Summary:
In zip code 32720, there is one middle school, Southwestern Middle School, serving grades 6 through 8 in Deland, Florida, with 664 students and a majority of students (61.45%) qualifying for free or reduced lunch.
Southwestern Middle School presents a striking contrast in academic performance. The school excels in advanced math, with 91% of students proficient in Algebra 1 and 97% proficient in Geometry—far exceeding the Volusia district averages of 61% and 53%, respectively. However, standard grade-level math is a significant weakness, particularly in 7th grade, where only 38% of students are proficient, well below the state average of 53%. English Language Arts (ELA) is also a consistent challenge across all three grades, with proficiency rates ranging from 48% to 52%, all below state averages. The school’s overall state ranking has declined over three years, from the 56th percentile to the 38th percentile, and chronic absenteeism is high at 34.6%, slightly above the state average.
For parents, the key takeaway is that Southwestern Middle School offers an exceptional advanced math program for high-achieving students, but struggles with core subject proficiency for the general student body. The school’s per-student spending of $10,441 does not appear to be translating into strong overall outcomes, and the high chronic absenteeism rate is a concern that may impact learning. Parents should consider the school’s strengths in advanced coursework against its weaknesses in standard math and ELA when evaluating options.
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