Average
#2029 of 3,777 schools in FL
Howell L. Watkins Middle School
Middle School · PALM BEACH
9480 MACARTHUR BLVD, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33403
Enrollment
720
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
720
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Palm Beach Gardens
#8 of 12
public schools
Florida middle schools
#212 of 573
In district
#128 of 221
PALM BEACH
School environment
9.5 / 10
Exceptional
About Howell L. Watkins Middle School
Howell L. Watkins Middle School is a regular public school located in the heart of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, offering education to students from sixth through eighth grade. With an enrollment of 720 students and a student-teacher ratio of 13.8:1, the school provides personalized attention to help each student thrive.
The faculty consists of 52 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting their pupils. Academically, Howell L. Watkins Middle School is part of Palm Beach County’s educational landscape but has room for improvement, as indicated by its MySchoolScout rating of 3.7 out of 10 and a state ranking of #3028 out of 3816 schools in Florida (21st percentile).
In terms of test performance, the school shows that 37% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 28% achieve proficiency or above in Math. These scores suggest areas for growth and development. Located in a small city setting, Howell L.
Watkins Middle School benefits from its surroundings with access to local resources and community support. The school’s environment fosters a sense of belonging and encourages students to engage actively in their learning journey.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Howell L. Watkins Middle School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Howell L. Watkins Middle School — Students at Howell L. Watkins Middle School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.6%
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
→ StableAverage 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: 6.9/10.
How Howell L. Watkins Middle School Compares
See how Howell L. Watkins Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 18% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 37% (2019) to 33% (2021).
Location
9480 MACARTHUR BLVD, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33403
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Howell L. Watkins Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. PALM BEACH VIRTUAL FRANCHISE (rated 8.8/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PALM BEACH GARDENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, THE WEISS SCHOOL (rated 7.5/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Palm Beach Gardens, see our Palm Beach Gardens schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33403 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$69,050
Median Home Value
$340,100
Median Rent
$1,426/mo
Population
13,710
College Educated
26.3%
Homeownership
47.8%
Avg Commute
21.5 min
Poverty Rate
15.4%
Median Age
35.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Howell L. Watkins Middle School has a median household income of $69,050. It is an area where 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $340,100, with a median rent of $1,426/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.4%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| BRADEN RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL Bradenton, FL | 6.3 |
| DAN MCCARTY MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Pierce, FL | 6.3 |
| INDIANTOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL Indiantown, FL | 6.3 |
| JEAN RIBAULT MIDDLE SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL | 6.3 |
| MAX BRUNER JUNIOR MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Walton Beach, FL | 6.3 |
| MEADOWBROOK MIDDLE Orlando, FL | 6.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Howell L. Watkins Middle School
What grades does Howell L. Watkins Middle School serve?
Howell L. Watkins Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Howell L. Watkins Middle School?
Howell L. Watkins Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 720 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Howell L. Watkins Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Howell L. Watkins Middle School is 13.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Howell L. Watkins Middle School rank in FL?
Howell L. Watkins Middle School is ranked #2029 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Howell L. Watkins Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Howell L. Watkins Middle School has a composite rating of 6.3 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 Howell L. Watkins Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Howell L. Watkins Middle School has 28.4% math proficiency and 36.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Howell L. Watkins Middle School a charter school?
No, Howell L. Watkins Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Howell L. Watkins Middle School a Title I school?
No, Howell L. Watkins Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Howell L. Watkins Middle School?
70.6% of students at Howell L. Watkins 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
- County Safety
- Average (480/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 720
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 13.8:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 52
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Palm Beach County
- Phone
- (561) 776-3600
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
PALM BEACH- District Enrollment
- 189,777
- Schools in District
- 235
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,897
- District Rank
- #128 of 221
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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