Skip to main content

Below Average

#3373 of 3,778 schools in FL

Gifford Middle School

Middle School · INDIAN RIVER

4530 28TH CT, Vero Beach, FL 32967

Enrollment

587

Student-Teacher

21:1

Score

4.1

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Florida schools

#3,373 of 3,778

In Vero Beach

#20 of 20

public schools

In district

#28 of 28

INDIAN RIVER

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Gifford Middle School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Gifford Middle School

4.1/10

Middle School in Vero Beach · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

St. Peter's Academy

4.6/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Dodgertown Elementary School

4.7/10

1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Gifford Middle School

Gifford Middle School is a public middle school in Vero Beach, FL, part of INDIAN RIVER. Gifford Middle School serves approximately 587 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 21:1 student-teacher ratio. Gifford Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 out of 10 and ranks #3,373 of 3,778 schools in FL.

Structured state assessment records for Gifford Middle School show 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.9 pts below district
  • This school 4.1 · Below Average
  • District avg 6.0
  • FL avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

Gifford Middle School runs 21:1 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.

46% of students at Gifford 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 metrics
Student Progress3.3Needs Improvement40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.58 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.3Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency34.3% (2024 FAST)
Reading/ELA Proficiency47.7% (2024 FAST)
Math vs. State Avg-21.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-6.7 pts
Overall Proficiency41% (2024 FAST, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)44% (model expectation from 2024 FAST)
vs. Expected-3.1 pts
Adjusted Percentile34th
Resources & Environment3.7Needs Improvement25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,843
Chronic Absenteeism46%

Gifford Middle School — Students at Gifford Middle School score 41% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

66.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 49.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
52.5% (2024 FAST)
ELA Proficiency 53.6% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.8% (2024 FAST)

Based on 33 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
65%
ELA
70%
2010
Math
62%
ELA
68%
2011
Math
58%
ELA
61%
2012
Math
56%
ELA
60%
2013
ELA
59%
2014
Math
53%
ELA
53%
2015
Math
52%
ELA
51%
2016
Math
53%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
60%
ELA
56%
2018
Math
53%
ELA
52%
2019
Math
53%
ELA
52%
2020*
Math
46%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
46%
ELA
45%
2022
Math
39.1%
ELA
43.8%
2024
Math
34.3%
ELA
47.7%

* 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: 3.3/10.

How Gifford Middle School Compares

See how Gifford Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.1/10
11th percentile in FL
Academic
5.3/10
Average
Growth
3.3/10
Needs Improvement
Environment
3.7/10
Needs Improvement
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
28 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
46.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 8.9/10, 3.1 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is GLENDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.7/10, 4.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, CITRUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 4.7 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 4.6
DODGERTOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vero Beach 1.0 mi 4.7
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 5.2
EXCEPTIONAL STUDENT EDUCATION Vero Beach 2.9 mi 5.1
IR PREP Vero Beach 2.9 mi 5.5
ROSEWOOD MAGNET SCHOOL Vero Beach 3.1 mi 8.9
STORM GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Vero Beach 3.0 mi 6.0
VERO BEACH HIGH SCHOOL Vero Beach 3.3 mi 5.4
VERO BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vero Beach 3.6 mi 7.4
BEACHLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vero Beach 3.3 mi 7.8
INDIAN RIVER CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL Vero Beach 3.8 mi 6.0
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 8.7
MASTER'S ACADEMY OF VERO BEACH Vero Beach 4.5 mi 6.6
CITRUS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Vero Beach 4.7 mi 8.3
IMAGINE AT SOUTH VERO Vero Beach 5.0 mi 7.3
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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
HENRY H. FILER MIDDLE SCHOOL Hialeah, FL 4.1
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
MCLAUGHLIN ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE Lake Wales, FL 4.2
NORTH DADE MIDDLE SCHOOL Miami Gardens, FL 4.2

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 ranks #3,373 of 3,778 schools in FL.

What is Gifford Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Gifford Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.1 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 Gifford Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Gifford Middle School has 50% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 54% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
33 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
50 Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
46.0%

District

INDIAN RIVER
District Enrollment
16,950
Schools in District
28
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,843
District Rank
#28 of 28

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 rate

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.