Needs Improvement
#3661 of 3,778 schools in FL
Southwest Middle School
Middle School · POLK
2815 EDEN PKWY, Lakeland, FL 33803
Enrollment
745
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
3.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
745
Student-Teacher
17.7:1
Score
3.3
Grades
6th – 8th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#3,661 of 3,778
In Lakeland
#52 of 58
public schools
In district
#142 of 155
POLK
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Southwest Middle School
Middle School in Lakeland · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Southwest Elementary School
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
The Cygnet School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Southwest Middle School
Southwest Middle School is a public middle school in Lakeland, FL, part of POLK. Southwest Middle School serves approximately 745 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 17.7:1 student-teacher ratio. Southwest Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 out of 10 and ranks #3,661 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for Southwest Middle School show 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 3.3 · Needs Improvement
- District avg 4.9
- FL avg 5.9
What Parents Should Know
52% of students at Southwest 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
Southwest Middle School — Students at Southwest Middle School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
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 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: 2.7/10.
How Southwest Middle School Compares
See how Southwest 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
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 notably 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 | 6.5 |
| THE CYGNET SCHOOL Lakeland | 0.5 mi | 4.5 |
| CLEVELAND COURT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 0.6 mi | 9.1 |
| DIXIELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 0.9 mi | 4.1 |
| 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 | 6.1 |
| MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY Lakeland | 1.7 mi | 8.5 |
| 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 | 6.6 |
| 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 | 6.1 |
| GENEVA CLASSICAL ACADEMY Lakeland | 2.0 mi | 7.0 |
| JESSE KEEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.1 mi | 4.0 |
| LAKELAND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.2 mi | 5.4 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CRYSTAL LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Pompano Beach, FL | 3.3 |
| CRYSTAL LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland, FL | 3.3 |
| DENISON MIDDLE SCHOOL Winter Haven, FL | 3.3 |
| MCLANE MIDDLE SCHOOL Brandon, FL | 3.3 |
| BELLVIEW MIDDLE SCHOOL Pensacola, FL | 3.2 |
| TWIN LAKES ACADEMY MIDDLE SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL | 3.2 |
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 ranks #3,661 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Southwest Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Southwest Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 3.3 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 Southwest Middle School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Southwest Middle School has 35% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 40% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
Powered by 
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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 52.2%
- Phone
- (863) 499-2840
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #142 of 155
How we rate schools
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