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GreatSchools Rating

Suwannee Middle School

Public | 6-8 | 1077 students

Last modified
Community Rating

3 stars

Community Rating by Year
2013:
No new ratings
2012:
No new ratings
2011:
Based on 2 ratings
2010:
Based on 2 ratings

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Parent involvement

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7 reviews of this school


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Posted May 8, 2011

SMS has gone downhill dramatically in recent years. For a small rural town, I don't understand why there is so much violence and so little supervision at school. i believe upper management is burned out and there is a fatalistic attitude about bullying. This year alone, one child committed suicide and another was life flighted to a hospital after a fight. The new school superintendent is making changes, however, so I'm giving the school two stars just to express a little hope for our school.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted April 8, 2011

The only reason I am rating them w 1 star is because you have to give at least that to complete this. This school is completely OUT OF CONTROL! The bullying at this school has become a tragedy. The leadership of the school leaves something to be desired and instead of them being ashamed as they should be, they do nothing but make excuses. That ended for us the last year my child attended this school and was sent to the hospital via ambulance because he was pushed into a metal pole and landed on the concrete beneath his feet. I was told he ran into the pole when infact he was pushed by another child from behind that had been reported on several previous occasions for bullying my son. The teachers want you involved or so they say....however when you try, you become bothersome. 504 plan, HAH! Yeah right, the only plan they have is to get themselves thru the day and the concern is NOT our children! F F F F F F, THATS how I grade their papers!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 11, 2010

I have 2 children that attended this school , and I have transferred them to a much better school, and both children improved beyond belief . I cant say anything good in the way of educational professionalism , or the all around experience(s) with this school . I'd give them a 0 , but it wont post till I give a 1 rating. I dont see how SMS gets a rating as it stands now , but check the florida school ratings in where it stands in the ranking of the state of florida standings for higher education... there is too many schools better than this one. Best thing I've done for my kids in the education department by transferring them out of SMS to a better school. And I got great results! SMS needs an overhaul , out with the old , in with the new!
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 27, 2008

Teachers are wonderful, but school needs more supervision and a more innovative approach.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted February 3, 2008

SMS is a great school but some of the teachers could use an attitude ajustment. They think that this children should know every thing right off the bat and that the children should be able to do some collage age algabra in 6th grade.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted May 22, 2007

My granddaughter transferred in the fall to SMS (the staff was very helpful and friendly when we registered her and it was nice to have a principal to tell a child 'we are happy to have you with us'). she came home happy the first day and this has continued. she is motivated now and has learn the joy of reading, thanks to her Reading 180 class. I think her comment as we pulled into the school last week says it all 'This is the Best Move I have ever made. The academic programs are well planned to meet the student's level and needs. I attended your recent band concert and was totally overwhelmed with the abilities of your young people and the teacher. we as a family would like to get involved and help the school whenever possible. Thank you for your good enviorment and your striving to give our kids a quality education.
—Submitted by a parent


Posted August 20, 2004

SMS is a good school, though there's a problem with littering. It seems that all the teachers care about is getting you throught the FCAT. Yes, that's important, but there are many other things the students need to be prepared for.
—Submitted by a student


Community ratings and reviews do not represent the views of GreatSchools nor does GreatSchools check their accuracy or verify the reviewers' identities. Use your discretion when evaluating these reviews.

About these ratings

The Community Rating is the school’s average rating from its community members (e.g., parents, students, and school staff). The highest possible rating is five stars; the lowest is one star.

The test results by subgroup show how the designated group of students is performing in comparison to the general population.
Math

The state average for Math was 53% in 2012.

355 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
39%

2011

 
 
39%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 57% in 2012.

350 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
49%

2011

 
 
42%
Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT 2.0) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading, 3 through 8 in math, and in grades 5 and 8 in science. The FCAT 2.0 is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Florida. The FCAT 2.0 has 5 achievement levels, with level 1 being the lowest and level 5 the highest. Florida considers scores of level 3 and higher to be on or above grade level. The goal is for all students to score at or above level 3.

See Florida's state standards

Source: Florida Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 56% in 2012.

341 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
44%

2011

 
 
45%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 58% in 2012.

341 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
47%

2011

 
 
49%
Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT 2.0) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading, 3 through 8 in math, and in grades 5 and 8 in science. The FCAT 2.0 is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Florida. The FCAT 2.0 has 5 achievement levels, with level 1 being the lowest and level 5 the highest. Florida considers scores of level 3 and higher to be on or above grade level. The goal is for all students to score at or above level 3.

See Florida's state standards

Source: Florida Department of Education

Math

The state average for Math was 57% in 2012.

342 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
50%

2011

 
 
41%
Reading

The state average for Reading was 55% in 2012.

345 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
51%

2011

 
 
41%
Science

The state average for Science was 46% in 2012.

342 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
43%
Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT 2.0) to test students in grades 3 through 10 in reading, 3 through 8 in math, and in grades 5 and 8 in science. The FCAT 2.0 is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Florida. The FCAT 2.0 has 5 achievement levels, with level 1 being the lowest and level 5 the highest. Florida considers scores of level 3 and higher to be on or above grade level. The goal is for all students to score at or above level 3.

See Florida's state standards

Source: Florida Department of Education

Writing

The state average for Writing was 78% in 2012.

343 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
64%

2011

 
 
94%

2010

 
 
91%
Scale: % scoring at or above level 3

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Florida used the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) to test students in grades 4, 8 and 10 in writing. The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills needed to progress through school. The FCAT writing exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 6. The state considers a score of 3 or above as meeting state standards.

See Florida's state standards

Source: Florida Department of Education

  • In 2011-2012, this school received a grade of "C".
  • In 2010-2011, this school received a grade of "C".
  • In 2009-2010, this school received a grade of "C".
  • In 2008-2009, this school received a grade of "B".

About the tests


Florida uses School Grades to measure the overall performance of a school each year on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). Each school is assigned a letter grade (A-F) based on three criteria: the overall performance on the FCAT, the percentage of eligible students who took the test, and whether or not students made progress in reading and math. The School Grades are calculated by adding points earned from each of the performance criteria listed above.

See Florida's state standards

Source: Florida Department of Education

Algebra I

The state average for Algebra I was 59% in 2012.

88 students were tested at this school in 2012.

2012

 
 
99%

2011

 
 
74%
Scale: % level 3, 4, or 5

About the tests


In 2011-2012 Florida used the End-of-Course Assessments (EOC) to test students in Algebra 1. The EOC is a standards-based test, which means it measures how well students are mastering specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Florida. The Algebra 1 EOC has 5 achievement levels, with level 1 being the lowest and level 5 the highest. Florida considers scores of level 3 and higher to be on or above grade level. The goal is for all students to score at or above level 3.

See Florida's state standards

Source: Florida Department of Education

Breaking down the GreatSchools Rating

GreatSchools Ratings are based on the most recent standardized test results for schools. Use the breakdown ratings below to compare types of students at this school. Learn more »


Student ethnicity

Ethnicity This school State average
White 72% 46%
Black 18% 23%
Hispanic 7% 25%
Multiracial 2% 4%
American Indian/Alaskan Native 0% 0%
Asian/Pacific Islander 0% 2%
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Student subgroups

  This school District averageState average
Students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch program 58%N/A46%
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Student-teacher ratio

  This school District averageState average
Students per teacher 16N/A15
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2007-2008

Teacher education levels

  This school District averageState average
Bachelor's degree 81%N/A65%
Master's degree 17%N/A32%
Doctorate degree 2%N/A1%
Other degree 0%N/A2%
Source: FL Dept. of Education, 2009-2010
Notice an inaccuracy? Let us know!

1730 Walker Ave SW
Live Oak, FL 32064
Website: Click here
Phone: (386) 364-2730

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