Below Average
#3351 of 3,777 schools in FL
Ernest Ward Middle School
Middle School · ESCAMBIA
7650 HIGHWAY 97, Walnut Hill, FL 32568
Enrollment
490
Student-Teacher
27.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
490
Student-Teacher
27.2:1
Score
4.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
Florida middle schools
#519 of 573
In district
#52 of 62
ESCAMBIA
About Ernest Ward Middle School
ERNEST WARD MIDDLE SCHOOL is a regular public middle school located in the rural area of Walnut Hill, Florida. It serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 490 students with a student-teacher ratio of 27.2:1. The school has 18 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse student body.
Academically, Ernest Ward Middle School is rated at 4.6 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks as the 2410th best school out of 3816 in Florida according to state rankings. In terms of proficiency levels, 47% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 45% reach this level in Math. These scores indicate areas where the school is focusing on student development and growth.
With its location in a rural setting, Ernest Ward Middle School provides a close-knit community atmosphere for learning and personal growth.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Ernest Ward Middle School is 27.2:1, 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.
Located in a rural area, Ernest Ward Middle School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ernest Ward Middle School — Students at Ernest Ward Middle School score 48% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 49%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 4.4/10.
How Ernest Ward Middle School Compares
See how Ernest Ward Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 54% (2019) to 48% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 49% (2021).
Location
7650 HIGHWAY 97, Walnut Hill, FL 32568
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Ernest Ward Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. Bay Minette Middle School (rated 5.8/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Bay Minette), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Escambia County Middle School (rated 5.3/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Atmore), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Walnut Hill, see our Walnut Hill schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 18.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WALNUT HILL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Walnut Hill | 1.2 mi | — |
| BRATT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Century | 5.3 mi | 5.5 |
| NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL Century | 6.3 mi | 4.2 |
| TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Atmore | 7.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Escambia County High School Atmore | 7.5 mi | 5.3 |
| Rachel Patterson Elementary School Atmore | 8.4 mi | 7.3 |
| ATMORE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Atmore | 8.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Escambia County Middle School Atmore | 10.3 mi | 5.3 |
| BYRNEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL INC. Century | 10.0 mi | 4.6 |
| Perdido Elementary School Perdido | 11.4 mi | 7.0 |
| MOLINO PARK ELEMENTARY Molino | 12.8 mi | 7.9 |
| Flomaton High School Flomaton | 14.3 mi | 5.0 |
| Flomaton Elementary School Flomaton | 14.3 mi | 7.8 |
| Pine Grove Elementary School Bay Minette | 16.4 mi | 7.5 |
| CHUMUCKLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jay | 17.1 mi | 7.8 |
| Bay Minette Elementary School Bay Minette | 17.7 mi | 8.2 |
| Bay Minette Middle School Bay Minette | 18.1 mi | 5.8 |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jay | 18.3 mi | 6.3 |
| JIM ALLEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cantonment | 20.9 mi | 8.2 |
| Baldwin County High School Bay Minette | 18.9 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 32568 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$76,208
Median Home Value
$222,000
Median Rent
$658/mo
Population
3,724
College Educated
18.9%
Homeownership
91.9%
Poverty Rate
5.5%
Median Age
41.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Ernest Ward Middle School has a median household income of $76,208. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $222,000, with a median rent of $658/month. The local poverty rate of 5.5% is relatively low. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| EDWARD W BOK ACADEMY NORTH Lake Wales, FL | 4.6 |
| ELIZABETH COBB MIDDLE SCHOOL Tallahassee, FL | 4.6 |
| WESTSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL | 4.6 |
| BROWNSVILLE MIDDLE SCHOOL Miami, FL | 4.5 |
| FRANKLIN MIDDLE MAGNET SCHOOL Tampa, FL | 4.5 |
| ADAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL Tampa, FL | 4.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ernest Ward Middle School
What grades does Ernest Ward Middle School serve?
Ernest Ward Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Ernest Ward Middle School?
Ernest Ward Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 490 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Ernest Ward Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Ernest Ward Middle School is 27.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Ernest Ward Middle School rank in FL?
Ernest Ward Middle School is ranked #3351 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Ernest Ward Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ernest Ward Middle School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Ernest Ward Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ernest Ward Middle School has 44.6% math proficiency and 46.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Ernest Ward Middle School a charter school?
No, Ernest Ward Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Ernest Ward Middle School a Title I school?
No, Ernest Ward Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ernest Ward Middle School?
49.8% of students at Ernest Ward 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.
Explore More Schools
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 490
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 27.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Escambia County
- Phone
- (850) 761-6301
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ESCAMBIA- District Enrollment
- 37,203
- Schools in District
- 70
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,299
- District Rank
- #52 of 62
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.
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