Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred

Q: Is Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred a good school?

Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred ranks 689 th of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred is a public charter middle school serving grades 6-8 in Lake Alfred, Florida, with an enrollment of 911 students. The school is part of the Polk County School District, which is ranked 57th out of 68 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Discovery Academy consistently outperforms the Polk County and Florida state averages on standardized tests across multiple grade levels and subject areas, including EOC/Algebra 1, EOC/Geometry, EOC/Civics, and Statewide Science/Science. For example, in 2023-2024, 73% of Discovery Academy students were proficient or better in EOC/Algebra 1, compared to 42% in Polk County and 55% statewide. The school also has a lower chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 12.4% to 35.6% over the past few years, significantly lower than the rates of nearby schools like Lake Alfred Polytech Academy, which range from 25.9% to 61.1%. Additionally, Discovery Academy has a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 64.95% to 75.41%, compared to the nearby schools, which range from 36.12% to 70.92%.

Despite serving a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students, Discovery Academy has maintained a relatively consistent academic performance, with its statewide ranking fluctuating between the 494th and 729th position out of over 1,100 Florida middle schools over the past several years. This consistent performance, along with the school's higher spending per student, lower student-teacher ratio, and focus on a specific educational model as a public charter school, may be contributing factors to its academic success compared to the nearby traditional public middle schools in the Polk County School District.

Detail:

Public, Charter 6-8

1000 Buena Vista Dr N
Lake Alfred, FL 33850

(863) 295-5955

District: Polk

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

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,759

Student/teacher ratio: 18.9

Number of students: 911

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

43.6%

White:

35.3%

African American:

17.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 75.4%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred ranks worse than 57.6% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 10^th among 26 ranked middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 42.8. (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 Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (43.6%), White (35.3%), African American (17.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 75.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred is 18.9, which is the 8^th best among 26 middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred employs 48 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred is $8,759. 14 middle schools in the Polk School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred 689^th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred in the ranking list.)

Polk:

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

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred.

What do you think?

Your rating for Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred?

(Ranking FAQ)

Rank History for Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	35.30	415^th	593	30.0%
2005	31.67	446^th	602	25.9%
2006	37.17	454^th	675	32.7%
2007	36.65	503^rd	736	31.7%
2008	36.37	512^th	740	30.8%
2009	42.04	501^st	780	35.8%
2010	48.80	462^nd	839	44.9%
2011	54.65	449^th	891	49.6%
2012	60.70	353^rd	897	60.6%
2013	56.46	414^th	956	56.7%
2014	49.45	508^th	999	49.1%
2016	52.49	464^th	997	53.5%
2017	55.16	454^th	1031	56.0%
2018	46.49	559^th	1035	46.0%
2019	51.96	525^th	1099	52.2%
2021	54.31	494^th	1136	56.5%
2022	43.31	632^nd	1148	44.9%
2023	37.79	729^th	1177	38.1%
2024	42.80	689^th	1196	42.4%

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

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Excellent school, feels like a private school, my child is an A STudent at this school, teachers are young and involved, principal and counselors are readily available for concerns, very safe environment to learn in Close Quote

Enrollment information for Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1997	577	275	5	47	0	n/a	n/a	0	904
1998	597	245	8	69	1	n/a	n/a	0	920
1999	619	256	12	54	1	n/a	n/a	0	942
2000	604	238	9	56	2	n/a	n/a	0	909
2001	534	220	7	63	2	n/a	n/a	0	826
2002	570	187	4	75	2	n/a	n/a	0	838
2003	570	187	4	75	2	n/a	n/a	0	838
2004	617	170	7	101	1	n/a	n/a	0	896
2005	626	201	10	151	1	n/a	n/a	0	989
2006	607	201	18	202	1	n/a	n/a	0	1029
2007	519	201	23	214	3	n/a	n/a	20	980
2008	497	190	14	232	3	n/a	n/a	26	962
2009	502	191	15	285	7	n/a	n/a	31	1031
2010	502	173	8	269	5	n/a	n/a	45	1002
2011	453	157	13	315	11	1	38	0	988
2012	476	141	12	332	16	2	33	0	1012
2013	438	165	16	359	15	0	39	0	1032
2014	441	174	20	357	12	2	33	0	1039
2015	430	175	17	365	13	1	39	0	1040
2016	433	189	15	361	11	2	31	0	1042
2017	415	174	14	369	5	1	30	0	1008
2018	400	158	13	363	1	1	20	0	956
2019	393	174	9	366	1	2	23	0	968
2020	375	163	10	399	1	4	21	0	973
2021	370	171	8	397	1	4	23	0	974
2022	348	170	8	400	1	4	22	0	953
2023	322	159	7	397	2	0	24	0	911

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 Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1997	904	43.0	21.0	50.2
1998	920	45.0	20.4	52.5
1999	942	51.0	18.5	58.6
2000	909	52.0	17.5	53.4
2001	826	45.0	18.4	56.8
2002	838	46.0	18.2	63.6
2003	838	46.0	18.2	63.6
2004	896	43.0	20.8	63.1
2005	989	55.0	18.0	62
2006	1029	58.0	17.7	61.7
2007	980	59.0	16.6	65.4
2008	962	61.0	15.8	67.4
2009	1031	64.0	18.9	62.9
2010	1002	60.5	16.5	70.3
2011	988	63.0	15.6	68.9
2012	1012	67.0	15.1	75.5
2013	1032	62.0	16.6	72
2014	1039	62.0	16.7	72.8
2015	1040	57.0	18.2	73.5
2016	1042	59.0	17.6	76.5
2017	1008	60.0	16.8	74.8
2018	956	57.0	16.7	75.6
2019	968	48.0	20.1	75.7
2020	973	52.0	18.7	74.3
2021	974	50.0	19.4	67.1
2022	953	49.0	19.4	65
2023	911	48.0	18.9	75.4

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 Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1997	904	43.0	21.0	50.2
1998	920	45.0	20.4	52.5
1999	942	51.0	18.5	58.6
2000	909	52.0	17.5	53.4
2001	826	45.0	18.4	56.8
2002	838	46.0	18.2	63.6
2003	838	46.0	18.2	63.6
2004	896	43.0	20.8	63.1
2005	989	55.0	18.0	62
2006	1029	58.0	17.7	61.7
2007	980	59.0	16.6	65.4
2008	962	61.0	15.8	67.4
2009	1031	64.0	18.9	62.9
2010	1002	60.5	16.5	70.3
2011	988	63.0	15.6	68.9
2012	1012	67.0	15.1	75.5
2013	1032	62.0	16.6	72
2014	1039	62.0	16.7	72.8
2015	1040	57.0	18.2	73.5
2016	1042	59.0	17.6	76.5
2017	1008	60.0	16.8	74.8
2018	956	57.0	16.7	75.6
2019	968	48.0	20.1	75.7
2020	973	52.0	18.7	74.3
2021	974	50.0	19.4	67.1
2022	953	49.0	19.4	65
2023	911	48.0	18.9	75.4

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 Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$400 (5.5%)	$6,892 (94.5%)	$7,292
2019	$409 (6.1%)	$6,285 (93.9%)	$6,694
2020	$437 (7.0%)	$5,798 (93.0%)	$6,234
2021	$1,023 (8.0%)	$11,819 (92.0%)	$12,842
2022	$1,011 (9.2%)	$9,929 (90.8%)	$10,940
2023	$1,855 (21.2%)	$6,904 (78.8%)	$8,759

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred

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 525^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 729^th of 1177 Middle schools	14.2%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred)	55	48	7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	43	5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred)	50	45	5%
6th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	47	37	10%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred)	52	44	8%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	42	38	4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred)	43	40	3%
7th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	39	35	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred)	56	45	11%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	41	7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred)	49	43	6%
8th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	35	32	3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred)	56	36	20%
8th Grade Science (Polk)	41	33	8%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred)	77	77
End of Course Civics (Polk)	70	65	5%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred)	100	93	7%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Polk)	51	41	10%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred)	100	100
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	968	911	5.9%
African American	174	159	8.6%
American Indian	1	2	100%
Asian	9	7	22.2%
Hispanic	366	397	8.5%
Pacific Islander	2	0	100%
White	393	322	18.1%
Two or More Races	23	24	4.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	75.7%	75.4%	0.3%

Schools Near Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred

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)	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 6th Grade	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 6th 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	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred	Public, Charter	6-8	1000 Buena Vista Dr N	Lake Alfred	33850	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 295-5955	911	48	18.9	75.4%	322 (35.3%)	159 (17.5%)	397 (43.6%)	7 (0.8%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (2.6%)	42.8	689^th of 1196 public middle schools	42.4%		37.8	729^th of 1177 public middle schools	38.1%	40	47.0	47.0	52.0			40.0	41.0	62.0	44.0	73.0	100.0			81.0	$8,759	$1,855	$6,904
Lake Alfred Polytech Academy	Public, Magnet	6-8	925 Buena Vista Dr N	Lake Alfred	33850	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 295-5988	645	36	17.9	59.1%	223 (34.6%)	112 (17.4%)	286 (44.3%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (3.1%)	32	843^rd of 1196 public middle schools	29.5%		44.2	646^th of 1177 public middle schools	45.1%	197	38.0	37.0	42.0			35.0	16.0	57.0	41.0	83.0				66.0	$9,908	$1,565	$8,343
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
Jere L. Stambaugh Middle	Public	6-8	226 Main St N	Auburndale	33823	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 965-5494	1,127	43	26.2	65.0%	446 (39.6%)	198 (17.6%)	444 (39.4%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	33 (2.9%)	13.8	1068^th of 1196 public middle schools	10.7%		16	1029^th of 1177 public middle schools	12.6%	39	30.0	23.0	25.0			30.0	25.0	19.0	27.0	35.0	82.0			56.0	$8,041	$1,338	$6,702
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
Berkley Accelerated	Public, Charter	6-10	5316 Berkley Rd	Auburndale	33823	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 984-2400	623	31	20.0	36.1%	418 (67.1%)	35 (5.6%)	147 (23.6%)	11 (1.8%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (1.6%)	76.9	240^th of 1196 public middle schools	79.9%		77.2	233^rd of 1177 public middle schools	80.2%	7	69.0	69.0	70.0	72.0	81.0	82.0	61.0	47.0	48.0	80.0	59.0	81.0	88.0	82.0	$7,277	$581	$6,695
Daniel Jenkins Academy Of Technology Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	701 Ledwith Ave	Haines City	33844	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 421-3267	516	28	18.4	56.0%	54 (10.5%)	159 (30.8%)	281 (54.5%)	9 (1.7%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	10 (1.9%)	51.7	564^th of 1196 public middle schools	52.8%		47.7	600^th of 1177 public middle schools	49.0%	36	56.0	53.0	56.0			53.0	24.0	60.0	40.0	80.0	89.0			81.0	$9,643	$1,269	$8,374
Shelley S. Boone Middle School	Public	6-8	225 22nd St S	Haines City	33844	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 421-3302	1,403	60	23.3	51.7%	148 (10.5%)	325 (23.2%)	904 (64.4%)	13 (0.9%)	4 (0.3%)	3 (0.2%)	6 (0.4%)	13.5	1072^nd of 1196 public middle schools	10.4%		14.1	1048^th of 1177 public middle schools	11.0%	24	25.0	21.0	27.0			22.0	16.0	39.0	24.0	61.0	95.0			51.0	$6,996	$1,129	$5,866
Dundee Ridge Middle Academy	Public, Magnet	6-8	5555 Lake Trask Rd	Dundee	33838	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 419-3088	773	40	19.3	58.3%	152 (19.7%)	138 (17.9%)	466 (60.3%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.4%)	12 (1.6%)	58.5	465^th of 1196 public middle schools	61.1%		58.5	450^th of 1177 public middle schools	61.8%	15	63.0	51.0	51.0			61.0	24.0	69.0	54.0	61.0	91.0			96.0	$9,017	$1,358	$7,659

Frequently Asked Questions about Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred

What district is Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred in?

Polk

How many students attend Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred?

In the 2022-23 school year, 911 students attended Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred.

What is the racial makeup of Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred?

Students at Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred are 44% Hispanic, 35% White, 17% African American, 3% Two or more races.

Is Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred a good school?

Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred ranks 689^th of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida Middle School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Lake Alfred, FL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred!

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.