Wahneta Elementary School

Summary:

Wahneta Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 507 students in grades PK-5 in Winter Haven, Florida, which is part of the Polk School District, ranked 57th out of 68 districts in the state with a 1-star rating.

Wahneta Elementary stands out for its significantly higher percentage of Hispanic students (86.98%) compared to nearby schools, as well as its consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 30.7% to 42.7% over the past few years - much higher than state and district averages. Academically, the school consistently underperforms the Polk District and Florida state averages in proficiency rates for English Language Arts and Math across all grade levels. For example, in 2023-2024, the school's 3rd-grade ELA proficiency rate was 36%, compared to 49% for the district and 55% for the state. Additionally, Wahneta Elementary has a very high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 69.43% to 84.33% over the past few years, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

Wahneta Elementary's performance lags significantly behind many of the nearby schools, such as Frank E. Brigham Academy and Chain of Lakes Elementary, which have much higher test scores, lower chronic absenteeism, and lower percentages of students receiving free/reduced lunch. Despite a steady increase in per-student spending, from $8,471 in 2019-2020 to $11,798 in 2022-2023, the increased funding has not translated into improved academic outcomes. Addressing the root causes of the school's high chronic absenteeism rates and implementing targeted interventions to improve student learning outcomes should be top priorities for the school and district.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

205 4th St E
Winter Haven, FL 33880

(863) 291-5392

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
1709^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,798

Students who attend Wahneta Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Westwood Middle School
High:	Lake Region High School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.3

Number of students: 507

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

87.0%

White:

9.9%

African American:

3.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 69.4%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Wahneta Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Wahneta Elementary School ranks worse than 75.8% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 61^st among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 27.02. (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 (87%), White (9.9%), African American (3%). (See more...)

Compare Details 69.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Wahneta Elementary School is 16.3, which is the 41^st best among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Wahneta Elementary School employs 31 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Wahneta Elementary School is $11,798, which is the 14^th highest among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Wahneta 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 Wahneta Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	21.49	1382^nd	1688	18.1%
2007	12.29	1649^th	1786	7.7%
2008	18.88	1534^th	1789	14.3%
2009	19.53	1573^rd	1847	14.8%
2010	24.58	1542^nd	1919	19.6%
2011	29.12	1517^th	1985	23.6%
2012	30.39	1433^rd	1984	27.8%
2013	21.82	1682^nd	2029	17.1%
2014	26.43	1585^th	2064	23.2%
2016	14.35	1881^st	2087	9.9%
2017	30.84	1479^th	2112	30.0%
2018	30.26	1512^th	2118	28.6%
2019	31.23	1561^st	2182	28.5%
2021	18.92	1864^th	2247	17.0%
2022	21.01	1824^th	2219	17.8%
2023	24.47	1756^th	2240	21.6%
2024	27.02	1709^th	2256	24.2%

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 Wahneta Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	380	0	0	62	0	n/a	n/a	0	442
1989	368	0	0	100	0	n/a	n/a	0	468
1990	382	0	0	110	0	n/a	n/a	0	492
1991	367	3	0	125	0	n/a	n/a	0	495
1992	366	2	0	130	0	n/a	n/a	0	498
1993	341	2	0	144	0	n/a	n/a	0	487
1994	351	3	0	151	0	n/a	n/a	0	505
1995	305	4	0	198	0	n/a	n/a	0	507
1996	305	4	0	198	0	n/a	n/a	0	507
1997	273	9	0	237	0	n/a	n/a	0	519
1998	292	10	0	244	0	n/a	n/a	0	546
1999	238	2	0	267	0	n/a	n/a	0	507
2000	235	4	0	323	0	n/a	n/a	0	562
2001	242	7	0	331	0	n/a	n/a	0	580
2002	194	9	0	368	0	n/a	n/a	0	571
2003	194	9	0	368	0	n/a	n/a	0	571
2004	189	6	0	364	0	n/a	n/a	0	559
2005	160	7	0	398	0	n/a	n/a	0	565
2006	140	6	0	375	0	n/a	n/a	0	521
2007	131	4	0	385	0	n/a	n/a	7	527
2008	104	6	0	401	1	n/a	n/a	9	521
2009	94	1	0	393	0	n/a	n/a	11	499
2010	98	2	0	398	0	n/a	n/a	12	510
2011	83	5	0	431	3	0	1	0	523
2012	87	9	0	422	2	0	4	0	524
2013	80	13	1	430	2	0	2	0	528
2014	100	16	1	410	2	0	3	0	532
2015	88	15	1	394	2	0	2	0	502
2016	70	12	1	402	1	0	0	0	486
2017	54	17	0	383	1	0	1	0	456
2018	51	15	1	370	1	1	0	0	439
2019	49	18	0	386	0	0	2	0	455
2020	69	15	0	453	0	0	1	0	538
2021	62	17	0	424	0	0	2	0	505
2022	53	18	0	431	0	0	2	0	504
2023	50	15	0	441	0	0	1	0	507

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 Wahneta Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	442	25.0	17.6	70.6
1989	468	28.0	16.7	67.1
1990	492	30.0	16.4	16.3
1991	495	29.0	17.0	75.2
1992	498	29.0	17.1	68.7
1993	487	29.0	16.8	74.7
1994	505	28.0	18.0	77.2
1995	507	29.0	17.5	81.3
1996	507	29.0	17.5	81.3
1997	519	29.0	17.9	83.8
1998	546	30.0	18.2	84.6
1999	507	30.0	16.9	87.8
2000	562	30.0	18.7	92.2
2001	580	35.0	16.6	89.8
2002	571	34.0	16.8	92.5
2003	571	34.0	16.8	92.5
2004	559	36.0	15.5	93.4
2005	565	42.0	13.5	86.5
2006	521	40.0	13.0	93.7
2007	527	39.0	13.5	93.7
2008	521	37.0	14.1	85.2
2009	499	42.3	13.9	81.8
2010	510	35.0	14.5	97.4
2011	523	33.0	15.8	97.3
2012	524	33.0	15.8	97.9
2013	528	33.0	16.0	96.4
2014	532	32.0	16.6	72.4
2015	502	31.0	16.1	77.7
2016	486	31.0	15.6	87.7
2017	456	27.0	16.8	84
2018	439	25.0	17.5	82.2
2019	455	25.0	18.2	80.7
2020	538	27.0	19.9	70.4
2021	505	29.0	17.4	78.2
2022	504	30.0	16.8	84.3
2023	507	31.0	16.3	69.4

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 Wahneta Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	442	25.0	17.6	70.6
1989	468	28.0	16.7	67.1
1990	492	30.0	16.4	16.3
1991	495	29.0	17.0	75.2
1992	498	29.0	17.1	68.7
1993	487	29.0	16.8	74.7
1994	505	28.0	18.0	77.2
1995	507	29.0	17.5	81.3
1996	507	29.0	17.5	81.3
1997	519	29.0	17.9	83.8
1998	546	30.0	18.2	84.6
1999	507	30.0	16.9	87.8
2000	562	30.0	18.7	92.2
2001	580	35.0	16.6	89.8
2002	571	34.0	16.8	92.5
2003	571	34.0	16.8	92.5
2004	559	36.0	15.5	93.4
2005	565	42.0	13.5	86.5
2006	521	40.0	13.0	93.7
2007	527	39.0	13.5	93.7
2008	521	37.0	14.1	85.2
2009	499	42.3	13.9	81.8
2010	510	35.0	14.5	97.4
2011	523	33.0	15.8	97.3
2012	524	33.0	15.8	97.9
2013	528	33.0	16.0	96.4
2014	532	32.0	16.6	72.4
2015	502	31.0	16.1	77.7
2016	486	31.0	15.6	87.7
2017	456	27.0	16.8	84
2018	439	25.0	17.5	82.2
2019	455	25.0	18.2	80.7
2020	538	27.0	19.9	70.4
2021	505	29.0	17.4	78.2
2022	504	30.0	16.8	84.3
2023	507	31.0	16.3	69.4

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 Wahneta Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,316 (14.5%)	$7,736 (85.5%)	$9,052
2019	$1,114 (12.2%)	$7,985 (87.7%)	$9,100
2020	$878 (10.4%)	$7,593 (89.6%)	$8,471
2021	$1,099 (12.1%)	$7,973 (87.9%)	$9,071
2022	$2,558 (23.7%)	$8,254 (76.3%)	$10,812
2023	$1,999 (16.9%)	$9,799 (83.1%)	$11,798

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Wahneta 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 1561^st of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1756^th of 2240 Elementary schools	6.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Wahneta Elementary School)	29	28	1%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	52	48	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Wahneta Elementary School)	58	48	10%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	51	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Wahneta Elementary School)	38	36	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	46	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Wahneta Elementary School)	69	48	21%
4th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	50	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Wahneta Elementary School)	38	32	6%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	47	44	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Wahneta Elementary School)	53	43	10%
5th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	51	40	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Wahneta Elementary School)	41	24	17%
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	455	507	11.4%
African American	18	15	16.7%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	0	0
Hispanic	386	441	14.2%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	49	50	2%
Two or More Races	2	1	50%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	80.7%	69.4%	11.2%

Schools Near Wahneta 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)	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	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Wahneta Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	205 4th St E	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5392	507	31	16.3	69.4%	50 (9.9%)	15 (3.0%)	441 (87.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	27	1709^th of 2256 public elementary schools	24.2%		24.5	1756^th of 2240 public elementary schools	21.6%	47	36.0	35.0	31.0				57.0	50.0	47.0			35.0			$11,798	$1,999	$9,799
John Snively Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	848 Snively Ave	Eloise	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5325	399	28	14.2	72.2%	58 (14.5%)	98 (24.6%)	226 (56.6%)	4 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	13 (3.3%)	31.7	1571^st of 2256 public elementary schools	30.4%		26.1	1714^th of 2240 public elementary schools	23.5%	143	51.0	38.0	44.0				62.0	43.0	40.0			36.0			$13,454	$2,555	$10,899
Pinewood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1400 Gilbert St	Eagle Lake	33839	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 298-7977	709	41	17.2	52.9%	249 (35.1%)	154 (21.7%)	278 (39.2%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	24 (3.4%)	38.4	1381^st of 2256 public elementary schools	38.8%		38.8	1367^th of 2240 public elementary schools	39.0%	14	49.0	47.0	46.0				57.0	52.0	49.0			37.0			$9,660	$1,529	$8,130
Chain Of Lakes Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7001 State Highway 653	Winter Haven	33884	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 326-5388	1,130	68	16.6	36.8%	436 (38.6%)	243 (21.5%)	352 (31.2%)	60 (5.3%)	5 (0.4%)	3 (0.3%)	31 (2.7%)	71.6	603^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	73.3%		52.2	1043^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	53.4%	440	65.0	58.0	60.0				71.0	69.0	63.0			64.0			$9,946	$1,793	$8,153
Eagle Lake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	400 Crystal Beach Rd	Eagle Lake	33839	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5357	697	35	19.9	59.3%	255 (36.6%)	134 (19.2%)	273 (39.2%)	4 (0.6%)	4 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	26 (3.7%)	9.6	2160^th of 2256 public elementary schools	4.3%		16.5	1997^th of 2240 public elementary schools	10.8%	163	36.0	26.0	34.0				30.0	28.0	23.0			28.0			$9,973	$2,060	$7,912
Lake Shipp Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	250 Camellia Dr	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5384	628	30	20.9	59.9%	163 (26.0%)	209 (33.3%)	206 (32.8%)	12 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	36 (5.7%)	24.1	1791^st of 2256 public elementary schools	20.6%		32.7	1537^th of 2240 public elementary schools	31.4%	254	40.0	40.0	37.0				58.0	36.0	38.0			32.0			$8,752	$1,570	$7,180
Garden Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4599 Cypress Gardens Rd	Winter Haven	33884	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5396	723	41	17.6	45.5%	288 (39.8%)	174 (24.1%)	222 (30.7%)	11 (1.5%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (3.6%)	41.7	1300^th of 2256 public elementary schools	42.4%		28.5	1648^th of 2240 public elementary schools	26.4%	348	45.0	41.0	55.0				45.0	58.0	70.0			42.0			$8,685	$1,336	$7,349
Frank E. Brigham Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	601 Avenue C SE	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	No	(863) 291-5300	564	32	17.6	34.0%	232 (41.1%)	139 (24.6%)	142 (25.2%)	25 (4.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (4.6%)	90.7	153^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	93.2%		84.6	296^th of 2240 public elementary schools	86.8%	143	80.0	76.0	81.0				80.0	76.0	82.0			73.0			$9,878	$1,088	$8,791
Cypress Junction Montessori	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	220 5th St SW	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 259-1490	196	13	15.0	1.5%	135 (68.9%)	15 (7.7%)	35 (17.9%)	3 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (4.1%)	35.4	1478^th of 2256 public elementary schools	34.5%		61.2	811^th of 2240 public elementary schools	63.8%	667	55.0	53.0	54.0	58.0	37.0	65.0	40.0	47.0	25.0	50.0	60.0	29.0	41.0	72.0	$9,873	$1,562	$8,311
Elbert Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	205 15th St NE	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5364	601	42	14.3	61.7%	137 (22.8%)	206 (34.3%)	219 (36.4%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	35 (5.8%)	27.7	1697^th of 2256 public elementary schools	24.8%		25.1	1740^th of 2240 public elementary schools	22.3%	43	32.0	51.0	44.0				36.0	54.0	34.0			38.0			$11,542	$2,282	$9,260

Frequently Asked Questions about Wahneta Elementary School

What district is Wahneta Elementary School in?

Polk

What is the racial makeup of Wahneta Elementary School?

Students at Wahneta Elementary School are 87% Hispanic, 10% White, 3% African American.

How many students attend Wahneta Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 507 students attended Wahneta Elementary School.

Is Wahneta Elementary School a good school?

Wahneta Elementary School ranks in the bottom 24.2% of Florida elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Wahneta Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Wahneta Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Westwood Middle School
High : Lake Region 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.