Needs Improvement
#3470 of 3,778 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
3.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
490
Student-Teacher
27.2:1
Score
3.9
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#3,470 of 3,778
In district
#46 of 62
ESCAMBIA
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Ernest Ward Middle School
Middle School in Walnut Hill · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Walnut Hill Christian School
1.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Bratt Elementary School
5.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Ernest Ward Middle School
Ernest Ward Middle School is a public middle school in Walnut Hill, FL, part of ESCAMBIA. Ernest Ward Middle School serves approximately 490 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 27.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Ernest Ward Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.9 out of 10 and ranks #3,470 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for Ernest Ward Middle School show 51% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.9 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.7
- FL avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
Ernest Ward Middle School runs 27.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Ernest Ward Middle School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.
43% of students at Ernest Ward Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Ernest Ward Middle School — Students at Ernest Ward Middle School score 42% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
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 34 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: 4.1/10.
How Ernest Ward Middle School Compares
See how Ernest Ward Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 5.9/10, 18.1 miles away, in nearby Bay Minette), which scores notably higher. Additionally, Escambia County Middle School (rated 5.4/10, 10.3 miles away, in nearby Atmore), which scores notably 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 | 6.9 |
| NORTHVIEW HIGH SCHOOL Century | 6.3 mi | 5.0 |
| TEMPLE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Atmore | 7.3 mi | 5.4 |
| Escambia County High School Atmore | 7.5 mi | 4.3 |
| Rachel Patterson Elementary School Atmore | 8.4 mi | 8.4 |
| ATMORE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Atmore | 8.7 mi | 7.1 |
| Escambia County Middle School Atmore | 10.3 mi | 5.4 |
| BYRNEVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL INC. Century | 10.0 mi | 3.9 |
| Perdido Elementary School Perdido | 11.4 mi | 8.1 |
| MOLINO PARK ELEMENTARY Molino | 12.8 mi | 8.4 |
| Flomaton High School Flomaton | 14.3 mi | 5.5 |
| Flomaton Elementary School Flomaton | 14.3 mi | 8.3 |
| Pine Grove Elementary School Bay Minette | 16.4 mi | 5.6 |
| CHUMUCKLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jay | 17.1 mi | 8.0 |
| Bay Minette Elementary School Bay Minette | 17.7 mi | 7.8 |
| Bay Minette Middle School Bay Minette | 18.1 mi | 5.9 |
| FAITH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Jay | 18.3 mi | 6.4 |
| JIM ALLEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cantonment | 20.9 mi | 7.7 |
| Baldwin County High School Bay Minette | 18.9 mi | 3.7 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ANDREW JACKSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Titusville, FL | 3.9 |
| CENTENNIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Dade City, FL | 3.9 |
| WESTSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL | 3.9 |
| EDWARD W BOK ACADEMY NORTH Lake Wales, FL | 4.0 |
| JINKS MIDDLE SCHOOL Panama City, FL | 4.0 |
| PARKWAY MIDDLE SCHOOL Kissimmee, FL | 4.0 |
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.9%
- Phone
- (850) 761-6301
Resources & Links
District
ESCAMBIA- District Enrollment
- 37,203
- Schools in District
- 70
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,299
- District Rank
- #46 of 62
How we rate schools
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