Average
#2970 of 3,777 schools in FL
Gifford Middle School
Middle School · INDIAN RIVER
4530 28TH CT, Vero Beach, FL 32967
Enrollment
587
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
587
Student-Teacher
21:1
Score
5.2
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Vero Beach
#15 of 20
public schools
Florida middle schools
#430 of 573
In district
#22 of 28
INDIAN RIVER
About Gifford Middle School
Gifford Middle School in Vero Beach, Florida is a regular public middle school serving students from sixth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 587 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21:1, the school provides a supportive learning environment with 28 full-time equivalent teachers. Located in a mid-size suburb, Gifford Middle School offers a range of educational programs tailored to its middle-grade learners.
The MySchoolScout rating for Gifford Middle School is 4.9 out of 10, placing it at the 42nd percentile among Florida schools with a state ranking of #2224 out of 3816. The academic score stands at 5.3/10, indicating there's room for improvement in overall performance. In terms of proficiency rates, 48% of students are proficient or above in ELA/reading, while 40% meet the standards in math.
Gifford Middle School is focusing on enhancing its academic programs to better support student development and growth. Gifford Middle School sits in a suburban area of Vero Beach, offering a community setting that balances city amenities with a more residential feel.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Gifford Middle School is 21:1, 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Gifford Middle School — Students at Gifford Middle School score 46% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66.6%
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 Gifford Middle School Compares
See how Gifford Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 46% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 45% (2021).
Location
4530 28TH CT, Vero Beach, FL 32967
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Gifford Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ROSEWOOD MAGNET SCHOOL (rated 9.2/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is CITRUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.9/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VERO BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 3.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Vero Beach, see our Vero Beach schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.4 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ST. PETER'S ACADEMY Vero Beach | 0.7 mi | 5.2 |
| DODGERTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vero Beach | 1.0 mi | 7.1 |
| SUNCOAST PRIMARY SCHOOL Vero Beach | 2.0 mi | 7.9 |
| ST HELEN CATHOLIC SCHOOL Vero Beach | 2.6 mi | 5.9 |
| NORTH COUNTY CHARTER SCHOOL Vero Beach | 2.7 mi | 4.0 |
| EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION Vero Beach | 2.9 mi | 5.4 |
| IR PREP Vero Beach | 2.9 mi | 6.4 |
| ROSEWOOD MAGNET SCHOOL Vero Beach | 3.1 mi | 9.2 |
| STORM GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Vero Beach | 3.0 mi | 6.8 |
| VERO BEACH HIGH SCHOOL Vero Beach | 3.3 mi | 4.8 |
| VERO BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vero Beach | 3.6 mi | 8.1 |
| BEACHLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vero Beach | 3.3 mi | 8.1 |
| INDIAN RIVER CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL Vero Beach | 3.8 mi | 4.9 |
| THE WILLOW SCHOOL Vero Beach | 4.1 mi | 5.2 |
| GLENDALE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Vero Beach | 4.2 mi | 5.7 |
| GLENDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vero Beach | 4.3 mi | 7.3 |
| MASTER'S ACADEMY OF VERO BEACH Vero Beach | 4.5 mi | 6.6 |
| CITRUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vero Beach | 4.7 mi | 8.9 |
| IMAGINE AT SOUTH VERO Vero Beach | 5.0 mi | 6.7 |
| TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Vero Beach | 5.4 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 32967 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$73,875
Median Home Value
$394,800
Median Rent
$1,425/mo
Population
26,219
College Educated
34.8%
Homeownership
76.6%
Avg Commute
20.9 min
Poverty Rate
17.7%
Median Age
53.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Gifford Middle School has a median household income of $73,875. It is an area where 35% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $394,800, with a median rent of $1,425/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.7%. The average commute for residents is 21 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 |
|---|---|
| ABRAHAM LINCOLN MIDDLE SCHOOL Gainesville, FL | 5.2 |
| LAKEVIEW MIDDLE Winter Garden, FL | 5.2 |
| LANTANA MIDDLE SCHOOL Lantana, FL | 5.2 |
| NORTH BROWARD ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE MIDDLE North Lauderdale, FL | 5.2 |
| PALM SPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Hialeah, FL | 5.2 |
| PONCE DE LEON MIDDLE SCHOOL Coral Gables, FL | 5.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Gifford Middle School
What grades does Gifford Middle School serve?
Gifford Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Gifford Middle School?
Gifford Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 587 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Gifford Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Gifford Middle School is 21:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Gifford Middle School rank in FL?
Gifford Middle School is ranked #2970 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Gifford Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Gifford Middle School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Gifford Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gifford Middle School has 40.4% math proficiency and 48.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Gifford Middle School a charter school?
No, Gifford Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Gifford Middle School a Title I school?
No, Gifford Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gifford Middle School?
66.6% of students at Gifford 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
- City Safety
- Average (318/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Vero Beach). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 587
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 21:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 28
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize Suburb
- County
- Indian River County
- Phone
- (772) 564-3550
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
INDIAN RIVER- District Enrollment
- 16,950
- Schools in District
- 28
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,843
- District Rank
- #22 of 28
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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