Dowdell Middle Magnet School

Summary:

Dowdell Middle Magnet School is a public middle school in Tampa, Florida, serving grades 6-8 with a diverse student population. The school faces significant challenges, consistently underperforming compared to the Hillsborough district and the state of Florida in academic measures.

Dowdell Middle Magnet School has a very high chronic absenteeism rate of 46.7%, much higher than the district and state averages. Additionally, 76.43% of its students receive free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage. Despite a relatively low student-teacher ratio of 19.8, the school's academic performance remains poor, with proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math significantly lower than nearby schools like Wilson Middle School and Williams Middle Magnet School. Dowdell Middle Magnet School has consistently ranked in the bottom 20% of Florida middle schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

The school's higher per-student spending of $9,429 compared to the district and state averages does not seem to translate into improved academic outcomes. This suggests that Dowdell Middle Magnet School may need to implement comprehensive interventions and strategies to address the underlying issues of student engagement, attendance, and academic performance in order to better serve its diverse student population.


Detail:

Public, Magnet 6-8

 1208 Wishing Well Way
       Tampa, FL  33619


(813) 744-8322

District: Hillsborough

SchoolDigger Rank:
998th of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,429 Help


Students who attend Dowdell Middle Magnet School usually attend:

High:    East Bay High School

Feeder schools for Dowdell Middle Magnet School:

Elementary:    Clair-Mel Elementary School
    Gibsonton Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  19.8 Help
Number of students:  526

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
56.5%
African American:
25.3%
White:
14.3%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  76.4% Help


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 Compare Dowdell Middle Magnet School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Dowdell Middle Magnet School ranks worse than 83.4% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 31st among 43 ranked middle schools in the Hillsborough School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 19.97. (See more...)
Help
Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Dowdell Middle Magnet School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (56.5%), African American (25.3%), White (14.3%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 76.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Dowdell Middle Magnet School is 19.8, which is the 20th best among 43 middle schools in the Hillsborough School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Dowdell Middle Magnet School employs 26.5 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Dowdell Middle Magnet School is $9,429, which is the 16th highest among 43 middle schools in the Hillsborough School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Dowdell Middle Magnet School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Dowdell Middle Magnet School 998th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Dowdell Middle Magnet School in the ranking list.)

Hillsborough:

SchoolDigger ranks Hillsborough 45th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)


What do you think?

Your rating for Dowdell Middle Magnet School?

Rank History for Dowdell Middle Magnet School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 27.46 456th 593 23.1%
2005 29.09 461st 602 23.4%
2006 22.41 531st 675 21.3%
2007 22.89 590th 736 19.8%
2008 20.04 607th 740 18.0%
2009 21.43 625th 780 19.9%
2010 17.19 705th 839 16.0%
2011 17.74 741st 891 16.8%
2012 19.16 737th 897 17.8%
2013 24.76 733rd 956 23.3%
2014 23.42 791st 999 20.8%
2016 16.42 871st 997 12.6%
2017 14.87 903rd 1031 12.4%
2018 9.91 953rd 1035 7.9%
2019 16.32 953rd 1099 13.3%
2021 16.11 986th 1136 13.2%
2022 21.88 933rd 1148 18.7%
2023 19.35 990th 1177 15.9%
2024 19.97 998th 1196 16.6%
See the entire list of Florida Middle School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Dowdell Middle Magnet School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    






Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2.2)
0%

40%

0%

0%

60%

  

Reviews:
by a citizen
Monday, November 3, 2014

Open Quote Only as a last resort would I suggest substitute teaching at this school. Close Quote


by a parent
Thursday, August 28, 2014

Open Quote While the caliber of student leaves a little to be desired, my daughter is attending her third year at this school and I love it. The teachers are wonderful and engaged. The principal and his staff are wonderful and making constant improvement. Close Quote


by a student
Friday, April 26, 2013

Open Quote this school is horrible. you try to make a complaint and they wont do anything the problem wouldnt get solved. in 6th grade the principle was very cool he listen and tried to fix the problem or issues in school but this new principle doesnt do anything. some teachers are racist and dont care about you nor other students they have. Close Quote


by a parent
Monday, May 14, 2012

Open Quote There is a new Principal at this school, and he is doing a great job! The teachers are dedicated and have been very attentive to parent input. The Magnet program is unlike any other -- there are chickens, rabbits, and fish for the real "hands-on" experience. The kids love it. Just like any school, if you are an involved parent who cares, your child will have a great education and experience. Close Quote


by a student
Saturday, March 27, 2010

Open Quote I am a student, I am 14 and about to finish 8th grade, but in 6th grade, I went to this school and it was awful, the teachers were not watching the kids, so i got bullied, when i told the teachers, they rarely did anything, and when they did, they didn't really solve the problem. Do not put your kid in this school. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Dowdell Middle Magnet School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 400 368 10 71 8 n/a n/a 0 857
1989 497 398 12 94 6 n/a n/a 0 1007
1990 473 387 11 97 6 n/a n/a 0 974
1991 438 400 12 99 7 n/a n/a 0 956
1992 438 444 15 93 5 n/a n/a 0 995
1993 420 428 12 127 4 n/a n/a 0 991
1994 408 475 9 132 6 n/a n/a 0 1030
1995 330 477 13 154 3 n/a n/a 0 977
1996 330 477 13 154 3 n/a n/a 0 977
1997 428 285 21 178 3 n/a n/a 0 915
1998 421 301 14 173 8 n/a n/a 0 917
1999 335 272 14 168 5 n/a n/a 0 794
2000 315 265 16 201 7 n/a n/a 0 804
2001 306 287 14 248 4 n/a n/a 0 859
2002 369 352 8 238 6 n/a n/a 0 973
2003 369 352 8 238 6 n/a n/a 0 973
2004 391 339 14 252 4 n/a n/a 0 1000
2005 344 338 8 300 4 n/a n/a 0 994
2006 274 313 9 289 6 n/a n/a 0 891
2007 189 257 10 323 4 n/a n/a 28 811
2008 162 231 6 311 3 n/a n/a 21 734
2009 159 187 8 321 1 n/a n/a 20 696
2010 173 189 5 258 2 n/a n/a 26 653
2011 158 165 3 284 4 0 20 0 634
2012 152 183 5 317 3 3 21 0 684
2013 147 175 3 304 2 1 27 0 659
2014 117 168 3 303 0 1 21 0 613
2015 133 160 3 306 2 0 16 0 620
2016 125 170 7 301 2 1 10 0 616
2017 97 141 6 282 2 2 13 0 543
2018 118 143 2 331 0 2 17 0 613
2019 112 151 3 348 0 0 22 0 636
2020 92 152 3 354 1 0 26 0 628
2021 100 141 2 294 1 0 24 0 562
2022 94 148 2 286 0 0 22 0 552
2023 75 133 1 297 0 0 20 0 526

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Dowdell Middle Magnet School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 857 44.0 19.4 45.4
1989 1007 56.0 17.9 51.8
1990 974 56.0 17.3 57.7
1991 956 56.0 17.0 56.3
1992 995 57.0 17.4 44.1
1993 991 53.0 18.7 52.1
1994 1030 61.0 16.9 57.9
1995 977 62.0 15.8 64.2
1996 977 62.0 15.8 64.2
1997 915 55.0 16.6 56.1
1998 917 56.0 16.4 55.2
1999 794 59.0 13.5 62.5
2000 804 58.0 13.9 66.2
2001 859 63.0 13.6 65.2
2002 973 63.0 15.4 69.2
2003 973 63.0 15.4 69.2
2004 1000 62.0 16.1 72.3
2005 994 63.0 15.8 77.1
2006 891 25.0 35.6 79.5
2007 811 55.0 14.7 81.7
2008 734 43.0 17.1 80.1
2009 696 45.2 16.2 84.9
2010 653 42.0 15.5 89.2
2011 634 43.3 14.6 86.4
2012 684 47.6 14.3 89.3
2013 659 46.0 14.3 90.3
2014 613 45.0 13.6 91.8
2015 620 41.0 15.1 92.3
2016 616 42.0 14.6 92.4
2017 543 39.0 13.9 92.1
2018 613 41.0 14.9 91.2
2019 636 32.5 19.5 92.5
2020 628 30.5 20.5 89.6
2021 562 37.5 14.9 95
2022 552 26.0 21.2 86.6
2023 526 26.5 19.8 76.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Dowdell Middle Magnet School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 857 44.0 19.4 45.4
1989 1007 56.0 17.9 51.8
1990 974 56.0 17.3 57.7
1991 956 56.0 17.0 56.3
1992 995 57.0 17.4 44.1
1993 991 53.0 18.7 52.1
1994 1030 61.0 16.9 57.9
1995 977 62.0 15.8 64.2
1996 977 62.0 15.8 64.2
1997 915 55.0 16.6 56.1
1998 917 56.0 16.4 55.2
1999 794 59.0 13.5 62.5
2000 804 58.0 13.9 66.2
2001 859 63.0 13.6 65.2
2002 973 63.0 15.4 69.2
2003 973 63.0 15.4 69.2
2004 1000 62.0 16.1 72.3
2005 994 63.0 15.8 77.1
2006 891 25.0 35.6 79.5
2007 811 55.0 14.7 81.7
2008 734 43.0 17.1 80.1
2009 696 45.2 16.2 84.9
2010 653 42.0 15.5 89.2
2011 634 43.3 14.6 86.4
2012 684 47.6 14.3 89.3
2013 659 46.0 14.3 90.3
2014 613 45.0 13.6 91.8
2015 620 41.0 15.1 92.3
2016 616 42.0 14.6 92.4
2017 543 39.0 13.9 92.1
2018 613 41.0 14.9 91.2
2019 636 32.5 19.5 92.5
2020 628 30.5 20.5 89.6
2021 562 37.5 14.9 95
2022 552 26.0 21.2 86.6
2023 526 26.5 19.8 76.4

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Dowdell Middle Magnet School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $661 (8.3%) $7,334 (91.7%) $7,995
2019 $1,135 (14.1%) $6,923 (85.9%) $8,058
2020 $1,200 (14.0%) $7,347 (86.0%) $8,546
2021 $1,624 (16.6%) $8,137 (83.4%) $9,761
2022 $1,995 (21.5%) $7,272 (78.5%) $9,266
2023 $1,850 (19.6%) $7,578 (80.4%) $9,429

Data source: Florida Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Dowdell Middle Magnet School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 953rd of 1099 Middle schoolsRanks 990th of 1177 Middle schools
 2.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Dowdell Middle Magnet School)3343
 10%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)5352
 1%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5452
 2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Dowdell Middle Magnet School)3135
 4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)4945
 4%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)5549
 6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Dowdell Middle Magnet School)2530
 5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)5449
 5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5248
 4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Dowdell Middle Magnet School)477
 40%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)6226
 36%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)5446
 8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Dowdell Middle Magnet School)2530
 5%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)5347
 6%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5649
 7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Dowdell Middle Magnet School)1622
 6%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)3147
 16%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)4642
 4%
8th Grade Science (Dowdell Middle Magnet School)1915
 4%
   8th Grade Science (Hillsborough)4741
 6%
   8th Grade Science (Florida)4844
 4%
End of Course Civics (Dowdell Middle Magnet School)4355
 12%
   End of Course Civics (Hillsborough)6764
 3%
   End of Course Civics (Florida)7166
 5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Dowdell Middle Magnet School)8383
   End of Course Algebra 1 (Hillsborough)6360
 3%
   End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)6254
 8%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students636526
 17.3%
African American151133
 11.9%
American Indian00
Asian31
 66.7%
Hispanic348297
 14.7%
Pacific Islander00
White11275
 33%
Two or More Races2220
 9.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients92.5%76.4%
 16%


Schools Near Dowdell Middle Magnet School









Frequently Asked Questions about Dowdell Middle Magnet School

Students who attend Dowdell Middle Magnet School usually go on to attend East Bay High School

Students at Dowdell Middle Magnet School are 56% Hispanic, 25% African American, 14% White, 4% Two or more races.

Dowdell Middle Magnet School ranks in the bottom 16.6% of Florida middle schools.

In the 2022-23 school year, 526 students attended Dowdell Middle Magnet School.


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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.





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