Needs Improvement
#3470 of 3,778 schools in FL
Ernest Ward Middle School
Middle School · Escambia · Walnut Hill, FL
An Escambia middle school where students score 9 points below what's typical for similar communities.
7650 HIGHWAY 97, Walnut Hill, FL 32568
- Math 40% vs FL 53% (2024)
- Reading 44% vs FL 52% (2024)
- 27.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Ernest Ward Middle School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
2024 FAST proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. FL average.
Trend
↓ DecliningProficiency has fallen 6 points since 2020, to 42% in 2024, across a 16-year record (2009–2024).
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 51% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 53% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 34 test records from FL state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
49.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Ernest Ward Middle School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 0Car-Dependent
- Bike 27Somewhat Bikeable
Powered by
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$76,208
Median home value
$222,000
Median rent
$658/mo
College educated
18.9%
Homeownership
91.9%
Poverty rate
5.5%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 32568; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 in ESCAMBIA
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Achieve Academy at McmillianEnrollment path unverified | 5.8 | K–12 | Not available | 271 | Compare → |
| Beulah Academy of ScienceCharter · enrollment unverified | 7.4 | 6–8 | Not available | 305 | Compare → |
| Brown Barge Middle SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 7.2 | 6–8 | Not available | 549 | Compare → |
| Escambia Virtual Academy FranchiseEnrollment path unverified | 9.1 | K–12 | Not available | 153 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Escambia
- Schools in district
- 70
- Rank in district
- #46 of 62
- District spending per student
- $12,299NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 21.8%Census SAIPE · 2024
Ernest Ward Middle School is listed in ESCAMBIA; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Ernest Ward Middle School
Ernest Ward Middle School is a public middle school in Walnut Hill, FL, part of Escambia, serving approximately 490 students in grades 6th-8th with a 27.2:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #3,470 of 3,778 schools in FL. State assessment records show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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 ranks #3,470 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Ernest Ward Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Ernest Ward Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Ernest Ward Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Ernest Ward Middle School has 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 490
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 27.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 18
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Escambia County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.9%
- Phone
- (850) 761-6301
- Area population (ZIP 32568)
- 3,724
- Area median age
- 41.9
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 FAST · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 FAST. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 FAST · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 FAST. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 32568; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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