Osceola Middle School

Osceola Middle School is a public middle school located in Okeechobee, Florida, serving grades 6-8 with a total enrollment of 711 students. The school is part of the Okeechobee School District, which is ranked 65th out of 67 districts in Florida and has a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger. Osceola Middle School has consistently been ranked in the bottom half of Florida middle schools, with a ranking between 589 and 900 over the past 10 years, and a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Osceola Middle School faces several key challenges, including high chronic absenteeism rates ranging from 30.9% to 51.0% over the past few years, which are significantly higher than the state average. The school's test scores are consistently below the state and district averages across various subjects and grade levels, with proficiency rates in Algebra 1 (71%), Civics (59%), and 8th grade Science (35%) all lower than the state averages. Additionally, Osceola Middle School has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 66.67% to 68.27% over the past few years, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

While Osceola Middle School has seen an increase in per-student spending, from $9,087 in 2020-2021 to $11,300 in 2023-2024, which is higher than the state average, the resources do not appear to be translating into improved outcomes. In comparison, Yearling Middle School, another public middle school in the Okeechobee School District, has slightly better performance metrics than Osceola Middle School, with higher test scores and a lower student-teacher ratio. Addressing the challenges faced by Osceola Middle School will likely require a comprehensive, long-term approach that addresses both academic and non-academic factors impacting student success.