Is Denison Middle School a good school?

Denison Middle School ranks in the bottom 11.1% of Florida middle schools.

How many students attend Denison Middle School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 738 students attended Denison Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Denison Middle School?

Students at Denison Middle School are 41% Hispanic, 34% African American, 21% White, 3% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

What high school do graduates of Denison Middle School attend?

Students who attend Denison Middle School usually go on to attend Winter Haven Senior High School

Denison Middle School

Summary:

Denison Middle School is a public middle school located in Winter Haven, Florida, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 738 students. The school has a diverse student population, with a majority of Hispanic and African American students.

Despite its diverse student body, Denison Middle School faces several challenges. The school has a significantly higher chronic absenteeism rate of 41.2%, compared to the Polk district average of 35.4% and the state average of 28%. Additionally, the school's test scores are consistently lower than the Polk district and Florida state averages across various subjects and grade levels, with only 27-28% of students proficient in English Language Arts and 16-40% proficient in Math. Denison Middle School also has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at 68.97%, which is significantly higher than the state average of 59.07%. As a result, the school has consistently ranked in the bottom 10-15% of Florida middle schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

When comparing Denison Middle School to nearby schools in the same district, such as Union Academy and Berkley Accelerated Middle School, it becomes evident that Denison is underperforming. These nearby schools have significantly higher test scores, lower chronic absenteeism rates, and higher SchoolDigger rankings. The high rates of chronic absenteeism and free/reduced lunch at Denison Middle School may be contributing factors to the school's lower academic performance, presenting an opportunity for the district and school administration to implement targeted interventions and strategies to address these underlying issues and improve student outcomes.

Detail:

Public 6-8

400 Avenue A SE
Winter Haven, FL 33880

(863) 291-5353

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
1063^rd of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,845

Students who attend Denison Middle School usually attend:

High:

Winter Haven Senior High School

Feeder schools for Denison Middle School:

Elementary:	Elbert Elementary School
	Garden Grove Elementary School
	John Snively Elementary

Student/teacher ratio: 18.9

Number of students: 738

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

40.5%

African American:

34.1%

White:

21.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 69%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Denison Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Denison Middle School ranks worse than 88.9% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 20^th among 26 ranked middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 14.17. (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 Student population at Denison Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (40.5%), African American (34.1%), White (21.1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 69% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Denison Middle School is 18.9, which is the 8^th best among 26 middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Denison Middle School employs 39 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Denison Middle School is $9,845, which is the 5^th highest among 26 middle schools in the Polk School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

SchoolDigger ranks Denison Middle School 1063^rd of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Denison Middle School in the ranking list.)

Polk:

SchoolDigger ranks Polk 57^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Denison Middle School.

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Rank History for Denison Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2005	29.97	453^rd	602	24.8%
2006	38.42	449^th	675	33.5%
2007	37.50	493^rd	736	33.0%
2008	33.96	521^st	740	29.6%
2009	35.03	547^th	780	29.9%
2010	29.60	624^th	839	25.6%
2011	32.25	640^th	891	28.2%
2012	23.30	696^th	897	22.4%
2013	24.76	734^th	956	23.2%
2014	18.63	840^th	999	15.9%
2016	19.19	829^th	997	16.9%
2017	17.31	873^rd	1031	15.3%
2018	16.87	890^th	1035	14.0%
2019	14.35	974^th	1099	11.4%
2021	11.06	1059^th	1136	6.8%
2022	15.67	1015^th	1148	11.6%
2023	13.31	1056^th	1177	10.3%
2024	14.17	1063^rd	1196	11.1%

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
Monday, August 8, 2016

I think it's time the Polk County School Board steps up and does something about their troubled schools. Denison is one of the worse and I have the misfortune to be raising three grandchildren who have attended this low grade school. It has effected the boy the most and they don't care. Florida needs to pay closer attention. Denison Middle is ranked 808? How sad for our future leaders. Close Quote

by a student
Wednesday, March 30, 2011

When I went to school there, it was not a safe haven for learning... Bullies ran rampant, and most of the time the students without money were ignored... Close Quote

Enrollment information for Denison Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	655	136	6	24	2	n/a	n/a	0	823
1989	655	130	14	28	2	n/a	n/a	0	829
1990	540	146	10	46	3	n/a	n/a	0	745
1991	560	159	12	40	1	n/a	n/a	0	772
1992	595	147	10	66	0	n/a	n/a	0	818
1993	575	147	6	71	0	n/a	n/a	0	799
1994	677	233	9	113	2	n/a	n/a	0	1034
1995	696	309	10	115	3	n/a	n/a	0	1133
1996	696	309	10	115	3	n/a	n/a	0	1133
1997	601	219	15	86	0	n/a	n/a	0	921
1998	615	195	19	71	0	n/a	n/a	0	900
1999	653	162	12	74	2	n/a	n/a	0	903
2000	704	168	11	77	3	n/a	n/a	0	963
2001	663	183	15	107	1	n/a	n/a	0	969
2002	636	244	14	117	3	n/a	n/a	0	1014
2003	636	244	14	117	3	n/a	n/a	0	1014
2004	606	261	10	139	0	n/a	n/a	0	1016
2005	552	240	11	170	0	n/a	n/a	0	973
2006	551	240	12	201	2	n/a	n/a	0	1006
2007	550	214	17	225	3	n/a	n/a	24	1033
2008	544	231	16	243	1	n/a	n/a	30	1065
2009	501	266	20	240	1	n/a	n/a	35	1063
2010	450	274	22	214	2	n/a	n/a	27	989
2011	382	272	15	257	12	1	28	0	967
2012	377	268	15	238	13	0	29	0	940
2013	372	250	14	213	8	1	28	0	886
2014	338	218	14	228	6	1	22	0	827
2015	335	227	12	241	6	1	20	0	842
2016	309	247	16	258	4	0	28	0	862
2017	264	247	11	264	3	0	19	0	808
2018	258	290	10	273	1	1	15	0	848
2019	204	246	9	252	2	0	14	0	727
2020	193	268	10	277	3	1	25	0	777
2021	131	229	7	243	2	1	18	0	631
2022	169	261	5	304	0	1	18	0	758
2023	156	252	8	299	1	1	21	0	738

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 Denison Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	823	37.0	22.2	24.2
1989	829	41.0	20.2	24.5
1990	745	36.0	20.6	0
1991	772	36.0	21.4	27.5
1992	818	39.0	20.9	22.4
1993	799	38.0	21.0	27
1994	1034	46.0	22.5	42.6
1995	1133	61.0	18.6	47.7
1996	1133	61.0	18.6	47.7
1997	921	51.0	18.1	43.4
1998	900	52.0	17.3	42
1999	903	53.0	17.0	44.4
2000	963	48.0	20.1	41.3
2001	969	55.0	17.6	42.8
2002	1014	56.0	18.1	52.4
2003	1014	56.0	18.1	52.4
2004	1016	58.0	17.5	55.3
2005	973	61.0	16.0	49.8
2006	1006	63.0	16.0	61.3
2007	1033	67.0	15.4	60.9
2008	1065	67.5	15.8	38.1
2009	1063	72.9	17.1	57.7
2010	989	65.0	15.2	73.5
2011	967	66.0	14.6	75.9
2012	940	63.0	14.9	78.9
2013	886	59.0	15.0	74.7
2014	827	56.0	14.7	75.5
2015	842	53.0	15.8	75.2
2016	862	53.0	16.2	60.8
2017	808	51.0	15.8	59
2018	848	50.0	16.9	57.4
2019	727	52.0	13.9	57.6
2020	777	50.0	15.5	56.4
2021	631	42.0	15.0	66.2
2022	758	40.0	18.9	67.3
2023	738	39.0	18.9	69

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 Denison Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	823	37.0	22.2	24.2
1989	829	41.0	20.2	24.5
1990	745	36.0	20.6	0
1991	772	36.0	21.4	27.5
1992	818	39.0	20.9	22.4
1993	799	38.0	21.0	27
1994	1034	46.0	22.5	42.6
1995	1133	61.0	18.6	47.7
1996	1133	61.0	18.6	47.7
1997	921	51.0	18.1	43.4
1998	900	52.0	17.3	42
1999	903	53.0	17.0	44.4
2000	963	48.0	20.1	41.3
2001	969	55.0	17.6	42.8
2002	1014	56.0	18.1	52.4
2003	1014	56.0	18.1	52.4
2004	1016	58.0	17.5	55.3
2005	973	61.0	16.0	49.8
2006	1006	63.0	16.0	61.3
2007	1033	67.0	15.4	60.9
2008	1065	67.5	15.8	38.1
2009	1063	72.9	17.1	57.7
2010	989	65.0	15.2	73.5
2011	967	66.0	14.6	75.9
2012	940	63.0	14.9	78.9
2013	886	59.0	15.0	74.7
2014	827	56.0	14.7	75.5
2015	842	53.0	15.8	75.2
2016	862	53.0	16.2	60.8
2017	808	51.0	15.8	59
2018	848	50.0	16.9	57.4
2019	727	52.0	13.9	57.6
2020	777	50.0	15.5	56.4
2021	631	42.0	15.0	66.2
2022	758	40.0	18.9	67.3
2023	738	39.0	18.9	69

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 Denison Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$984 (11.9%)	$7,314 (88.1%)	$8,298
2019	$1,070 (12.5%)	$7,509 (87.5%)	$8,579
2020	$1,317 (15.4%)	$7,252 (84.6%)	$8,569
2021	$1,671 (17.6%)	$7,800 (82.4%)	$9,471
2022	$2,338 (26.0%)	$6,654 (74.0%)	$8,993
2023	$2,067 (21.0%)	$7,778 (79.0%)	$9,845

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Denison 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 974^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 1056^th of 1177 Middle schools	1.1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Denison Middle School)	30	29	1%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	43	5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Denison Middle School)	32	19	13%
6th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	47	37	10%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Denison Middle School)	27	22	5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	42	38	4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Denison Middle School)	25	20	5%
7th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	39	35	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Denison Middle School)	31	27	4%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	41	7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Denison Middle School)	19	28	9%
8th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	35	32	3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Denison Middle School)	25	19	6%
8th Grade Science (Polk)	41	33	8%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Denison Middle School)	42	50	8%
End of Course Civics (Polk)	70	65	5%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Denison Middle School)	66	98	32%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Polk)	51	41	10%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Denison Middle School)	93	100	7%
End of Course Geometry (Polk)	54	37	17%
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	727	738	1.5%
African American	246	252	2.4%
American Indian	2	1	50%
Asian	9	8	11.1%
Hispanic	252	299	18.7%
Pacific Islander	0	1
White	204	156	23.5%
Two or More Races	14	21	50%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	57.6%	69%	11.3%

Schools Near Denison 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 Biology 1 (2024)	EOC US History (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 English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th 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 Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Denison Middle School	Public	6-8	400 Avenue A SE	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5353	738	39	18.9	69.0%	156 (21.1%)	252 (34.1%)	299 (40.5%)	8 (1.1%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	21 (2.8%)	14.2	1063^rd of 1196 public middle schools	11.1%		13.3	1056^th of 1177 public middle schools	10.3%	7	27.0	21.0	28.0			16.0	19.0	40.0	23.0	73.0	94.0			55.0	$9,845	$2,067	$7,778
Jewett Middle Academy Magnet	Public, Magnet	6-8	601 Martin Luther King Jr Blv	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 291-5320	584	30	19.4	46.1%	203 (34.8%)	183 (31.3%)	158 (27.1%)	16 (2.7%)	4 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	19 (3.3%)	57	489^th of 1196 public middle schools	59.1%		44.3	644^th of 1177 public middle schools	45.3%	155	63.0	52.0	56.0			59.0	32.0	53.0	53.0	86.0	97.0			81.0	$9,224	$1,022	$8,203
Westwood Middle School	Public	6-8	3520 Avenue J NW	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 965-5484	878	40	21.9	70.4%	163 (18.6%)	276 (31.4%)	409 (46.6%)	3 (0.3%)	3 (0.3%)	2 (0.2%)	22 (2.5%)	11.6	1094^th of 1196 public middle schools	8.5%		12.2	1065^th of 1177 public middle schools	9.5%	29	25.0	24.0	27.0			37.0	15.0	17.0	19.0	65.0				71.0	$8,771	$1,932	$6,840
Jere L. Stambaugh Middle	Public	6-8	226 Main St N	Auburndale	33823	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 965-5494	1,127	43	26.2	65.0%	446 (39.6%)	198 (17.6%)	444 (39.4%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	33 (2.9%)	13.8	1068^th of 1196 public middle schools	10.7%		16	1029^th of 1177 public middle schools	12.6%	39	30.0	23.0	25.0			30.0	25.0	19.0	27.0	35.0	82.0			56.0	$8,041	$1,338	$6,702
Lake Alfred Polytech Academy	Public, Magnet	6-8	925 Buena Vista Dr N	Lake Alfred	33850	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 295-5988	645	36	17.9	59.1%	223 (34.6%)	112 (17.4%)	286 (44.3%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (3.1%)	32	843^rd of 1196 public middle schools	29.5%		44.2	646^th of 1177 public middle schools	45.1%	197	38.0	37.0	42.0			35.0	16.0	57.0	41.0	83.0				66.0	$9,908	$1,565	$8,343
Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred	Public, Charter	6-8	1000 Buena Vista Dr N	Lake Alfred	33850	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 295-5955	911	48	18.9	75.4%	322 (35.3%)	159 (17.5%)	397 (43.6%)	7 (0.8%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (2.6%)	42.8	689^th of 1196 public middle schools	42.4%		37.8	729^th of 1177 public middle schools	38.1%	40	47.0	47.0	52.0			40.0	41.0	62.0	44.0	73.0	100.0			81.0	$8,759	$1,855	$6,904
Dundee Ridge Middle Academy	Public, Magnet	6-8	5555 Lake Trask Rd	Dundee	33838	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 419-3088	773	40	19.3	58.3%	152 (19.7%)	138 (17.9%)	466 (60.3%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	12 (1.6%)	58.5	465^th of 1196 public middle schools	61.1%		58.5	450^th of 1177 public middle schools	61.8%	15	63.0	51.0	51.0			61.0	24.0	69.0	54.0	61.0	91.0			96.0	$9,017	$1,358	$7,659
Daniel Jenkins Academy Of Technology Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	701 Ledwith Ave	Haines City	33844	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 421-3267	516	28	18.4	56.0%	54 (10.5%)	159 (30.8%)	281 (54.5%)	9 (1.7%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	10 (1.9%)	51.7	564^th of 1196 public middle schools	52.8%		47.7	600^th of 1177 public middle schools	49.0%	36	56.0	53.0	56.0			53.0	24.0	60.0	40.0	80.0	89.0			81.0	$9,643	$1,269	$8,374
Shelley S. Boone Middle School	Public	6-8	225 22nd St S	Haines City	33844	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 421-3302	1,403	60	23.3	51.7%	148 (10.5%)	325 (23.2%)	904 (64.4%)	13 (0.9%)	4 (0.3%)	3 (0.2%)	6 (0.4%)	13.5	1072^nd of 1196 public middle schools	10.4%		14.1	1048^th of 1177 public middle schools	11.0%	24	25.0	21.0	27.0			22.0	16.0	39.0	24.0	61.0	95.0			51.0	$6,996	$1,129	$5,866
Berkley Accelerated	Public, Charter	6-10	5316 Berkley Rd	Auburndale	33823	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 984-2400	623	31	20.0	36.1%	418 (67.1%)	35 (5.6%)	147 (23.6%)	11 (1.8%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (1.6%)	76.9	240^th of 1196 public middle schools	79.9%		77.2	233^rd of 1177 public middle schools	80.2%	7	69.0	69.0	70.0	72.0	81.0	82.0	61.0	47.0	48.0	80.0	59.0	81.0	88.0	82.0	$7,277	$581	$6,695

Denison Middle School

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Rank History for Denison Middle School

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Enrollment information for Denison Middle School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Denison Middle School

Student/Teacher Ratio Denison Middle School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Denison Middle School

Impact of COVID-19 on Denison Middle School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Denison Middle School