Okaloosa Stemm Center

Summary:

Okaloosa Stemm Center is a highly-ranked public middle school located in Valparaiso, Florida, serving grades 6-8 with an enrollment of 365 students. This exceptional school has consistently been ranked among the top middle schools in Florida, earning a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger for the past several years.

Okaloosa Stemm Center's academic performance is truly impressive, with over 95% proficiency rates in subjects like Algebra 1, Geometry, Civics, and 8th grade Science - significantly higher than the Okaloosa district and Florida state averages. The school also stands out for its racial diversity, with a student population that is 68.49% White, 11.51% Hispanic, 5.21% African American, and 3.56% Asian. Additionally, Okaloosa Stemm Center has relatively low chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 9.4% to 19.4%, lower than the nearby schools, which have rates ranging from 17.8% to 29.8%.

Compared to other middle schools in the area, such as Davidson Middle School, Shoal River Middle School, and Max Bruner Junior Middle School, Okaloosa Stemm Center stands out for its exceptional academic performance, diverse student population, and efficient resource allocation, spending $10,406 per student in the 2022-2023 school year, higher than the nearby schools' range of $8,274 to $10,738 per student.

Detail:

Public, Magnet 6-8

379 Edge Ave
Valparaiso, FL 32580

(850) 833-4120

District: Okaloosa

SchoolDigger Rank:
1^st of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,406

Student/teacher ratio: 15.6

Number of students: 359

Racial breakdown:

White:

66.0%

Hispanic:

14.2%

Two or more races:

12.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 25.6%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Okaloosa Stemm Center to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Okaloosa Stemm Center ranks better than 99.9% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks first among 8 ranked middle schools in the Okaloosa School District! (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 98.81. (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 Okaloosa Stemm Center has the smallest middle school student body size in the Okaloosa School District. Student population at Okaloosa Stemm Center is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (66%), Hispanic (14.2%), two or more races (12.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 25.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Okaloosa Stemm Center is 15.6, which is the lowest among 8 middle schools in the Okaloosa School District! (See more...)

Compare Okaloosa Stemm Center employs 23 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Okaloosa Stemm Center is $10,406, which is the 3^rd highest among 8 middle schools in the Okaloosa School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Okaloosa Stemm Center was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Okaloosa Stemm Center 1^st of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Okaloosa Stemm Center in the ranking list.)

Okaloosa:

SchoolDigger ranks Okaloosa 12^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Okaloosa Stemm Center.

What do you think?

Your rating for Okaloosa Stemm Center?

(Ranking FAQ)

Rank History for Okaloosa Stemm Center

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2014	98.44	4^th	999	99.6%
2016	99.15	1^st	997	99.9%
2017	98.96	1^st	1031	99.9%
2018	98.81	1^st	1035	99.9%
2019	98.66	1^st	1099	99.9%
2021	99.40	2^nd	1136	99.8%
2022	99.27	2^nd	1148	99.8%
2023	99.19	1^st	1177	99.9%
2024	98.81	1^st	1196	99.9%

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)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Wednesday, April 3, 2019

My child went to this school for a month and we withdrew her. Now she is in virtual public school (making straight "A's" and loving learning again), and getting so much better education than this school could hope to offer. The math teacher at Okaloosa STEM was missing in action, literally. Couldn't find her most of the time, and had substitutes in her class many times. From what I was told, I believe she was too busy working on her PHD, while her students needs were second to her own. She pulls homework/school work from one of 17 math books (had my daughter count them and list the names so we could use later) she keeps in classroom. Offers NO help to students. After working one problem for 10 days, going to this teacher 8 times (when she could find her), my child knew no more how to solve the problem than the first day. Actually, she knew how to solve the problem, just not the EXACT way the math teacher wanted it done, and she wouldn't offer any help except to "go work on it some more." When I complained to Administration, her buddy, the digital arts and design teacher, wrote to me that my daughter "did not have the ability to follow simple instructions." This from the guy that handed out flyers for his class (in orientation) with the wrong contact email (some digital art expert, huh). I don't think HE has the ability to follow simple instructions. Even the Office Coordinator said they had no idea where this guy was most of the time. He would just disappear when class wasn't in session. So much for helping the students. The laptops they gave students had so little RAM that it would take almost the entire class (90 mins) to download a program for that class. Yes, the teachers run this school, which is NOT a good thing. Consider that the Principle is retiring (2018-2019) and not really up for correcting this cluster. The best thing about this school was their Science teacher who was engaged, helpful and attentive to the students needs. My kid was (and is) a straight "A" student. I was not gonna let this school discourage her love of learning. They really need to re-evaluate some of these teachers. To call this school a STEM school is a grave misuse of the term. How anyone would ever consider them to be a true STEM academy, is beyond me. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Okaloosa Stemm Center

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2013	68	5	3	5	0	0	5	86
2014	111	3	3	7	1	0	10	135
2015	138	10	6	11	2	0	15	182
2016	152	7	8	13	1	1	13	195
2017	165	9	8	17	2	1	18	220
2018	175	11	10	21	3	0	19	239
2019	202	13	9	27	3	0	25	279
2020	212	17	13	25	3	0	30	300
2021	202	18	9	25	2	0	36	292
2022	216	18	11	38	2	1	42	328
2023	250	19	13	42	1	1	39	365
2024	237	14	10	51	0	2	45	359

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 Okaloosa Stemm Center

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2013	86	4.0	21.5	27.9
2014	135	8.0	16.8	16.3
2015	182	10.0	18.2	17
2016	195	10.0	19.5	17.4
2017	220	12.0	18.3	20.9
2018	239	12.0	19.9	18.8
2019	279	17.5	15.9	20.1
2020	300	18.0	16.6	18.7
2021	292	19.0	15.3	20.5
2022	328	18.0	18.2	18.6
2023	365	20.0	18.2	24.4
2024	359	23.0	15.6	25.6

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 Okaloosa Stemm Center

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2013	86	4.0	21.5	27.9
2014	135	8.0	16.8	16.3
2015	182	10.0	18.2	17
2016	195	10.0	19.5	17.4
2017	220	12.0	18.3	20.9
2018	239	12.0	19.9	18.8
2019	279	17.5	15.9	20.1
2020	300	18.0	16.6	18.7
2021	292	19.0	15.3	20.5
2022	328	18.0	18.2	18.6
2023	365	20.0	18.2	24.4
2024	359	23.0	15.6	25.6

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 Okaloosa Stemm Center

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$387 (4.5%)	$8,192 (95.5%)	$8,579
2019	$1,054 (9.8%)	$9,679 (90.2%)	$10,733
2020	$538 (5.5%)	$9,201 (94.5%)	$9,739
2021	$842 (7.3%)	$10,734 (92.7%)	$11,576
2022	$1,786 (17.5%)	$8,391 (82.5%)	$10,177
2023	$2,110 (20.3%)	$8,296 (79.7%)	$10,406

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Okaloosa Stemm Center

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 1^st of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 1^st of 1177 Middle schools	0%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Okaloosa Stemm Center)	100	98	2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Okaloosa)	63	58	5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Okaloosa Stemm Center)	97	99	2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Okaloosa)	58	53	5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Okaloosa Stemm Center)	100	99	1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Okaloosa)	73	62	11%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Okaloosa Stemm Center)	100	98	2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Okaloosa)	66	55	11%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Okaloosa Stemm Center)	100	100
8th Grade Mathematics (Okaloosa)	65	54	11%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Okaloosa Stemm Center)	98	98
8th Grade Science (Okaloosa)	67	61	6%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Okaloosa Stemm Center)	99	99
End of Course Civics (Okaloosa)	78	70	8%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Okaloosa Stemm Center)	100	100
End of Course Algebra 1 (Okaloosa)	78	65	13%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Okaloosa Stemm Center)	100	100
End of Course Geometry (Okaloosa)	73	65	8%
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	279	365	30.8%
African American	13	19	46.2%
American Indian	3	1	66.7%
Asian	9	13	44.4%
Hispanic	27	42	55.6%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	202	250	23.8%
Two or More Races	25	39	56%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	20.1%	24.4%	4.3%

Schools Near Okaloosa Stemm Center

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 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th 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
Okaloosa Stemm Center	Public, Magnet	6-8	379 Edge Ave	Valparaiso	32580	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	Yes	No	No	(850) 833-4120	359	23	15.6	25.6%	237 (66.0%)	14 (3.9%)	51 (14.2%)	10 (2.8%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.6%)	45 (12.5%)	98.8	1^st of 1196 public middle schools	99.9%		99.2	1^st of 1177 public middle schools	99.9%			96.0	97.0	99.0			98.0			96.0	99.0	98.0	99.0	$10,406	$2,110	$8,296
C. W. Ruckel Middle School	Public	6-8	201 Partin Dr N	Niceville	32578	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4142	1,054	52	20.1	20.5%	806 (76.5%)	27 (2.6%)	116 (11.0%)	9 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.3%)	93 (8.8%)	88.5	100^th of 1196 public middle schools	91.6%		88.7	99^th of 1177 public middle schools	91.6%	1		74.0	70.0	76.0		75.0	92.0	79.0		80.0	99.0	100.0	88.0	$8,274	$1,291	$6,983
Clifford Meigs Middle School	Public	6-8	150 Richbourg Ave	Shalimar	32579	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-4301	558	33	16.9	54.5%	360 (64.5%)	62 (11.1%)	69 (12.4%)	12 (2.2%)	2 (0.4%)	3 (0.5%)	50 (9.0%)	62.2	414^th of 1196 public middle schools	65.4%		58	460^th of 1177 public middle schools	60.9%	46		60.0	51.0	58.0		54.0	67.0	61.0		48.0	79.0	80.0	60.0	$10,220	$1,776	$8,444
W. C. Pryor Middle School	Public	6-8	201 Racetrack Rd NW	Fort Walton Beach	32547	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-3613	679	40	16.9	68.8%	243 (35.8%)	94 (13.8%)	273 (40.2%)	13 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.6%)	52 (7.7%)	42.9	688^th of 1196 public middle schools	42.5%		50.6	554^th of 1177 public middle schools	52.9%	134		40.0	40.0	40.0		47.0	63.0	54.0		45.0	87.0	95.0	60.0	$10,646	$2,263	$8,383
Destin Middle School	Public	5-8	4608 Legendary Marina Dr	Destin	32541	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 833-7655	851	42	20.0	35.6%	604 (71.0%)	38 (4.5%)	124 (14.6%)	31 (3.6%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	50 (5.9%)	79.7	206^th of 1196 public middle schools	82.8%		83.7	160^th of 1177 public middle schools	86.4%	46	65.0	68.0	66.0	67.0	67.0	69.0	82.0	75.0	57.0	56.0	96.0	100.0	82.0	$8,919	$1,444	$7,474
Max Bruner Junior Middle School	Public	6-8	322 Holmes Blvd NW	Fort Walton Beach	32548	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	Yes	(850) 833-3266	739	41	18.2	60.6%	316 (42.8%)	134 (18.1%)	179 (24.2%)	15 (2.0%)	3 (0.4%)	6 (0.8%)	86 (11.6%)	49.7	600^th of 1196 public middle schools	49.8%		46.4	616^th of 1177 public middle schools	47.7%	16		52.0	43.0	46.0		45.0	56.0	61.0		49.0	79.0	78.0	60.0	$10,738	$2,119	$8,619
Shoal River Middle School	Public	6-8	3200 E Redstone Ave	Crestview	32539	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 689-7229	895	45	19.8	53.4%	476 (53.2%)	164 (18.3%)	120 (13.4%)	21 (2.3%)	2 (0.2%)	3 (0.3%)	109 (12.2%)	68.3	351^st of 1196 public middle schools	70.7%		68.3	343^rd of 1177 public middle schools	70.9%	8		60.0	58.0	54.0		68.0	69.0	63.0		57.0	97.0	100.0	71.0	$8,706	$1,429	$7,277
Davidson Middle School	Public	6-8	6261 Old Bethel Rd	Crestview	32536	Okaloosa County	Okaloosa	No	No	No	No	(850) 683-7500	1,154	57	20.2	50.2%	814 (70.5%)	116 (10.1%)	115 (10.0%)	10 (0.9%)	4 (0.3%)	6 (0.5%)	89 (7.7%)	70.3	327^th of 1196 public middle schools	72.7%		72.4	292^nd of 1177 public middle schools	75.2%	35		56.0	58.0	58.0		69.0	76.0	68.0		56.0	95.0	100.0	69.0	$8,313	$1,357	$6,957

Frequently Asked Questions about Okaloosa Stemm Center

What district is Okaloosa Stemm Center in?

Okaloosa

How many students attend Okaloosa Stemm Center?

In the 2023-24 school year, 359 students attended Okaloosa Stemm Center.

Is Okaloosa Stemm Center a good school?

Yes! Okaloosa Stemm Center is one of the best middle schools in the state. It ranks 1^st of 1196 Florida middle schools.

What is the racial makeup of Okaloosa Stemm Center?

Students at Okaloosa Stemm Center are 66% White, 14% Hispanic, 13% Two or more races, 4% African American, 3% Asian.

Rate Okaloosa Stemm Center!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida Middle School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Valparaiso, FL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Okaloosa Stemm Center!

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.