Union Academy

Q: Is Union Academy a good school?

Union Academy ranks 289 th of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Union Academy is a public middle school in Bartow, Florida, serving 396 students in grades 6-8. This school stands out within the Polk County School District, which is ranked 57 out of 68 districts in the state, by consistently outperforming the district and state averages on standardized tests.

Union Academy's academic performance is particularly impressive, with proficiency rates that far exceed those of nearby schools like Southwest Middle School, Jewett Middle Academy Magnet, and Jere L. Stambaugh Middle. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, Union Academy had an 86% proficiency rate in Algebra 1 EOC, compared to just 42% for Polk County and 55% for the state. The school also boasts lower chronic absenteeism rates and a more economically diverse student population than its neighbors.

The factors contributing to Union Academy's success likely include its higher spending per student, smaller class sizes, and a well-rounded educational program that engages students across various subject areas. These resources and practices have enabled the school to consistently rank in the top 25% of Florida middle schools over the past decade, making it a standout option for families in the Bartow area.

Detail:

Public, Magnet 6-8

1795 Wabash St E
Bartow, FL 33830

(863) 534-7435

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
289^th of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,310

Student/teacher ratio: 19.8

Number of students: 396

Racial breakdown:

White:

50.5%

Hispanic:

24.0%

African American:

19.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 35.1%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Union Academy to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Union Academy ranks better than 75.8% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 4^th among 26 ranked middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 73.55. (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 Student population at Union Academy is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (50.5%), Hispanic (24%), African American (19.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 35.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Union Academy is 19.8. 18 middle schools in the Polk School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Union Academy employs 20 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Union Academy is $10,310, which is the 2^nd highest among 26 middle schools in the Polk School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Union Academy was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Union Academy 289^th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Union Academy 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 Union Academy

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	89.20	41^st	593	93.1%
2005	92.37	28^th	602	95.3%
2006	94.81	15^th	675	97.8%
2007	93.77	20^th	736	97.3%
2008	95.34	10^th	740	98.6%
2009	94.72	15^th	780	98.1%
2010	94.34	12^th	839	98.6%
2011	92.90	25^th	891	97.2%
2012	93.34	34^th	897	96.2%
2013	93.32	34^th	956	96.4%
2014	89.04	76^th	999	92.4%
2016	89.19	77^th	997	92.3%
2017	86.86	122^nd	1031	88.2%
2018	88.68	105^th	1035	89.9%
2019	84.52	146^th	1099	86.7%
2021	79.71	197^th	1136	82.7%
2022	77.28	233^rd	1148	79.7%
2023	80.04	193^rd	1177	83.6%
2024	73.55	289^th	1196	75.8%

See the entire list of Florida Middle School Rankings!

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

Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Union Academy

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	266	113	6	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	397
1989	245	109	3	12	1	n/a	n/a	0	370
1990	271	130	5	9	3	n/a	n/a	0	418
1991	203	85	3	8	3	n/a	n/a	0	302
1992	244	120	5	18	1	n/a	n/a	0	388
1993	239	106	2	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	358
1994	237	115	2	11	4	n/a	n/a	0	369
1995	258	124	5	4	4	n/a	n/a	0	395
1996	258	124	5	4	4	n/a	n/a	0	395
1997	264	119	6	2	2	n/a	n/a	0	393
1998	266	111	5	5	3	n/a	n/a	0	390
1999	261	111	9	6	1	n/a	n/a	0	388
2000	263	102	6	8	1	n/a	n/a	0	380
2001	250	105	7	8	1	n/a	n/a	0	371
2002	258	106	4	11	2	n/a	n/a	0	381
2003	258	106	4	11	2	n/a	n/a	0	381
2004	275	111	3	23	1	n/a	n/a	0	413
2005	260	105	1	21	0	n/a	n/a	0	387
2006	271	102	1	25	1	n/a	n/a	0	400
2007	248	103	2	19	1	n/a	n/a	12	385
2008	233	109	2	16	0	n/a	n/a	16	376
2009	256	92	5	29	2	n/a	n/a	17	401
2010	263	76	10	36	2	n/a	n/a	17	404
2011	247	53	13	60	1	3	27	0	404
2012	245	55	13	64	0	3	21	0	401
2013	230	55	10	70	2	3	18	0	388
2014	247	61	5	63	4	0	14	0	394
2015	246	58	6	58	4	0	17	0	389
2016	255	66	7	53	1	0	15	0	397
2017	238	72	13	69	0	0	13	0	405
2018	245	77	13	72	1	0	11	0	419
2019	225	76	11	81	1	2	11	0	407
2020	231	72	8	76	1	2	10	0	400
2021	232	71	5	86	0	2	8	0	404
2022	208	75	5	93	0	0	7	0	388
2023	200	77	12	95	0	0	12	0	396

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 Union Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	397	19.0	20.8	40.6
1989	370	18.0	20.5	35.4
1990	418	20.0	20.9	0
1991	302	17.0	17.7	40.1
1992	388	17.0	22.8	31.2
1993	358	20.0	17.9	15.4
1994	369	21.0	17.6	19.5
1995	395	20.0	19.8	22
1996	395	20.0	19.8	22
1997	393	21.0	18.7	19.6
1998	390	21.0	18.6	16.7
1999	388	19.0	20.4	28.4
2000	380	21.0	18.1	28.2
2001	371	20.0	18.6	26.7
2002	381	21.0	18.1	26.8
2003	381	21.0	18.1	26.8
2004	413	22.0	18.8	27.6
2005	387	24.0	16.1	22.5
2006	400	27.0	14.8	28.8
2007	385	29.0	13.3	34.3
2008	376	28.0	13.4	32.5
2009	401	32.9	14.3	31
2010	404	27.0	14.9	32.6
2011	404	27.0	14.9	34.4
2012	401	27.0	14.8	35.2
2013	388	28.0	13.8	37.4
2014	394	28.0	14.0	33.2
2015	389	28.0	13.8	36.8
2016	397	28.0	14.1	38.5
2017	405	28.0	14.4	36.3
2018	419	27.0	15.5	31
2019	407	26.0	15.6	24.1
2020	400	26.0	15.3	22.5
2021	404	23.0	17.5	26.7
2022	388	23.0	16.8	32.7
2023	396	20.0	19.8	35.1

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 Union Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	397	19.0	20.8	40.6
1989	370	18.0	20.5	35.4
1990	418	20.0	20.9	0
1991	302	17.0	17.7	40.1
1992	388	17.0	22.8	31.2
1993	358	20.0	17.9	15.4
1994	369	21.0	17.6	19.5
1995	395	20.0	19.8	22
1996	395	20.0	19.8	22
1997	393	21.0	18.7	19.6
1998	390	21.0	18.6	16.7
1999	388	19.0	20.4	28.4
2000	380	21.0	18.1	28.2
2001	371	20.0	18.6	26.7
2002	381	21.0	18.1	26.8
2003	381	21.0	18.1	26.8
2004	413	22.0	18.8	27.6
2005	387	24.0	16.1	22.5
2006	400	27.0	14.8	28.8
2007	385	29.0	13.3	34.3
2008	376	28.0	13.4	32.5
2009	401	32.9	14.3	31
2010	404	27.0	14.9	32.6
2011	404	27.0	14.9	34.4
2012	401	27.0	14.8	35.2
2013	388	28.0	13.8	37.4
2014	394	28.0	14.0	33.2
2015	389	28.0	13.8	36.8
2016	397	28.0	14.1	38.5
2017	405	28.0	14.4	36.3
2018	419	27.0	15.5	31
2019	407	26.0	15.6	24.1
2020	400	26.0	15.3	22.5
2021	404	23.0	17.5	26.7
2022	388	23.0	16.8	32.7
2023	396	20.0	19.8	35.1

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 Union Academy

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$267 (3.1%)	$8,296 (96.9%)	$8,563
2019	$701 (7.2%)	$9,077 (92.8%)	$9,778
2020	$407 (4.2%)	$9,397 (95.8%)	$9,804
2021	$670 (7.1%)	$8,718 (92.9%)	$9,389
2022	$1,582 (14.6%)	$9,257 (85.4%)	$10,839
2023	$1,238 (12.0%)	$9,072 (88.0%)	$10,310

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Union 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 146^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 193^rd of 1177 Middle schools	3.1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Union Academy)	80	69	11%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	43	5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Union Academy)	79	61	18%
6th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	47	37	10%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Union Academy)	81	61	20%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	42	38	4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Union Academy)	70	51	19%
7th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	39	35	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Union Academy)	81	72	9%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	41	7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Union Academy)	39	51	12%
8th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	35	32	3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Union Academy)	64	64
8th Grade Science (Polk)	41	33	8%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Union Academy)	92	77	15%
End of Course Civics (Polk)	70	65	5%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Union Academy)	94	82	12%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Polk)	51	41	10%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Union Academy)	100	85	15%
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	407	396	2.7%
African American	76	77	1.3%
American Indian	1	0	100%
Asian	11	12	9.1%
Hispanic	81	95	17.3%
Pacific Islander	2	0	100%
White	225	200	11.1%
Two or More Races	11	12	9.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	24.1%	35.1%	11%

Schools Near Union 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 Geometry (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 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th 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 Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Union Academy	Public, Magnet	6-8	1795 Wabash St E	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	No	(863) 534-7435	396	20	19.8	35.1%	200 (50.5%)	77 (19.4%)	95 (24.0%)	12 (3.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (3.0%)	73.5	289^th of 1196 public middle schools	75.8%		80	193^rd of 1177 public middle schools	83.6%	96		62.0	79.0	66.0		75.0	21.0	53.0		60.0	86.0	94.0	97.0	$10,310	$1,238	$9,072
Bartow Middle School	Public	6-8	550 Clower St E	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 534-7415	1,046	53	19.7	62.6%	489 (46.7%)	217 (20.7%)	297 (28.4%)	5 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	35 (3.3%)	24.3	935^th of 1196 public middle schools	21.8%		25.3	905^th of 1177 public middle schools	23.1%	30		41.0	31.0	35.0		38.0	21.0	35.0		36.0	71.0	82.0	83.0	$8,883	$1,394	$7,491
Compass Middle Charter School	Public, Charter	5-8	550 Clower St E	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 519-8701	153	8	19.1	79.1%	34 (22.2%)	36 (23.5%)	77 (50.3%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.7%)	4 (2.6%)	4.5	1144^th of 1196 public middle schools	4.3%		3	1156^th of 1177 public middle schools	1.8%	12	30.0	23.0	16.0	15.0	35.0	4.0	5.0	23.0	30.0	8.0			19.0	$8,527	$1,839	$6,688
Mulberry Middle School	Public	6-8	500 Dr Mlk Jr Ave SE	Mulberry	33860	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 701-1066	1,200	61	19.6	62.8%	461 (38.4%)	102 (8.5%)	606 (50.5%)	10 (0.8%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (1.6%)	26.8	904^th of 1196 public middle schools	24.4%		25.4	902^nd of 1177 public middle schools	23.4%	2		32.0	32.0	42.0		42.0	33.0	37.0		36.0	73.0	98.0	85.0	$8,555	$1,401	$7,153
Lakeland Highlands Middle School	Public	6-8	740 Lake Miriam Dr	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 648-3500	1,265	64	19.7	40.6%	647 (51.1%)	177 (14.0%)	349 (27.6%)	34 (2.7%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	55 (4.3%)	50.5	583^rd of 1196 public middle schools	51.3%		45.6	626^th of 1177 public middle schools	46.8%	43		54.0	52.0	53.0		48.0	35.0	55.0		47.0	91.0	96.0	84.0	$7,875	$1,125	$6,750
Westwood Middle School	Public	6-8	3520 Avenue J NW	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 965-5484	878	40	21.9	70.4%	163 (18.6%)	276 (31.4%)	409 (46.6%)	3 (0.3%)	3 (0.3%)	2 (0.2%)	22 (2.5%)	11.6	1094^th of 1196 public middle schools	8.5%		12.2	1065^th of 1177 public middle schools	9.5%	29		25.0	24.0	27.0		37.0	15.0	17.0		19.0	65.0		71.0	$8,771	$1,932	$6,840
Denison Middle School	Public	6-8	400 Avenue A SE	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5353	738	39	18.9	69.0%	156 (21.1%)	252 (34.1%)	299 (40.5%)	8 (1.1%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	21 (2.8%)	14.2	1063^rd of 1196 public middle schools	11.1%		13.3	1056^th of 1177 public middle schools	10.3%	7		27.0	21.0	28.0		16.0	19.0	40.0		23.0	73.0	94.0	55.0	$9,845	$2,067	$7,778
Crystal Lake Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	2410 Crystal Lake Dr N	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 499-2970	949	51	18.6	70.9%	278 (29.3%)	184 (19.4%)	434 (45.7%)	9 (0.9%)	3 (0.3%)	3 (0.3%)	38 (4.0%)	14.5	1057^th of 1196 public middle schools	11.6%		17.4	1010^th of 1177 public middle schools	14.2%	47		32.0	28.0	30.0		24.0	10.0	24.0		29.0	57.0	86.0	52.0	$9,469	$1,546	$7,922
Southwest Middle School	Public	6-8	2815 Eden Pkwy	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2840	801	46	17.4	62.9%	243 (30.3%)	210 (26.2%)	304 (38.0%)	8 (1.0%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	32 (4.0%)	17.8	1028^th of 1196 public middle schools	14.0%		15.3	1037^th of 1177 public middle schools	11.9%	9		24.0	34.0	34.0		26.0	22.0	27.0		32.0	75.0	74.0	67.0	$9,917	$1,863	$8,054
Jewett Middle Academy Magnet	Public, Magnet	6-8	601 Martin Luther King Jr Blv	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 291-5320	584	30	19.4	46.1%	203 (34.8%)	183 (31.3%)	158 (27.1%)	16 (2.7%)	4 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	19 (3.3%)	57	489^th of 1196 public middle schools	59.1%		44.3	644^th of 1177 public middle schools	45.3%	155		63.0	52.0	56.0		59.0	32.0	53.0		53.0	86.0	97.0	81.0	$9,224	$1,022	$8,203

Frequently Asked Questions about Union Academy

How many students attend Union Academy?

In the 2022-23 school year, 396 students attended Union Academy.

Is Union Academy a good school?

Union Academy ranks 289^th of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is Union Academy in?

Polk

What is the racial makeup of Union Academy?

Students at Union Academy are 51% White, 24% Hispanic, 19% African American, 3% Asian, 3% 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.