Southwood Middle School Center for the Arts, more commonly known as Southwood Middle School, is a public secondary school located on 16301 Southwest 80th Avenue in Palmetto Bay, Florida. Its principal is Raul Garcia. The mascot for the school is the SuperStar, a cartoonish star who wears a top hat and carries a cane.
Serving 1,084 students in grades 6-8, Southwood Middle School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Florida for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 30%, and reading proficiency is top 30%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 67% (which is higher than the Florida state average of 52%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 72% (which is higher than the Florida state average of 52%).
The student:teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than the Florida state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 82% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is higher than the Florida state average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 6-8
- Enrollment: 1,084 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 22:1
- Minority Enrollment: 82%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20% in FL
- Math Proficiency: 67% (Top 30%)
- Reading Proficiency: 72% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 64% (Top 30%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Southwood Middle School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Florida for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
School Overview
Southwood Middle School's student population of 1,084 students has declined by 18% over five school years.
The teacher population of 50 teachers has declined by 19% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,084 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
50 teachers
Year Founded
1975
Colors
Blue, Gold
School Calendar
School Rankings
Southwood Middle School ranks within the top 20% of all 3,704 schools in Florida (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Southwood Middle School is 0.57, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#621 out of 3704 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
67%
52%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
72%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
64%
52%
Student : Teacher Ratio
22:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
3%
3%
Hispanic
61%
37%
Black
17%
21%
White
18%
35%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
1%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
33%
47%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
2%
4%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Superstar
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Southwood Middle School's ranking?
Southwood Middle School is ranked #621 out of 3,704 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Florida.
What schools are Southwood Middle School often compared to?
Southwood Middle Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Palmetto Middle School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
67% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average), while 72% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average).
How many students attend Southwood Middle School?
1,084 students attend Southwood Middle School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
61% of Southwood Middle School students are Hispanic, 18% of students are White, 17% of students are Black, 3% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Southwood Middle School?
Southwood Middle School has a student ration of 22:1, which is higher than the Florida state average of 17:1.
What grades does Southwood Middle School offer ?
Southwood Middle School offers enrollment in grades 6-8 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Southwood Middle School part of?
Southwood Middle School is part of Miami-Dade School District.
School Reviews
5 8/30/2014
I love this school. The pro about this school is that the food is great and the staff is very nice. But, the cons of this school is that it could get a little bit overcrowded
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