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Shields Middle School

Public Grades 6-8

1084^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,216 Florida Middle Schools

Better than 11% of Florida middle schools

Summary

Shields Middle School in Ruskin, FL, is a large public school serving 1,593 students in grades 6-8 within the Hillsborough County School District, where 60.2% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage.

Academically, Shields Middle School is a low-performing school with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger, consistently ranking in the bottom 11-18th percentile statewide over the past decade. It significantly underperforms compared to both the district and state averages across most core subjects, including English Language Arts, Math, Science, and Civics. For instance, only 44% of students were proficient in Civics (vs. 70% district, 77% state) and just 34% in Science (vs. 50% district, 52% state). However, there is a notable bright spot: students taking the Algebra 1 End-of-Course exam consistently outperform district and state averages, with 78% proficient in 2025-2026 compared to 63% for both. This suggests a targeted and effective program for advanced math students. Additionally, there is a positive upward trend in English Language Arts proficiency, with 6th-grade scores rising from 21% to 32% over recent years, indicating that literacy interventions may be starting to yield results.

The most critical differentiator for Shields is its extreme chronic absenteeism rate of 50.5% in 2023-2024, nearly double the district and state averages of 31.3% and 31.4%, respectively. This rate is among the highest in the area, with only nearby Eisenhower Middle School (52.9%) having a higher rate. The link between absenteeism and academic performance is stark: the three lowest-performing schools in the area (Shields, Eisenhower, and Giunta Middle School) all have chronic absenteeism rates above 48%, while higher-performing schools like Randall Middle School and Mulrennan Middle School have rates at or below 30.6%. The school also has the highest student-to-teacher ratio among nearby schools at 26.5:1, which likely exacerbates challenges. Notably, per-student spending of $9,315 is in the middle of the pack, suggesting that the school's challenges are not primarily due to a lack of funding but rather how resources are utilized in the face of high poverty and absenteeism.

1,593

Students ?

26.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,315

Per pupil spending ?

60.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

15732 Beth Shields Way
Ruskin, FL 33573

(813) 672-5338

District: Hillsborough

Feeder schools for Shields Middle School:

Elementary:	Cypress Creek Elementary School
	Reddick Elementary School
	Ruskin Elementary School
	Thompson Elementary
	More...
	Wimauma Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

60.5%

African American:

26.2%

White:

8.8%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Shields Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 12th percentile in 2016 → 11th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (38% vs 62% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (11th percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (50% vs 31% Florida)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school38%

District avg58%

Florida avg62%

1,084^th of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Bottom 11%▼ down 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

35^th of 41Middle Schools in the Hillsborough

45^th of 70Hillsborough among Florida districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	15.6	1084 of 1216	10.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	17.1	1046 of 1205	13.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	15.8	1043 of 1196	12.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	14.8	1042 of 1177	11.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	20.1	963 of 1148	16.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	20.5	927 of 1136	18.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	21.5	887 of 1099	19.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	20.0	855 of 1035	17.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2017	13.1	928 of 1031	10.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	15.1	880 of 997	11.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	23.6	790 of 999	20.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	22.0	760 of 956	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	19.8	733 of 897	18.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	24.0	702 of 891	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	34.4	593 of 839	29.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	28.7	582 of 780	25.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	29.9	549 of 740	25.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	31.6	529 of 736	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Algebra 178%+15 vs state

Civics44%-33 vs state

Math36%-23 vs state

Science34%-18 vs state

English Language Arts34%-28 vs state

1.7

3 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★0

4★0

3★1

2★0

1★2

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, February 25, 2022

esta escuela es lo peor de lo peor, primero deben de poner a una principal que tenga liderazgo y no deje que los estudiantes hagan lo que quieran luego expulsar a cada estudiante que cometa bullying oh agrreda a otro estudiantes sin record de incidente en la escuela,cambiar completamente el personaje del orden publico osea el policia el cual pierde el tiempo en la oficina y hablando en las esquina en vez de estar dando rondas preventivas alrededor de la escuela, otro cambiar cada maestro que no tenga el level adecuado para dar clases ya que esta escuela esta pobre de profesionales(no todos hay algunos que si se merecen el titulos de maestros.la comida en el comedor se le puede dar 0 en calidad . comida que enferma el estomago de los estudiantes. estudiantes que van sin uniforme a la escuela y ninas vistiendo en piyamas como si estuvieran en la casa con zapatos de dormir y otras vistiendo como si trabajaran en una discoteca, hay que ver como ha bajado la calidad de mandato en las escuelas que pena no entiendo porque venden y exijen uniformes si no hacen valer las reglas.. horrible escuela. Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, September 19, 2011

My kids went to Shields and went on to high school. Just like any other PUBLIC SCHOOL, Shields is not perfect. And every single school you can go to has kids who try to be bullies. Name one that doesn't. (Good luck!) That is life. We had a situation like that and my daughter's assistant principal handled it after she reported it. Shields is not a "bad" school. Seems like the main people who have a problem with Shields are parents who don't want their children around minorities or around children who grow up different from them. That is a very sad way to raise your children. Close Quote

by a parent
Thursday, June 17, 2010

I've heard this school is full of gangs, ne'er-do-wells, and incidences of young girls committing suicide because of bullying as a result of 'sexting.'

I would not recommend this school, unless your children would like to be exposed to a rather rough crowd. Close Quote

Schools Near Shields Middle School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)			FAST Math (2026)			Statewide Science Science (2026)	EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Geometry (2026)	EOC Civics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
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 (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	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
Shields Middle School	Public	6-8	15732 Beth Shields Way	Ruskin	33573	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 672-5338	1,593	60	26.5	60.2%	140 (8.8%)	417 (26.2%)	963 (60.5%)	18 (1.1%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.2%)	51 (3.2%)	15.6	1084^th of 1216 public middle schools	10.9%		17.1	1046^th of 1205 public middle schools	13.2%	38	32.0	35.0	34.0	30.0	37.0	41.0	34.0	78.0		44.0	$9,315	$1,414	$7,902
Eisenhower Middle School	Public	6-8	7620 Old Big Bend Rd	Gibsonton	33534	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 671-5121	1,174	54	21.8	54.5%	161 (13.7%)	465 (39.6%)	439 (37.4%)	26 (2.2%)	1 (0.1%)	4 (0.3%)	78 (6.6%)	20.8	1028^th of 1216 public middle schools	15.5%		20.3	999^th of 1205 public middle schools	17.1%	29	38.0	39.0	46.0	32.0	19.0	45.0	43.0	66.0	88.0	53.0	$9,899	$1,309	$8,590
Rodgers Middle Magnet School	Public, Magnet	6-8	11910 Tucker Rd	Riverview	33569	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	Yes	(813) 671-5288	900	43	20.9	47.2%	259 (28.8%)	217 (24.1%)	330 (36.7%)	25 (2.8%)	2 (0.2%)	5 (0.6%)	62 (6.9%)	26.8	960^th of 1216 public middle schools	21.1%		23.8	952^nd of 1205 public middle schools	21.0%	8	44.0	42.0	48.0	40.0	29.0	50.0	43.0	81.0	93.0	57.0	$9,961	$1,144	$8,817
Barrington Middle School	Public	6-8	5925 Village Center Dr	Lithia	33547	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 657-7266	1,345	52	25.8	32.7%	583 (43.3%)	198 (14.7%)	394 (29.3%)	63 (4.7%)	3 (0.2%)	3 (0.2%)	101 (7.5%)	60.8	458^th of 1216 public middle schools	62.3%		63.4	409^th of 1205 public middle schools	66.1%	49	68.0	65.0	59.0	73.0	32.0	68.0	56.0	91.0	100.0	78.0	$8,270	$752	$7,517
Progress Village Middle Magnet	Public, Magnet	6-8	8113 Zinnia Dr	Tampa	33619	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	No	(813) 671-5110	849	43	19.9	43.1%	214 (25.2%)	323 (38.0%)	253 (29.8%)	8 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	50 (5.9%)	64.1	410^th of 1216 public middle schools	66.3%		58.7	477^th of 1205 public middle schools	60.4%	67	70.0	64.0	68.0	61.0	40.0	72.0	66.0	84.0	100.0	80.0	$10,638	$1,055	$9,582
Giunta Middle School	Public	6-8	4202 S Falkenburg Rd	Riverview	33569	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 740-4888	964	45	21.5	63.7%	119 (12.3%)	377 (39.1%)	403 (41.8%)	16 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	48 (5.0%)	11.8	1110^th of 1216 public middle schools	8.7%		14.2	1071^st of 1205 public middle schools	11.1%	39	35.0	40.0	34.0	33.0	18.0	33.0	27.0	69.0	84.0	52.0	$10,797	$1,767	$9,030
Randall Middle School	Public	6-8	16510 Fishhawk Blvd	Lithia	33547	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 740-3900	1,373	65	21.1	14.3%	853 (62.1%)	62 (4.5%)	254 (18.5%)	93 (6.8%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	109 (7.9%)	86.5	113^th of 1216 public middle schools	90.7%		87.2	118^th of 1205 public middle schools	90.2%	5	82.0	81.0	83.0	82.0	52.0	90.0	79.0	99.0	100.0	94.0	$8,469	$547	$7,921
Burns Middle School	Public	6-8	615 Brooker Rd	Brandon	33511	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 744-8383	1,108	51	21.6	34.7%	488 (44.0%)	133 (12.0%)	342 (30.9%)	42 (3.8%)	1 (0.1%)	3 (0.3%)	99 (8.9%)	58.4	494^th of 1216 public middle schools	59.4%		56.4	506^th of 1205 public middle schools	58.0%	12	65.0	64.0	63.0	64.0	37.0	71.0	53.0	90.0	100.0	73.0	$9,159	$741	$8,417
Buffalo Creek Middle School	Public	6-8	7320 69th St E	Palmetto	34221	Manatee County	Manatee	No	No	No	No	(941) 721-2260	1,171	54	21.6	49.4%	687 (58.7%)	178 (15.2%)	218 (18.6%)	31 (2.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	57 (4.9%)	42.3	740^th of 1216 public middle schools	39.1%		49.5	601^st of 1205 public middle schools	50.1%	139	60.0	52.0	61.0	45.0	27.0	58.0	46.0	92.0	95.0	76.0	$9,475	$667	$8,807
Dowdell Middle Magnet School	Public, Magnet	6-8	1208 Wishing Well Way	Tampa	33619	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	Yes	(813) 744-8322	657	28	23.3	66.7%	91 (13.9%)	159 (24.2%)	378 (57.5%)	4 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (3.7%)	14.8	1090^th of 1216 public middle schools	10.4%		11.4	1102^nd of 1205 public middle schools	8.5%	12	35.0	36.0	33.0	29.0	23.0	46.0	32.0	92.0		49.0	$8,906	$1,129	$7,776

Frequently Asked Questions about Shields Middle School

What district is Shields Middle School in?

Hillsborough

What is the racial makeup of Shields Middle School?

Students at Shields Middle School are 60% Hispanic, 26% African American, 9% White, 3% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

How many students attend Shields Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,593 students attended Shields Middle School.

Is Shields Middle School a good school?

Shields Middle School ranks in the bottom 10.9% of Florida middle schools.

Rate Shields Middle School!

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Latest Florida data All new data »

2025–26 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataMar 20, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

2024–25 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2025

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.