A closer look at Thomas L Sims Middle School.
Thomas L. Sims Middle School was dedicated in 1998 and is named for a longtime Pace educator. Its school introduction identifies Geometry and Digital Information Technology as courses that can earn high-school credit, alongside student organizations, band and chorus.
The 2025–26 Florida DOE report classifies Thomas L Sims Middle School in the middle category, as a district public school in Santa Rosa County. Its accountability grade is A; it earned 70% of possible accountability points. The published grade sequence is A in 2023–24, A in 2024–25, and A in 2025–26.
Geometry and technology credit at Sims bring readiness into focus.
Our interpretation of published school information, not a campus inspection or an additional official rating.
Sims explicitly identifies Geometry and Digital Information Technology as opportunities to earn high-school credit during middle school. Our editorial view is that the useful distinction is access to an appropriate sequence, rather than acceleration for its own sake. A student should be ready for the course and understand how it connects with the next level of study.
The school's published organizations also distinguish groups students may choose from those involving selection, including Junior Beta, student government and yearbook. We would plan the academic and participation pieces together. A challenging course can be a good fit while still leaving room for music or a student organization; the answer depends on prerequisites, scheduling and what the student is prepared to sustain.
Why it may fit
A relevant option to examine for a middle-school student ready to discuss high-school-credit coursework, or one looking for a combination of academic planning, music and student leadership opportunities.
What to weigh
A published advanced course is not a placement guarantee, and a selective organization is not open to every applicant. Ask about the standard course path and open-membership activities as carefully as the accelerated or selected options.
Sims was dedicated in 1998 and is named for a longtime Pace educator. Its Education Drive campus covers the middle-school stage, so course choices should be discussed in the context of the following high-school years.
Ask guidance to compare an appropriate standard and accelerated math path for the student's preparation, explain Digital Information Technology access and show where a chosen club or music course fits.
Based on Thomas L. Sims Middle School school-published information ↗ · NCES school directory ↗. Confirm current programs and availability with the school.
What makes this school distinctive.
Credit before high school
Sims explicitly names Geometry and Digital Information Technology as high-school-credit courses; placement depends on the student's preparation and school requirements.
School source ↗Clubs and service
The school lists chess, Hope Squad, Take A Stand, Junior Beta, student government and yearbook, with some groups requiring selection.
School source ↗How the official results compare.
Its 70% overall points result is 8.5 percentage points above the 61.5% median among 6 other middle schools in Santa Rosa County with reported data.
What the results suggest.
A consistent state classification
Three consecutive A grades give you a consistent accountability classification across the published years. That is useful context, but it does not show whether every subject, classroom or student made the same progress.
A result worth noticing
Science is 71%, compared with a 56.5% median for 6 other local schools in the same state category. That 14.5-point difference is the largest positive peer gap among the subject measures available here. Ask which learning opportunities sit behind it and how a new student would access them.
Where to look closer
The social studies result is 76%, 5 percentage points below its 81% local peer median. This is a specific area to discuss, rather than a verdict on the whole school. Ask how teachers identify a student who needs help, what support looks like during the week, and how progress is shared with families.
Calculated from the dated state results below. Peer gaps compare each subject with the same subject at other schools, not one subject with another. Measures can cover different student groups. They do not establish why a result occurred or the quality of a particular teacher.
| Measure | This school | Peer median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall accountability points | 70% | 61.5% (6 schools) | +8.5 pp |
| English language arts achievement | 72% | 61.5% (6 schools) | +10.5 pp |
| Mathematics achievement | 79% | 68.5% (6 schools) | +10.5 pp |
| Science achievement | 71% | 56.5% (6 schools) | +14.5 pp |
| Social studies achievement | 76% | 81% (6 schools) | −5 pp |
Swipe across the table to compare all columns.
Calculated from the linked Florida DOE release. The peer median is the middle school-level result, excludes this school, uses the same county and DOE school category, and ignores missing values. It is not weighted by enrollment. “pp” means percentage points. Graduation and acceleration measures use the cohorts specified by the state. Different measures describe different groups of students.
Use the results to identify questions, not to predict your child's experience. Programs, support, admissions and a campus visit can change which option fits your priorities. Read the state methodology ↗
Other schools to consider.
These are the nearest other report pages in the same county and Florida DOE school category, using recorded campus locations. Their placement is based on location and school format, not a recommendation or enrollment entitlement.
Hobbs Middle School ↗
Directory grades 06–08 · NCES 2024-25. Confirm current entry grades.
Compare Hobbs Middle School's course options, student support and daily schedule with this school. A different program or learning format may matter more to your child than the overall grade. A school to investigate when the family wants a specific plan for academic challenge or additional help alongside elective participation. AVID is a named starting point for discussing learning habits and available program access.
District school: confirm zoning, transfers and availability.Avalon Middle School ↗
Directory grades 06–08 · NCES 2024-25. Confirm current entry grades.
Avalon Middle School reports 82% in social studies achievement, compared with 76% here. If this is a priority, ask how its instruction and support would serve your child. Worth exploring for a sixth- through eighth-grader who wants music or an interest-based group to be part of the school experience. Ask the student to choose two activities before the enrollment conversation.
District school: confirm zoning, transfers and availability.Martin Luther King Middle School ↗
Directory grades 06–08 · NCES 2024-25. Confirm current entry grades.
Compare Martin Luther King Middle School's course options, student support and daily schedule with this school. A different program or learning format may matter more to your child than the overall grade. Consider it closely for a student interested in academic-team participation, presentations or mentor-supported communication practice. Ask about introductory opportunities for a child who is curious but not already an experienced competitor.
District school: confirm zoning, transfers and availability.Campus-to-campus distances are straight-line estimates, not driving routes or distances from your home. Use the address search on the school map for a comparison from your own location. An alternative may be a better fit when its verified program, support or learning format aligns with your child's needs; a higher score in one measure does not settle that decision.
Enrollment and a useful school visit.
Use the school's enrollment link and confirm your home address with Santa Rosa County's official school zone locator. Program places and transfer requests need school or district confirmation. Enrollment resource ↗
- What prerequisites determine access to Geometry or Digital Information Technology?
- Which clubs are open enrollment, and which require an application or selection?
Sources for this guide
School-specific research checked 2026-09-06. Accountability data: 2025–26, retrieved 2026-08-24. Directory information is dated separately above.