Independence Middle School

Q: Is Independence Middle School a good school?

Independence Middle School ranks 207 th of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Independence Middle School is a public middle school located in Jupiter, Florida, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 1,166 students. The 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.

Independence Middle School consistently outperforms the Palm Beach District and the state of Florida in academic assessments. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, the school had 92% proficiency in Algebra 1 EOC, 100% proficiency in Geometry EOC, and 82% proficiency in Civics EOC, compared to 58%, 51%, and 66% respectively for the Palm Beach District. The school has a more diverse student body compared to some nearby schools, with a significant Hispanic population (around 25%) and smaller percentages of African American, Asian, and other racial/ethnic groups. Independence Middle School also has a relatively low chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 4.8% to 14.0% over the past few years, which is lower than the state and district averages.

While Independence Middle School outperforms the Palm Beach District and the state in many academic areas, some nearby schools, such as Bak Middle School of the Arts, also demonstrate exceptional academic performance, with even higher proficiency rates in certain subjects. Additionally, the school's free and reduced-price lunch rate, which is a proxy for socioeconomic status, has decreased from around 34% to 25% over the past few years, indicating a relatively more affluent student population compared to some of the nearby schools. Independence Middle School has a relatively low student-teacher ratio, ranging from 18.2 to 19.5 over the past few years, which may contribute to the school's academic success.

Detail:

Public, Magnet 6-8

4001 Greenway Dr
Jupiter, FL 33458

(561) 799-7500

District: Palm Beach

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

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,165

Feeder schools for Independence Middle School:

Elementary:	Beacon Cove Intermediate School
	Jerry Thomas Elementary School
	Lighthouse Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 18.2

Number of students: 1,166

Racial breakdown:

White:

62.9%

Hispanic:

25.3%

Asian:

4.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 25.4%

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Compare Independence Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Independence Middle School ranks better than 82.7% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 6^th among 36 ranked middle schools in the Palm Beach School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 79.74. (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: White (62.9%), Hispanic (25.3%), Asian (4.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 25.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Independence Middle School is 18.2. 21 middle schools in the Palm Beach School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Independence Middle School employs 64 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Independence Middle School is $11,165. 25 middle schools in the Palm Beach School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

SchoolDigger ranks Independence Middle School 207^th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Independence Middle School in the ranking list.)

Palm Beach:

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

Average Rating:

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Rank History for Independence Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	90.72	32^nd	593	94.6%
2005	87.91	52^nd	602	91.4%
2006	90.33	46^th	675	93.2%
2007	85.94	80^th	736	89.1%
2008	84.45	92^nd	740	87.6%
2009	86.34	78^th	780	90.0%
2010	87.37	70^th	839	91.7%
2011	88.83	61^st	891	93.2%
2012	87.11	90^th	897	90.0%
2013	87.63	77^th	956	91.9%
2014	82.00	148^th	999	85.2%
2016	83.91	135^th	997	86.5%
2017	82.52	161^st	1031	84.4%
2018	85.04	141^st	1035	86.4%
2019	83.09	165^th	1099	85.0%
2021	81.07	180^th	1136	84.2%
2022	83.40	158^th	1148	86.2%
2023	80.82	186^th	1177	84.2%
2024	79.74	207^th	1196	82.7%

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: 5)

100%

by a student
Saturday, September 1, 2012

I absolutely love the school. All the teachers are amazing and extremely helpful. I'm an athlete and love being on the teams and representing my school. Being in Geometry Honors is difficult but the teacher is awesome. I just love the school and it has a very good principal. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Independence Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
2002	824	43	14	53	4	n/a	n/a	0	938
2003	824	43	14	53	4	n/a	n/a	0	938
2004	1164	57	23	87	8	n/a	n/a	0	1339
2005	1165	93	28	117	8	n/a	n/a	0	1411
2006	1086	84	35	102	8	n/a	n/a	0	1315
2007	922	84	30	106	7	n/a	n/a	68	1217
2008	912	80	31	113	5	n/a	n/a	65	1206
2009	916	121	38	134	11	n/a	n/a	63	1283
2010	938	109	39	154	16	n/a	n/a	34	1290
2011	933	93	33	182	14	3	28	0	1286
2012	950	90	22	201	15	0	30	0	1308
2013	986	64	31	198	10	0	33	0	1322
2014	979	54	38	216	6	1	36	0	1330
2015	945	46	50	236	2	1	47	0	1327
2016	945	48	51	255	4	2	44	0	1349
2017	944	52	58	310	4	1	56	0	1425
2018	929	60	63	304	2	2	53	0	1413
2019	872	61	53	325	3	1	63	0	1378
2020	886	62	57	296	4	1	53	0	1359
2021	829	53	51	303	2	0	55	0	1293
2022	791	53	66	288	2	1	48	0	1249
2023	733	41	51	295	1	1	44	0	1166

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 Independence Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2002	938	37.0	25.4	8.3
2003	938	37.0	25.4	8.3
2004	1339	57.0	23.5	12.9
2005	1411	71.0	19.9	13.8
2006	1315	69.0	19.1	14
2007	1217	70.0	17.4	15.3
2008	1206	65.0	18.6	16
2009	1283	82.6	18.1	20.9
2010	1290	71.0	18.1	22.5
2011	1286	71.0	18.1	25.8
2012	1308	73.0	17.9	26.3
2013	1322	71.0	18.6	25.3
2014	1330	72.0	18.4	25.9
2015	1327	74.0	17.9	27.3
2016	1349	75.0	17.9	27.9
2017	1425	75.0	19.0	29.7
2018	1413	78.0	18.1	28.7
2019	1378	75.0	18.3	28.7
2020	1359	72.0	18.8	27
2021	1293	69.0	18.7	33.1
2022	1249	64.0	19.5	34.5
2023	1166	64.0	18.2	25.4

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 Independence Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2002	938	37.0	25.4	8.3
2003	938	37.0	25.4	8.3
2004	1339	57.0	23.5	12.9
2005	1411	71.0	19.9	13.8
2006	1315	69.0	19.1	14
2007	1217	70.0	17.4	15.3
2008	1206	65.0	18.6	16
2009	1283	82.6	18.1	20.9
2010	1290	71.0	18.1	22.5
2011	1286	71.0	18.1	25.8
2012	1308	73.0	17.9	26.3
2013	1322	71.0	18.6	25.3
2014	1330	72.0	18.4	25.9
2015	1327	74.0	17.9	27.3
2016	1349	75.0	17.9	27.9
2017	1425	75.0	19.0	29.7
2018	1413	78.0	18.1	28.7
2019	1378	75.0	18.3	28.7
2020	1359	72.0	18.8	27
2021	1293	69.0	18.7	33.1
2022	1249	64.0	19.5	34.5
2023	1166	64.0	18.2	25.4

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 Independence Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$275 (3.7%)	$7,117 (96.3%)	$7,392
2019	$288 (3.7%)	$7,431 (96.3%)	$7,718
2020	$236 (2.7%)	$8,512 (97.3%)	$8,748
2021	$418 (4.5%)	$8,872 (95.5%)	$9,289
2022	$986 (9.9%)	$8,987 (90.1%)	$9,973
2023	$987 (8.8%)	$10,177 (91.2%)	$11,165

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Independence 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 165^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 186^th of 1177 Middle schools	0.8%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Middle School)	71	72	1%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Palm Beach)	58	54	4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Independence Middle School)	74	65	9%
6th Grade Mathematics (Palm Beach)	60	50	10%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Middle School)	75	66	9%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Palm Beach)	53	51	2%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Independence Middle School)	49	18	31%
7th Grade Mathematics (Palm Beach)	35	27	8%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Independence Middle School)	70	72	2%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Palm Beach)	58	51	7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Independence Middle School)	87	77	10%
8th Grade Mathematics (Palm Beach)	64	57	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Independence Middle School)	71	65	6%
8th Grade Science (Palm Beach)	51	46	5%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Independence Middle School)	86	78	8%
End of Course Civics (Palm Beach)	72	65	7%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Independence Middle School)	98	97	1%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Palm Beach)	65	54	11%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Independence Middle School)	100	100
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	1378	1166	15.4%
African American	61	41	32.8%
American Indian	3	1	66.7%
Asian	53	51	3.8%
Hispanic	325	295	9.2%
Pacific Islander	1	1
White	872	733	15.9%
Two or More Races	63	44	30.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	28.7%	25.4%	3.3%

Schools Near Independence 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
Independence Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	4001 Greenway Dr	Jupiter	33458	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	No	(561) 799-7500	1,166	64	18.2	25.4%	733 (62.9%)	41 (3.5%)	295 (25.3%)	51 (4.4%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	44 (3.8%)	79.7	207^th of 1196 public middle schools	82.7%		80.8	186^th of 1177 public middle schools	84.2%	21	72.0	71.0	68.0	62.0	23.0	75.0	70.0	92.0	100.0	82.0	$11,165	$987	$10,177
Jupiter Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	15245 Military Trl	Jupiter	33458	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	Yes	(561) 745-7200	1,384	86	16.1	38.2%	694 (50.1%)	90 (6.5%)	508 (36.7%)	36 (2.6%)	6 (0.4%)	2 (0.1%)	48 (3.5%)	70.4	325^th of 1196 public middle schools	72.8%		69.1	337^th of 1177 public middle schools	71.4%	12	64.0	60.0	61.0	68.0	29.0	70.0	60.0	95.0	98.0	66.0	$12,222	$1,217	$11,005
Watson B. Duncan Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	5150 117th Ct N	Palm Beach Gardens	33418	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	Yes	(561) 776-3500	1,157	70	16.5	40.9%	558 (48.2%)	224 (19.4%)	248 (21.4%)	60 (5.2%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	63 (5.4%)	71.1	316^th of 1196 public middle schools	73.6%		65.4	376^th of 1177 public middle schools	68.1%	60	67.0	61.0	67.0	61.0	31.0	73.0	59.0	95.0	100.0	70.0	$12,419	$1,341	$11,077
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
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
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
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
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
Western Pines Community Middle	Public, Magnet	6-8	5949 140th Ave N	Royal Palm Beach	33411	Palm Beach County	Palm Beach	No	Yes	No	Yes	(561) 792-2500	991	54	18.5	42.5%	458 (46.2%)	141 (14.2%)	301 (30.4%)	42 (4.2%)	4 (0.4%)	3 (0.3%)	42 (4.2%)	71.9	308^th of 1196 public middle schools	74.2%		71.5	307^th of 1177 public middle schools	73.9%	1	69.0	60.0	58.0	70.0	39.0	74.0	60.0	96.0	100.0	83.0	$11,419	$1,119	$10,299

Frequently Asked Questions about Independence Middle School

How many students attend Independence Middle School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,166 students attended Independence Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Independence Middle School?

Students at Independence Middle School are 63% White, 25% Hispanic, 4% Asian, 4% Two or more races, 4% African American.

Is Independence Middle School a good school?

Independence Middle School ranks 207^th of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is Independence Middle School in?

Palm Beach

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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.