Is Southwestern Middle School a good school?

Southwestern Middle School ranks 524 th of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Southwestern Middle School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 697 students attended Southwestern Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Southwestern Middle School?

Students at Southwestern Middle School are 44% White, 25% African American, 23% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

What high school do graduates of Southwestern Middle School attend?

Students who attend Southwestern Middle School usually go on to attend Deland High School

Southwestern Middle School

Summary:

Southwestern Middle School is a public middle school in Deland, Florida, serving 697 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Volusia District, which is ranked 36 out of 68 districts in Florida and is rated 2 stars out of 5 by SchoolDigger.

Southwestern Middle School consistently outperforms the Volusia District and the state of Florida in various standardized test scores, including EOC/Algebra 1, EOC/Geometry, EOC/Civics, and Statewide Science/Science for 8th grade. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, Southwestern Middle School had 83% proficiency in EOC/Algebra 1, compared to 67% for Volusia and 55% for Florida. However, the school has a higher chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 35.1% to 39.5% in recent years, which is significantly higher than the nearby schools, such as Creekside Middle School and Sanford Middle School, which have rates ranging from 26.0% to 34.6%. Additionally, Southwestern Middle School has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 62.55% to 73.39% in recent years, which is higher than the nearby schools.

Despite these challenges, Southwestern Middle School has the highest spending per student among the nearby schools, with a range of $8,388 to $10,966 per student in recent years. This is significantly higher than the spending per student at the nearby schools, which ranges from $8,110 to $9,963. The school's strong academic performance, particularly in light of its higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students, suggests that the additional resources are being effectively utilized to support student learning. By addressing the high chronic absenteeism rate and continuing to learn from the successes of nearby high-performing schools, Southwestern Middle School can further enhance the educational experiences and outcomes for its students.

Detail:

Public 6-8

605 W New Hampshire Ave
Deland, FL 32720

(386) 822-6700

District: Volusia

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

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,966

Students who attend Southwestern Middle School usually attend:

High:

Deland High School

Feeder schools for Southwestern Middle School:

Elementary:	Citrus Grove Elementary School
	Edith I. Starke Elementary School
	Woodward Avenue Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 17.8

Number of students: 697

Racial breakdown:

White:

44.2%

African American:

25.0%

Hispanic:

23.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 62.6%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Southwestern Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Southwestern Middle School ranks better than 56.2% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 3^rd among 12 ranked middle schools in the Volusia School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 54.43. (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 Southwestern Middle School has the smallest middle school student body size in the Volusia School District. Student population at Southwestern Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (44.2%), African American (25%), Hispanic (23.2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 62.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Southwestern Middle School is 17.8, which is the 3^rd best among 12 middle schools in the Volusia School District. (See more...)

Compare Southwestern Middle School employs 39 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Southwestern Middle School is $10,966, which is the highest among 12 middle schools in the Volusia School District!

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

SchoolDigger ranks Southwestern Middle School 524^th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Southwestern Middle School in the ranking list.)

Volusia:

SchoolDigger ranks Volusia 36^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Rating:

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Rank History for Southwestern Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	50.68	313^th	593	47.2%
2005	47.64	348^th	602	42.2%
2006	50.96	347^th	675	48.6%
2007	43.89	448^th	736	39.1%
2008	50.86	394^th	740	46.8%
2009	57.03	366^th	780	53.1%
2010	52.04	435^th	839	48.2%
2011	49.26	494^th	891	44.6%
2012	43.85	522^nd	897	41.8%
2013	40.29	590^th	956	38.3%
2014	37.30	633^rd	999	36.6%
2016	35.14	648^th	997	35.0%
2017	36.03	666^th	1031	35.4%
2018	35.29	679^th	1035	34.4%
2019	33.16	761^st	1099	30.8%
2021	39.63	691^st	1136	39.2%
2022	40.89	670^th	1148	41.6%
2023	52.99	524^th	1177	55.5%
2024	54.43	524^th	1196	56.2%

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 student
Sunday, April 18, 2021

The teachers let the kids do whatever they want, including dropping offensive and racial slurs. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Southwestern Middle School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	388	109	5	8	0	n/a	n/a	0	510
1989	299	119	4	6	0	n/a	n/a	0	428
1990	289	122	4	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	427
1991	283	124	6	26	0	n/a	n/a	0	439
1992	289	117	3	30	0	n/a	n/a	0	439
1993	283	127	3	45	0	n/a	n/a	0	458
1994	279	113	3	66	0	n/a	n/a	0	461
1995	368	121	9	60	1	n/a	n/a	0	559
1996	368	121	9	60	1	n/a	n/a	0	559
1997	385	133	4	49	1	n/a	n/a	0	572
1998	388	148	3	40	1	n/a	n/a	0	580
1999	414	146	0	48	3	n/a	n/a	0	611
2000	397	178	3	65	1	n/a	n/a	0	644
2001	419	177	4	61	2	n/a	n/a	0	663
2002	416	185	5	54	0	n/a	n/a	0	660
2003	416	185	5	54	0	n/a	n/a	0	660
2004	388	184	6	65	0	n/a	n/a	0	643
2005	392	158	4	91	1	n/a	n/a	0	646
2006	410	165	5	91	0	n/a	n/a	0	671
2007	415	164	9	96	1	n/a	n/a	25	710
2008	438	147	13	99	2	n/a	n/a	32	731
2009	413	150	14	83	3	n/a	n/a	32	695
2010	374	138	9	84	3	n/a	n/a	26	634
2011	362	148	7	102	0	0	21	0	640
2012	387	146	6	123	2	0	21	0	685
2013	375	188	4	130	2	1	29	0	729
2014	321	179	4	143	2	1	25	0	675
2015	330	174	13	134	2	2	27	0	682
2016	353	181	12	155	1	0	31	0	733
2017	362	179	19	144	6	4	30	0	744
2018	351	186	14	159	0	0	30	0	740
2019	396	172	15	172	0	0	27	0	782
2020	378	195	17	185	0	1	27	0	803
2021	300	171	18	169	0	2	24	0	684
2022	310	184	19	171	0	2	28	0	714
2023	308	174	15	162	0	3	35	0	697

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 Southwestern Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	510	27.0	18.8	20.8
1989	428	29.0	14.7	27.6
1990	427	28.0	15.2	33
1991	439	31.0	14.1	36.7
1992	439	29.0	15.1	36.9
1993	458	28.0	16.4	43.9
1994	461	28.0	16.5	46
1995	559	34.0	16.4	44.2
1996	559	34.0	16.4	44.2
1997	572	35.0	16.3	41.1
1998	580	37.0	15.7	38.6
1999	611	41.0	14.9	50.6
2000	644	41.0	15.7	49.8
2001	663	43.0	15.4	52.3
2002	660	47.0	14.0	48
2003	660	47.0	14.0	48
2004	643	44.0	14.6	48.7
2005	646	47.0	13.7	57.7
2006	671	48.0	14.0	51.9
2007	710	50.0	14.2	52.3
2008	731	49.5	14.8	45.8
2009	695	47.1	16.4	52
2010	634	39.0	16.2	55.9
2011	640	36.0	17.7	62.8
2012	685	40.4	16.9	62.8
2013	729	41.0	17.7	67.6
2014	675	46.0	14.6	73.8
2015	682	45.0	15.1	71.1
2016	733	47.0	15.5	72.3
2017	744	48.0	15.5	71.6
2018	740	47.0	15.7	73.1
2019	782	42.0	18.6	72.9
2020	803	45.0	17.8	71.5
2021	684	40.0	17.1	73.4
2022	714	38.0	18.7	71
2023	697	39.0	17.8	62.6

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 Southwestern Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	510	27.0	18.8	20.8
1989	428	29.0	14.7	27.6
1990	427	28.0	15.2	33
1991	439	31.0	14.1	36.7
1992	439	29.0	15.1	36.9
1993	458	28.0	16.4	43.9
1994	461	28.0	16.5	46
1995	559	34.0	16.4	44.2
1996	559	34.0	16.4	44.2
1997	572	35.0	16.3	41.1
1998	580	37.0	15.7	38.6
1999	611	41.0	14.9	50.6
2000	644	41.0	15.7	49.8
2001	663	43.0	15.4	52.3
2002	660	47.0	14.0	48
2003	660	47.0	14.0	48
2004	643	44.0	14.6	48.7
2005	646	47.0	13.7	57.7
2006	671	48.0	14.0	51.9
2007	710	50.0	14.2	52.3
2008	731	49.5	14.8	45.8
2009	695	47.1	16.4	52
2010	634	39.0	16.2	55.9
2011	640	36.0	17.7	62.8
2012	685	40.4	16.9	62.8
2013	729	41.0	17.7	67.6
2014	675	46.0	14.6	73.8
2015	682	45.0	15.1	71.1
2016	733	47.0	15.5	72.3
2017	744	48.0	15.5	71.6
2018	740	47.0	15.7	73.1
2019	782	42.0	18.6	72.9
2020	803	45.0	17.8	71.5
2021	684	40.0	17.1	73.4
2022	714	38.0	18.7	71
2023	697	39.0	17.8	62.6

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 Southwestern Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$630 (8.6%)	$6,721 (91.4%)	$7,351
2019	$678 (9.5%)	$6,481 (90.5%)	$7,158
2020	$775 (10.1%)	$6,888 (89.9%)	$7,663
2021	$1,103 (13.0%)	$7,349 (86.9%)	$8,454
2022	$1,954 (21.2%)	$7,254 (78.8%)	$9,208
2023	$1,807 (16.5%)	$9,159 (83.5%)	$10,966

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Southwestern 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 761^st of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 524^th of 1177 Middle schools	24.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Southwestern Middle School)	49	54	5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Volusia)	50	48	2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Southwestern Middle School)	36	48	12%
6th Grade Mathematics (Volusia)	48	44	4%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Southwestern Middle School)	40	39	1%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Volusia)	47	41	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Southwestern Middle School)	31	40	9%
7th Grade Mathematics (Volusia)	47	38	9%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Southwestern Middle School)	48	39	9%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Volusia)	50	44	6%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Southwestern Middle School)	14	21	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Volusia)	29	26	3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Southwestern Middle School)	49	44	5%
8th Grade Science (Volusia)	57	47	10%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Southwestern Middle School)	67	81	14%
End of Course Civics (Volusia)	68	65	3%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Southwestern Middle School)	66	72	6%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Volusia)	55	42	13%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Southwestern Middle School)	100	76	24%
End of Course Geometry (Volusia)	55	40	15%
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	782	697	10.9%
African American	172	174	1.2%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	15	15
Hispanic	172	162	5.8%
Pacific Islander	0	3
White	396	308	22.2%
Two or More Races	27	35	29.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	72.9%	62.6%	10.3%

Schools Near Southwestern 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 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 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
Southwestern Middle School	Public	6-8	605 W New Hampshire Ave	Deland	32720	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 822-6700	697	39	17.8	62.6%	308 (44.2%)	174 (25.0%)	162 (23.2%)	15 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	35 (5.0%)	54.4	524^th of 1196 public middle schools	56.2%		53	524^th of 1177 public middle schools	55.5%		51.0	39.0	54.0	58.0	42.0	75.0	62.0	83.0	73.0		68.0	$10,966	$1,807	$9,159
Deland Middle School	Public	6-8	1400 Aquarius Ave	Deland	32724	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 822-6580	1,074	56	19.1	61.3%	506 (47.1%)	148 (13.8%)	352 (32.8%)	20 (1.9%)	3 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (4.2%)	30.1	865^th of 1196 public middle schools	27.7%		27.1	883^rd of 1177 public middle schools	25.0%	18	42.0	37.0	37.0	39.0	45.0	25.0	39.0	74.0	84.0		62.0	$9,297	$2,002	$7,295
River Springs Middle School	Public	6-8	900 W Ohio Ave	Orange City	32763	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	No	(386) 456-5346	1,249	59	21.1	49.5%	717 (57.4%)	128 (10.2%)	320 (25.6%)	25 (2.0%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	55 (4.4%)	38.8	733^rd of 1196 public middle schools	38.7%		43.6	655^th of 1177 public middle schools	44.4%	78	43.0	36.0	44.0	48.0	41.0	49.0	49.0	61.0	77.0		63.0	$8,388	$999	$7,389
Galaxy Middle School	Public	6-8	2400 Eustace Ave	Deltona	32725	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 789-7070	1,056	54	19.5	59.6%	359 (34.0%)	158 (15.0%)	474 (44.9%)	12 (1.1%)	3 (0.3%)	3 (0.3%)	47 (4.5%)	32.5	833^rd of 1196 public middle schools	30.4%		28.3	861^st of 1177 public middle schools	26.8%	28	41.0	40.0	36.0	44.0	45.0	31.0	41.0	73.0	90.0		63.0	$8,773	$1,726	$7,047
Deltona Middle School	Public	6-8	250 Enterprise Rd	Deltona	32725	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(386) 860-3350	1,146	60	19.1	59.6%	396 (34.6%)	150 (13.1%)	538 (46.9%)	14 (1.2%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	45 (3.9%)	40.6	713^th of 1196 public middle schools	40.4%		25.9	897^th of 1177 public middle schools	23.8%	184	50.0	48.0	37.0	41.0	58.0	31.0	42.0	63.0	85.0		63.0	$8,832	$1,683	$7,150
Heritage Middle School	Public	6-8	1001 Parnell Ct	Deltona	32738	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	Yes	(407) 860-3391	993	51	19.4	60.6%	382 (38.5%)	154 (15.5%)	406 (40.9%)	10 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	4 (0.4%)	36 (3.6%)	35.9	783^rd of 1196 public middle schools	34.5%		34.5	783^rd of 1177 public middle schools	33.5%		44.0	43.0	35.0	42.0	46.0	29.0	50.0	97.0	97.0		69.0	$9,406	$1,285	$8,121
Sanford Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	1700 S French Ave	Sanford	32771	Seminole County	Seminole	No	Yes	No	No	(407) 320-6150	1,372	76	18.0	46.7%	405 (29.5%)	264 (19.2%)	313 (22.8%)	315 (23.0%)	4 (0.3%)	4 (0.3%)	67 (4.9%)	69	341^st of 1196 public middle schools	71.5%		70.1	324^th of 1177 public middle schools	72.5%	17	64.0	61.0	54.0	65.0	76.0	35.0	56.0	83.0	99.0	100.0	72.0	$8,723	$790	$7,932
Markham Woods Middle School	Public	6-8	6003 Markham Woods Rd	Lake Mary	32746	Seminole County	Seminole	No	No	No	No	(407) 871-1750	961	50	19.3	51.1%	376 (39.1%)	227 (23.6%)	258 (26.8%)	49 (5.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	49 (5.1%)	58.4	466^th of 1196 public middle schools	61.0%		57.5	463^rd of 1177 public middle schools	60.7%	3	59.0	54.0	51.0	55.0	63.0	25.0	54.0	86.0	97.0		61.0	$9,617	$985	$8,632
Creekside Middle School	Public	6-8	6801 Airport Rd	Port Orange	32128	Volusia County	Volusia	No	No	No	No	(386) 304-5500	1,222	64	19.2	38.7%	907 (74.2%)	88 (7.2%)	119 (9.7%)	51 (4.2%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	53 (4.3%)	74.1	279^th of 1196 public middle schools	76.7%		75.4	249^th of 1177 public middle schools	78.8%	30	60.0	61.0	69.0	66.0	61.0	69.0	71.0	99.0	100.0		82.0	$8,900	$1,617	$7,283
Millennium Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	2330 E Sr 46	Sanford	32771	Seminole County	Seminole	No	Yes	No	Yes	(407) 320-6550	1,347	74	18.1	70.4%	356 (26.4%)	422 (31.3%)	470 (34.9%)	26 (1.9%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.2%)	69 (5.1%)	40.8	712^th of 1196 public middle schools	40.5%		44.2	645^th of 1177 public middle schools	45.2%	67	41.0	42.0	41.0	42.0	61.0	29.0	45.0	48.0	69.0		58.0	$9,963	$1,451	$8,511

Southwestern Middle School

Volusia:

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Rank History for Southwestern Middle School

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Enrollment information for Southwestern Middle School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Southwestern Middle School

Student/Teacher Ratio Southwestern Middle School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Southwestern Middle School

Impact of COVID-19 on Southwestern Middle School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Southwestern Middle School