Below Average
#3490 of 3,777 schools in FL
Southern Oaks Middle School
Middle School · ST. LUCIE
5500 NE SAINT JAMES DR, Port St. Lucie, FL 34983
Enrollment
907
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
907
Student-Teacher
22.7:1
Score
4.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Port St. Lucie
#22 of 25
public schools
Florida middle schools
#553 of 573
In district
#42 of 47
ST. LUCIE
About Southern Oaks Middle School
Southern Oaks Middle School serves 907 students in grades 6-8 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. With 40 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.7:1.
The school currently has room for academic growth, with 38% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and 35% meeting proficiency standards in mathematics. Southern Oaks ranks in the 12th percentile among Florida middle schools, positioning at #3369 out of 3816 schools statewide. The school's MySchoolScout rating of 2.7 out of 10 reflects its focus on student development and the ongoing work to strengthen academic outcomes across all grade levels.
The school draws from a stable community where the median household income is $69,031 and the median home value reaches $266,300. With a relatively low poverty rate of 8.7% and 27% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the surrounding ZIP code of 34983 houses 45,943 residents who have established roots in this growing area. Southern Oaks Middle School operates as a regular public school within St.
Lucie County, situated in the mid-size city environment of Port St. Lucie, where families benefit from both suburban amenities and proximity to Florida's Atlantic coast.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Southern Oaks Middle School is 22.7:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southern Oaks Middle School — Students at Southern Oaks Middle School score 41% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
66%
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
↓ 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: 3.5/10.
How Southern Oaks Middle School Compares
See how Southern Oaks Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 53% (2019) to 39% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 43% (2021).
Location
5500 NE SAINT JAMES DR, Port St. Lucie, FL 34983
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southern Oaks Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. RIVERS EDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is SAVANNA RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 2.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PARKWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Port St. Lucie, see our Port St. Lucie schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.8 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 34983 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$72,787
Median Home Value
$293,500
Median Rent
$1,739/mo
Population
47,983
College Educated
27.3%
Homeownership
83.8%
Avg Commute
27.1 min
Poverty Rate
7.6%
Median Age
40.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southern Oaks Middle School has a median household income of $72,787. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $293,500, with a median rent of $1,739/month. The local poverty rate of 7.6% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| BEULAH MIDDLE SCHOOL Pensacola, FL | 4.3 |
| DENN JOHN MIDDLE SCHOOL Kissimmee, FL | 4.3 |
| HIGHLAND OAKS MIDDLE SCHOOL Miami, FL | 4.3 |
| PASCO MIDDLE SCHOOL Dade City, FL | 4.3 |
| GULF MIDDLE SCHOOL New Port Richey, FL | 4.2 |
| MANN MIDDLE SCHOOL Brandon, FL | 4.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southern Oaks Middle School
What grades does Southern Oaks Middle School serve?
Southern Oaks Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Southern Oaks Middle School?
Southern Oaks Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 907 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southern Oaks Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southern Oaks Middle School is 22.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southern Oaks Middle School rank in FL?
Southern Oaks Middle School is ranked #3490 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Southern Oaks Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southern Oaks Middle School has a composite rating of 4.3 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 Southern Oaks Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southern Oaks Middle School has 39.2% math proficiency and 41.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southern Oaks Middle School a charter school?
No, Southern Oaks Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southern Oaks Middle School a Title I school?
No, Southern Oaks Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southern Oaks Middle School?
66.0% of students at Southern Oaks 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 907
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 66.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- St. Lucie County
- Phone
- (772) 785-5640
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
ST. LUCIE- District Enrollment
- 46,987
- Schools in District
- 53
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $12,177
- District Rank
- #42 of 47
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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