Average
#2110 of 3,778 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
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
720
Student-Teacher
13.8:1
Score
6.0
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#2,110 of 3,778
In Palm Beach Gardens
#9 of 12
public schools
In district
#153 of 221
PALM BEACH
School environment
9.3 / 10
Excellent
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Howell L. Watkins Middle School
Middle School in Palm Beach Gardens · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Palm Beach Virtual Franchise
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Palm Beach Virtual Instruction Program
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Howell L. Watkins Middle School
Howell L. Watkins Middle School is a public middle school in Palm Beach Gardens, FL, part of PALM BEACH. Howell L.
Watkins Middle School serves approximately 720 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 13.8:1 student-teacher ratio. Howell L. Watkins Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,110 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for Howell L. Watkins Middle School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.0 · Average
- District avg 6.5
- FL avg 5.9
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 33% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
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 33 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: 5.7/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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 9.7/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is PALM BEACH GARDENS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.0/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LAKE PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 2.0 miles away, in nearby Lake Park), 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| NEW SMYRNA BEACH MIDDLE SCHOOL New Smyrna Beach, FL | 6.0 |
| PONCE DE LEON MIDDLE SCHOOL Coral Gables, FL | 6.0 |
| RIVERSPRINGS MIDDLE SCHOOL Crawfordville, FL | 6.0 |
| SEBRING MIDDLE SCHOOL Sebring, FL | 6.0 |
| STORM GROVE MIDDLE SCHOOL Vero Beach, FL | 6.0 |
| SUWANNEE MIDDLE SCHOOL Live Oak, FL | 6.0 |
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 ranks #2,110 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Howell L. Watkins Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Howell L. Watkins Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.0 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 Howell L. Watkins Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Howell L. Watkins Middle School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 37% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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.
Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 29.3%
- Phone
- (561) 776-3600
Resources & Links
District
PALM BEACH- District Enrollment
- 189,777
- Schools in District
- 235
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $13,897
- District Rank
- #153 of 221
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.
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