School district · Florida

Polk

Polk in Florida: 165 public schools with 116,440 students and 20.2 students per teacher in the 2024–25 school year. It spent $12,447 per student in FY2024.

Schools: 165; 33 charter
Students: 116,440
Students per teacher: 20.2; FL 18.4 · US 15.1
Spending per student: $12,447; FL $12.7K · US $17.6K

Staff

Full-time equivalents reported by the district. Ratios are students per staff member: lower means more staff for each student, not better results.

Teachers (FTE): 5,762
Counselors (FTE): 260
Students per counselor: 448; FL 426 · US 357
Psychologists (FTE): 36.5; Librarians (FTE): 79.0

State test results

Share of students scoring proficient or above on Florida's tests, grades 3–8, 2024–25 school year.

Reading and writing

Florida: 57%

48%proficient

+3.4 points from 2023–24 school year

A lower share proficient than 80% of school districts in Florida

Median 55% · 74 school districts compared

51,185 students tested, grades 3–8 · FAST; proficient means Levels 3-5

Math

Florida: 59%

46%proficient

+1.7 points from 2023–24 school year

A lower share proficient than 85% of school districts in Florida

Median 57% · 74 school districts compared

46,627 students tested, grades 3–8 · FAST; proficient means Levels 3-5

Each state sets its own test and its own bar for “proficient”, so results compare only within a state. Results also follow family income closely: a school's share reflects its students' circumstances as much as its teaching.

Data sourced from the Education Data Center (www.eddatacenter.org), a partner project of the National Center for Civic Innovation, Inc. State Assessment Data Repository version 3.1. More information about these assessments over time, including participation and test changes, is available from the Education Data Center.

Money

Current spending pays for staff, services and supplies; buildings and debt are counted apart. It follows local costs and needs (special education, long bus routes), so it is a comparison, not a grade.

Spending per student, 2015–2024

$8.8K15

$8.7K16

$9.1K17

$9.6K18

$9.9K19

$10.4K20

$10.6K21

$11.5K22

$11.7K23

$12.4K24

Where the money comes from (FY2024)

Federal: 19% · $312.9M
State: 44% · $719M
Local: 37% · $602M

Per student (FY2024)

Instruction: $7,619
Support services: $4,131
Buildings and equipment (capital outlay): $143.4M
Long-term debt: $280.7M

Schools

Open public schools of the district in the 2024–25 school year.

Pre-K centers: 4Elementary schools: 89Middle schools: 25High schools: 36Other schools: 11

School	Grades	Students	Students / teacher	Reading	Math	City or town
Achievement AcademyCharterSpecial educationFree meals for all	Pre-K	157	7.5	—	—	Lakeland
Gibbons Street PK Center	Pre-K	0	—	—	—	Bartow
Haines City Headstart Center	Pre-K	0	—	—	—	Haines City
Winter Haven Head Start	Pre-K	0	—	—	—	Winter Haven
Alta Vista Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	780	17.3	34%	36%	Haines City
Alturas Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	274	14.4	55%	62%	Alturas
Auburndale Central Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	371	21.8	42%	32%	Auburndale
Bartow Elementary AcademyFree meals for all	K–5	524	15.4	71%	67%	Bartow
Bella CittaFree meals for all	Pre-K–8	1,459	24.3	43%	40%	Bartow
Berkley Elementary SchoolCharter	K–5	696	17.8	76%	85%	Auburndale
Bethune AcademyFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	430	21.5	58%	63%	Haines City
Bridgeprep Academy of PolkCharterFree meals for all	K–8	613	19.8	46%	38%	Miami
Carlton Palmore Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	402	15.5	53%	48%	Lakeland
Chain of Lakes Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	1,007	18.0	60%	56%	Winter Haven
Citrus Ridge A Civics AcademyFree meals for all	Pre-K–8	1,108	16.5	39%	36%	Davenport
Clarence Boswell Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	600	14.6	52%	60%	Auburndale
Cleveland Court Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	K–5	374	13.9	71%	74%	Lakeland
Combee Academy of Design and EngineeringFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	479	13.3	62%	56%	Lakeland
Crystal Lake Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	437	16.2	31%	35%	Lakeland
Cypress Junction MontessoriCharter	Pre-K–8	317	18.3	57%	50%	Winter Haven
Dale R Fair Babson Park ElementaryCharterFree meals for all	K–5	453	15.6	58%	64%	Babson Park
Davenport ElementaryFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	938	25.4	43%	41%	Davenport
Davenport School of the ArtsFree meals for all	Pre-K–8	1,440	16.7	71%	72%	Davenport
Dixieland Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	344	17.2	38%	38%	Lakeland
Dr. NE Roberts Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	697	20.5	42%	41%	Lakeland
Dundee Elementary AcademyFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	657	16.0	58%	66%	Dundee
Eagle Lake Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	644	18.9	38%	30%	Eagle Lake
Eastside Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	725	21.3	29%	42%	Haines City
Edgar L. Padgett ElementaryFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	531	16.6	42%	50%	Lakeland
Elbert Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	549	18.9	38%	37%	Winter Haven
Elementary - N Lakeland	Pre-K–5	0	—	—	—	Lakeland
Floral Avenue Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	585	15.4	43%	47%	Bartow
Frank E. Brigham AcademyFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	547	17.6	77%	81%	Winter Haven
Fred G. Garner AcademyFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	817	17.8	44%	50%	Winter Haven
Frostproof Ben Hill Griffin Jr Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	853	19.4	43%	50%	Frostproof
Garden Grove Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	652	21.0	44%	44%	Winter Haven
Griffin Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	431	22.7	35%	46%	Lakeland
Hartridge AcademyCharterFree meals for all	K–5	200	18.2	69%	83%	Winter Haven
Highland City Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	414	14.8	51%	64%	Highland City
Highlands Grove Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	691	15.0	64%	69%	Lakeland
Hillcrest Elementary SchoolCharterFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	667	16.3	56%	69%	Lake Wales
Horizons Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	1,543	19.3	37%	42%	Davenport
Inwood Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	423	20.1	34%	40%	Winter Haven
James E. Stephens AcademyFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	336	14.6	58%	59%	Bartow
James W. Sikes Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	502	14.3	58%	56%	Lakeland
Janie Howard Wilson SchoolCharterFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	462	15.9	41%	48%	Lake Wales
Jesse Keen Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	621	21.4	30%	44%	Lakeland
Jewett School of the ArtsFree meals for all	Pre-K–8	746	16.6	58%	51%	Winter Haven
John Snively ElementaryFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	396	16.5	51%	47%	Eloise
Kathleen Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	453	15.6	41%	42%	Lakeland
Lake Alfred Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	1,059	18.9	45%	50%	Lake Alfred
Lake Shipp Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	576	20.6	34%	42%	Winter Haven
Lakeland Montessori School HouseCharterFree meals for all	K–8	129	13.6	87%	88%	Lakeland
Laurel Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	1,126	20.5	47%	49%	Poinciana
Lena Vista Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	915	20.3	37%	35%	Auburndale
Lewis Anna Woodbury Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	593	17.4	45%	45%	Fort Meade
Lincoln Avenue AcademyFree meals for all	K–5	512	14.6	83%	85%	Lakeland
Loughman Oaks Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	1,179	20.7	36%	39%	Davenport
Magnolia Montessori AcademyCharter	K–8	182	11.4	85%	89%	Lakeland
Mater Academy DavenportCharter	K–5	815	16.6	51%	59%	Davenport
Mckeel Academy CentralCharter	Pre-K–6	610	16.5	82%	87%	Lakeland
Medulla Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	488	16.8	42%	39%	Lakeland
Mi Escuela MontessoriCharter	Pre-K–7	275	12.6	52%	44%	Lakeland
Navigator Academy of Leadership DavenportCharter	K–8	977	17.4	50%	50%	Davenport
North Lakeland Elementary School of ChoiceFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	658	17.3	27%	30%	Lakeland
Oscar J. Pope Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	365	19.2	39%	39%	Lakeland
Palmetto Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	479	19.2	37%	31%	Poinciana
Philip O'brien Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	625	20.2	31%	29%	Lakeland
Pinewood Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	740	17.2	45%	46%	Eagle Lake
Polk Avenue Elementary SchoolCharterFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	523	17.4	47%	46%	Lake Wales
Polk City Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	545	18.2	41%	46%	Polk City
Purcell Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	438	18.3	39%	37%	Mulberry
R. Bruce Wagner Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	899	15.5	57%	61%	Lakeland
R. Clem Churchwell Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	662	16.1	44%	38%	Lakeland
Rcma Mulberry Community AcademyCharterFree meals for all	K–2	107	15.3	—	—	Mulberry
Rochelle School of the ArtsFree meals for all	Pre-K–8	762	14.9	64%	57%	Lakeland
Rosabelle W. Blake AcademyFree meals for all	Pre-K–8	562	18.1	41%	44%	Lakeland
Sandhill Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	1,111	18.8	40%	33%	Haines City
Scenic Terrace K-8	K–8	0	—	—	—	Haines City
Scott Lake Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	735	15.6	61%	64%	Lakeland
Sleepy Hill Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	711	15.8	42%	45%	Lakeland
Socrum Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	523	18.0	37%	54%	Lakeland
South Mckeel AcademyCharter	Pre-K–6	1,200	17.4	78%	84%	Lakeland
South Pointe ElementaryFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	689	21.5	49%	53%	Winter Haven
Southwest Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	376	12.1	51%	51%	Lakeland
Spessard L Holland ElementaryFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	843	17.2	49%	48%	Bartow
Spook Hill Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	574	16.9	29%	36%	Lake Wales
Valleyview Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	783	15.1	68%	77%	Lakeland
Wahneta Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	491	17.5	37%	46%	Winter Haven
Walter Caldwell Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	887	16.4	46%	54%	Auburndale
Wendell Watson Elementary SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	764	17.0	46%	47%	Lakeland
Willow Oak SchoolFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	996	15.8	43%	52%	Mulberry
Winston Academy of EngineeringFree meals for all	Pre-K–5	536	17.3	71%	73%	Lakeland
Bartow Middle SchoolFree meals for all	6–8	881	19.2	42%	34%	Bartow
Berkley AcceleratedCharter	6–10	622	20.1	73%	75%	Auburndale
Bok AcademyCharterFree meals for all	6–8	640	20.6	56%	48%	Lake Wales
Compass Middle Charter SchoolCharterAlternativeFree meals for all	5–8	168	18.7	23%	14%	Bartow
Crystal Lake Middle SchoolFree meals for all	6–8	753	23.5	28%	17%	Lakeland
Daniel Jenkins Academy of Technology Middle SchoolFree meals for all	6–8	506	20.2	57%	51%	Haines City
Denison Middle SchoolFree meals for all	6–8	684	24.4	34%	31%	Winter Haven
Discovery Academy of Lake AlfredCharter	6–8	1,039	21.6	56%	48%	Lake Alfred
Dundee Ridge Middle AcademyFree meals for all	6–8	725	20.1	58%	51%	Dundee
Edward W Bok Academy NorthCharterFree meals for all	6–8	726	20.2	54%	41%	Lake Wales
Jere L. Stambaugh MiddleFree meals for all	6–8	1,013	22.0	37%	34%	Auburndale
Jewett Middle Academy MagnetFree meals for all	6–8	566	21.8	66%	63%	Winter Haven
Kathleen Middle SchoolFree meals for all	6–8	742	19.0	29%	24%	Lakeland
Lake Alfred Polytech AcademyFree meals for all	6–8	734	20.4	46%	43%	Lake Alfred
Lake Gibson Middle SchoolFree meals for all	6–8	1,149	21.7	38%	31%	Lakeland
Lake Marion Creek Middle SchoolFree meals for all	6–8	1,013	19.9	37%	32%	Poinciana
Lakeland Highlands Middle SchoolFree meals for all	6–8	1,118	18.3	59%	43%	Lakeland
Lawton Chiles Middle AcademyFree meals for all	6–8	704	20.7	74%	58%	Lakeland
Mater Academy Davenport Middle SchoolCharter	6–7	334	27.8	63%	53%	Davenport
Mulberry Middle SchoolFree meals for all	6–8	1,058	23.0	44%	39%	Mulberry
Shelley S. Boone Middle SchoolFree meals for all	6–8	1,329	26.6	29%	27%	Haines City
Sleepy Hill Middle SchoolFree meals for all	6–8	886	20.6	26%	20%	Lakeland
Southwest Middle SchoolFree meals for all	6–8	746	23.3	43%	28%	Lakeland
Union AcademyFree meals for all	6–8	382	19.1	74%	59%	Bartow
Westwood Middle SchoolFree meals for all	6–8	712	16.2	37%	33%	Winter Haven
Auburndale Senior High SchoolFree meals for all	9–12	1,770	23.9	—	—	Auburndale
Bartow Senior High SchoolFree meals for all	9–12	2,276	22.3	—	—	Bartow
Bill Duncan Opportunity CenterAlternativeFree meals for all	6–12	87	7.3	11%	7.2%	Lakeland
Chain of Lakes Collegiate HighCharter	10–12	340	48.6	—	—	Winter Haven
Davenport High SchoolFree meals for all	9–12	2,731	25.8	—	—	Davenport
Discovery High SchoolCharter	9–12	898	20.0	—	—	Lake Alfred
Don E Woods Opportunity CenterAlternativeFree meals for all	6–12	82	7.5	15%	6.0%	Dundee
Fort Meade Middle/Senior High SchoolFree meals for all	6–12	731	15.9	39%	50%	Fort Meade
Fresh Start Community SchoolAlternativeFree meals for all	10–12	105	21.0	—	—	Lakeland
Frostproof Middle/Senior HighFree meals for all	6–12	998	15.4	46%	47%	Frostproof
Gause Academy of LeadershipAlternativeFree meals for all	6–12	97	5.7	23%	13%	Bartow
George W. Jenkins Senior HighFree meals for all	9–12	2,469	21.5	—	—	Lakeland
Haines City Senior High SchoolFree meals for all	9–12	3,105	25.5	—	—	Haines City
Kathleen Senior High SchoolFree meals for all	9–12	1,861	24.5	—	—	Lakeland
Lake Gibson Senior High SchoolFree meals for all	9–12	1,973	21.2	—	—	Lakeland
Lake Region High SchoolFree meals for all	9–12	1,568	23.4	—	—	Eagle Lake
Lake Wales Senior High SchoolCharterFree meals for all	9–12	1,597	21.9	—	—	Lake Wales
Lakeland Senior High SchoolFree meals for all	9–12	1,985	19.3	—	—	Lakeland
Maynard A Traviss Technical AcademyAlternativeFree meals for all	6–12	151	21.6	—	—	Lakeland
Mckeel Academy of TechnologyCharter	7–12	1,750	23.6	76%	83%	Lakeland
Mclaughlin Academy of ExcellenceFree meals for all	6–11	758	24.5	26%	18%	Lake Wales
Mulberry Senior High SchoolFree meals for all	9–12	1,451	22.7	—	—	Mulberry
New Beginnings High SchoolCharterAlternativeFree meals for all	6–12	997	66.5	8.9%	18%	Winter Haven
Pace Center for GirlsAlternative	6–12	59	9.8	—	—	Lakeland
Polk County Sheriff's Central CenterAlternative	7–12	45	22.5	—	—	Bartow
Polk Grad AcademyAlternativeFree meals for all	9–12	14	—	—	—	Lakeland
Polk State College Collegiate High SchoolCharter	10–12	343	68.6	—	—	Lakeland
Polk State Lakeland Gateway To College Collegiate High SchoCharter	11–12	296	32.9	—	—	Lakeland
Polk Virtual FranchiseFully virtual	6–12	0	—	—	—	Lakeland
Ridge Community High SchoolFree meals for all	9–12	2,632	23.1	—	—	Davenport
Ridge Technical AcademyAlternativeFree meals for all	6–12	103	12.9	—	—	Winter Haven
Ridge Teen Parent ProgramAlternativeFree meals for all	6–12	11	—	—	—	Winter Haven
Roosevelt AcademyAlternativeFree meals for all	6–12	279	12.7	17%	8.9%	Lake Wales
Tenoroc High SchoolFree meals for all	9–12	1,141	23.8	—	—	Lakeland
Transition SchoolSpecial education	12	50	—	—	—	Bartow
Winter Haven Senior High SchoolFree meals for all	9–12	2,648	24.3	—	—	Winter Haven
Doris A. Sanders Learning CenterSpecial educationFree meals for all	Pre-K–12	84	5.6	—	—	Lakeland
Hospital HomeboundSpecial education	Pre-K–12	151	75.5	—	—	Bartow
Jean O'dell Learning CenterSpecial educationFree meals for all	Pre-K–12	81	4.8	—	—	Bartow
Karen M. Siegel AcademySpecial educationFree meals for all	Pre-K–12	175	9.2	—	—	Lake Alfred
Language & Literacy Academy for LearningCharterSpecial educationFree meals for all	Pre-K–12	332	25.5	7.8%	8.0%	Winter Haven
Polk County Sheriffs Regional Detention CenterAlternative	4–12	58	19.3	—	—	Bartow
Polk Full Time EschoolFully virtual	K–12	429	—	57%	25%	Lakeland
Polk Virtual Instruction ProgramFully virtual	K–12	17	—	—	—	Lakeland
Real Academy (Reaching Every Adolescent Learner)AlternativeFree meals for all	4–12	215	9.8	16%	8.9%	Lakeland
Ridgeview Global Studies AcademyCharterFree meals for all	K–12	1,581	17.6	73%	74%	Davenport
Victory Ridge AcademyCharterSpecial educationFree meals for all	Pre-K–12	321	12.8	—	—	Lake Wales

Reading and Math: share of tested students proficient or above on the state's own tests (grades 3–8, 2024–25 school year). Compare only within a state.

Sources

Address: 1915 S Floral Ave, Bartow, FL 33830
Phone: (863)534-0500

Website

Public schools and school districts (National Center for Education Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau), 2024–25 school year. NCES Common Core of Data and EDGE public school geocodes; U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances and cartographic boundary files (places).
Annual Survey of School System Finances (U.S. Census Bureau), FY2024. U.S. Census Bureau, Annual Survey of School System Finances (F-33).
State Assessment Data Repository (Education Data Center), 2024–25 school year. Data sourced from the Education Data Center (www.eddatacenter.org), a partner project of the National Center for Civic Innovation, Inc. State Assessment Data Repository v3.1.