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Very Good

#1086 of 3,777 schools in FL

Top 29% in state

C. W. Ruckel Middle School

Middle School · OKALOOSA

201 PARTIN DR N, Niceville, FL 32578

Enrollment

1,054

Student-Teacher

20.3:1

Score

7.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Niceville

#1 of 6

public schools

Florida middle schools

#63 of 573

In district

#8 of 46

OKALOOSA

Academic performance

9.1 / 10

Exceptional

About C. W. Ruckel Middle School

C.W. Ruckel Middle School serves 1,054 students in grades 6-8 in Niceville, Florida, earning recognition as one of the area's strongest middle schools. With a MySchoolScout rating of 8.0 out of 10 and ranking in the 84th percentile statewide at #610 out of 3,816 Florida schools, Ruckel demonstrates solid academic performance across core subjects.

The school's 52 full-time equivalent teachers maintain a 20.3-to-1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonable class sizes for middle school learners. Students show particularly strong achievement in mathematics, with 82% scoring proficient or above, while 73% meet proficiency standards in English Language Arts and reading. These results reflect the school's 9.2 out of 10 academic score.

Ruckel serves families in a well-established community where 43% of adults hold bachelor's degrees or higher, and the median household income reaches $101,422. The surrounding neighborhood maintains a low 8% poverty rate, with median home values of $386,300, indicating a stable residential area that supports educational achievement. Located on Partin Drive North in this mid-size suburb of Okaloosa County, C.W.

Ruckel Middle School operates within a community of over 34,000 residents who prioritize education and family stability.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at C. W. Ruckel Middle School is 20.3:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.6Very Good40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.42 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics9.1Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency81%
Reading/ELA Proficiency71%
Math vs. State Avg+25.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+16.6 pts
Overall Proficiency76%
Expected (poverty-adj.)65%
vs. Expected+11.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile86th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,590

C. W. Ruckel Middle School — Students at C. W. Ruckel Middle School score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 65%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

20.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 82.6%
School
State
52.5%
ELA Proficiency 73.0%
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
86%
ELA
74%
2021*
Math
81%
ELA
71%
2024
Math
82%
ELA
73.3%

* 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: 7.6/10.

How C. W. Ruckel Middle School Compares

See how C. W. Ruckel Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.3/10
71th percentile in FL
Academic
9.1/10
9.1/10
Growth
7.6/10
Above average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
21%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers

Location

201 PARTIN DR N, Niceville, FL 32578

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering C. W. Ruckel Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. OKALOOSA STEMM CENTER (rated 8.5/10, 1.7 miles away, in nearby Valparaiso), which scores notably higher. Another option is DESTIN MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 9.0 miles away, in nearby Destin), with a comparable rating. Additionally, CLIFFORD MEIGS MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 8.2 miles away, in nearby Shalimar), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Niceville, see our Niceville schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 10.1 mi
School Distance Rating
NICEVILLE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Niceville 0.1 mi 6.3
ROCKY BAYOU CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Niceville 0.9 mi 7.2
EMERALD COAST AUTISM CENTER Niceville 1.1 mi
JAMES E PLEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Niceville 1.0 mi 6.8
COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL AT NORTHWEST FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE Niceville 1.1 mi 6.0
LULA J. EDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Niceville 1.2 mi 6.0
ST PAUL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Niceville 1.3 mi 6.2
OKALOOSA STEMM CENTER Valparaiso 1.7 mi 8.5
ADDIE R. LEWIS SCHOOL Valparaiso 2.3 mi 6.6
BLUEWATER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Niceville 4.1 mi 7.0
EGLIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Eglin Afb 5.6 mi 8.0
DESTIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Destin 8.4 mi 6.7
SHALIMAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Shalimar 7.7 mi 6.2
LONGWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Shalimar 7.8 mi 4.2
CLIFFORD MEIGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Shalimar 8.2 mi 6.6
DESTIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Destin 9.0 mi 6.9
DESTIN HIGH SCHOOL Destin 9.3 mi 3.8
KENWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Walton Beach 9.0 mi 7.4
OKALOOSA TECHNICAL COLLEGE Fort Walton Beach 9.1 mi 6.3
ELLIOTT POINT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Walton Beach 10.1 mi 6.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 32578 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$105,858

Median Home Value

$414,900

Median Rent

$1,744/mo

Population

33,948

College Educated

45%

Homeownership

78%

Avg Commute

26.7 min

Poverty Rate

7.2%

Median Age

42.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding C. W. Ruckel Middle School has a median household income of $105,858. It is a well-educated community where 45% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $414,900, with a median rent of $1,744/month. The local poverty rate of 7.2% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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
EMERALD COAST MIDDLE SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach, FL 7.3
FRUIT COVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Saint Johns, FL 7.3
HERON CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL North Port, FL 7.3
JOHN F. KENNEDY MIDDLE SCHOOL Riviera Beach, FL 7.3
JORGE MAS CANOSA MIDDLE SCHOOL Miami, FL 7.3
WEST HERNANDO MIDDLE SCHOOL Brooksville, FL 7.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about C. W. Ruckel Middle School

What grades does C. W. Ruckel Middle School serve?

C. W. Ruckel Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend C. W. Ruckel Middle School?

C. W. Ruckel Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,054 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at C. W. Ruckel Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at C. W. Ruckel Middle School is 20.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does C. W. Ruckel Middle School rank in FL?

C. W. Ruckel Middle School is ranked #1086 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is C. W. Ruckel Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

C. W. Ruckel Middle School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 C. W. Ruckel Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, C. W. Ruckel Middle School has 82.6% math proficiency and 73.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is C. W. Ruckel Middle School a charter school?

No, C. W. Ruckel Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is C. W. Ruckel Middle School a Title I school?

No, C. W. Ruckel Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for C. W. Ruckel Middle School?

20.5% of students at C. W. Ruckel Middle School 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
61 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
53 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR. County-level only.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,054
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.3:1
Teachers (FTE)
52
Free/Reduced Lunch
20.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize Suburb
County
Okaloosa County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

OKALOOSA
District Enrollment
32,426
Schools in District
52
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,809
District Rank
#8 of 46

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

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