Polk Avenue Elementary School

Summary:

Polk Avenue Elementary School is a public charter elementary school serving grades PK-5 in Lake Wales, Florida, with a student population of 531. The school is part of the Polk County School District, which is ranked 57 out of 68 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Polk Avenue Elementary has a more diverse student population compared to nearby schools, with a higher percentage of African American (25.61%) and Hispanic (42.37%) students. However, the school has struggled with high chronic absenteeism rates, reaching 36.3% in 2021-2022, significantly higher than the state average. Academically, Polk Avenue Elementary consistently underperforms compared to the Polk County and Florida state averages on standardized tests, with proficiency rates ranging from 28-54% across different grade levels and subjects. Additionally, the school has a high percentage of students (77.02% in 2022-2023) receiving free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

While Polk Avenue Elementary faces these challenges, some nearby schools, such as Dundee Elementary Academy and Dale R Fair Babson Park Elementary, perform significantly better and have higher statewide rankings. The high chronic absenteeism rates at Polk Avenue Elementary may be a contributing factor to the school's low academic performance, and the socioeconomic factors of the student population likely play a role as well. Addressing these issues will be crucial for improving the school's overall quality and outcomes for its students.

Detail:

Public, Charter PK, KG-5

110 Polk Ave E
Lake Wales, FL 33853

(863) 678-4244

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
1766^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $7,978

Student/teacher ratio: 18.9

Number of students: 531

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

42.4%

White:

28.6%

African American:

25.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 77%

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Compare Polk Avenue Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Polk Avenue Elementary School ranks worse than 78.3% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 65^th among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 25.08. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a high 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 Polk Avenue Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (42.4%), White (28.6%), African American (25.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 77% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the highest percentage in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Polk Avenue Elementary School is 18.9. 76 elementary schools in the Polk School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Polk Avenue Elementary School employs 28 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Polk Avenue Elementary School is $7,978. 82 elementary schools in the Polk School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Polk Avenue 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 Polk Avenue Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	31.70	1194^th	1688	29.3%
2007	32.99	1256^th	1786	29.7%
2008	34.02	1262^nd	1789	29.5%
2009	23.29	1513^th	1847	18.1%
2010	41.36	1205^th	1919	37.2%
2011	31.44	1467^th	1985	26.1%
2012	28.65	1479^th	1984	25.5%
2013	37.91	1280^th	2029	36.9%
2014	39.54	1267^th	2064	38.6%
2016	33.70	1413^th	2087	32.3%
2017	27.93	1554^th	2112	26.4%
2018	28.08	1578^th	2118	25.5%
2019	29.07	1614^th	2182	26.0%
2021	33.18	1488^th	2247	33.8%
2022	17.99	1913^th	2219	13.8%
2023	13.53	2067^th	2240	7.7%
2024	25.08	1766^th	2256	21.7%

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 Polk Avenue Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	234	194	0	14	0	n/a	n/a	0	442
1989	269	205	0	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	486
1990	255	195	0	23	0	n/a	n/a	0	473
1991	227	203	0	20	0	n/a	n/a	0	450
1992	223	193	0	36	0	n/a	n/a	0	452
1993	206	189	1	37	0	n/a	n/a	0	433
1994	247	148	1	47	1	n/a	n/a	0	444
1995	237	167	2	59	1	n/a	n/a	0	466
1996	237	167	2	59	1	n/a	n/a	0	466
1997	235	177	3	56	1	n/a	n/a	0	472
1998	234	176	2	52	1	n/a	n/a	0	465
1999	214	186	0	64	2	n/a	n/a	0	466
2000	233	182	1	76	1	n/a	n/a	0	493
2001	226	164	2	97	3	n/a	n/a	0	492
2002	217	152	0	104	3	n/a	n/a	0	476
2003	217	152	0	104	3	n/a	n/a	0	476
2004	220	118	1	108	2	n/a	n/a	0	449
2005	228	101	4	115	1	n/a	n/a	0	449
2006	269	140	5	157	2	n/a	n/a	0	573
2007	239	123	5	175	2	n/a	n/a	27	571
2008	214	140	8	164	4	n/a	n/a	35	565
2009	219	126	5	153	2	n/a	n/a	38	543
2010	189	116	5	166	0	n/a	n/a	34	510
2011	183	109	6	180	0	0	17	0	495
2012	181	110	6	198	1	0	14	0	510
2013	164	105	2	186	1	0	12	0	470
2014	172	105	2	195	1	0	10	0	485
2015	158	99	3	211	0	0	11	0	482
2016	159	115	3	199	1	1	8	0	486
2017	152	129	3	223	1	1	7	0	516
2018	164	123	5	217	1	1	11	0	522
2019	142	132	5	222	0	1	14	0	516
2020	157	127	4	245	0	0	15	0	548
2021	160	122	3	239	2	0	11	0	537
2022	139	152	3	237	3	0	10	0	544
2023	152	136	4	225	3	1	10	0	531

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 Polk Avenue Elementary School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	442	25.0	17.6	55.7
1989	486	26.0	18.6	63
1990	473	28.0	16.8	16.9
1991	450	26.0	17.3	73.8
1992	452	30.0	15.0	63.3
1993	433	27.0	16.0	70
1994	444	23.0	19.3	72.3
1995	466	27.0	17.3	72.5
1996	466	27.0	17.3	72.5
1997	472	26.0	18.2	73.9
1998	465	28.0	16.6	77.4
1999	466	27.0	17.3	86.7
2000	493	30.0	16.4	83.8
2001	492	30.0	16.4	81.7
2002	476	30.0	15.9	82.1
2003	476	30.0	15.9	82.1
2004	449	32.0	14.0	86.2
2005	449	36.0	12.5	79.3
2006	573	32.0	17.9	82.7
2007	571	35.0	16.3	86.8
2008	565	39.0	14.5	86.6
2009	543	43.4	14.7	89.1
2010	510	34.0	15.0	92.9
2011	495	36.0	13.7	88.1
2012	510	38.0	13.4	89
2013	470	36.0	13.0	90.4
2014	485	32.0	15.1	66.6
2015	482	33.0	14.6	100
2016	486	34.0	14.2	74.5
2017	516	31.0	16.6	7.2
2018	522	34.0	15.3	76.6
2019	516	31.0	16.6	74.8
2020	548	32.0	17.1	76.6
2021	537	30.0	17.9	74.5
2022	544	33.0	16.4	79
2023	531	28.0	18.9	77

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 Polk Avenue Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	442	25.0	17.6	55.7
1989	486	26.0	18.6	63
1990	473	28.0	16.8	16.9
1991	450	26.0	17.3	73.8
1992	452	30.0	15.0	63.3
1993	433	27.0	16.0	70
1994	444	23.0	19.3	72.3
1995	466	27.0	17.3	72.5
1996	466	27.0	17.3	72.5
1997	472	26.0	18.2	73.9
1998	465	28.0	16.6	77.4
1999	466	27.0	17.3	86.7
2000	493	30.0	16.4	83.8
2001	492	30.0	16.4	81.7
2002	476	30.0	15.9	82.1
2003	476	30.0	15.9	82.1
2004	449	32.0	14.0	86.2
2005	449	36.0	12.5	79.3
2006	573	32.0	17.9	82.7
2007	571	35.0	16.3	86.8
2008	565	39.0	14.5	86.6
2009	543	43.4	14.7	89.1
2010	510	34.0	15.0	92.9
2011	495	36.0	13.7	88.1
2012	510	38.0	13.4	89
2013	470	36.0	13.0	90.4
2014	485	32.0	15.1	66.6
2015	482	33.0	14.6	100
2016	486	34.0	14.2	74.5
2017	516	31.0	16.6	7.2
2018	522	34.0	15.3	76.6
2019	516	31.0	16.6	74.8
2020	548	32.0	17.1	76.6
2021	537	30.0	17.9	74.5
2022	544	33.0	16.4	79
2023	531	28.0	18.9	77

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 Polk Avenue Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$617 (8.8%)	$6,402 (91.2%)	$7,019
2019	$625 (8.4%)	$6,833 (91.6%)	$7,458
2020	$546 (7.2%)	$7,046 (92.8%)	$7,591
2021	$650 (8.8%)	$6,747 (91.2%)	$7,396
2022	$888 (12.4%)	$6,268 (87.6%)	$7,156
2023	$1,511 (18.9%)	$6,466 (81.0%)	$7,978

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Polk Avenue 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 1614^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 2067^th of 2240 Elementary schools	18.3%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk Avenue Elementary School)	34	30	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	52	48	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk Avenue Elementary School)	44	41	3%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	51	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk Avenue Elementary School)	44	31	13%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	46	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Polk Avenue Elementary School)	50	29	21%
4th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	50	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk Avenue Elementary School)	46	41	5%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	47	44	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Polk Avenue Elementary School)	56	34	22%
5th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	51	40	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Polk Avenue Elementary School)	48	33	15%
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	516	531	2.9%
African American	132	136	3%
American Indian	0	3
Asian	5	4	20%
Hispanic	222	225	1.4%
Pacific Islander	1	1
White	142	152	7%
Two or More Races	14	10	28.6%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	74.8%	77%	2.2%

Schools Near Polk Avenue 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)	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 Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Polk Avenue Elementary School	Public, Charter	PK, KG-5	110 Polk Ave E	Lake Wales	33853	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 678-4244	531	28	18.9	77.0%	152 (28.6%)	136 (25.6%)	225 (42.4%)	4 (0.8%)	3 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	10 (1.9%)	25.1	1766^th of 2256 public elementary schools	21.7%		13.5	2067^th of 2240 public elementary schools	7.7%	301	41.0	34.0	40.0	47.0	54.0	38.0	33.0	$7,978	$1,511	$6,466
Spook Hill Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	321 Dr Ja Wiltshire Ave E	Lake Wales	33853	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 678-4262	584	35	16.6	67.3%	212 (36.3%)	157 (26.9%)	193 (33.0%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	18 (3.1%)	28	1683^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	25.4%		17.1	1978^th of 2240 public elementary schools	11.7%	295	40.0	38.0	47.0	38.0	41.0	42.0	56.0	$11,767	$2,765	$9,002
Hillcrest Elementary School	Public, Charter	PK, KG-5	1051 State Road 60 E	Lake Wales	33853	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 678-4216	662	44	15.0	59.2%	317 (47.9%)	130 (19.6%)	174 (26.3%)	9 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (4.8%)	64.8	758^th of 2256 public elementary schools	66.4%		63.1	770^th of 2240 public elementary schools	65.6%	12	60.0	52.0	57.0	73.0	71.0	62.0	52.0	$7,531	$737	$6,794
Janie Howard Wilson School	Public, Charter	PK, KG-5	306 Florida Ave	Lake Wales	33853	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 678-4211	448	29	15.4	74.6%	91 (20.3%)	126 (28.1%)	210 (46.9%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	15 (3.3%)	15.9	2008^th of 2256 public elementary schools	11.0%		22.2	1823^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	18.6%	185	33.0	36.0	39.0	38.0	44.0	26.0	31.0	$8,250	$1,393	$6,857
Dale R Fair Babson Park Elementary	Public, Charter	K-5	815 Scenic Hwy N	Babson Park	33827	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 678-4664	472	28	16.8	40.0%	345 (73.1%)	37 (7.8%)	74 (15.7%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	14 (3.0%)	70.6	625^th of 2256 public elementary schools	72.3%		75.7	490^th of 2240 public elementary schools	78.1%	135	66.0	65.0	59.0	71.0	60.0	64.0	61.0	$8,087	$966	$7,121
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
Alturas Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	420 4th St	Alturas	33820	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 519-3917	350	20	17.5	61.1%	196 (56.0%)	34 (9.7%)	108 (30.9%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (2.9%)	58.2	894^th of 2256 public elementary schools	60.4%		52.3	1037^th of 2240 public elementary schools	53.7%	143	55.0	51.0	58.0	62.0	54.0	56.0	75.0	$10,451	$1,519	$8,931
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
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
Dundee Elementary Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	215 Frederick Ave	Dundee	33838	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 421-3316	653	41	15.9	46.7%	200 (30.6%)	95 (14.5%)	334 (51.1%)	8 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	15 (2.3%)	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

Frequently Asked Questions about Polk Avenue Elementary School

Is Polk Avenue Elementary School a good school?

Polk Avenue Elementary School ranks in the bottom 21.7% of Florida elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Polk Avenue Elementary School?

Students at Polk Avenue Elementary School are 42% Hispanic, 29% White, 26% African American, 2% Two or more races.

How many students attend Polk Avenue Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 531 students attended Polk Avenue Elementary School.

What district is Polk Avenue Elementary School in?

Polk

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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.