Middle Schools in Pinellas

The Pinellas County school district in Florida is home to 20 middle schools serving students in grades 6-8. These schools vary greatly in their academic performance, student demographics, and resources, with a clear divide between the highest and lowest-performing institutions.

At the top of the pack are Clearwater Fundamental Middle School and East Lake Middle School Academy of Engineering, which rank in the top 5% of middle schools statewide. These schools serve relatively affluent, predominantly white student populations and boast exceptional test scores and low chronic absenteeism rates. Other high-performing schools include Thurgood Marshall Fundamental and Joseph L. Carwise Middle School, which rank in the top 25% of Florida middle schools.

In contrast, schools like Largo Middle, Meadowlawn Middle, Azalea Middle, and Bay Point Middle struggle, ranking in the bottom 35% of the state. These schools serve higher-need student populations with greater poverty and minority representation, resulting in lower test scores and higher chronic absenteeism. Addressing the systemic factors contributing to these disparities should be a priority for the Pinellas school district.