Average
#3086 of 3,777 schools in FL
Southwest Middle School
Middle School · POLK
2815 EDEN PKWY, Lakeland, FL 33803
Enrollment
745
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
5.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
745
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
5.1
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lakeland
#41 of 58
public schools
Florida middle schools
#462 of 573
In district
#109 of 155
POLK
About Southwest Middle School
Southwest Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Lakeland, Florida, with an enrollment of 745 students. The school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.7:1, supported by 42 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Southwest Middle School is working with significant challenges.
The school's MySchoolScout rating is 3.6 out of 10, and it ranks in the bottom quintile statewide at #3094 out of 3816 Florida schools. In English Language Arts, 33% of students are performing at or above proficiency levels, while in math, that figure drops to 27%. These results suggest the school has considerable room for academic growth and improvement.
For families considering this school, it's worth noting that these lower performance metrics may reflect broader resource or demographic factors affecting student learning. Parents might want to have detailed conversations with the school about its improvement initiatives, available support programs, and how the school is working to strengthen student achievement in both reading and mathematics. Southwest Middle School is located in Lakeland, a mid-size city in Polk County that serves as a community hub for the surrounding area.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Southwest Middle School — Students at Southwest Middle School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.5%
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: 5.4/10.
How Southwest Middle School Compares
See how Southwest Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 34% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 39% (2019) to 32% (2021).
Location
2815 EDEN PKWY, Lakeland, FL 33803
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Southwest Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ROBERTS ACADEMY AT FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE (rated 7.6/10, 2.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is WONDERHERE ACADEMY (rated 7.0/10, 0.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LAWTON CHILES MIDDLE ACADEMY (rated 5.9/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Lakeland, see our Lakeland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| SOUTHWEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 0.3 mi | 8.0 |
| THE CYGNET SCHOOL Lakeland | 0.5 mi | 4.5 |
| CLEVELAND COURT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 0.6 mi | 8.3 |
| DIXIELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 0.9 mi | 7.8 |
| LAKELAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lakeland | 1.0 mi | 7.2 |
| WONDERHERE ACADEMY Lakeland | 0.9 mi | 7.0 |
| RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lakeland | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| CARLTON PALMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY Lakeland | 1.7 mi | 8.3 |
| ROSABELLE W. BLAKE ACADEMY Lakeland | 1.8 mi | 4.8 |
| POLK VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM Lakeland | 1.8 mi | — |
| POLK FULL TIME ESCHOOL Lakeland | 1.8 mi | 4.9 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.0 mi | 5.6 |
| PREPARING THE WAY ACADEMY Lakeland | 2.0 mi | — |
| ROBERTS ACADEMY AT FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE Lakeland | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| POLK PRE-COLLEGIATE ACADEMY Lakeland | 2.3 mi | 6.5 |
| GENEVA CLASSICAL ACADEMY Lakeland | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| JESSE KEEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.1 mi | 6.9 |
| LAKELAND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.2 mi | 5.2 |
| LAWTON CHILES MIDDLE ACADEMY Lakeland | 2.5 mi | 5.9 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33803 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,180
Median Home Value
$236,200
Median Rent
$1,337/mo
Population
29,058
College Educated
33.8%
Homeownership
62.2%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Median Age
42.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Southwest Middle School has a median household income of $63,180. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,200, with a median rent of $1,337/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. 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 |
|---|---|
| AVALON MIDDLE SCHOOL Milton, FL | 5.1 |
| BARTOW MIDDLE SCHOOL Bartow, FL | 5.1 |
| CENTENNIAL MIDDLE SCHOOL Dade City, FL | 5.1 |
| DOWDELL MIDDLE MAGNET SCHOOL Tampa, FL | 5.1 |
| DR. DAVID L. ANDERSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Stuart, FL | 5.1 |
| EUSTIS MIDDLE SCHOOL Eustis, FL | 5.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Southwest Middle School
What grades does Southwest Middle School serve?
Southwest Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Southwest Middle School?
Southwest Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 745 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Southwest Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Southwest Middle School is 17.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Southwest Middle School rank in FL?
Southwest Middle School is ranked #3086 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Southwest Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Middle School has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Southwest Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Southwest Middle School has 26.8% math proficiency and 32.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Southwest Middle School a charter school?
No, Southwest Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Southwest Middle School a Title I school?
No, Southwest Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Southwest Middle School?
72.5% of students at Southwest 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 (575/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 745
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.7:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 42
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 72.5%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (863) 499-2840
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #109 of 155
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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