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Excellent

#148 of 3,777 schools in FL

Top 4% in state

Bak Middle School of the Arts

Middle School · PALM BEACH

1725 ECHO LAKE DR, West Palm Beach, FL 33407

Enrollment

1,217

Student-Teacher

16.9:1

Score

8.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In West Palm Beach

#2 of 49

public schools

Florida middle schools

#3 of 573

In district

#9 of 221

PALM BEACH

Academic performance

9.9 / 10

Exceptional

About Bak Middle School of the Arts

BAK Middle School of the Arts is a public middle school in West Palm Beach, Florida, serving grades 6 through 8. Enrollment stands at 1,217 students, with a student-teacher ratio of 16.9 to 1. The school earns a composite score of 9.1 out of 10 — rated Exceptional — anchored by a near-perfect academic score of 9.9 out of 10 and a growth score of 8.1.

The numbers place BAK at the top of nearly every comparison group. It ranks third among all 573 middle schools in Florida, and second out of 49 schools in West Palm Beach — outperforming 98 percent of public schools statewide. Those figures put it among a small handful of schools in the state that consistently score at this level across both academic achievement and student growth.

For families evaluating West Palm Beach middle schools, BAK's standing is hard to ignore. A 9.9 academic score signals that students here perform well above state averages. The 8.1 growth score adds important context: the school isn't just serving high performers — it's advancing them.

Both metrics together make a strong case that instruction quality, not just student demographics, is driving results.

What's said publicly about Bak Middle School of the Arts

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.

Bak Middle School of the Arts operates under a mission to empower students with knowledge, skills, and self-confidence to achieve goals in the arts, academics, and life 1 . The school’s vision focuses on creating a diverse arts community to foster growth and creativity 1 . Admissions for the school are handled through the Department of Choice and Career Options 1 . The institution offers before- and after-school clubs and activities designed to help students explore creativity and learn technical skills 1 . School Food Service provides free breakfast and lunch during the school year 1 . The Florida Department of Education invites parents of students with Individualized Educational Plans (IEP) receiving Exceptional Student Education (ESE) services to complete a survey for the 2025–2026 school year, which closes on June 15, 2026 1 . Veronica Torres Romero serves as the Parent and Family Services Specialist for inquiries regarding the survey 1 . The school yearbook for 2025–2026 is published by Walsworth, with limited availability and increasing costs as the year progresses 1 . Recent calendar events include Teacher Appreciation Week, ELA testing, a regional track meet at Dwyer HS, National School Nurse Day, and a Jazz Under the Stars event 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. msoa.palmbeachschools.org
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.1 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.9Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency89%
Reading/ELA Proficiency93%
Math vs. State Avg+33.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+38.6 pts
Overall Proficiency91%
Expected (poverty-adj.)64%
vs. Expected+26.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile99th
Resources & Environment7.8Very Good25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.9:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,612

Bak Middle School of the Arts — Students at Bak Middle School of the Arts score 91% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 64%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

21.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 94.0%
School
State
52.5%
ELA Proficiency 94.2%
School
State
51.8%

Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
95%
ELA
96%
2021*
Math
89%
ELA
93%
2024
Math
95.3%
ELA
94%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.1/10.

How Bak Middle School of the Arts Compares

See how Bak Middle School of the Arts performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.7/10
96th percentile in FL
Academic
9.9/10
9.9/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
7.8/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
72 teachers

Location

1725 ECHO LAKE DR, West Palm Beach, FL 33407

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bak Middle School of the Arts may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ROOSEVELT MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, BEAR LAKES MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 1.8 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in West Palm Beach, see our West Palm Beach schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.9 mi
School Distance Rating
EPHESUS ADVENTIST ACADEMY West Palm Beach 0.3 mi 5.0
CAREER ACADEMY OF THE PALM BEACHES Boynton Beach 0.4 mi 5.6
THE FOUNDATIONS SCHOOL AT CENTER FOR CREATIVE EDUC West Palm Beach 0.7 mi 7.4
HIGHRIDGE FAMILY CENTER West Palm Beach 1.0 mi
BELIEVERS ACADEMY West Palm Beach 1.1 mi 7.4
OUR SACRED ACADEMY INC. West Palm Beach 1.1 mi
PALM BEACH REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER West Palm Beach 1.1 mi 6.7
ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM CENTRAL West Palm Beach 1.1 mi
NORTHMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Palm Beach 1.3 mi 5.4
PALM BEACH LAKES HIGH SCHOOL West Palm Beach 1.4 mi 3.3
WEST RIVIERA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Riviera Beach 1.6 mi 3.0
UNIVERSITY PREPARATORY ACADEMY PALM BEACH West Palm Beach 1.7 mi 5.0
LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Riviera Beach 1.8 mi 4.8
TEEN PARENT PROGRAM - PK Riviera Beach 1.8 mi
DR. MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE ELEMENTARY Riviera Beach 1.9 mi 4.8
POTENTIALS CHARTER SCHOOL Riviera Beach 1.8 mi
SEAGULL ACADEMY Riviera Beach 1.8 mi
ROOSEVELT MIDDLE SCHOOL West Palm Beach 1.8 mi 7.6
BEAR LAKES MIDDLE SCHOOL West Palm Beach 1.8 mi 6.5
WESTWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Palm Beach 1.9 mi 5.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33407 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,606

Median Home Value

$290,500

Median Rent

$1,551/mo

Population

34,728

College Educated

26.2%

Homeownership

47.6%

Avg Commute

22.9 min

Poverty Rate

23.2%

Median Age

37.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bak Middle School of the Arts has a median household income of $56,606. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $290,500, with a median rent of $1,551/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.2%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 23 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
DON ESTRIDGE HIGH TECH MIDDLE SCHOOL Boca Raton, FL 8.4
WALTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Defuniak Springs, FL 8.3
CLEARWATER FUNDAMENTAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Clearwater, FL 8.1
YULEE MIDDLE SCHOOL Yulee, FL 8.1
OAKRIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Naples, FL 8.0
BRIDGEWATER MIDDLE Winter Garden, FL 7.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bak Middle School of the Arts

What grades does Bak Middle School of the Arts serve?

Bak Middle School of the Arts serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Bak Middle School of the Arts?

Bak Middle School of the Arts has an enrollment of approximately 1,217 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bak Middle School of the Arts?

The student-teacher ratio at Bak Middle School of the Arts is 16.9:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bak Middle School of the Arts rank in FL?

Bak Middle School of the Arts is ranked #148 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Bak Middle School of the Arts's MySchoolScout rating?

Bak Middle School of the Arts has a composite rating of 8.7 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bak Middle School of the Arts?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bak Middle School of the Arts has 94.0% math proficiency and 94.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bak Middle School of the Arts a charter school?

No, Bak Middle School of the Arts is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bak Middle School of the Arts a Title I school?

No, Bak Middle School of the Arts is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bak Middle School of the Arts?

21.1% of students at Bak Middle School of the Arts qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
34 Some Transit
Bike Score
39 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,726/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (West Palm Beach). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,217
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.9:1
Teachers (FTE)
72
Free/Reduced Lunch
21.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Palm Beach County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

PALM BEACH
District Enrollment
189,777
Schools in District
235
Per-Pupil Spending
$13,897
District Rank
#9 of 221

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

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