Winter Haven Senior High School

Q: Is Winter Haven Senior High School a good school?

Winter Haven Senior High School ranks 447 th of 807 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Winter Haven Senior High School is a public high school in Winter Haven, Florida, serving 2,467 students in grades 9-12. The school has a diverse student population, with a mix of White, African American, and Hispanic students, as well as smaller percentages of Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, and multiracial students.

While the school has seen some challenges in recent years, including declining graduation rates (from 92% in 2020-2021 to 82% in 2022-2023, lower than the Polk district average of 86.1%) and a significant increase in chronic absenteeism (from 24.3% in 2019-2020 to 40.6% in 2022-2023, much higher than the state average of 16.5%), it is not alone in these struggles. Nearby schools like Tenoroc High School and Haines City Senior High School also face similar challenges with low graduation rates and high chronic absenteeism. In contrast, public charter schools like Discovery High School and Chain of Lakes Collegiate High have outperformed Winter Haven Senior High School in several areas, including graduation rates and chronic absenteeism.

The school's underperformance on standardized tests, such as EOC exams and FAST assessments, where it consistently scores below the state and Polk district averages, is another area of concern. Additionally, the school's statewide ranking has steadily declined over the past several years, from 423 out of 648 Florida high schools in 2012-2013 to 447 out of 807 in 2023-2024, with a consistent 2-star rating from SchoolDigger. These factors suggest a need for targeted interventions and support to address the school's ongoing performance issues and ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed.

Detail:

Public 9-12

600 6th St SE
Winter Haven, FL 33880

(863) 291-5330

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
447^th of 807 Florida High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,493

Feeder schools for Winter Haven Senior High School:

Elementary:	Elbert Elementary School
	Fred G. Garner Academy
	Garden Grove Elementary School
	Inwood Elementary School
	More...
	John Snively Elementary
Middle:	Denison Middle School

Student/teacher ratio: 21.2

Number of students: 2,467

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

33.4%

White:

32.0%

African American:

30.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 50.5%

See top rated Florida high schools

Compare Winter Haven Senior High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Winter Haven Senior High School ranks worse than 55.4% of high schools in Florida. It also ranks 6^th among 26 ranked high schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 37.39. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Winter Haven Senior High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

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 Student population at Winter Haven Senior High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (33.4%), White (32%), African American (30%). (See more...)

Compare Details 50.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Winter Haven Senior High School is 21.2, which is the 17^th best among 26 high schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Winter Haven Senior High School employs 116 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Winter Haven Senior High School is $8,493, which is the 18^th highest among 26 high schools in the Polk School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Winter Haven Senior High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Winter Haven Senior High School 447^th of 807 Florida public high schools. (See Winter Haven Senior High School in the ranking list.)

Polk:

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

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Rank History for Winter Haven Senior High School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	42.84	305^th	484	37.0%
2005	51.70	257^th	487	47.2%
2006	40.24	314^th	477	34.2%
2007	39.35	365^th	563	35.2%
2008	43.59	349^th	577	39.5%
2009	41.94	369^th	587	37.1%
2010	43.38	396^th	620	36.1%
2011	41.23	408^th	622	34.4%
2012	27.02	431^st	606	28.9%
2013	34.30	423^rd	648	34.7%
2014	28.13	499^th	687	27.4%
2016	19.06	542^nd	693	21.8%
2017	21.79	525^th	714	26.5%
2018	29.19	479^th	716	33.1%
2019	30.21	483^rd	734	34.2%
2021	29.27	480^th	746	35.7%
2022	28.25	518^th	774	33.1%
2023	27.56	527^th	792	33.5%
2024	37.39	447^th	807	44.6%

See the entire list of Florida High 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 Winter Haven Senior High School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	1585	302	34	57	3	n/a	n/a	0	1981
1989	1478	303	27	59	5	n/a	n/a	0	1872
1990	1373	301	28	50	7	n/a	n/a	0	1759
1991	1298	273	23	63	7	n/a	n/a	0	1664
1992	1244	291	27	83	8	n/a	n/a	0	1653
1993	1220	306	25	103	5	n/a	n/a	0	1659
1994	1628	429	28	156	4	n/a	n/a	0	2245
1995	996	297	15	94	2	n/a	n/a	0	1404
1996	996	297	15	94	2	n/a	n/a	0	1404
1997	992	353	26	99	5	n/a	n/a	0	1475
1998	984	374	23	101	3	n/a	n/a	0	1485
1999	1039	433	24	96	1	n/a	n/a	0	1593
2000	1070	443	25	94	3	n/a	n/a	0	1635
2001	1085	466	28	99	6	n/a	n/a	0	1684
2002	1130	495	46	123	7	n/a	n/a	0	1801
2003	1130	495	46	123	7	n/a	n/a	0	1801
2004	1072	519	56	125	8	n/a	n/a	0	1780
2005	1081	514	54	152	5	n/a	n/a	0	1806
2006	1065	550	57	178	4	n/a	n/a	0	1854
2007	951	539	47	199	3	n/a	n/a	35	1774
2008	960	587	36	213	1	n/a	n/a	24	1821
2009	892	546	45	214	3	n/a	n/a	26	1726
2010	813	559	40	208	2	n/a	n/a	32	1654
2011	771	522	38	224	11	2	42	0	1610
2012	733	542	33	237	12	3	44	0	1604
2013	782	566	31	275	10	2	50	0	1716
2014	854	612	28	301	15	2	57	0	1869
2015	859	614	27	380	14	3	56	0	1953
2016	881	693	30	429	13	2	62	0	2110
2017	941	713	29	435	9	2	71	0	2200
2018	907	738	38	492	9	3	63	0	2250
2019	864	771	36	553	9	4	80	0	2317
2020	815	720	41	644	8	2	72	0	2302
2021	773	728	46	681	7	4	64	0	2303
2022	777	739	40	789	9	5	58	0	2417
2023	789	740	42	825	8	5	58	0	2467

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 Winter Haven Senior High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1981	109.0	18.1	8.5
1989	1872	110.0	17.0	10.8
1990	1759	105.0	16.7	0
1991	1664	105.0	15.8	13.6
1992	1653	102.0	16.2	11.8
1993	1659	88.0	18.9	15.6
1994	2245	108.0	20.8	21.6
1995	1404	78.0	18.0	23.9
1996	1404	78.0	18.0	23.9
1997	1475	81.0	18.2	27.1
1998	1485	82.0	18.1	28.5
1999	1593	78.0	20.4	31.4
2000	1635	82.0	19.9	27.2
2001	1684	87.0	19.4	29.9
2002	1801	86.0	20.9	32.9
2003	1801	86.0	20.9	32.9
2004	1780	92.0	19.3	37.5
2005	1806	95.0	19.0	34.9
2006	1854	95.0	19.5	40.7
2007	1774	106.0	16.7	40.2
2008	1821	104.0	17.5	24.9
2009	1726	121.0	16.8	46.1
2010	1654	97.0	17.0	50.7
2011	1610	98.0	16.4	53.6
2012	1604	93.0	17.2	59.8
2013	1716	90.0	19.0	56.4
2014	1869	84.0	22.2	53.5
2015	1953	88.0	22.1	53.8
2016	2110	89.0	23.7	46.7
2017	2200	92.0	23.9	42
2018	2250	99.0	22.7	42.1
2019	2317	103.0	22.4	44.2
2020	2302	107.0	21.5	41.1
2021	2303	105.0	21.9	45.6
2022	2417	105.0	23.0	49.6
2023	2467	116.0	21.2	50.5

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 Winter Haven Senior High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1981	109.0	18.1	8.5
1989	1872	110.0	17.0	10.8
1990	1759	105.0	16.7	0
1991	1664	105.0	15.8	13.6
1992	1653	102.0	16.2	11.8
1993	1659	88.0	18.9	15.6
1994	2245	108.0	20.8	21.6
1995	1404	78.0	18.0	23.9
1996	1404	78.0	18.0	23.9
1997	1475	81.0	18.2	27.1
1998	1485	82.0	18.1	28.5
1999	1593	78.0	20.4	31.4
2000	1635	82.0	19.9	27.2
2001	1684	87.0	19.4	29.9
2002	1801	86.0	20.9	32.9
2003	1801	86.0	20.9	32.9
2004	1780	92.0	19.3	37.5
2005	1806	95.0	19.0	34.9
2006	1854	95.0	19.5	40.7
2007	1774	106.0	16.7	40.2
2008	1821	104.0	17.5	24.9
2009	1726	121.0	16.8	46.1
2010	1654	97.0	17.0	50.7
2011	1610	98.0	16.4	53.6
2012	1604	93.0	17.2	59.8
2013	1716	90.0	19.0	56.4
2014	1869	84.0	22.2	53.5
2015	1953	88.0	22.1	53.8
2016	2110	89.0	23.7	46.7
2017	2200	92.0	23.9	42
2018	2250	99.0	22.7	42.1
2019	2317	103.0	22.4	44.2
2020	2302	107.0	21.5	41.1
2021	2303	105.0	21.9	45.6
2022	2417	105.0	23.0	49.6
2023	2467	116.0	21.2	50.5

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 Winter Haven Senior High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$216 (3.6%)	$5,708 (96.4%)	$5,924
2019	$277 (4.6%)	$5,751 (95.4%)	$6,029
2020	$583 (8.6%)	$6,214 (91.4%)	$6,797
2021	$690 (10.3%)	$6,013 (89.7%)	$6,702
2022	$1,435 (19.1%)	$6,083 (80.9%)	$7,518
2023	$1,373 (16.2%)	$7,121 (83.8%)	$8,493

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Winter Haven Senior High 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 483^rd of 734 High schools	Ranks 527^th of 792 High schools	0.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
9th Grade English Language Arts (Winter Haven Senior High School)	45	45
9th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	45	44	1%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	55	51	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Winter Haven Senior High School)	38	36	2%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	42	38	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	53	49	4%
End of Course Biology 1 (Winter Haven Senior High School)	51	49	2%
End of Course Biology 1 (Polk)	54	50	4%
End of Course Biology 1 (Florida)	67	63	4%
End of Course US History (Winter Haven Senior High School)	53	42	11%
End of Course US History (Polk)	58	50	8%
End of Course US History (Florida)	70	63	7%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Winter Haven Senior High School)	28	19	9%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Polk)	51	41	10%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Winter Haven Senior High School)	53	34	19%
End of Course Geometry (Polk)	54	37	17%
End of Course Geometry (Florida)	57	50	7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	2317	2467	6.5%
African American	771	740	4%
American Indian	9	8	11.1%
Asian	36	42	16.7%
Hispanic	553	825	49.2%
Pacific Islander	4	5	25%
White	864	789	8.7%
Two or More Races	80	58	27.5%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	44.2%	50.5%	6.3%

Schools Near Winter Haven Senior High 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 Geometry (2024)	EOC Biology 1 (2024)	EOC US History (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 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Winter Haven Senior High School	Public	9-12	600 6th St SE	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5330	2,467	116	21.2	50.5%	789 (32.0%)	740 (30.0%)	825 (33.4%)	42 (1.7%)	8 (0.3%)	5 (0.2%)	58 (2.4%)	37.4	447^th of 807 public high schools	44.6%		27.6	527^th of 792 public high schools	33.5%	80			48.0	43.0				26.0	37.0	61.0	64.0	$8,493	$1,373	$7,121
Chain Of Lakes Collegiate High	Public, Charter	11-12	999 Avenue H NE	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 298-6800	328	8	41.0	0.9%	153 (46.6%)	56 (17.1%)	92 (28.0%)	18 (5.5%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)	6 (1.8%)								(n/a)												$8,402	$1,459	$6,944
Lake Region High School	Public	9-12	1995 Thunder Rd	Eagle Lake	33839	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 297-3099	1,545	59	26.1	61.0%	365 (23.6%)	416 (26.9%)	722 (46.7%)	12 (0.8%)	4 (0.3%)	2 (0.1%)	24 (1.6%)	20.5	635^th of 807 public high schools	21.3%		13.4	651^st of 792 public high schools	17.8%	16			35.0	42.0				15.0	21.0	41.0	50.0	$9,136	$1,724	$7,411
New Beginnings High School	Public, Charter	6-12	250 Magnolia Ave SW	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 268-5666	753	10	75.3	65.5%	168 (22.3%)	219 (29.1%)	333 (44.2%)	5 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (3.6%)	3.9	739^th of 807 public high schools	8.4%		4.1	725^th of 792 public high schools	8.5%	14		9.0	12.0	9.0			0.0	13.0	0.0	12.0	15.0	$8,631	$668	$7,963
Auburndale Senior High School	Public	9-12	1 Bloodhound Trl	Auburndale	33823	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 965-6200	1,716	74	23.1	52.7%	710 (41.4%)	380 (22.1%)	545 (31.8%)	19 (1.1%)	6 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	55 (3.2%)	18.9	644^th of 807 public high schools	20.2%		21.2	592^nd of 792 public high schools	25.3%	52			34.0	37.0				18.0	28.0	45.0	37.0	$8,341	$1,302	$7,039
Ridge Teen Parent Program	Public	6-12	7700 Lucerne Park Rd	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 299-2512	8	0			1 (12.5%)	4 (50.0%)	3 (37.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Ridge Technical Academy	Public	6-12	7700 State Road 544	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 419-3060	84	8	10.5	53.6%	29 (34.5%)	13 (15.5%)	40 (47.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.4%)	25.2	586^th of 807 public high schools	27.4%		20.3	599^th of 792 public high schools	24.4%	13									18.0		53.0	$13,158	$1,603	$11,554
Don E Woods Opportunity Center	Public	6-12	213 Lake Ave E	Dundee	33838	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 421-3325	56	11	5.0	76.8%	12 (21.4%)	19 (33.9%)	23 (41.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (3.6%)	3	760^th of 807 public high schools	5.8%		3.2	751^st of 792 public high schools	5.2%	9	27.0	13.0	8.0	0.0	7.0	17.0	7.0	7.0
Discovery High School	Public, Charter	9-12	1000 N Buena Vista Dr	Lake Alfred	33850	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 268-7178	911	45	20.2	71.7%	292 (32.1%)	153 (16.8%)	435 (47.7%)	9 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.5%)	17 (1.9%)	28.5	559^th of 807 public high schools	30.7%		32.6	474^th of 792 public high schools	40.2%	85			42.0	43.0				24.0	26.0	51.0	62.0	$9,992	$1,611	$8,381
Haines City Senior High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	2800 Hornet Dr	Haines City	33844	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 421-3281	2,700	132	20.4	58.0%	304 (11.3%)	679 (25.1%)	1,612 (59.7%)	45 (1.7%)	12 (0.4%)	7 (0.3%)	41 (1.5%)	25.1	587^th of 807 public high schools	27.3%		24.4	562^nd of 792 public high schools	29.0%	25			38.0	35.0				23.0	39.0	54.0	42.0	$8,739	$1,486	$7,253

Frequently Asked Questions about Winter Haven Senior High School

What is the racial makeup of Winter Haven Senior High School?

Students at Winter Haven Senior High School are 33% Hispanic, 32% White, 30% African American, 2% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

Is Winter Haven Senior High School a good school?

Winter Haven Senior High School ranks 447^th of 807 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What schools feed into Winter Haven Senior High School?

Winter Haven Senior High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Elbert Elementary School
Elementary : Fred G. Garner Academy
Elementary : Garden Grove Elementary School
Elementary : Inwood Elementary School
Elementary : John Snively Elementary
Middle : Denison Middle School

What district is Winter Haven Senior High School in?

Polk

How many students attend Winter Haven Senior High School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 2,467 students attended Winter Haven Senior High 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.