Needs Improvement
#3579 of 3,778 schools in FL
Shields Middle School
Middle School · HILLSBOROUGH
15732 BETH SHIELDS WAY, Ruskin, FL 33573
Enrollment
1,746
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
3.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,746
Student-Teacher
22.1:1
Score
3.6
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#3,579 of 3,778
In Ruskin
#6 of 7
public schools
In district
#257 of 286
HILLSBOROUGH
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Shields Middle School
Middle School in Ruskin · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Cypress Creek Elementary School
0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Dorothy C York Pk-8 Magnet School
1.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Shields Middle School
Shields Middle School is a public middle school in Ruskin, FL, part of HILLSBOROUGH. Shields Middle School serves approximately 1,746 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 22.1:1 student-teacher ratio. Shields Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 out of 10 and ranks #3,579 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for Shields Middle School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.6 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 5.2
- FL avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
Shields Middle School runs 22.1:1 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.
55% of students at Shields 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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Shields Middle School — Students at Shields Middle School score 26% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
67.1%
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
↓ 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: 5.0/10.
How Shields Middle School Compares
See how Shields 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
15732 BETH SHIELDS WAY, Ruskin, FL 33573
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Shields Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. LIVINGSTONE ACADEMY - RIVER VIEW (rated 6.6/10, 4.1 miles away, in nearby Riverview), which scores notably higher. Additionally, EISENHOWER MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 2.3/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Gibsonton), a more accessible option. For more schools in Ruskin, see our Ruskin schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 4.3 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33573 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$68,431
Median Home Value
$270,600
Median Rent
$1,951/mo
Population
30,820
College Educated
33.6%
Homeownership
83.9%
Avg Commute
32.8 min
Poverty Rate
8.2%
Median Age
68.5
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| DRIFTWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL Hollywood, FL | 3.6 |
| JIM C. BAILEY MIDDLE SCHOOL Pensacola, FL | 3.6 |
| LAKE WEIR MIDDLE SCHOOL Summerfield, FL | 3.6 |
| LAKE WORTH COMMUNITY MIDDLE Lake Worth, FL | 3.5 |
| OCOEE MIDDLE Ocoee, FL | 4.0 |
| GRAY MIDDLE SCHOOL Groveland, FL | 4.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Shields Middle School
What grades does Shields Middle School serve?
Shields Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Shields Middle School?
Shields Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,746 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Shields Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Shields Middle School is 22.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Shields Middle School rank in FL?
Shields Middle School ranks #3,579 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Shields Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Shields Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.6 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 Shields Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Shields Middle School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 31% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Shields Middle School a charter school?
No, Shields Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Shields Middle School a Title I school?
No, Shields Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Shields Middle School?
67.1% of students at Shields 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
- 1,746
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 79
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 67.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Hillsborough County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 54.9%
- Phone
- (813) 672-5338
Resources & Links
District
HILLSBOROUGH- District Enrollment
- 224,152
- Schools in District
- 305
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,590
- District Rank
- #257 of 286
How we rate schools
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