Alta Vista Elementary School

Summary:

Alta Vista Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Haines City, Florida, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 769 and is part of the Polk School District.

While Alta Vista Elementary School has a higher per-student spending compared to nearby schools, it consistently underperforms the Polk district and Florida state averages in standardized test scores across all grade levels and subjects. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, only 24% of 5th-grade students were proficient or better in Science, compared to 48% in the Polk district and 53% statewide. Additionally, the school has a significantly higher chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 39.9% to 50.7% over the past few years, much higher than the state and district averages. This high rate of chronic absenteeism is a potential issue that may be contributing to the school's low academic performance.

Further analysis reveals that Alta Vista Elementary School has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 59.56% to 73.41% over the past few years, significantly higher than the nearby schools. This indicates a higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students, which may present additional challenges for the school. Interestingly, the student population at Alta Vista Elementary School is predominantly Hispanic, making up around 63-65% of the student body, higher than the nearby schools. Despite these unique characteristics, the school has consistently ranked in the bottom 10-20% of Florida elementary schools, suggesting that the challenges faced by this school may be more severe than those of its neighbors.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

801 Scenic Hwy S
Haines City, FL 33844

(863) 421-3235

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
2011^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,702

Students who attend Alta Vista Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Shelley S. Boone Middle School
High:	Haines City Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.1

Number of students: 760

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

65.3%

African American:

23.2%

White:

9.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 74.7%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Alta Vista Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Alta Vista Elementary School ranks worse than 89.1% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 77^th among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 15.83. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (65.3%), African American (23.2%), White (9.2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 74.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Alta Vista Elementary School is 16.1, which is the 40^th best among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Alta Vista Elementary School employs 47 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Alta Vista Elementary School is $10,702, which is the 39^th highest among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Alta Vista Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Polk:

SchoolDigger ranks Polk 57^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Alta Vista Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	20.79	1396^th	1688	17.3%
2007	16.39	1571^st	1786	12.0%
2008	4.60	1750^th	1789	2.2%
2009	5.84	1785^th	1847	3.4%
2010	10.95	1793^rd	1919	6.6%
2011	9.00	1889^th	1985	4.8%
2012	21.99	1622^nd	1984	18.2%
2013	34.58	1373^rd	2029	32.3%
2014	29.30	1526^th	2064	26.1%
2016	22.80	1673^rd	2087	19.8%
2017	24.61	1647^th	2112	22.0%
2018	22.59	1720^th	2118	18.8%
2019	11.80	2019^th	2182	7.5%
2021	22.87	1751^st	2247	22.1%
2022	20.93	1826^th	2219	17.7%
2023	11.36	2116^th	2240	5.5%
2024	15.83	2011^th	2256	10.9%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Alta Vista Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	333	220	0	25	0	n/a	n/a	0	578
1989	334	230	1	52	1	n/a	n/a	0	618
1990	272	136	1	43	0	n/a	n/a	0	452
1991	267	121	2	36	0	n/a	n/a	0	426
1992	303	123	2	46	0	n/a	n/a	0	474
1993	297	124	2	50	0	n/a	n/a	0	473
1994	329	211	0	101	1	n/a	n/a	0	642
1995	328	242	0	148	1	n/a	n/a	0	719
1996	328	242	0	148	1	n/a	n/a	0	719
1997	335	254	0	170	2	n/a	n/a	0	761
1998	302	250	0	222	2	n/a	n/a	0	776
1999	313	217	3	249	2	n/a	n/a	0	784
2000	306	228	3	278	5	n/a	n/a	0	820
2001	225	203	1	288	3	n/a	n/a	0	720
2002	205	191	1	364	1	n/a	n/a	0	762
2003	205	191	1	364	1	n/a	n/a	0	762
2004	176	163	1	408	2	n/a	n/a	0	750
2005	157	169	1	432	3	n/a	n/a	0	762
2006	138	165	6	517	1	n/a	n/a	0	827
2007	143	187	7	583	2	n/a	n/a	29	951
2008	123	211	6	643	1	n/a	n/a	23	1007
2009	134	211	5	495	1	n/a	n/a	20	866
2010	108	169	5	485	3	n/a	n/a	20	790
2011	122	193	5	529	7	0	11	0	867
2012	108	178	4	509	7	0	11	0	817
2013	77	182	6	504	3	0	11	0	783
2014	101	181	4	564	6	0	6	0	862
2015	124	187	3	589	5	0	9	0	917
2016	103	164	2	553	2	1	7	0	832
2017	82	124	3	518	2	1	8	0	738
2018	73	130	3	514	2	1	7	0	730
2019	77	124	2	533	3	2	10	0	751
2020	85	104	3	486	3	1	8	0	690
2021	98	127	8	455	3	1	9	0	701
2022	96	154	11	465	1	1	13	0	741
2023	96	162	9	489	1	1	11	0	769
2024	70	176	5	496	2	2	9	0	760

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Alta Vista Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	578	31.0	18.6	56.9
1989	618	34.0	18.1	57.9
1990	452	27.0	16.7	0
1991	426	26.0	16.3	55.6
1992	474	24.0	19.7	47.9
1993	473	28.0	16.9	47.6
1994	642	37.0	17.4	67
1995	719	37.0	19.4	74.3
1996	719	37.0	19.4	74.3
1997	761	43.0	17.7	73.7
1998	776	48.0	16.2	69.7
1999	784	46.0	17.0	83.5
2000	820	46.0	17.8	83
2001	720	42.0	17.1	86.1
2002	762	43.0	17.7	89.9
2003	762	43.0	17.7	89.9
2004	750	50.0	15.0	93.5
2005	762	55.0	13.9	78.5
2006	827	58.0	14.3	87.4
2007	951	63.0	15.1	93.8
2008	1007	64.0	15.7	66.4
2009	866	83.4	12.2	96.5
2010	790	62.0	12.7	93
2011	867	63.0	13.7	86.7
2012	817	59.0	13.8	93.6
2013	783	54.0	14.5	93
2014	862	52.0	16.5	57.9
2015	917	59.0	15.5	63.9
2016	832	53.0	15.6	77.8
2017	738	45.0	16.4	72.8
2018	730	47.0	15.5	67.7
2019	751	40.0	18.7	68.3
2020	690	44.0	15.6	64.6
2021	701	42.0	16.6	69.9
2022	741	50.0	14.8	73.4
2023	769	45.0	17.0	59.6
2024	760	47.0	16.1	74.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Alta Vista Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	578	31.0	18.6	56.9
1989	618	34.0	18.1	57.9
1990	452	27.0	16.7	0
1991	426	26.0	16.3	55.6
1992	474	24.0	19.7	47.9
1993	473	28.0	16.9	47.6
1994	642	37.0	17.4	67
1995	719	37.0	19.4	74.3
1996	719	37.0	19.4	74.3
1997	761	43.0	17.7	73.7
1998	776	48.0	16.2	69.7
1999	784	46.0	17.0	83.5
2000	820	46.0	17.8	83
2001	720	42.0	17.1	86.1
2002	762	43.0	17.7	89.9
2003	762	43.0	17.7	89.9
2004	750	50.0	15.0	93.5
2005	762	55.0	13.9	78.5
2006	827	58.0	14.3	87.4
2007	951	63.0	15.1	93.8
2008	1007	64.0	15.7	66.4
2009	866	83.4	12.2	96.5
2010	790	62.0	12.7	93
2011	867	63.0	13.7	86.7
2012	817	59.0	13.8	93.6
2013	783	54.0	14.5	93
2014	862	52.0	16.5	57.9
2015	917	59.0	15.5	63.9
2016	832	53.0	15.6	77.8
2017	738	45.0	16.4	72.8
2018	730	47.0	15.5	67.7
2019	751	40.0	18.7	68.3
2020	690	44.0	15.6	64.6
2021	701	42.0	16.6	69.9
2022	741	50.0	14.8	73.4
2023	769	45.0	17.0	59.6
2024	760	47.0	16.1	74.7

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Alta Vista Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,298 (14.5%)	$7,672 (85.5%)	$8,970
2019	$1,195 (14.7%)	$6,940 (85.3%)	$8,136
2020	$1,476 (15.8%)	$7,842 (84.2%)	$9,317
2021	$1,695 (17.8%)	$7,841 (82.2%)	$9,537
2022	$3,489 (32.2%)	$7,363 (67.8%)	$10,852
2023	$2,320 (21.7%)	$8,381 (78.3%)	$10,702

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Alta Vista Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 2019^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 2116^th of 2240 Elementary schools	1.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Alta Vista Elementary School)	37	42	5%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	52	48	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Alta Vista Elementary School)	33	42	9%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	51	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Alta Vista Elementary School)	37	35	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	46	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Alta Vista Elementary School)	44	34	10%
4th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	50	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Alta Vista Elementary School)	35	29	6%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	47	44	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Alta Vista Elementary School)	22	35	13%
5th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	51	40	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Alta Vista Elementary School)	31	31
5th Grade Science (Polk)	45	39	6%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	751	769	2.4%
African American	124	162	30.6%
American Indian	3	1	66.7%
Asian	2	9	350%
Hispanic	533	489	8.3%
Pacific Islander	2	1	50%
White	77	96	24.7%
Two or More Races	10	11	10%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	68.3%	59.6%	8.8%

Schools Near Alta Vista Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)						FAST Math (2024)						Statewide Science Science (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Biology 1 (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Alta Vista Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	801 Scenic Hwy S	Haines City	33844	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 421-3235	760	47	16.1	74.7%	70 (9.2%)	176 (23.2%)	496 (65.3%)	5 (0.7%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	9 (1.2%)	15.8	2011^th of 2256 public elementary schools	10.9%		11.4	2116^th of 2240 public elementary schools	5.5%	105	32.0	34.0	37.0				45.0	39.0	33.0				24.0					$10,702	$2,320	$8,381
Eastside Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1820 Johnson Ave E	Haines City	33844	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 421-3254	668	38	17.5	82.2%	48 (7.2%)	162 (24.3%)	450 (67.4%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (0.9%)	28.8	1654^th of 2256 public elementary schools	26.7%		22	1837^th of 2240 public elementary schools	18.0%	183	29.0	30.0	44.0				36.0	41.0	71.0				62.0					$11,181	$2,200	$8,981
Haines City Headstart Center	Public	PK	1008 Avenue D	Haines City	33844	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 419-3427	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Bethune Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	900 Avenue F	Haines City	33844	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 421-3334	430	20	21.5	80.5%	48 (11.2%)	214 (49.8%)	150 (34.9%)	5 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.0%)	39.9	1348^th of 2256 public elementary schools	40.2%		35.9	1444^th of 2240 public elementary schools	35.5%	96	59.0	39.0	49.0				65.0	41.0	44.0				49.0					$9,343	$1,388	$7,955
Dundee Elementary Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	215 Frederick Ave	Dundee	33838	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 421-3316	636	38	16.7	61.3%	198 (31.1%)	94 (14.8%)	322 (50.6%)	7 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	14 (2.2%)	76.1	500^th of 2256 public elementary schools	77.8%		66.6	704^th of 2240 public elementary schools	68.6%	204	63.0	60.0	70.0				65.0	69.0	82.0				65.0					$10,218	$1,489	$8,729
Sandhill Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1801 Tyner Rd	Haines City	33844	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 419-3166	1,017	62	16.4	72.9%	165 (16.2%)	210 (20.6%)	604 (59.4%)	12 (1.2%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	23 (2.3%)	17	1981^st of 2256 public elementary schools	12.2%		12.5	2096^th of 2240 public elementary schools	6.4%	115	39.0	31.0	34.0				46.0	38.0	35.0				30.0					$9,175	$1,573	$7,602
Davenport Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	8 W Palmetto St	Davenport	33837	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 534-0500	880	42	20.9	66.1%	124 (14.1%)	169 (19.2%)	563 (64.0%)	11 (1.3%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	9 (1.0%)	34	1515^th of 2256 public elementary schools	32.8%		32	1552^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	30.7%	37	52.0	42.0	43.0				44.0	50.0	40.0				51.0					$9,722	$2,218	$7,504
Navigator Academy Of Leadership Davenport	Public, Charter	K-8	495 Holly Hill Rd	Davenport	33837	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 353-3005	994	54	18.5	46.5%	96 (9.7%)	100 (10.1%)	771 (77.6%)	12 (1.2%)	2 (0.2%)	3 (0.3%)	10 (1.0%)	20.2	1895^th of 2256 public elementary schools	16.0%		21	1871^st of 2240 public elementary schools	16.5%	24	43.0	36.0	40.0	46.0	35.0	31.0	47.0	32.0	26.0	39.0	33.0	29.0	31.0	11.0	87.0	60.0	54.0	$6,395	$125	$6,270
Horizons Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1700 Forest Lake Dr	Davenport	33837	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 419-3430	1,500	90	16.6	63.8%	168 (11.2%)	331 (22.1%)	954 (63.6%)	20 (1.3%)	6 (0.4%)	2 (0.1%)	19 (1.3%)	14.9	2037^th of 2256 public elementary schools	9.7%		19.6	1911^th of 2240 public elementary schools	14.7%	126	35.0	30.0	35.0				37.0	36.0	36.0				35.0					$9,134	$1,570	$7,563
Lake Alfred Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	550 Cummings St E	Lake Alfred	33850	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 295-5985	880	50	17.6	67.6%	190 (21.6%)	230 (26.1%)	404 (45.9%)	13 (1.5%)	3 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (4.5%)	38.8	1374^th of 2256 public elementary schools	39.1%		39.8	1342^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	40.1%	32	45.0	38.0	56.0				49.0	45.0	60.0				52.0					$8,911	$1,402	$7,509

Frequently Asked Questions about Alta Vista Elementary School

Is Alta Vista Elementary School a good school?

Alta Vista Elementary School ranks in the bottom 10.9% of Florida elementary schools.

What district is Alta Vista Elementary School in?

Polk

What is the racial makeup of Alta Vista Elementary School?

Students at Alta Vista Elementary School are 65% Hispanic, 23% African American, 9% White, 1% Two or more races.

What schools do graduates of Alta Vista Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Alta Vista Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Shelley S. Boone Middle School
High : Haines City Senior High School

How many students attend Alta Vista Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 760 students attended Alta Vista Elementary School.

Rate Alta Vista Elementary School!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.