Bear Lakes Middle School

Summary:

Bear Lakes Middle School is a public middle school located in West Palm Beach, Florida, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 842 students. The school has a predominantly African American student population, with 68.76% of students identifying as African American in the 2022-2023 school year. Bear Lakes Middle School is part of the Palm Beach School District, which is ranked 41 out of 68 districts in Florida and is rated 2 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

Bear Lakes Middle School consistently underperforms compared to the Palm Beach district and the state of Florida in various academic assessments. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school's proficiency rates in FAST English Language Arts and Math for grades 6-8 were significantly lower than the district and state averages. Additionally, Bear Lakes Middle School has a relatively high chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 3.9% to 7.9% over the past few years, which is higher than the district and state averages. The school also has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 74.11% to 91.83% over the past few years, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

When comparing Bear Lakes Middle School to nearby schools within the same district, such as Okeeheelee Middle School, Lake Worth Community Middle, and Roosevelt Middle School, it becomes evident that Bear Lakes Middle School is underperforming academically. These nearby schools have significantly higher proficiency rates in various subject areas and better overall performance metrics. The data suggests that socioeconomic factors may be playing a significant role in Bear Lakes Middle School's challenges, and targeted interventions and support programs focused on addressing the specific needs of the student population could potentially help the school improve its outcomes.

Detail:

Public, Magnet 6-8

3505 Shenandoah Blvd
West Palm Beach, FL 33409

(561) 615-7700

District: Palm Beach

SchoolDigger Rank:
999^th of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $14,262

Students who attend Bear Lakes Middle School usually attend:

High:

Palm Beach Lakes High School

Feeder schools for Bear Lakes Middle School:

Elementary:	Egret Lake Elementary School
	Hope-Centennial Elementary School
	Seminole Trails Elementary School
	Westward Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 14.7

Number of students: 842

Racial breakdown:

African American:

68.8%

Hispanic:

23.3%

White:

5.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 74.1%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Bear Lakes Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Bear Lakes Middle School ranks worse than 83.5% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 31^st among 36 ranked middle schools in the Palm Beach School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 19.96. (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 (68.8%), Hispanic (23.3%), White (5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 74.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Bear Lakes Middle School is 14.7, which is the 4^th best among 36 middle schools in the Palm Beach School District. (See more...)

Compare Bear Lakes Middle School employs 57 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Bear Lakes Middle School is $14,262, which is the 7^th highest among 36 middle schools in the Palm Beach School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

SchoolDigger ranks Bear Lakes Middle School 999^th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Bear Lakes Middle School in the ranking list.)

Palm Beach:

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

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Rank History for Bear Lakes Middle School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	28.72	451^st	593	23.9%
2005	24.74	488^th	602	18.9%
2006	23.21	529^th	675	21.6%
2007	25.60	566^th	736	23.1%
2008	26.02	577^th	740	22.0%
2009	19.64	637^th	780	18.3%
2010	20.81	685^th	839	18.4%
2011	25.76	688^th	891	22.8%
2012	19.35	736^th	897	17.9%
2013	18.47	794^th	956	16.9%
2014	17.68	849^th	999	15.0%
2016	16.73	868^th	997	12.9%
2017	22.56	819^th	1031	20.6%
2018	21.12	840^th	1035	18.8%
2019	16.83	947^th	1099	13.8%
2021	15.40	996^th	1136	12.3%
2022	15.34	1020^th	1148	11.1%
2023	17.25	1014^th	1177	13.8%
2024	19.96	999^th	1196	16.5%

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

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Bear Lakes Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1990	689	376	23	83	3	n/a	n/a	0	1174
1991	694	453	17	127	4	n/a	n/a	0	1295
1992	780	496	23	119	3	n/a	n/a	0	1421
1993	774	542	25	144	3	n/a	n/a	0	1488
1994	803	662	38	166	3	n/a	n/a	0	1672
1995	673	640	36	240	5	n/a	n/a	0	1594
1996	673	640	36	240	5	n/a	n/a	0	1594
1997	588	655	32	206	5	n/a	n/a	0	1486
1998	556	681	37	249	8	n/a	n/a	0	1531
1999	487	717	30	249	6	n/a	n/a	0	1489
2000	416	672	26	236	8	n/a	n/a	0	1358
2001	380	759	30	306	4	n/a	n/a	0	1479
2002	328	777	38	341	7	n/a	n/a	0	1491
2003	328	777	38	341	7	n/a	n/a	0	1491
2004	159	649	26	176	3	n/a	n/a	0	1013
2005	147	686	17	158	4	n/a	n/a	0	1012
2006	107	692	15	159	3	n/a	n/a	0	976
2007	74	593	23	146	2	n/a	n/a	31	869
2008	72	576	17	148	1	n/a	n/a	28	842
2009	69	650	14	144	4	n/a	n/a	39	920
2010	55	563	12	118	5	n/a	n/a	21	774
2011	44	580	7	121	2	3	20	0	777
2012	33	575	3	104	3	3	21	0	742
2013	36	562	5	129	2	1	19	0	754
2014	34	576	6	138	1	0	20	0	775
2015	32	574	8	116	3	0	13	0	746
2016	26	562	9	107	5	0	14	0	723
2017	33	508	9	121	5	2	15	0	693
2018	34	521	10	135	3	4	12	0	719
2019	30	558	9	166	1	3	14	0	781
2020	30	509	8	172	2	2	12	0	735
2021	38	558	7	161	2	2	15	0	783
2022	42	568	5	170	2	2	21	0	810
2023	42	579	6	196	2	1	16	0	842

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 Bear Lakes Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	1174	62.0	18.9	36.7
1991	1295	69.0	18.7	36.7
1992	1421	71.0	20.0	n/a
1993	1488	78.0	19.1	42.9
1994	1672	85.0	19.7	41.2
1995	1594	99.0	16.1	39.3
1996	1594	99.0	16.1	39.3
1997	1486	84.0	17.7	26
1998	1531	85.0	18.0	59.2
1999	1489	83.0	17.9	63.5
2000	1358	90.0	15.1	58.8
2001	1479	80.0	18.5	64.3
2002	1491	74.0	20.1	67.3
2003	1491	74.0	20.1	67.3
2004	1013	65.0	15.6	66.3
2005	1012	59.0	17.2	59.5
2006	976	62.0	15.7	65.7
2007	869	52.0	16.7	72.8
2008	842	51.0	16.5	70.1
2009	920	61.6	17.4	75.7
2010	774	50.0	15.4	72.6
2011	777	47.0	16.5	81.1
2012	742	47.0	15.7	84.6
2013	754	48.0	15.7	84
2014	775	48.0	16.1	89
2015	746	46.0	16.2	88.7
2016	723	54.0	13.3	91.1
2017	693	48.0	14.4	88.3
2018	719	46.0	15.6	88.7
2019	781	42.5	18.3	84.5
2020	735	45.6	16.1	86.8
2021	783	45.0	17.4	91.8
2022	810	58.0	13.9	90.1
2023	842	57.0	14.7	74.1

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 Bear Lakes Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1990	1174	62.0	18.9	36.7
1991	1295	69.0	18.7	36.7
1992	1421	71.0	20.0	n/a
1993	1488	78.0	19.1	42.9
1994	1672	85.0	19.7	41.2
1995	1594	99.0	16.1	39.3
1996	1594	99.0	16.1	39.3
1997	1486	84.0	17.7	26
1998	1531	85.0	18.0	59.2
1999	1489	83.0	17.9	63.5
2000	1358	90.0	15.1	58.8
2001	1479	80.0	18.5	64.3
2002	1491	74.0	20.1	67.3
2003	1491	74.0	20.1	67.3
2004	1013	65.0	15.6	66.3
2005	1012	59.0	17.2	59.5
2006	976	62.0	15.7	65.7
2007	869	52.0	16.7	72.8
2008	842	51.0	16.5	70.1
2009	920	61.6	17.4	75.7
2010	774	50.0	15.4	72.6
2011	777	47.0	16.5	81.1
2012	742	47.0	15.7	84.6
2013	754	48.0	15.7	84
2014	775	48.0	16.1	89
2015	746	46.0	16.2	88.7
2016	723	54.0	13.3	91.1
2017	693	48.0	14.4	88.3
2018	719	46.0	15.6	88.7
2019	781	42.5	18.3	84.5
2020	735	45.6	16.1	86.8
2021	783	45.0	17.4	91.8
2022	810	58.0	13.9	90.1
2023	842	57.0	14.7	74.1

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 Bear Lakes Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$714 (7.8%)	$8,430 (92.2%)	$9,144
2019	$874 (9.9%)	$7,932 (90.1%)	$8,806
2020	$948 (8.3%)	$10,523 (91.7%)	$11,470
2021	$1,380 (11.5%)	$10,603 (88.5%)	$11,982
2022	$2,714 (19.6%)	$11,121 (80.4%)	$13,835
2023	$2,567 (18.0%)	$11,694 (82.0%)	$14,262

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Bear Lakes 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 947^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 1014^th of 1177 Middle schools	0%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Bear Lakes Middle School)	32	29	3%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Palm Beach)	58	54	4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Bear Lakes Middle School)	32	23	9%
6th Grade Mathematics (Palm Beach)	60	50	10%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Bear Lakes Middle School)	28	24	4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Palm Beach)	53	51	2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Bear Lakes Middle School)	9	11	2%
7th Grade Mathematics (Palm Beach)	35	27	8%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Bear Lakes Middle School)	30	25	5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Palm Beach)	58	51	7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Bear Lakes Middle School)	33	28	5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Palm Beach)	64	57	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Bear Lakes Middle School)	22	19	3%
8th Grade Science (Palm Beach)	51	46	5%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Bear Lakes Middle School)	57	38	19%
End of Course Civics (Palm Beach)	72	65	7%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Bear Lakes Middle School)	82	74	8%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Palm Beach)	65	54	11%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Bear Lakes Middle School)	93	73	20%
End of Course Geometry (Palm Beach)	61	53	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	781	842	7.8%
African American	558	579	3.8%
American Indian	1	2	100%
Asian	9	6	33.3%
Hispanic	166	196	18.1%
Pacific Islander	3	1	66.7%
White	30	42	40%
Two or More Races	14	16	14.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	84.5%	74.1%	10.4%

Schools Near Bear Lakes 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
Bear Lakes Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	3505 Shenandoah Blvd	West Palm Beach	33409	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	Yes	(561) 615-7700	842	57	14.7	74.1%	42 (5.0%)	579 (68.8%)	196 (23.3%)	6 (0.7%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	16 (1.9%)	20	999^th of 1196 public middle schools	16.5%		17.2	1014^th of 1177 public middle schools	13.8%	15	36.0	29.0	33.0	32.0	31.0	37.0	23.0	76.0	72.0	45.0	$14,262	$2,567	$11,694
Bak Middle School Of The Arts	Public, Magnet	6-8	1725 Echo Lake Dr	West Palm Beach	33407	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	No	(561) 882-3870	1,260	73	17.3	22.5%	568 (45.1%)	165 (13.1%)	297 (23.6%)	153 (12.1%)	6 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	70 (5.6%)	97.5	10^th of 1196 public middle schools	99.2%		97.5	12^th of 1177 public middle schools	99.0%	2	93.0	94.0	95.0	92.0	96.0	98.0	89.0	100.0	100.0	98.0	$11,958	$1,010	$10,948
Jeaga Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	3777 N Jog Rd	West Palm Beach	33411	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	Yes	(561) 242-8000	941	45	20.9	78.0%	47 (5.0%)	403 (42.8%)	459 (48.8%)	10 (1.1%)	6 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	15 (1.6%)	15.2	1050^th of 1196 public middle schools	12.2%		14.1	1049^th of 1177 public middle schools	10.9%	1	26.0	22.0	26.0	23.0	17.0	43.0	21.0	100.0	94.0	39.0	$12,070	$1,616	$10,453
Roosevelt Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	1900 N Australian Ave	West Palm Beach	33407	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	Yes	(561) 822-0200	851	61	13.9	80.4%	13 (1.5%)	550 (64.6%)	253 (29.7%)	14 (1.6%)	5 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	16 (1.9%)	46.4	637^th of 1196 public middle schools	46.7%		36.1	752^nd of 1177 public middle schools	36.1%	115	50.0	42.0	43.0	61.0	26.0	73.0	33.0	63.0		59.0	$15,387	$2,165	$13,222
John F. Kennedy Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	1901 Avenue S	Riviera Beach	33404	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	Yes	(561) 845-4500	826	48	17.2	78.3%	41 (5.0%)	532 (64.4%)	225 (27.2%)	6 (0.7%)	13 (1.6%)	1 (0.1%)	8 (1.0%)	23.8	949^th of 1196 public middle schools	20.7%		17.7	1002^nd of 1177 public middle schools	14.9%	53	35.0	25.0	35.0	24.0	35.0	49.0	28.0	87.0	100.0	47.0	$12,608	$2,030	$10,578
Sports Leadership And Management (Slam) Middle School Palm	Public, Charter	6-8	2845 Summit Blvd	West Palm Beach	33406	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	Yes	No	No	Yes	(561) 641-4449	349	15	23.2	84.5%	30 (8.6%)	45 (12.9%)	259 (74.2%)	2 (0.6%)	3 (0.9%)	1 (0.3%)	9 (2.6%)	36.2	777^th of 1196 public middle schools	35.0%		31.4	825^th of 1177 public middle schools	29.9%	48	49.0	38.0	42.0	46.0	50.0	51.0	22.0	73.0		48.0	$9,704	$1,045	$8,658
Conniston Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	3630 Parker Ave	West Palm Beach	33405	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	Yes	(561) 802-5400	1,075	65	16.5	73.5%	115 (10.7%)	179 (16.7%)	749 (69.7%)	12 (1.1%)	8 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (1.1%)	32.8	829^th of 1196 public middle schools	30.7%		23.6	928^th of 1177 public middle schools	21.2%	99	42.0	36.0	45.0	38.0	23.0	56.0	34.0	85.0	90.0	57.0	$12,576	$1,873	$10,703
Palm Springs Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	1560 Kirk Rd	Palm Springs	33406	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	Yes	(561) 434-3300	1,521	90	16.8	71.9%	125 (8.2%)	287 (18.9%)	1,043 (68.6%)	25 (1.6%)	12 (0.8%)	2 (0.1%)	27 (1.8%)	35	793^rd of 1196 public middle schools	33.7%		25.3	904^th of 1177 public middle schools	23.2%	111	41.0	35.0	42.0	39.0	27.0	55.0	41.0	85.0	79.0	48.0	$12,186	$1,954	$10,232
Howell L. Watkins Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	9480 MacArthur Blvd	Palm Beach Gardens	33403	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	Yes	(561) 776-3600	794	60	13.2	76.3%	62 (7.8%)	574 (72.3%)	120 (15.1%)	13 (1.6%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	22 (2.8%)	21.8	973^rd of 1196 public middle schools	18.6%		15.4	1036^th of 1177 public middle schools	12.0%	63	43.0	33.0	37.0	35.0	15.0	35.0	24.0	72.0	100.0	49.0	$15,531	$3,501	$12,030
Okeeheelee Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	2200 Pinehurst Dr	Greenacres	33413	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	Yes	(561) 434-3200	1,377	76	18.2	68.0%	106 (7.7%)	238 (17.3%)	989 (71.8%)	11 (0.8%)	13 (0.9%)	3 (0.2%)	17 (1.2%)	38.2	743^rd of 1196 public middle schools	37.9%		32.9	801^st of 1177 public middle schools	31.9%	58	44.0	42.0	38.0	47.0	18.0	65.0	34.0	96.0	90.0	55.0	$11,366	$1,900	$9,466

Frequently Asked Questions about Bear Lakes Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Bear Lakes Middle School?

Students at Bear Lakes Middle School are 69% African American, 23% Hispanic, 5% White, 2% Two or more races.

What high school do graduates of Bear Lakes Middle School attend?

Students who attend Bear Lakes Middle School usually go on to attend Palm Beach Lakes High School

How many students attend Bear Lakes Middle School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 842 students attended Bear Lakes Middle School.

What district is Bear Lakes Middle School in?

Palm Beach

Is Bear Lakes Middle School a good school?

Bear Lakes Middle School ranks in the bottom 16.5% of Florida middle schools.

Rate Bear Lakes Middle 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.