Westwood Middle School

Westwood Middle School in Winter Haven, FL, serves 712 students in grades 6-8 within the Polk district, and it faces significant challenges tied to a high poverty rate (77% free/reduced lunch) and a severe chronic absenteeism crisis that directly impacts its academic performance.

The most critical issue at Westwood is its chronic absenteeism rate of 44.2%, which is dramatically higher than nearby high-performing schools like Union Academy (14.5%) and Berkley Accelerated (17.9%). This attendance problem is closely linked to low test scores across core subjects. For example, 7th-grade math proficiency is just 16%, far below the state average of 53%, and 6th-grade ELA is 36% compared to the state's 62%. Interestingly, Westwood spends $12,030 per student—the highest in the area—yet achieves the lowest academic outcomes, suggesting that funding alone cannot solve the underlying attendance and engagement issues. In contrast, Jewett Middle Academy Magnet, just 3 miles away, has a 23.8% absenteeism rate and significantly higher scores (e.g., 69% in 6th-grade ELA), highlighting how a magnet program and more consistent attendance can lead to vastly different results.

Despite these struggles, there are bright spots. Students in advanced courses at Westwood perform exceptionally well, with 84% proficient in Algebra 1 and 94% in Civics, indicating pockets of excellence. Additionally, 8th-grade scores show improvement, with ELA at 48% (close to the district's 50%) and science at 41% (tied with the district average). This suggests that students who persist may catch up over time. For parents, the key takeaway is that Westwood's primary challenge is attendance, and if this can be addressed through community support and incentives, the school's high spending and strong advanced programs offer potential for a turnaround.