51.0	20.6	58.9
2002	1035	49.0	21.1	60.9
2003	1035	49.0	21.1	60.9
2004	1123	48.0	23.4	54.9
2005	1176	49.0	24.0	52.6
2006	1028	53.0	19.4	58
2007	860	48.0	17.9	57.5
2008	864	50.5	17.1	55.7
2009	928	64.3	17.2	61.6
2010	956	51.0	18.7	64.5
2011	935	59.0	15.8	58.3
2012	975	66.0	14.7	60.9
2013	939	62.0	15.1	60.1
2014	950	54.0	17.5	63.8
2015	901	56.0	16.0	60.6
2016	918	55.0	16.6	67.3
2017	887	55.0	16.1	67.3
2018	949	53.0	17.9	66.5
2019	900	55.0	16.3	64.4
2020	903	51.1	17.6	62.8
2021	827	43.1	19.1	69.3
2022	829	39.0	21.2	63.6
2023	894	37.0	24.1	76.5
2024	907	40.0	22.6	66

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 Southern Oaks Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$310 (4.2%)	$7,075 (95.8%)	$7,385
2019	$625 (7.9%)	$7,265 (92.1%)	$7,889
2020	$579 (7.0%)	$7,667 (93.0%)	$8,245
2021	$847 (9.2%)	$8,343 (90.8%)	$9,189
2022	$1,148 (12.7%)	$7,905 (87.3%)	$9,053
2023	$1,608 (16.5%)	$8,142 (83.5%)	$9,750

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Southern Oaks 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 676^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 926^th of 1177 Middle schools	17.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Southern Oaks Middle School)	49	42	7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (St. Lucie)	51	49	2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Southern Oaks Middle School)	49	36	13%
6th Grade Mathematics (St. Lucie)	47	42	5%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Southern Oaks Middle School)	47	30	17%
7th Grade English Language Arts (St. Lucie)	49	43	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Southern Oaks Middle School)	36	28	8%
7th Grade Mathematics (St. Lucie)	50	41	9%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Southern Oaks Middle School)	53	45	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (St. Lucie)	54	45	9%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Southern Oaks Middle School)	31	15	16%
8th Grade Mathematics (St. Lucie)	34	26	8%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Southern Oaks Middle School)	42	33	9%
8th Grade Science (St. Lucie)	48	41	7%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Southern Oaks Middle School)	73	49	24%
End of Course Civics (St. Lucie)	68	61	7%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Southern Oaks Middle School)	84	83	1%
End of Course Algebra 1 (St. Lucie)	51	49	2%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Southern Oaks Middle School)	97	100	3%
End of Course Geometry (St. Lucie)	55	39	16%
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	900	894	0.7%
African American	207	293	41.5%
American Indian	1	0	100%
Asian	10	6	40%
Hispanic	272	274	0.7%
Pacific Islander	4	2	50%
White	362	274	24.3%
Two or More Races	44	45	2.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	64.4%	76.5%	12.1%

Schools Near Southern Oaks 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
Southern Oaks Middle School	Public	6-8	5500 NE Saint James Dr	Port St Lucie	34983	St. Lucie County	St. Lucie	No	No	No	Yes	(772) 785-5640	907	40	22.6	66.0%	232 (25.6%)	321 (35.4%)	298 (32.9%)	10 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	44 (4.9%)	30.2	860^th of 1196 public middle schools	28.1%		23.9	926^th of 1177 public middle schools	21.3%	66	40.0	35.0	40.0	26.0	20.0	58.0	34.0	81.0	96.0	52.0	$9,750	$1,608	$8,142
Forest Grove Middle School	Public	6-8	3201 S 25th St	Fort Pierce	34981	St. Lucie County	St. Lucie	No	No	No	Yes	(772) 468-5885	853	43	19.8	72.0%	155 (18.2%)	347 (40.7%)	308 (36.1%)	9 (1.1%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (3.9%)	25.6	921^st of 1196 public middle schools	23.0%		22.5	949^th of 1177 public middle schools	19.4%	28	43.0	28.0	38.0	27.0	16.0	45.0	37.0	86.0	100.0	41.0	$11,142	$2,009	$9,133
Dan McCarty Middle School	Public	6-8	1201 Mississippi Ave	Fort Pierce	34950	St. Lucie County	St. Lucie	No	No	No	Yes	(772) 468-5700	711	40	17.7	76.9%	79 (11.1%)	383 (53.9%)	225 (31.6%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (3.0%)	19.5	1003^rd of 1196 public middle schools	16.1%		16.1	1027^th of 1177 public middle schools	12.7%	24	34.0	29.0	28.0	40.0	22.0	35.0	30.0	72.0		41.0	$12,954	$2,662	$10,292
Southport Middle School	Public	6-8	2420 SE Morningside Blvd	Port St Lucie	34952	St. Lucie County	St. Lucie	No	No	No	Yes	(772) 337-5900	866	46	18.8	61.7%	303 (35.0%)	207 (23.9%)	276 (31.9%)	22 (2.5%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	55 (6.4%)	41.5	701^st of 1196 public middle schools	41.4%		33.3	798^th of 1177 public middle schools	32.2%	97	47.0	48.0	49.0	51.0	33.0	47.0	40.0	83.0	96.0	59.0	$11,243	$1,760	$9,483
Stuart Middle School	Public	6-8	575 SE Georgia Ave	Stuart	34994	Martin County	Martin	No	No	No	No	(772) 219-1685	823	44	18.7	50.3%	509 (61.8%)	90 (10.9%)	181 (22.0%)	16 (1.9%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	25 (3.0%)	53.9	531^st of 1196 public middle schools	55.6%		55.4	491^st of 1177 public middle schools	58.3%	40	55.0	48.0	54.0	57.0	57.0	30.0	50.0	83.0	100.0	88.0	$10,567	$891	$9,677
Hidden Oaks Middle School	Public	6-8	2801 SW Martin Hwy	Palm City	34990	Martin County	Martin	No	No	No	No	(772) 219-1655	995	52	19.1	24.7%	800 (80.4%)	10 (1.0%)	130 (13.1%)	25 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	28 (2.8%)	77.6	231^st of 1196 public middle schools	80.7%		82	174^th of 1177 public middle schools	85.2%	57	68.0	63.0	69.0	67.0	78.0	48.0	64.0	96.0	98.0	89.0	$10,782	$753	$10,029
Oslo Middle School	Public	6-8	480 20th Ave SW	Vero Beach	32962	Indian River County	Indian River	No	No	No	Yes	(772) 564-3980	834	44	18.9	69.7%	322 (38.6%)	216 (25.9%)	223 (26.7%)	12 (1.4%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	58 (7.0%)	46.3	642^nd of 1196 public middle schools	46.3%		44.5	643^rd of 1177 public middle schools	45.4%	1	54.0	42.0	42.0	57.0	42.0	54.0	48.0	74.0	89.0	66.0	$10,154	$2,403	$7,749
Dr. David L. Anderson Middle School	Public	6-8	7000 SE Atlantic Ridge Dr	Stuart	34997	Martin County	Martin	No	No	No	Yes	(772) 221-7100	968	54	17.9	67.6%	333 (34.4%)	55 (5.7%)	528 (54.5%)	15 (1.5%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (3.7%)	29.4	873^rd of 1196 public middle schools	27.0%		35.9	756^th of 1177 public middle schools	35.8%	117	40.0	31.0	38.0	30.0	48.0	29.0	39.0	85.0	96.0	77.0	$10,195	$1,316	$8,878
Murray Middle School	Public	6-8	4400 SE Murray St	Stuart	34997	Martin County	Martin	No	No	No	Yes	(772) 219-1670	628	35	17.9	68.3%	265 (42.2%)	74 (11.8%)	266 (42.4%)	4 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (2.9%)	37.3	761^st of 1196 public middle schools	36.4%		40.6	693^rd of 1177 public middle schools	41.1%	68	44.0	37.0	52.0	25.0	49.0	23.0	47.0	72.0	100.0	72.0	$12,788	$1,706	$11,081

Frequently Asked Questions about Southern Oaks Middle School

How many students attend Southern Oaks Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 907 students attended Southern Oaks Middle School.

What district is Southern Oaks Middle School in?

St. Lucie

What is the racial makeup of Southern Oaks Middle School?

Students at Southern Oaks Middle School are 35% African American, 33% Hispanic, 26% White, 5% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

Is Southern Oaks Middle School a good school?

Southern Oaks Middle School ranks 860^th of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

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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.