Bethune Academy

Q: Is Bethune Academy a good school?

Bethune Academy ranks 1348 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Bethune Academy is an elementary school in Haines City, Florida, serving 428 students from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade. The school is part of the Polk School District, which is ranked 57th out of 68 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Bethune Academy stands out for its significantly higher percentages of African American (49.77%) and Hispanic (34.35%) students compared to nearby schools, which tend to have a more even racial distribution. The school has also experienced a concerning increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 11.8% in 2019-2020 to 25.6% in 2022-2023, notably higher than the 28% to 55.1% range at nearby schools. While Bethune Academy's 3rd-grade test scores in English Language Arts (59% proficient) and Math (65% proficient) outperformed the district and state averages, the school's performance in 4th and 5th grades is below the district and state levels. Additionally, Bethune Academy has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 59.57% to 67.37% over the past three years, significantly higher than the 37.26% to 66.34% range at nearby schools.

Bethune Academy's statewide ranking has declined over the years, from 709th out of 2,064 Florida elementary schools in 2013-2014 to 1,348th out of 2,256 in 2023-2024, suggesting the school is struggling to keep pace with others in the state. However, it's important to note that the nearby schools in the Polk School District also face challenges with low performance and high chronic absenteeism, indicating broader systemic issues within the district. Addressing the underlying factors of poverty and attendance could be crucial in improving student outcomes at Bethune Academy, which has shown strengths in certain grade levels and subjects that could be built upon.

Detail:

Public, Magnet PK, KG-5

900 Avenue F
Haines City, FL 33844

(863) 421-3334

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
1348^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,343

Student/teacher ratio: 21.5

Number of students: 430

Racial breakdown:

African American:

49.8%

Hispanic:

34.9%

White:

11.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 80.5%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Bethune Academy to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Bethune Academy ranks worse than 59.8% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 35^th among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 39.91. (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: African American (49.8%), Hispanic (34.9%), White (11.2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 80.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Bethune Academy is 21.5. 82 elementary schools in the Polk School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Bethune Academy employs 20 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Bethune Academy is $9,343. 69 elementary schools in the Polk School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Bethune Academy 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 Bethune Academy

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	74.17	432^nd	1688	74.4%
2007	76.07	390^th	1786	78.2%
2008	62.94	686^th	1789	61.7%
2009	64.75	673^rd	1847	63.6%
2010	71.21	540^th	1919	71.9%
2011	69.16	617^th	1985	68.9%
2012	75.14	457^th	1984	77.0%
2013	62.98	721^st	2029	64.5%
2014	64.27	709^th	2064	65.6%
2016	56.99	892^nd	2087	57.3%
2017	51.17	1032^nd	2112	51.1%
2018	60.24	814^th	2118	61.6%
2019	47.11	1149^th	2182	47.3%
2021	53.23	1020^th	2247	54.6%
2022	47.32	1129^th	2219	49.1%
2023	35.87	1444^th	2240	35.5%
2024	39.91	1348^th	2256	40.2%

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 Bethune Academy

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	194	192	0	29	1	n/a	n/a	0	416
1989	200	242	0	42	1	n/a	n/a	0	485
1990	214	319	0	77	2	n/a	n/a	0	612
1991	171	380	0	59	4	n/a	n/a	0	614
1992	153	380	0	76	2	n/a	n/a	0	611
1993	154	356	0	85	0	n/a	n/a	0	595
1994	226	133	1	27	0	n/a	n/a	0	387
1995	247	139	3	18	0	n/a	n/a	0	407
1996	247	139	3	18	0	n/a	n/a	0	407
1997	247	140	2	22	0	n/a	n/a	0	411
1998	252	134	4	14	0	n/a	n/a	0	404
1999	252	145	2	11	0	n/a	n/a	0	410
2000	246	140	3	18	1	n/a	n/a	0	408
2001	235	140	3	27	0	n/a	n/a	0	405
2002	245	143	1	38	1	n/a	n/a	0	428
2003	245	143	1	38	1	n/a	n/a	0	428
2004	241	148	2	36	1	n/a	n/a	0	428
2005	229	145	2	46	1	n/a	n/a	0	423
2006	226	159	2	71	3	n/a	n/a	0	461
2007	214	160	2	75	4	n/a	n/a	7	462
2008	208	153	2	87	5	n/a	n/a	12	467
2009	193	160	5	101	4	n/a	n/a	16	479
2010	188	145	12	96	4	n/a	n/a	16	461
2011	168	139	19	104	12	6	16	0	464
2012	161	140	15	121	7	6	13	0	463
2013	159	152	12	126	7	3	5	0	464
2014	159	143	8	141	6	1	5	0	463
2015	154	139	7	153	1	0	7	0	461
2016	136	153	6	159	1	0	8	0	463
2017	127	162	9	156	1	1	8	0	464
2018	109	168	10	162	1	0	11	0	461
2019	102	168	8	178	1	0	5	0	462
2020	101	176	6	175	1	0	4	0	463
2021	91	196	6	167	0	0	5	0	465
2022	54	205	5	157	0	0	8	0	429
2023	52	213	6	147	0	0	10	0	428
2024	48	214	5	150	0	0	13	0	430

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 Bethune Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	416	24.0	17.3	57.2
1989	485	26.0	18.6	62.1
1990	612	34.0	18.0	13.1
1991	614	34.0	18.0	67.6
1992	611	36.0	16.9	62.4
1993	595	34.0	17.5	75.6
1994	387	26.0	14.9	37.2
1995	407	25.0	16.3	36.1
1996	407	25.0	16.3	36.1
1997	411	24.0	17.1	34.1
1998	404	24.0	16.8	31.9
1999	410	25.0	16.4	45.1
2000	408	24.0	17.0	44.9
2001	405	26.0	15.6	46.4
2002	428	26.0	16.5	51.6
2003	428	26.0	16.5	51.6
2004	428	28.0	15.3	52.8
2005	423	32.0	13.2	53
2006	461	34.0	13.6	54.2
2007	462	36.0	12.8	55.4
2008	467	36.0	13.0	16.7
2009	479	40.0	14.1	51.8
2010	461	33.0	13.9	60.7
2011	464	31.0	14.9	61.9
2012	463	32.0	14.4	65
2013	464	32.0	14.5	65.3
2014	463	32.0	14.4	65.2
2015	461	30.0	15.3	59.9
2016	463	32.0	14.4	51.4
2017	464	30.0	15.4	47.8
2018	461	31.0	14.8	47.1
2019	462	28.0	16.5	48.3
2020	463	28.0	16.5	50.5
2021	465	28.0	16.6	59.6
2022	429	27.0	15.8	67.4
2023	428	19.0	22.5	60.5
2024	430	20.0	21.5	80.5

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 Bethune Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	416	24.0	17.3	57.2
1989	485	26.0	18.6	62.1
1990	612	34.0	18.0	13.1
1991	614	34.0	18.0	67.6
1992	611	36.0	16.9	62.4
1993	595	34.0	17.5	75.6
1994	387	26.0	14.9	37.2
1995	407	25.0	16.3	36.1
1996	407	25.0	16.3	36.1
1997	411	24.0	17.1	34.1
1998	404	24.0	16.8	31.9
1999	410	25.0	16.4	45.1
2000	408	24.0	17.0	44.9
2001	405	26.0	15.6	46.4
2002	428	26.0	16.5	51.6
2003	428	26.0	16.5	51.6
2004	428	28.0	15.3	52.8
2005	423	32.0	13.2	53
2006	461	34.0	13.6	54.2
2007	462	36.0	12.8	55.4
2008	467	36.0	13.0	16.7
2009	479	40.0	14.1	51.8
2010	461	33.0	13.9	60.7
2011	464	31.0	14.9	61.9
2012	463	32.0	14.4	65
2013	464	32.0	14.5	65.3
2014	463	32.0	14.4	65.2
2015	461	30.0	15.3	59.9
2016	463	32.0	14.4	51.4
2017	464	30.0	15.4	47.8
2018	461	31.0	14.8	47.1
2019	462	28.0	16.5	48.3
2020	463	28.0	16.5	50.5
2021	465	28.0	16.6	59.6
2022	429	27.0	15.8	67.4
2023	428	19.0	22.5	60.5
2024	430	20.0	21.5	80.5

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 Bethune Academy

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,076 (12.5%)	$7,519 (87.5%)	$8,595
2019	$390 (4.8%)	$7,770 (95.2%)	$8,159
2020	$681 (8.0%)	$7,847 (92.0%)	$8,528
2021	$973 (10.7%)	$8,138 (89.3%)	$9,113
2022	$2,177 (20.9%)	$8,247 (79.1%)	$10,423
2023	$1,388 (14.9%)	$7,955 (85.1%)	$9,343

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Bethune Academy

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 1149^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1444^th of 2240 Elementary schools	11.8%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Bethune Academy)	63	51	12%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	52	48	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Bethune Academy)	54	54
3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	51	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Bethune Academy)	58	58
4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	46	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Bethune Academy)	55	56	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	50	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Bethune Academy)	49	52	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	47	44	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Bethune Academy)	60	44	16%
5th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	51	40	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Bethune Academy)	50	24	26%
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	462	428	7.4%
African American	168	213	26.8%
American Indian	1	0	100%
Asian	8	6	25%
Hispanic	178	147	17.4%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	102	52	49%
Two or More Races	5	10	100%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	48.3%	60.5%	12.2%

Schools Near Bethune Academy

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
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
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)
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
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
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
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

Frequently Asked Questions about Bethune Academy

What is the racial makeup of Bethune Academy?

Students at Bethune Academy are 50% African American, 35% Hispanic, 11% White, 3% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

What district is Bethune Academy in?

Polk

How many students attend Bethune Academy?

In the 2023-24 school year, 430 students attended Bethune Academy.

Is Bethune Academy a good school?

Bethune Academy ranks 1348^th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

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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.