Westward Elementary School

Summary:

Westward Elementary School is a public elementary school in West Palm Beach, Florida, serving around 500 students in grades PK-5, with a predominantly African American student body. However, the school faces significant challenges, with high chronic absenteeism, low academic performance, and a high concentration of economically disadvantaged students.

Westward Elementary School has consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 30.0% to 35.3%, which is much higher than the Palm Beach School District and state averages of around 14-15%. The school's academic performance, as measured by standardized test scores, is also significantly lower than the district and state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math were 32-54%, compared to the district's 52-59% and the state's 53-60%. Additionally, Westward Elementary has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 80.8% to 92.65%, much higher than the district and state averages.

When comparing Westward Elementary School to nearby schools in the same district, such as Northmore Elementary and West Gate Elementary, which have similar high rates of chronic absenteeism and low test scores, it suggests broader challenges in the district. In contrast, the charter schools in the area, such as Connections Education Center and Renaissance Charter School, have significantly better academic performance and lower chronic absenteeism rates. Despite the relatively high spending per student and low student-teacher ratio at Westward Elementary, the school's performance still lags behind the district and state averages, indicating that addressing the root causes of the school's challenges will be crucial for improving the educational experience and outcomes for the students.

Detail:

Public, Magnet PK, KG-5

1101 Golf Ave
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

(561) 653-5200

District: Palm Beach

SchoolDigger Rank:
1767^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $15,278

Students who attend Westward Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Bear Lakes Middle School
High:	Palm Beach Lakes High School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.1

Number of students: 500

Racial breakdown:

African American:

87.2%

Hispanic:

6.2%

White:

4.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 80.8%

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Compare Westward Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Westward Elementary School ranks worse than 78.3% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 92^nd among 128 ranked elementary schools in the Palm Beach School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 25.04. (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 Racial makeup is: African American (87.2%), Hispanic (6.2%), White (4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 80.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Westward Elementary School is 16.1. 82 elementary schools in the Palm Beach School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Westward Elementary School employs 31 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Westward Elementary School is $15,278, which is the 36^th highest among 128 elementary schools in the Palm Beach School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Westward Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Palm Beach:

SchoolDigger ranks Palm Beach 41^st of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Westward Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	15.71	1474^th	1688	12.7%
2007	17.17	1555^th	1786	12.9%
2008	25.92	1399^th	1789	21.8%
2009	27.89	1436^th	1847	22.3%
2010	17.30	1677^th	1919	12.6%
2011	14.51	1792^nd	1985	9.7%
2012	14.55	1783^rd	1984	10.1%
2013	20.35	1718^th	2029	15.3%
2014	14.68	1875^th	2064	9.2%
2016	29.33	1532^nd	2087	26.6%
2017	28.27	1550^th	2112	26.6%
2018	27.33	1592^nd	2118	24.8%
2019	33.05	1509^th	2182	30.8%
2021	15.07	1986^th	2247	11.6%
2022	16.65	1957^th	2219	11.8%
2023	18.15	1956^th	2240	12.7%
2024	25.04	1767^th	2256	21.7%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

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

Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Westward Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	184	343	2	34	1	n/a	n/a	0	564
1989	184	367	5	31	2	n/a	n/a	0	589
1990	151	377	8	29	0	n/a	n/a	0	565
1991	168	377	11	37	2	n/a	n/a	0	595
1992	121	407	5	39	2	n/a	n/a	0	574
1993	94	458	6	36	4	n/a	n/a	0	598
1994	83	554	9	23	2	n/a	n/a	0	671
1995	68	584	15	30	3	n/a	n/a	0	700
1996	68	584	15	30	3	n/a	n/a	0	700
1997	71	579	13	34	3	n/a	n/a	0	700
1998	71	579	7	52	5	n/a	n/a	0	714
1999	74	579	4	45	4	n/a	n/a	0	706
2000	69	543	8	54	6	n/a	n/a	0	680
2001	70	557	5	64	7	n/a	n/a	0	703
2002	58	533	9	73	10	n/a	n/a	0	683
2003	58	533	9	73	10	n/a	n/a	0	683
2004	48	564	10	77	7	n/a	n/a	0	706
2005	18	571	9	30	4	n/a	n/a	0	632
2006	18	552	7	38	1	n/a	n/a	0	616
2007	6	460	8	40	0	n/a	n/a	20	534
2008	8	505	6	40	0	n/a	n/a	21	580
2009	8	543	5	39	0	n/a	n/a	22	617
2010	4	597	6	37	2	n/a	n/a	5	651
2011	4	641	4	38	2	2	3	0	694
2012	8	614	4	34	3	2	9	0	674
2013	8	621	5	42	2	1	9	0	688
2014	10	616	3	31	0	1	12	0	673
2015	7	563	7	29	2	2	6	0	616
2016	7	522	2	30	2	0	6	0	569
2017	7	561	1	34	3	1	7	0	614
2018	7	596	0	30	7	1	12	0	653
2019	12	519	2	27	3	0	18	0	581
2020	11	501	4	23	2	1	14	0	556
2021	14	440	3	24	0	0	13	0	494
2022	20	424	3	31	0	0	12	0	490
2023	20	436	4	31	0	0	9	0	500

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 Westward Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	564	42.0	13.4	54.6
1989	589	43.0	13.6	54
1990	565	44.0	12.8	61.9
1991	595	43.0	13.8	60.2
1992	574	42.0	13.6	n/a
1993	598	42.0	14.2	70.7
1994	671	42.0	16.0	73.8
1995	700	51.0	13.7	60.6
1996	700	51.0	13.7	60.6
1997	700	47.0	14.9	55.6
1998	714	46.0	15.5	71.6
1999	706	43.0	16.4	82.4
2000	680	41.0	16.6	83.7
2001	703	45.0	15.6	85.1
2002	683	43.0	15.9	85.1
2003	683	43.0	15.9	85.1
2004	706	55.0	12.8	88.7
2005	632	49.0	12.9	70.9
2006	616	50.0	12.3	80.7
2007	534	38.0	14.1	82.7
2008	580	41.5	14.0	78.2
2009	617	51.2	14.0	83.5
2010	651	45.5	14.3	78.2
2011	694	51.0	13.6	82.6
2012	674	52.5	12.8	87.2
2013	688	53.0	12.9	86.9
2014	673	56.0	12.0	90.5
2015	616	54.0	11.4	90.7
2016	569	55.0	10.3	92.6
2017	614	48.0	12.7	94.8
2018	653	53.0	12.3	91
2019	581	40.0	14.5	85.2
2020	556	37.0	15.0	86.9
2021	494	35.5	13.9	90.9
2022	490	37.5	13.0	92.7
2023	500	31.0	16.1	80.8

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 Westward Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	564	42.0	13.4	54.6
1989	589	43.0	13.6	54
1990	565	44.0	12.8	61.9
1991	595	43.0	13.8	60.2
1992	574	42.0	13.6	n/a
1993	598	42.0	14.2	70.7
1994	671	42.0	16.0	73.8
1995	700	51.0	13.7	60.6
1996	700	51.0	13.7	60.6
1997	700	47.0	14.9	55.6
1998	714	46.0	15.5	71.6
1999	706	43.0	16.4	82.4
2000	680	41.0	16.6	83.7
2001	703	45.0	15.6	85.1
2002	683	43.0	15.9	85.1
2003	683	43.0	15.9	85.1
2004	706	55.0	12.8	88.7
2005	632	49.0	12.9	70.9
2006	616	50.0	12.3	80.7
2007	534	38.0	14.1	82.7
2008	580	41.5	14.0	78.2
2009	617	51.2	14.0	83.5
2010	651	45.5	14.3	78.2
2011	694	51.0	13.6	82.6
2012	674	52.5	12.8	87.2
2013	688	53.0	12.9	86.9
2014	673	56.0	12.0	90.5
2015	616	54.0	11.4	90.7
2016	569	55.0	10.3	92.6
2017	614	48.0	12.7	94.8
2018	653	53.0	12.3	91
2019	581	40.0	14.5	85.2
2020	556	37.0	15.0	86.9
2021	494	35.5	13.9	90.9
2022	490	37.5	13.0	92.7
2023	500	31.0	16.1	80.8

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 Westward Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,168 (11.4%)	$9,049 (88.6%)	$10,217
2019	$1,079 (10.7%)	$9,031 (89.3%)	$10,109
2020	$980 (8.3%)	$10,789 (91.7%)	$11,769
2021	$1,445 (11.9%)	$10,680 (88.1%)	$12,124
2022	$3,043 (19.1%)	$12,904 (80.9%)	$15,947
2023	$2,616 (17.1%)	$12,661 (82.9%)	$15,278

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Westward Elementary 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 1509^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1956^th of 2240 Elementary schools	18.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Westward Elementary School)	25	27	2%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Palm Beach)	54	54
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Westward Elementary School)	51	36	15%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Palm Beach)	65	58	7%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Westward Elementary School)	57	58	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Palm Beach)	62	62
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Westward Elementary School)	66	41	25%
4th Grade Mathematics (Palm Beach)	67	59	8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Westward Elementary School)	44	24	20%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Palm Beach)	59	57	2%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Westward Elementary School)	57	16	41%
5th Grade Mathematics (Palm Beach)	65	50	15%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Westward Elementary School)	28	36	8%
5th Grade Science (Palm Beach)	51	51
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	581	500	13.9%
African American	519	436	16%
American Indian	3	0	100%
Asian	2	4	100%
Hispanic	27	31	14.8%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	12	20	66.7%
Two or More Races	18	9	50%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	85.2%	80.8%	4.4%

Schools Near Westward Elementary 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 Biology 1 (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 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	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 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th 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 Biology 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Westward Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1101 Golf Ave	West Palm Beach	33401	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	Yes	(561) 653-5200	500	31	16.1	80.8%	20 (4.0%)	436 (87.2%)	31 (6.2%)	4 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (1.8%)	25	1767^th of 2256 public elementary schools	21.7%		18.1	1956^th of 2240 public elementary schools	12.7%	189	32.0	42.0	54.0				35.0	32.0	45.0				43.0						$15,278	$2,616	$12,661
Roosevelt Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	1220 L A Kirksey St	West Palm Beach	33401	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	Yes	(561) 653-5100	324	21	15.4	85.8%	16 (4.9%)	253 (78.1%)	50 (15.4%)	1 (0.3%)	3 (0.9%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	4.9	2223^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	1.5%		4	2210^th of 2240 public elementary schools	1.3%	13	24.0	22.0	18.0				35.0	24.0	21.0				13.0						$15,929	$3,433	$12,496
University Preparatory Academy Palm Beach	Public, Charter	K-8	2101 N. Australian Ave	West Palm Beach	33407	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	Yes	No	No	Yes	(561) 670-1138	286	11	26.0	87.8%	4 (1.4%)	263 (92.0%)	15 (5.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.4%)	10.6	2139^th of 2256 public elementary schools	5.2%		13.1	2081^st of 2240 public elementary schools	7.1%	58	36.0	9.0	15.0	51.0	32.0	12.0	32.0	14.0	22.0	32.0	38.0	31.0	6.0	4.0				24.0	$13,028	$1,809	$11,219
U. B. Kinsey/Palmview Elementary	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	800 11th St	West Palm Beach	33401	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	Yes	(561) 671-6500	531	32	16.8	78.9%	19 (3.6%)	470 (88.5%)	30 (5.6%)	2 (0.4%)	3 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	6 (1.1%)	38.1	1394^th of 2256 public elementary schools	38.2%		39	1360^th of 2240 public elementary schools	39.3%	34	53.0	41.0	45.0				55.0	47.0	49.0	100.0			44.0						$14,890	$2,110	$12,780
Renaissance Charter School At West Palm Beach	Public, Charter	K-8	1889 Palm Beach Lakes Blvd	West Palm Beach	33409	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	Yes	No	No	Yes	(561) 839-1994	1,013	60	16.8	78.5%	62 (6.1%)	684 (67.5%)	219 (21.6%)	16 (1.6%)	3 (0.3%)	6 (0.6%)	23 (2.3%)	91.1	142^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	93.7%		89.3	183^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	91.8%	41	74.0	78.0	77.0	75.0	76.0	77.0	85.0	88.0	85.0	90.0	87.0	70.0	73.0	62.0	89.0	100.0	100.0	88.0	$10,438	$533	$9,905
Pleasant City Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2222 Spruce Ave	West Palm Beach	33407	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	No	No	Yes	(561) 838-5800	330	21	15.7	93.6%	4 (1.2%)	275 (83.3%)	46 (13.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (1.5%)	18.4	1946^th of 2256 public elementary schools	13.7%		14.9	2033^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	9.2%	87	29.0	38.0	28.0				38.0	40.0	44.0				42.0						$16,190	$2,867	$13,323
Northmore Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4111 N Terrace Dr	West Palm Beach	33407	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	No	No	Yes	(561) 494-1700	628	43	14.6	73.2%	19 (3.0%)	226 (36.0%)	367 (58.4%)	1 (0.2%)	5 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (1.6%)	16.3	2000^th of 2256 public elementary schools	11.3%		19.7	1904^th of 2240 public elementary schools	15.0%	96	32.0	34.0	32.0				40.0	35.0	45.0				31.0						$14,569	$2,773	$11,796
West Gate Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1545 Loxahatchee Dr	West Palm Beach	33409	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	No	No	Yes	(561) 684-7100	744	54	13.7	81.9%	37 (5.0%)	82 (11.0%)	611 (82.1%)	1 (0.1%)	9 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.5%)	15.3	2026^th of 2256 public elementary schools	10.2%		9.3	2145^th of 2240 public elementary schools	4.2%	119	39.0	25.0	26.0				47.0	26.0	27.0	100.0			36.0						$14,150	$2,657	$11,494
Connections Education Center Of The Palm Beaches	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	1310 Old Congress Ave	West Palm Beach	33409	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	Yes	No	No	Yes	(561) 328-6044	86	10	8.6	45.3%	21 (24.4%)	30 (34.9%)	33 (38.4%)	1 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.2%)								(n/a)																			$48,270	$3,878	$44,392
Northboro Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	400 40th St	West Palm Beach	33407	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	Yes	(561) 494-1600	783	55	14.3	78.0%	32 (4.1%)	328 (41.9%)	406 (51.9%)	3 (0.4%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	11 (1.4%)	50.2	1086^th of 2256 public elementary schools	51.9%		46.1	1184^th of 2240 public elementary schools	47.1%	98	54.0	62.0	44.0				58.0	59.0	64.0	100.0			37.0						$15,145	$2,178	$12,966

Frequently Asked Questions about Westward Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Westward Elementary School?

Students at Westward Elementary School are 87% African American, 6% Hispanic, 4% White, 2% Two or more races.

Is Westward Elementary School a good school?

Westward Elementary School ranks in the bottom 21.7% of Florida elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Westward Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Westward Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Bear Lakes Middle School
High : Palm Beach Lakes High School

What district is Westward Elementary School in?

Palm Beach

How many students attend Westward Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 500 students attended Westward Elementary 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.