Mulberry Senior High School

Summary:

Mulberry Senior High School is a public high school in Mulberry, Florida, serving 1,315 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Polk District, which is ranked 57 out of 68 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Mulberry Senior High School faces several key challenges. It has a diverse student population with a higher percentage of Hispanic students (50.57%) compared to the state and district averages. The school's four-year graduation rate has declined from 94.7% in 2019-2020 to 86.5% in 2022-2023, which is lower than the state and district averages. Additionally, Mulberry Senior High has a significantly higher chronic absenteeism rate (46.6% in 2022-2023) compared to the state (22.2% in 2019-2020) and district (30.1% in 2018-2019) averages. The school consistently underperforms the state and district in standardized tests, with proficiency rates in Algebra 1 (22%), Geometry (30%), and 10th grade English Language Arts (41%) being significantly lower than the state and district averages. The school also has a high percentage of students (56.58% in 2022-2023) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a higher proportion of economically disadvantaged students.

When compared to nearby schools, such as Bartow Senior High School and George W. Jenkins Senior High, Mulberry Senior High School generally underperforms in key metrics like test scores, graduation rates, and chronic absenteeism. Despite these challenges, there is an opportunity for improvement at Mulberry Senior High School by addressing the root causes of its underperformance and providing targeted interventions to support its diverse student population.


Detail:

Public 9-12

 4th Circle NE
       Mulberry, FL  33860


(863) 701-1104

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
527th of 807 Florida High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,210 Help


Feeder schools for Mulberry Senior High School:

Elementary:    James W. Sikes Elementary School
    Purcell Elementary School
    Willow Oak School
Middle:    Mulberry Middle School

Student/teacher ratio:  21.2 Help
Number of students:  1,315

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
50.6%
White:
36.5%
African American:
9.7%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  56.6% Help


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Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Mulberry Senior High School ranks worse than 65.3% of high schools in Florida. It also ranks 9th among 26 ranked high schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 31.18. (See more...)
Help
The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Mulberry Senior High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.
Help
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
Help
Compare Details Racial makeup is: Hispanic (50.6%), White (36.5%), African American (9.7%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 56.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Mulberry Senior High School is 21.2, which is the 17th best among 26 high schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Mulberry Senior High School employs 62 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Mulberry Senior High School is $9,210, which is the 13th highest among 26 high schools in the Polk School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Mulberry Senior High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Mulberry Senior High School 527th of 807 Florida public high schools. (See Mulberry Senior High School in the ranking list.)

Polk:

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


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Your rating for Mulberry Senior High School?

Rank History for Mulberry Senior High School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked High Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 37.28 337th 484 30.4%
2005 36.18 338th 487 30.6%
2006 36.70 335th 477 29.8%
2007 40.31 358th 563 36.4%
2008 36.24 392nd 577 32.1%
2009 42.89 361st 587 38.5%
2010 48.63 362nd 620 41.6%
2011 40.91 413th 622 33.6%
2012 24.27 449th 606 25.9%
2013 25.30 490th 648 24.4%
2014 31.10 475th 687 30.9%
2016 23.41 510th 693 26.4%
2017 25.93 485th 714 32.1%
2018 38.08 391st 716 45.4%
2019 27.64 505th 734 31.2%
2021 27.47 494th 746 33.8%
2022 30.19 498th 774 35.7%
2023 27.08 534th 792 32.6%
2024 31.18 527th 807 34.7%
See the entire list of Florida High School Rankings!

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

Mulberry Senior High School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Mulberry Senior High School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 582 151 3 9 1 n/a n/a 0 746
1989 581 138 6 8 1 n/a n/a 0 734
1990 543 136 4 6 1 n/a n/a 0 690
1991 658 136 3 10 2 n/a n/a 0 809
1992 657 124 3 12 0 n/a n/a 0 796
1993 671 141 6 19 0 n/a n/a 0 837
1994 589 138 3 26 2 n/a n/a 0 758
1995 616 136 3 29 1 n/a n/a 0 785
1996 616 136 3 29 1 n/a n/a 0 785
1997 634 139 2 31 1 n/a n/a 0 807
1998 637 133 1 36 1 n/a n/a 0 808
1999 613 146 2 51 2 n/a n/a 0 814
2000 603 138 3 53 1 n/a n/a 0 798
2001 633 149 2 66 2 n/a n/a 0 852
2002 672 140 1 81 1 n/a n/a 0 895
2003 672 140 1 81 1 n/a n/a 0 895
2004 677 136 2 106 2 n/a n/a 0 923
2005 682 138 3 115 2 n/a n/a 0 940
2006 726 144 4 136 2 n/a n/a 0 1012
2007 695 133 5 181 2 n/a n/a 11 1027
2008 687 134 1 184 0 n/a n/a 20 1026
2009 620 126 3 190 2 n/a n/a 23 964
2010 589 124 4 241 0 n/a n/a 35 993
2011 576 120 6 302 7 1 29 0 1041
2012 560 124 6 312 4 0 30 0 1036
2013 548 122 7 344 1 0 27 0 1049
2014 527 108 7 326 4 0 29 0 1001
2015 524 134 8 352 7 1 30 0 1056
2016 510 131 6 386 8 1 34 0 1076
2017 512 132 4 394 9 0 35 0 1086
2018 502 132 11 436 8 0 38 0 1127
2019 536 127 11 477 5 0 36 0 1192
2020 529 117 13 560 6 0 32 0 1257
2021 495 103 16 581 5 0 28 0 1228
2022 452 125 10 599 4 0 24 0 1214
2023 480 127 11 665 4 0 28 0 1315

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 Mulberry Senior High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 746 48.0 15.5 14.5
1989 734 51.0 14.3 11.3
1990 690 53.0 13.0 0
1991 809 52.0 15.5 14.5
1992 796 52.0 15.3 10.4
1993 837 50.0 16.7 13.6
1994 758 46.0 16.5 18.9
1995 785 50.0 15.7 19.5
1996 785 50.0 15.7 19.5
1997 807 49.0 16.5 21.2
1998 808 50.0 16.2 21.4
1999 814 51.0 16.0 29.5
2000 798 53.0 15.1 29.9
2001 852 52.0 16.4 30.3
2002 895 50.0 17.9 36.6
2003 895 50.0 17.9 36.6
2004 923 50.0 18.5 39
2005 940 55.0 17.1 38.7
2006 1012 57.0 17.8 45.3
2007 1027 68.0 15.1 49.7
2008 1026 68.0 15.1 51.3
2009 964 71.7 15.8 48.2
2010 993 58.5 16.9 60.6
2011 1041 66.0 15.7 61.6
2012 1036 64.0 16.1 65.3
2013 1049 65.0 16.1 65.7
2014 1001 58.0 17.2 61.6
2015 1056 58.0 18.2 65.2
2016 1076 61.0 17.6 45.7
2017 1086 61.0 17.8 45
2018 1127 63.0 17.8 44.7
2019 1192 62.0 19.2 47.7
2020 1257 61.0 20.6 44.6
2021 1228 61.0 20.1 52.5
2022 1214 64.0 18.9 55.9
2023 1315 62.0 21.2 56.6

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 Mulberry Senior High School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 746 48.0 15.5 14.5
1989 734 51.0 14.3 11.3
1990 690 53.0 13.0 0
1991 809 52.0 15.5 14.5
1992 796 52.0 15.3 10.4
1993 837 50.0 16.7 13.6
1994 758 46.0 16.5 18.9
1995 785 50.0 15.7 19.5
1996 785 50.0 15.7 19.5
1997 807 49.0 16.5 21.2
1998 808 50.0 16.2 21.4
1999 814 51.0 16.0 29.5
2000 798 53.0 15.1 29.9
2001 852 52.0 16.4 30.3
2002 895 50.0 17.9 36.6
2003 895 50.0 17.9 36.6
2004 923 50.0 18.5 39
2005 940 55.0 17.1 38.7
2006 1012 57.0 17.8 45.3
2007 1027 68.0 15.1 49.7
2008 1026 68.0 15.1 51.3
2009 964 71.7 15.8 48.2
2010 993 58.5 16.9 60.6
2011 1041 66.0 15.7 61.6
2012 1036 64.0 16.1 65.3
2013 1049 65.0 16.1 65.7
2014 1001 58.0 17.2 61.6
2015 1056 58.0 18.2 65.2
2016 1076 61.0 17.6 45.7
2017 1086 61.0 17.8 45
2018 1127 63.0 17.8 44.7
2019 1192 62.0 19.2 47.7
2020 1257 61.0 20.6 44.6
2021 1228 61.0 20.1 52.5
2022 1214 64.0 18.9 55.9
2023 1315 62.0 21.2 56.6

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 Mulberry Senior High School

Help

YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $891 (11.1%) $7,140 (88.9%) $8,031
2019 $1,197 (15.1%) $6,752 (84.9%) $7,949
2020 $708 (9.1%) $7,112 (90.9%) $7,821
2021 $1,008 (12.7%) $6,942 (87.3%) $7,951
2022 $1,787 (20.2%) $7,040 (79.8%) $8,826
2023 $1,456 (15.8%) $7,755 (84.2%) $9,210

Data source: Florida Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Mulberry 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 505th of 734 High schoolsRanks 534th of 792 High schools
 1.4%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
9th Grade English Language Arts (Mulberry Senior High School)4336
 7%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)4544
 1%
   9th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5551
 4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Mulberry Senior High School)3036
 6%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)4238
 4%
   10th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5349
 4%
End of Course Biology 1 (Mulberry Senior High School)5451
 3%
   End of Course Biology 1 (Polk)5450
 4%
   End of Course Biology 1 (Florida)6763
 4%
End of Course US History (Mulberry Senior High School)5456
 2%
   End of Course US History (Polk)5850
 8%
   End of Course US History (Florida)7063
 7%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Mulberry Senior High School)3724
 13%
   End of Course Algebra 1 (Polk)5141
 10%
   End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)6254
 8%
End of Course Geometry (Mulberry Senior High School)4421
 23%
   End of Course Geometry (Polk)5437
 17%
   End of Course Geometry (Florida)5750
 7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students11921315
 10.3%
African American127127
American Indian54
 20%
Asian1111
Hispanic477665
 39.4%
Pacific Islander00
White536480
 10.4%
Two or More Races3628
 22.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients47.7%56.6%
 8.9%


Schools Near Mulberry Senior High School









Frequently Asked Questions about Mulberry Senior High School

Mulberry Senior High School ranks 527th of 807 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Mulberry Senior High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : James W. Sikes Elementary School
Elementary : Purcell Elementary School
Elementary : Willow Oak School
Middle : Mulberry Middle School

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,315 students attended Mulberry Senior High School.

Students at Mulberry Senior High School are 51% Hispanic, 37% White, 10% African American, 2% Two or more races.


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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.





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