Is Shields Middle School a good school?

Shields Middle School ranks in the bottom 12.8% of Florida middle schools.

How many students attend Shields Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,746 students attended Shields Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Shields Middle School?

Students at Shields Middle School are 58% Hispanic, 27% African American, 11% White, 2% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

Shields Middle School

Summary:

Shields Middle School is a public middle school located in Ruskin, Florida, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 1,867 students. The school is part of the Hillsborough School District, which is ranked 45 out of 68 districts in Florida and is rated 2 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

Shields Middle School faces several challenges, including consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, significantly lower test scores compared to district and state averages, and a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, suggesting a large proportion of economically disadvantaged students. However, the school performs relatively better in Algebra 1 and Civics, with proficiency rates around 69-74% and 41-61%, respectively, in recent years. This suggests potential strengths in these subject areas compared to the school's overall academic performance. Interestingly, Shields Middle School has a diverse student population, with a majority Hispanic student body and significant African American and White populations, similar to nearby schools like Dowdell Middle Magnet School and Progress Village Middle Magnet, but different from schools like Randall Middle School and Barrington Middle School, which have higher percentages of White students.

Despite the challenges, Shields Middle School's spending per student is relatively high, ranging from $6,988 in 2021-2022 to $8,037 in 2022-2023, compared to the nearby schools. However, the school has consistently ranked in the bottom quarter of Florida middle schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger for the past several years, in contrast to higher-performing nearby schools like Randall Middle School and Barrington Middle School.

Detail:

Public 6-8

15732 Beth Shields Way
Ruskin, FL 33573

(813) 672-5338

District: Hillsborough

SchoolDigger Rank:
1043^rd of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,037

Feeder schools for Shields Middle School:

Elementary:	Cypress Creek Elementary School
	Reddick Elementary School
	Ruskin Elementary School
	Thompson Elementary
	More...
	Wimauma Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 21.9

Number of students: 1,746

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

57.7%

African American:

27.4%

White:

11.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 67.1%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Shields Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Shields Middle School ranks worse than 87.2% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 35^th among 43 ranked middle schools in the Hillsborough School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 15.76. (See more...)

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

Compare Details Shields Middle School has the largest middle school student body size in the Hillsborough School District. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (57.7%), African American (27.4%), White (11.1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 67.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Shields Middle School is 21.9. 32 middle schools in the Hillsborough School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Shields Middle School employs 79.5 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Shields Middle School is $8,037. 36 middle schools in the Hillsborough School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Shields Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Shields Middle School 1043^rd of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Shields Middle School in the ranking list.)

Hillsborough:

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

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Shields Middle School.

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Your rating for Shields Middle School?

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Rank History for Shields Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2007	31.57	529^th	736	28.1%
2008	29.94	549^th	740	25.8%
2009	28.66	582^nd	780	25.4%
2010	34.44	593^rd	839	29.3%
2011	23.95	702^nd	891	21.2%
2012	19.84	733^rd	897	18.3%
2013	21.98	760^th	956	20.5%
2014	23.57	790^th	999	20.9%
2016	15.09	880^th	997	11.7%
2017	13.05	928^th	1031	10.0%
2018	19.99	855^th	1035	17.4%
2019	21.53	887^th	1099	19.3%
2021	20.46	927^th	1136	18.4%
2022	20.12	963^rd	1148	16.1%
2023	14.81	1042^nd	1177	11.5%
2024	15.76	1043^rd	1196	12.8%

See the entire list of Florida Middle School Rankings!

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

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1.7)

33%

67%

Reviews:

by a parent
Friday, February 25, 2022

esta escuela es lo peor de lo peor, primero deben de poner a una principal que tenga liderazgo y no deje que los estudiantes hagan lo que quieran luego expulsar a cada estudiante que cometa bullying oh agrreda a otro estudiantes sin record de incidente en la escuela,cambiar completamente el personaje del orden publico osea el policia el cual pierde el tiempo en la oficina y hablando en las esquina en vez de estar dando rondas preventivas alrededor de la escuela, otro cambiar cada maestro que no tenga el level adecuado para dar clases ya que esta escuela esta pobre de profesionales(no todos hay algunos que si se merecen el titulos de maestros.la comida en el comedor se le puede dar 0 en calidad . comida que enferma el estomago de los estudiantes. estudiantes que van sin uniforme a la escuela y ninas vistiendo en piyamas como si estuvieran en la casa con zapatos de dormir y otras vistiendo como si trabajaran en una discoteca, hay que ver como ha bajado la calidad de mandato en las escuelas que pena no entiendo porque venden y exijen uniformes si no hacen valer las reglas.. horrible escuela. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, September 19, 2011

My kids went to Shields and went on to high school. Just like any other PUBLIC SCHOOL, Shields is not perfect. And every single school you can go to has kids who try to be bullies. Name one that doesn't. (Good luck!) That is life. We had a situation like that and my daughter's assistant principal handled it after she reported it. Shields is not a "bad" school. Seems like the main people who have a problem with Shields are parents who don't want their children around minorities or around children who grow up different from them. That is a very sad way to raise your children. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, June 17, 2010

I've heard this school is full of gangs, ne'er-do-wells, and incidences of young girls committing suicide because of bullying as a result of 'sexting.'

I would not recommend this school, unless your children would like to be exposed to a rather rough crowd. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Shields Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
2005	319	36	11	686	1	n/a	n/a	0	1053
2006	320	24	12	718	2	n/a	n/a	0	1076
2007	318	37	16	726	0	n/a	n/a	28	1125
2008	316	72	19	762	3	n/a	n/a	36	1208
2009	323	100	15	811	5	n/a	n/a	42	1296
2010	337	91	11	851	6	n/a	n/a	30	1326
2011	279	126	10	912	8	3	35	0	1373
2012	280	154	16	904	6	5	31	0	1396
2013	286	163	17	940	5	5	29	0	1445
2014	262	176	17	957	3	5	43	0	1463
2015	264	159	11	998	1	3	38	0	1474
2016	232	160	12	916	5	4	39	0	1368
2017	245	182	12	919	3	2	31	0	1394
2018	209	219	19	923	1	1	39	0	1411
2019	222	270	12	1025	1	1	48	0	1579
2020	249	306	14	1127	2	5	57	0	1760
2021	224	333	7	1028	2	4	47	0	1645
2022	231	401	16	1083	6	3	52	0	1792
2023	248	497	19	1052	1	4	46	0	1867
2024	194	478	24	1008	1	4	37	0	1746

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 Shields Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2005	1053	63.0	16.7	80.2
2006	1076	64.0	16.8	82.9
2007	1125	51.0	22.1	81.8
2008	1208	74.5	16.2	80.3
2009	1296	99.0	13.8	82.7
2010	1326	86.5	15.3	81.3
2011	1373	82.8	16.5	82.3
2012	1396	83.6	16.6	86
2013	1445	85.0	17.0	86.7
2014	1463	100.0	14.6	85.2
2015	1474	99.0	14.8	89.3
2016	1368	96.0	14.2	86.8
2017	1394	95.0	14.6	86.4
2018	1411	85.0	16.6	86.8
2019	1579	89.0	17.7	87.2
2020	1760	94.0	18.7	85.3
2021	1645	103.0	15.9	88.8
2022	1792	86.0	20.8	77.3
2023	1867	86.0	21.7	67.7
2024	1746	79.5	21.9	67.1

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 Shields Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2005	1053	63.0	16.7	80.2
2006	1076	64.0	16.8	82.9
2007	1125	51.0	22.1	81.8
2008	1208	74.5	16.2	80.3
2009	1296	99.0	13.8	82.7
2010	1326	86.5	15.3	81.3
2011	1373	82.8	16.5	82.3
2012	1396	83.6	16.6	86
2013	1445	85.0	17.0	86.7
2014	1463	100.0	14.6	85.2
2015	1474	99.0	14.8	89.3
2016	1368	96.0	14.2	86.8
2017	1394	95.0	14.6	86.4
2018	1411	85.0	16.6	86.8
2019	1579	89.0	17.7	87.2
2020	1760	94.0	18.7	85.3
2021	1645	103.0	15.9	88.8
2022	1792	86.0	20.8	77.3
2023	1867	86.0	21.7	67.7
2024	1746	79.5	21.9	67.1

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 Shields Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,239 (17.7%)	$5,765 (82.3%)	$7,004
2019	$968 (14.1%)	$5,873 (85.9%)	$6,841
2020	$1,018 (13.9%)	$6,326 (86.1%)	$7,345
2021	$1,245 (16.1%)	$6,466 (83.9%)	$7,711
2022	$1,582 (22.6%)	$5,407 (77.4%)	$6,988
2023	$2,273 (28.3%)	$5,764 (71.7%)	$8,037

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Shields Middle 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 887^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 1042^nd of 1177 Middle schools	7.8%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
7th Grade English Language Arts (Shields Middle School)	32	27	5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	54	49	5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Shields Middle School)	42	8	34%
7th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)	62	26	36%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Shields Middle School)	35	28	7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	53	47	6%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Shields Middle School)	26	29	3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Hillsborough)	31	47	16%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Shields Middle School)	34	20	14%
8th Grade Science (Hillsborough)	47	41	6%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Shields Middle School)	50	42	8%
End of Course Civics (Hillsborough)	67	64	3%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Shields Middle School)	74	74
End of Course Algebra 1 (Hillsborough)	63	60	3%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Shields Middle School)	94	100	6%
End of Course Geometry (Hillsborough)	57	53	4%
End of Course Geometry (Florida)	57	50	7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1579	1867	18.2%
African American	270	497	84.1%
American Indian	1	1
Asian	12	19	58.3%
Hispanic	1025	1052	2.6%
Pacific Islander	1	4	300%
White	222	248	11.7%
Two or More Races	48	46	4.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	87.2%	67.7%	19.5%

Schools Near Shields Middle School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)			FAST Math (2024)			Statewide Science Science (2024)	EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Shields Middle School	Public	6-8	15732 Beth Shields Way	Ruskin	33573	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 672-5338	1,746	80	21.9	67.1%	194 (11.1%)	478 (27.4%)	1,008 (57.7%)	24 (1.4%)	1 (0.1%)	4 (0.2%)	37 (2.1%)	15.8	1043^rd of 1196 public middle schools	12.8%		14.8	1042^nd of 1177 public middle schools	11.5%	1	25.0	23.0	27.0	24.0	19.0	37.0	28.0	69.0		41.0	$8,037	$2,273	$5,764
Eisenhower Middle School	Public	6-8	7620 Old Big Bend Rd	Gibsonton	33534	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 671-5121	1,213	43	28.2	59.1%	213 (17.6%)	449 (37.0%)	439 (36.2%)	19 (1.6%)	1 (0.1%)	5 (0.4%)	87 (7.2%)	14.3	1060^th of 1196 public middle schools	11.4%		18.2	998^th of 1177 public middle schools	15.2%	62	32.0	27.0	25.0	23.0	13.0	29.0	27.0	68.0	80.0	53.0	$8,248	$1,798	$6,450
Rodgers Middle Magnet School	Public, Magnet	6-8	11910 Tucker Rd	Riverview	33569	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	Yes	(813) 671-5288	1,070	50	21.6	49.9%	339 (31.7%)	260 (24.3%)	368 (34.4%)	34 (3.2%)	2 (0.2%)	4 (0.4%)	63 (5.9%)	32.7	831^st of 1196 public middle schools	30.5%		40.3	699^th of 1177 public middle schools	40.6%	132	44.0	42.0	37.0	44.0	24.0	43.0	39.0	62.0	92.0	45.0	$7,712	$1,724	$5,988
Barrington Middle School	Public	6-8	5925 Village Center Dr	Lithia	33547	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 657-7266	1,279	63	20.3	35.8%	588 (46.0%)	140 (10.9%)	403 (31.5%)	61 (4.8%)	3 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	83 (6.5%)	67.6	357^th of 1196 public middle schools	70.2%		72.2	295^th of 1177 public middle schools	74.9%	62	61.0	65.0	53.0	67.0	36.0	69.0	55.0	82.0	97.0	75.0	$7,210	$1,329	$5,881
Progress Village Middle Magnet	Public, Magnet	6-8	8113 Zinnia Dr	Tampa	33619	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	No	(813) 671-5110	744	40	18.8	46.5%	192 (25.8%)	263 (35.3%)	238 (32.0%)	6 (0.8%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	43 (5.8%)	62.7	410^th of 1196 public middle schools	65.7%		60.9	427^th of 1177 public middle schools	63.7%	17	69.0	54.0	55.0	63.0	44.0	57.0	51.0	86.0		76.0	$9,339	$1,692	$7,647
Giunta Middle School	Public	6-8	4202 S Falkenburg Rd	Riverview	33578	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 740-4888	825	44	18.9	70.2%	116 (14.1%)	307 (37.2%)	354 (42.9%)	8 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	38 (4.6%)	13.3	1075^th of 1196 public middle schools	10.1%		14.5	1044^th of 1177 public middle schools	11.3%	31	27.0	27.0	24.0	15.0	23.0	34.0	20.0	56.0	83.0	48.0	$10,085	$2,508	$7,576
Randall Middle School	Public	6-8	16510 Fishhawk Blvd	Lithia	33547	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 740-3900	1,361	65	20.9	15.0%	898 (66.0%)	63 (4.6%)	235 (17.3%)	77 (5.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	87 (6.4%)	88.2	104^th of 1196 public middle schools	91.3%		88.7	100^th of 1177 public middle schools	91.5%	4	78.0	77.0	71.0	82.0	47.0	84.0	73.0	94.0	98.0	94.0	$7,322	$1,174	$6,148
Burns Middle School	Public	6-8	615 Brooker Rd	Brandon	33511	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 744-8383	1,192	61	19.7	39.1%	542 (45.5%)	129 (10.8%)	367 (30.8%)	45 (3.8%)	4 (0.3%)	2 (0.2%)	103 (8.6%)	55.5	508^th of 1196 public middle schools	57.5%		61.8	414^th of 1177 public middle schools	64.8%	94	59.0	54.0	48.0	62.0	34.0	57.0	48.0	73.0	100.0	65.0	$8,225	$1,415	$6,811
Monroe Middle Magnet School	Public, Magnet	6-8	4716 W Montgomery Ave	Tampa	33616	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	Yes	(813) 272-3020	344	23	15.2	67.4%	84 (24.4%)	114 (33.1%)	84 (24.4%)	7 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	54 (15.7%)	20.1	997^th of 1196 public middle schools	16.6%		19.7	984^th of 1177 public middle schools	16.4%	13	35.0	25.0	35.0	22.0	13.0	25.0	39.0	50.0		42.0	$12,237	$2,505	$9,731
Buffalo Creek Middle School	Public	6-8	7320 69th St E	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 721-2260	1,122	57	19.6	46.3%	675 (60.2%)	143 (12.7%)	231 (20.6%)	28 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (4.0%)	55.9	505^th of 1196 public middle schools	57.8%		55.1	495^th of 1177 public middle schools	57.9%	10	59.0	57.0	54.0	62.0	60.0	28.0	41.0	94.0	90.0	68.0	$8,339	$1,186	$7,153

Shields Middle School

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Rank History for Shields Middle School

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Enrollment information for Shields Middle School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Shields Middle School

Student/Teacher Ratio Shields Middle School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Shields Middle School

Impact of COVID-19 on Shields Middle School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Shields Middle School