R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School

Q: Is R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School a good school?

R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School ranks 1109 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lakeland, Florida, serving 946 students in grades PK-5 as part of the Polk School District, which is ranked 57th out of 68 districts in the state.

While R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School faces some challenges, including a significant increase in chronic absenteeism (from 18.2% in 2019-2020 to 39.0% in 2022-2023) and generally lower test scores compared to state and district averages, the school does have some bright spots. In 2023-2024, 52% of 5th graders were proficient or better in Statewide Science, outperforming the Polk district average of 48% and the Florida average of 53%. Additionally, the school's 3rd grade English Language Arts proficiency of 59% was higher than the Polk district average of 49% and the Florida average of 55%. The school also stands out for its racial diversity, with a student population that is 39.64% White, 12.68% African American, and 43.97% Hispanic, compared to nearby schools like Cleveland Court Elementary (48.85% White) and Jesse Keen Elementary (15.72% White).

The high chronic absenteeism rate at R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School may be linked to the school's relatively high percentage of free and reduced-price lunch recipients (46.09% in 2022-2023), suggesting that socioeconomic factors may be contributing to the attendance challenges. Additionally, the school has seen a decline in enrollment and a shift in its racial demographics, with a decrease in White students and an increase in Hispanic students over the past few years. While R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School faces some challenges, its strengths, such as its racial diversity and subject-specific performance, provide opportunities for focused improvement efforts.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

5500 Yates Rd
Lakeland, FL 33811

(863) 701-1450

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
1109^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,995

Student/teacher ratio: 15.6

Number of students: 954

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

43.8%

White:

38.6%

African American:

12.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 65%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School ranks better than 50.8% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 27^th among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 49.18. (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 R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (43.8%), White (38.6%), African American (12.2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 65% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School is 15.6, which is the 29^th best among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School employs 61 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School is $9,995. 52 elementary schools in the Polk School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

R. Bruce Wagner 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.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School.

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Rank History for R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	36.20	1118^th	1688	33.8%
2007	44.37	1052^nd	1786	41.1%
2008	54.03	867^th	1789	51.5%
2009	44.20	1097^th	1847	40.6%
2010	41.44	1204^th	1919	37.3%
2011	32.35	1427^th	1985	28.1%
2012	38.12	1258^th	1984	36.6%
2013	36.34	1322^nd	2029	34.8%
2014	37.80	1310^th	2064	36.5%
2016	43.13	1190^th	2087	43.0%
2017	35.77	1361^st	2112	35.6%
2018	37.73	1351^st	2118	36.2%
2019	39.82	1323^rd	2182	39.4%
2021	43.05	1235^th	2247	45.0%
2022	34.95	1445^th	2219	34.9%
2023	36.22	1435^th	2240	35.9%
2024	49.18	1109^th	2256	50.8%

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

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a parent
Tuesday, June 5, 2012

The administration and staff at R. Bruce Wagner Elementary keep high standards of educational excellence in mind for the children that attend it's school. I am a proud parent of my child whom attended R. Bruce Wagner for five years there. My child remained on the honor roll all five years and it is my belief that with parents involvement with teacher support that helps our children reach and fulfill their goal.

With the economic downfall and crash we as Americans had to endure since the war that started after September 11th; families have struggled due to the our governments neglect and greed do to money, oil, power, and position. Our children at R. Bruce Wagner and R. Bruce Wagner families stuck together through the hard times with minimal art supplies and school class supplies. The administration such as Principal Miss Julie Ward and her staff kept parents aware of the children's needs and of the government requirements of state testing and the changes that are requested in the year 2012. The silver star was awarded to R. Bruce Wagner and the school also awarded the A+ excellence award which they truly earned.

This school deserves a five star rating!

Congratulations R. Bruce Wagner

Sincerely,
Laura Podolski Close Quote

Enrollment information for R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
2002	457	89	3	125	0	n/a	n/a	0	674
2003	457	89	3	125	0	n/a	n/a	0	674
2004	445	84	4	126	0	n/a	n/a	0	659
2005	464	105	3	145	1	n/a	n/a	0	718
2006	498	95	3	150	1	n/a	n/a	0	747
2007	457	93	6	135	1	n/a	n/a	31	723
2008	438	100	4	147	1	n/a	n/a	28	718
2009	466	91	7	158	1	n/a	n/a	38	761
2010	475	85	10	168	1	n/a	n/a	33	772
2011	471	101	11	198	4	0	26	0	811
2012	436	103	10	215	1	1	20	0	786
2013	461	107	10	233	0	1	20	0	832
2014	476	114	8	241	0	1	22	0	862
2015	437	103	10	243	0	1	23	0	817
2016	393	98	11	274	0	1	22	0	799
2017	400	130	10	288	1	1	25	0	855
2018	365	110	8	305	1	0	18	0	807
2019	359	96	9	314	1	0	21	0	800
2020	368	97	8	318	1	1	25	0	818
2021	321	77	5	316	2	0	22	0	743
2022	373	94	9	398	0	0	27	0	901
2023	375	120	12	416	1	0	22	0	946
2024	368	116	15	418	4	0	33	0	954

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 R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2002	674	39.0	17.3	59.5
2003	674	39.0	17.3	59.5
2004	659	42.0	15.7	58.4
2005	718	44.0	16.3	52.6
2006	747	49.0	15.2	56
2007	723	51.0	14.2	58.5
2008	718	51.0	14.1	56.1
2009	761	59.9	14.9	59.6
2010	772	53.0	14.5	64.7
2011	811	56.0	14.4	64.9
2012	786	51.0	15.4	70.5
2013	832	56.0	14.8	69.5
2014	862	54.0	15.9	68.2
2015	817	58.0	14.0	57.9
2016	799	53.0	15.0	60.5
2017	855	54.0	15.8	59.9
2018	807	53.0	15.2	56.3
2019	800	52.0	15.3	57.8
2020	818	51.0	16.0	51
2021	743	52.0	14.2	56.8
2022	901	52.0	17.3	56.7
2023	946	61.0	15.5	46.1
2024	954	61.0	15.6	65

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 R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2002	674	39.0	17.3	59.5
2003	674	39.0	17.3	59.5
2004	659	42.0	15.7	58.4
2005	718	44.0	16.3	52.6
2006	747	49.0	15.2	56
2007	723	51.0	14.2	58.5
2008	718	51.0	14.1	56.1
2009	761	59.9	14.9	59.6
2010	772	53.0	14.5	64.7
2011	811	56.0	14.4	64.9
2012	786	51.0	15.4	70.5
2013	832	56.0	14.8	69.5
2014	862	54.0	15.9	68.2
2015	817	58.0	14.0	57.9
2016	799	53.0	15.0	60.5
2017	855	54.0	15.8	59.9
2018	807	53.0	15.2	56.3
2019	800	52.0	15.3	57.8
2020	818	51.0	16.0	51
2021	743	52.0	14.2	56.8
2022	901	52.0	17.3	56.7
2023	946	61.0	15.5	46.1
2024	954	61.0	15.6	65

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 R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,227 (14.7%)	$7,115 (85.3%)	$8,342
2019	$1,231 (14.5%)	$7,276 (85.5%)	$8,507
2020	$962 (11.9%)	$7,153 (88.1%)	$8,115
2021	$1,234 (13.8%)	$7,725 (86.2%)	$8,958
2022	$2,069 (23.1%)	$6,873 (76.9%)	$8,942
2023	$1,734 (17.3%)	$8,261 (82.7%)	$9,995

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on R. Bruce Wagner 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 1323^rd of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1435^th of 2240 Elementary schools	3.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School)	52	46	6%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	52	48	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School)	65	53	12%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	51	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School)	39	44	5%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	46	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School)	44	51	7%
4th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	50	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School)	47	46	1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	47	44	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School)	62	41	21%
5th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	51	40	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School)	49	29	20%
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	800	946	18.3%
African American	96	120	25%
American Indian	1	1
Asian	9	12	33.3%
Hispanic	314	416	32.5%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	359	375	4.5%
Two or More Races	21	22	4.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	57.8%	46.1%	11.7%

Schools Near R. Bruce Wagner 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
R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5500 Yates Rd	Lakeland	33811	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 701-1450	954	61	15.6	65.0%	368 (38.6%)	116 (12.2%)	418 (43.8%)	15 (1.6%)	4 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (3.5%)	49.2	1109^th of 2256 public elementary schools	50.8%		36.2	1435^th of 2240 public elementary schools	35.9%	326	59.0	53.0	53.0	54.0	49.0	54.0	52.0	$9,995	$1,734	$8,261
James W. Sikes Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2727 Shepherd Rd	Lakeland	33811	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3525	551	39	14.1	57.7%	260 (47.2%)	73 (13.2%)	189 (34.3%)	5 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	22 (4.0%)	59	884^th of 2256 public elementary schools	60.8%		49.2	1115^th of 2240 public elementary schools	50.2%	231	63.0	57.0	54.0	68.0	73.0	42.0	47.0	$11,513	$1,503	$10,010
Willow Oak School	Public	PK, KG-5	4815 Bailey Road	Mulberry	33860	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 417-6670	902	59	15.2	78.4%	300 (33.3%)	64 (7.1%)	518 (57.4%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (1.9%)	31	1595^th of 2256 public elementary schools	29.3%		29.5	1625^th of 2240 public elementary schools	27.5%	30	39.0	36.0	48.0	49.0	43.0	60.0	44.0	$10,123	$1,747	$8,375
Medulla Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	850 Schoolhouse Rd	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3515	503	30	16.7	76.9%	163 (32.4%)	118 (23.5%)	196 (39.0%)	7 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (3.8%)	31.3	1584^th of 2256 public elementary schools	29.8%		31	1585^th of 2240 public elementary schools	29.2%	1	57.0	39.0	45.0	38.0	42.0	41.0	47.0	$11,939	$1,735	$10,204
Rcma Mulberry Community Academy	Public, Charter	K-1	4438 Academy Dr	Mulberry	33860	Polk County	Polk	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(863) 425-9246	68	6	11.3	75.0%	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	68 (100.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Springhead Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3208 Nesmith Rd	Plant City	33566	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 757-9321	715	47	15.3	73.3%	218 (30.5%)	34 (4.8%)	428 (59.9%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (4.3%)	47.3	1168^th of 2256 public elementary schools	48.2%		43.8	1233^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	45.0%	65	46.0	42.0	51.0	65.0	60.0	53.0	51.0	$10,190	$2,541	$7,650
Scott Lake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1140 County Road 540a E	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3520	777	49	15.8	51.1%	429 (55.2%)	91 (11.7%)	200 (25.7%)	26 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (4.0%)	68.5	676^th of 2256 public elementary schools	70.0%		62.6	782^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	65.1%	106	65.0	59.0	58.0	76.0	66.0	59.0	55.0	$10,771	$1,706	$9,066
Carlton Palmore Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3725 Clevelnd Hts Blvd	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3510	413	30	13.7	66.1%	187 (45.3%)	90 (21.8%)	111 (26.9%)	4 (1.0%)	4 (1.0%)	1 (0.2%)	16 (3.9%)	26.7	1720^th of 2256 public elementary schools	23.8%		36.7	1423^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	36.5%	297	35.0	40.0	45.0	18.0	33.0	61.0	53.0	$12,393	$1,706	$10,687
Southwest Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2650 Southwest Ave	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2830	380	27	14.0	75.8%	137 (36.1%)	76 (20.0%)	145 (38.2%)	3 (0.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (4.7%)	47.4	1161^st of 2256 public elementary schools	48.5%		55	969^th of 2240 public elementary schools	56.7%	192	39.0	47.0	49.0	54.0	58.0	75.0	55.0	$13,291	$2,033	$11,259
Cleveland Court Elementary School	Public	K-5	328 Edgewood Dr E	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2929	398	31	12.8	54.3%	174 (43.7%)	92 (23.1%)	111 (27.9%)	15 (3.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (1.5%)	77.1	477^th of 2256 public elementary schools	78.9%		84.6	297^th of 2240 public elementary schools	86.7%	180	66.0	74.0	67.0	68.0	71.0	67.0	62.0	$11,532	$1,571	$9,961

Frequently Asked Questions about R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School

Is R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School a good school?

R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School ranks 1109^th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 954 students attended R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School?

Students at R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School are 44% Hispanic, 39% White, 12% African American, 3% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

What district is R. Bruce Wagner 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.