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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

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 metrics
Student Progress6.9Above Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics3.3Fair35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency18%
Reading/ELA Proficiency33%
Math vs. State Avg-37.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-21.4 pts
Overall Proficiency26%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-12.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment9.5Exceptional25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$12,612

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%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 28.4%
School
State
52.5%
ELA Proficiency 36.6%
School
State
51.8%

Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
39%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
18%
ELA
33%
2024
Math
28.3%
ELA
37.7%

* 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: 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.

Overall Score
6.3/10
46th percentile in FL
Academic
3.3/10
3.3/10
Growth
6.9/10
Above average
Environment
9.5/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
14:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
PALM BEACH VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Palm Beach Gardens 0.2 mi 8.8
PALM BEACH VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM Palm Beach Gardens 0.2 mi 5.6
GARDENS SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY ARTS INC Palm Beach Gardens 0.7 mi 6.2
PALM BEACH GARDENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Beach Gardens 0.8 mi 8.2
ST CLARE SCHOOL North Palm Beach 1.0 mi 5.8
HIS ACADEMY/INSTITUTE Lake Park 1.0 mi
ALLAMANDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Beach Gardens 1.2 mi 7.4
ST MARK'S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Palm Beach Gardens 1.3 mi 6.9
PALM BEACH GARDENS HIGH SCHOOL Palm Beach Gardens 1.3 mi 4.6
THE WEISS SCHOOL Palm Beach Gardens 1.4 mi 7.5
GROVE PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL West Palm Beach 1.5 mi 5.7
LAKE PARK BAPTIST SCHOOL Lake Park 1.6 mi 7.2
WASHINGTON ELEMENTARY MAGNET SCHOOL Riviera Beach 1.8 mi 5.1
COASTAL MIDDLE & SR HIGH SCHOOL Lake Park 1.8 mi 5.1
THE CONSERVATORY SCHOOL AT NORTH PALM BEACH North Palm Beach 1.7 mi 6.9
R J HENDLEY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY SCHOOL Riviera Beach 2.0 mi 6.5
SCORE AT THE TOP PALM BEACH LLC Palm Beach Gardens 2.0 mi 6.2
LAKE PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Park 2.0 mi 5.8
JOHN F. KENNEDY MIDDLE SCHOOL Riviera Beach 2.3 mi 7.3
RIVIERA BEACH PREPARATORY & ACHIEVEMENT ACADEMY Riviera Beach 2.3 mi 6.5

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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