Westwood Middle School

Summary:

Westwood Middle School is a public middle school in Winter Haven, Florida, serving 878 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Polk District, which is ranked 57 out of 68 districts in the state and is rated 1 star out of 5 by SchoolDigger. Westwood Middle School has consistently ranked in the bottom quarter of Florida middle schools over the past several years.

Westwood Middle School stands out from nearby schools like Lakeland Montessori Middle School, Daniel Jenkins Academy Of Technology Middle School, and Union Academy in several key ways. The school has a significantly higher percentage of minority students, with 31.44% African American and 46.58% Hispanic students, compared to the surrounding schools. Westwood Middle School also struggles with high chronic absenteeism rates, reaching as high as 54.5% in the 2021-2022 school year, which is much higher than the state and district averages.

Academically, Westwood Middle School consistently performs below the state and district averages on standardized tests across all grade levels and subject areas, with proficiency rates around 25-37% in English Language Arts and Math, compared to state averages of 50-56%. Despite the school's poor performance, Westwood Middle School has a relatively high per-student spending of around $8,700, suggesting that the issue may not be a lack of funding, but rather how the resources are being utilized and allocated. The high rates of poverty and minority representation at the school may be contributing factors to its academic struggles, highlighting the need for more targeted support and resources to address the unique challenges faced by these student groups.

Detail:

Public 6-8

3520 Avenue J NW
Winter Haven, FL 33881

(863) 965-5484

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
1094^th of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,771

Students who attend Westwood Middle School usually attend:

High:

Lake Region High School

Feeder schools for Westwood Middle School:

Elementary:	Inwood Elementary School
	Lake Shipp Elementary School
	Wahneta Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 19.7

Number of students: 829

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

47.2%

African American:

31.7%

White:

16.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 77.8%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Westwood Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Westwood Middle School ranks worse than 91.5% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 24^th among 26 ranked middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 11.59. (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 Westwood Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (47.2%), African American (31.7%), White (16.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 77.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Westwood Middle School is 19.7, which is the 10^th best among 26 middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Westwood Middle School employs 42 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Westwood Middle School is $8,771. 13 middle schools in the Polk School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

SchoolDigger ranks Westwood Middle School 1094^th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Westwood 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 Westwood Middle School.

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Rank History for Westwood Middle School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	23.73	482^nd	593	18.7%
2005	23.84	496^th	602	17.6%
2006	23.49	528^th	675	21.8%
2007	33.46	520^th	736	29.3%
2008	31.76	533^rd	740	28.0%
2009	30.38	571^st	780	26.8%
2010	28.94	628^th	839	25.1%
2011	25.44	691^st	891	22.4%
2012	17.94	749^th	897	16.5%
2013	19.88	785^th	956	17.9%
2014	14.23	873^rd	999	12.6%
2016	15.57	877^th	997	12.0%
2017	14.25	914^th	1031	11.3%
2018	21.37	838^th	1035	19.0%
2019	12.71	986^th	1099	10.3%
2021	12.32	1035^th	1136	8.9%
2022	11.55	1054^th	1148	8.2%
2023	12.21	1065^th	1177	9.5%
2024	11.59	1094^th	1196	8.5%

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

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Wednesday, December 12, 2018

this school could really use alot of help .its ran by students staff doesnt care about the kids as long they get their paycheck they could care less.polk county school board really need to make big changes to this school....... Close Quote

Enrollment information for Westwood Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	522	122	1	14	6	n/a	n/a	0	665
1989	538	115	1	24	3	n/a	n/a	0	681
1990	450	103	3	27	2	n/a	n/a	0	585
1991	462	76	8	24	0	n/a	n/a	0	570
1992	458	102	7	19	3	n/a	n/a	0	589
1993	417	119	6	31	5	n/a	n/a	0	578
1994	799	203	6	58	1	n/a	n/a	0	1067
1995	779	261	12	69	0	n/a	n/a	0	1121
1996	779	261	12	69	0	n/a	n/a	0	1121
1997	611	191	8	104	1	n/a	n/a	0	915
1998	621	204	9	129	0	n/a	n/a	0	963
1999	609	187	7	152	0	n/a	n/a	0	955
2000	601	199	9	178	1	n/a	n/a	0	988
2001	623	249	13	183	2	n/a	n/a	0	1070
2002	531	256	16	213	2	n/a	n/a	0	1018
2003	531	256	16	213	2	n/a	n/a	0	1018
2004	503	248	15	233	1	n/a	n/a	0	1000
2005	521	242	15	243	0	n/a	n/a	0	1021
2006	489	223	19	261	1	n/a	n/a	0	993
2007	437	210	16	289	1	n/a	n/a	9	962
2008	403	215	11	293	2	n/a	n/a	17	941
2009	340	242	8	292	3	n/a	n/a	19	904
2010	387	248	7	292	1	n/a	n/a	35	970
2011	358	220	6	328	14	0	29	0	955
2012	341	234	4	341	11	1	21	0	953
2013	259	211	6	340	7	0	29	0	852
2014	244	225	5	341	4	0	27	0	846
2015	246	218	7	322	2	3	23	0	821
2016	212	208	3	307	1	3	24	0	758
2017	178	220	4	331	0	2	24	0	759
2018	186	201	7	305	0	1	20	0	720
2019	166	226	6	330	1	1	12	0	742
2020	138	271	6	340	1	2	16	0	774
2021	138	245	6	322	2	1	13	0	727
2022	139	246	5	391	2	3	21	0	807
2023	163	276	3	409	3	2	22	0	878
2024	138	263	6	391	6	1	24	0	829

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 Westwood Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	665	35.0	19.0	22.9
1989	681	32.0	21.2	26.1
1990	585	32.0	18.2	0
1991	570	36.0	15.8	28.4
1992	589	32.0	18.4	26.7
1993	578	28.0	20.6	30.6
1994	1067	51.0	20.9	38.4
1995	1121	57.0	19.7	47.7
1996	1121	57.0	19.7	47.7
1997	915	47.0	19.5	49.8
1998	963	48.0	20.1	50.7
1999	955	52.0	18.4	60.9
2000	988	50.0	19.8	60.2
2001	1070	59.0	18.1	57.2
2002	1018	68.0	15.0	74.1
2003	1018	68.0	15.0	74.1
2004	1000	69.0	14.5	78
2005	1021	70.0	14.6	64.7
2006	993	74.0	13.4	75.6
2007	962	76.0	12.7	75.1
2008	941	71.0	13.3	78.9
2009	904	72.8	14.6	84.2
2010	970	60.0	16.1	84.9
2011	955	66.0	14.4	84.7
2012	953	65.0	14.6	87.3
2013	852	62.0	13.7	87.3
2014	846	57.0	14.8	54.7
2015	821	53.0	15.4	61.1
2016	758	54.0	14.0	67
2017	759	47.0	16.1	67.6
2018	720	48.0	15.0	67.9
2019	742	46.0	16.1	71.6
2020	774	44.0	17.5	66.4
2021	727	43.0	16.9	72.4
2022	807	39.0	20.6	72
2023	878	40.0	21.9	70.4
2024	829	42.0	19.7	77.8

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 Westwood Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	665	35.0	19.0	22.9
1989	681	32.0	21.2	26.1
1990	585	32.0	18.2	0
1991	570	36.0	15.8	28.4
1992	589	32.0	18.4	26.7
1993	578	28.0	20.6	30.6
1994	1067	51.0	20.9	38.4
1995	1121	57.0	19.7	47.7
1996	1121	57.0	19.7	47.7
1997	915	47.0	19.5	49.8
1998	963	48.0	20.1	50.7
1999	955	52.0	18.4	60.9
2000	988	50.0	19.8	60.2
2001	1070	59.0	18.1	57.2
2002	1018	68.0	15.0	74.1
2003	1018	68.0	15.0	74.1
2004	1000	69.0	14.5	78
2005	1021	70.0	14.6	64.7
2006	993	74.0	13.4	75.6
2007	962	76.0	12.7	75.1
2008	941	71.0	13.3	78.9
2009	904	72.8	14.6	84.2
2010	970	60.0	16.1	84.9
2011	955	66.0	14.4	84.7
2012	953	65.0	14.6	87.3
2013	852	62.0	13.7	87.3
2014	846	57.0	14.8	54.7
2015	821	53.0	15.4	61.1
2016	758	54.0	14.0	67
2017	759	47.0	16.1	67.6
2018	720	48.0	15.0	67.9
2019	742	46.0	16.1	71.6
2020	774	44.0	17.5	66.4
2021	727	43.0	16.9	72.4
2022	807	39.0	20.6	72
2023	878	40.0	21.9	70.4
2024	829	42.0	19.7	77.8

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 Westwood Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$959 (10.4%)	$8,297 (89.6%)	$9,256
2019	$870 (11.0%)	$7,044 (89.0%)	$7,914
2020	$864 (11.4%)	$6,687 (88.6%)	$7,551
2021	$1,186 (14.7%)	$6,866 (85.3%)	$8,052
2022	$1,921 (23.0%)	$6,428 (77.0%)	$8,348
2023	$1,932 (22.0%)	$6,840 (78.0%)	$8,771

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Westwood 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 986^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 1065^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 (Westwood Middle School)	26	27	1%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	43	5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Westwood Middle School)	22	14	8%
6th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	47	37	10%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Westwood 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 (Westwood Middle School)	27	24	3%
7th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	39	35	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Westwood Middle School)	31	23	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	41	7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Westwood Middle School)	19	14	5%
8th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	35	32	3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Westwood Middle School)	22	20	2%
8th Grade Science (Polk)	41	33	8%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Westwood Middle School)	66	60	6%
End of Course Civics (Polk)	70	65	5%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Westwood Middle School)	80	47	33%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Polk)	51	41	10%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	742	878	18.3%
African American	226	276	22.1%
American Indian	1	3	200%
Asian	6	3	50%
Hispanic	330	409	23.9%
Pacific Islander	1	2	100%
White	166	163	1.8%
Two or More Races	12	22	83.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	71.6%	70.4%	1.2%

Schools Near Westwood 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
Westwood Middle School	Public	6-8	3520 Avenue J NW	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 965-5484	829	42	19.7	77.8%	138 (16.6%)	263 (31.7%)	391 (47.2%)	6 (0.7%)	6 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	24 (2.9%)	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	1,090	41	26.5	72.8%	420 (38.5%)	193 (17.7%)	428 (39.3%)	8 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	38 (3.5%)	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
Denison Middle School	Public	6-8	400 Avenue A SE	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5353	729	34	21.4	77.0%	148 (20.3%)	267 (36.6%)	287 (39.4%)	8 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (2.6%)	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	587	26	22.5	56.0%	212 (36.1%)	187 (31.9%)	147 (25.0%)	19 (3.2%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	19 (3.2%)	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
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	767	40	19.1	67.9%	249 (32.5%)	147 (19.2%)	341 (44.5%)	3 (0.4%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (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	74.9%	281 (30.8%)	158 (17.3%)	434 (47.6%)	8 (0.9%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (3.1%)	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
Berkley Accelerated	Public, Charter	6-10	5316 Berkley Rd	Auburndale	33823	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 984-2400	627	29	21.6	33.3%	430 (68.6%)	32 (5.1%)	145 (23.1%)	8 (1.3%)	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
Crystal Lake Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	2410 Crystal Lake Dr N	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 499-2970	865	40	21.6	79.0%	244 (28.2%)	210 (24.3%)	369 (42.7%)	9 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.6%)	28 (3.2%)	14.5	1057^th of 1196 public middle schools	11.6%		17.4	1010^th of 1177 public middle schools	14.2%	47	32.0	28.0	30.0			24.0	10.0	24.0	29.0	57.0	86.0			52.0	$9,469	$1,546	$7,922
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	499	28	17.8	68.7%	37 (7.4%)	157 (31.5%)	289 (57.9%)	8 (1.6%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	6 (1.2%)	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
Union Academy	Public, Magnet	6-8	1795 Wabash St E	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	No	(863) 534-7435	389	21	18.5	45.0%	184 (47.3%)	92 (23.7%)	84 (21.6%)	14 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.9%)	73.5	289^th of 1196 public middle schools	75.8%		80	193^rd of 1177 public middle schools	83.6%	96	62.0	79.0	66.0			75.0	21.0	53.0	60.0	86.0	94.0			97.0	$10,310	$1,238	$9,072

Frequently Asked Questions about Westwood Middle School

How many students attend Westwood Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 829 students attended Westwood Middle School.

What high school do graduates of Westwood Middle School attend?

Students who attend Westwood Middle School usually go on to attend Lake Region High School

What is the racial makeup of Westwood Middle School?

Students at Westwood Middle School are 47% Hispanic, 32% African American, 17% White, 3% Two or more races.

Is Westwood Middle School a good school?

Westwood Middle School ranks in the bottom 8.5% of Florida middle schools.

What district is Westwood Middle School in?

Polk

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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.