Bok Academy

Q: Is Bok Academy a good school?

Bok Academy ranks 542 nd of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Bok Academy is a public charter middle school in Lake Wales, Florida, serving 611 students in grades 6-8. 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.

Bok Academy consistently outperforms the Polk District and the state of Florida in various standardized test scores, with 97% proficiency in Algebra 1 EOC compared to 42% for the district and 55% for the state. The school also has lower chronic absenteeism rates at 21.6% compared to nearby schools ranging from 25.9% to 62.0%. However, the region as a whole faces challenges with high chronic absenteeism rates. Bok Academy has a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch at 61.21%, suggesting socioeconomic factors that may impact the community. Interestingly, the school spends $6,573 per student, which is lower than the spending at nearby schools, which range from $7,781 to $13,711 per student.

Overall, Bok Academy stands out as a high-performing school in the region, with a diverse student population and strong academic results. The school's consistent 3-star rating from SchoolDigger and its ability to outperform the district and state averages in various subjects indicate effective teaching and learning practices. However, the district and the region as a whole face challenges related to chronic absenteeism and socioeconomic factors that require ongoing attention and targeted interventions to ensure equitable educational opportunities for all students.

Detail:

Public, Charter 6-8

13895 Hwy 27
Lake Wales, FL 33859

(863) 638-1010

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
542^nd of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $6,573

Student/teacher ratio: 19.0

Number of students: 611

Racial breakdown:

White:

43.5%

Hispanic:

32.2%

African American:

20.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 61.2%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Bok Academy ranks better than 54.7% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 7^th among 26 ranked middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 53.27. (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 Bok Academy is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (43.5%), Hispanic (32.2%), African American (20%). (See more...)

Compare Details 61.2% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Bok Academy is 19, which is the 10^th best among 26 middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Bok Academy employs 32 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Bok Academy is $6,573. 24 middle schools in the Polk School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

SchoolDigger ranks Bok Academy 542^nd of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Bok Academy 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 Bok Academy.

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Rank History for Bok Academy

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2010	74.79	203^rd	839	75.8%
2011	76.00	203^rd	891	77.2%
2012	74.63	215^th	897	76.0%
2013	83.54	125^th	956	86.9%
2014	86.98	97^th	999	90.3%
2016	86.94	107^th	997	89.3%
2017	85.51	137^th	1031	86.7%
2018	78.92	199^th	1035	80.8%
2019	75.27	249^th	1099	77.3%
2021	53.58	507^th	1136	55.4%
2022	51.72	526^th	1148	54.2%
2023	49.83	566^th	1177	51.9%
2024	53.27	542^nd	1196	54.7%

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: 4)

67%

33%

Reviews:

by a citizen
Friday, February 6, 2015

My granddaughter goes to Bok Academy and I am very impressed with the faculty, curriculum, volunteers and especially the progress of the students . The children are getting a stellar educational experience. Highest ratings to Bok Academy. Close Quote

by a student
Wednesday, August 4, 2010

It's getting there. Excellent choice for some kids, poor choice for other kids. If your child can't handle a middle school (D's and F's, behavior issues), then you'll love Bok! If your child is a straight A student, you and your child will love Bok. The average kids at times get a bum deal...just slip under the radar. Some bad kids that stick around all year that disrupt the class..it's annoying. Some of my favorite teachers left and were replaced my mediocre teachers- I don't like the chatty classroom and rudeness toward teachers...I should have went to Union. Now, I'm off to Frostproof for high school. I wouldn't go to Lake Wales if you paid me...If I didn't want to go to McLaughlin and chose Bok, then why would I want to go to Lake Wales with all the McLaughlin kids? Close Quote

Enrollment information for Bok Academy

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
2009	234	59	4	58	1	n/a	n/a	14	370
2010	345	70	5	94	1	n/a	n/a	26	541
2011	322	65	11	120	6	0	18	0	542
2012	325	67	8	120	3	0	17	0	540
2013	348	68	11	105	1	0	25	0	558
2014	361	66	10	109	1	0	24	0	571
2015	371	71	16	110	1	0	21	0	590
2016	351	79	12	130	1	0	21	0	594
2017	351	81	14	135	1	0	18	0	600
2018	328	95	11	154	0	0	19	0	607
2019	312	97	11	165	0	0	15	0	600
2020	281	112	8	190	0	1	12	0	604
2021	271	131	7	195	0	2	14	0	620
2022	270	119	3	191	0	3	17	0	603
2023	266	122	7	197	0	3	16	0	611

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 Bok Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2009	370	28.2	15.4	59.3
2010	541	33.0	16.3	57.1
2011	542	32.0	16.9	53.9
2012	540	33.0	16.3	54.4
2013	558	32.0	17.4	49.5
2014	571	33.0	17.3	43.1
2015	590	35.0	16.8	52.2
2016	594	33.0	18.0	51.9
2017	600	36.0	16.6	52.7
2018	607	36.0	16.8	56.7
2019	600	33.0	18.1	58.7
2020	604	33.0	18.3	62.3
2021	620	33.0	18.7	56.6
2022	603	31.0	19.4	61.9
2023	611	32.0	19.0	61.2

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 Bok Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2009	370	28.2	15.4	59.3
2010	541	33.0	16.3	57.1
2011	542	32.0	16.9	53.9
2012	540	33.0	16.3	54.4
2013	558	32.0	17.4	49.5
2014	571	33.0	17.3	43.1
2015	590	35.0	16.8	52.2
2016	594	33.0	18.0	51.9
2017	600	36.0	16.6	52.7
2018	607	36.0	16.8	56.7
2019	600	33.0	18.1	58.7
2020	604	33.0	18.3	62.3
2021	620	33.0	18.7	56.6
2022	603	31.0	19.4	61.9
2023	611	32.0	19.0	61.2

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 Bok Academy

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$276 (4.8%)	$5,421 (95.2%)	$5,697
2019	$244 (3.8%)	$6,177 (96.2%)	$6,421
2020	$303 (4.7%)	$6,163 (95.3%)	$6,466
2021	$305 (5.0%)	$5,798 (95.0%)	$6,103
2022	$297 (5.1%)	$5,509 (94.9%)	$5,805
2023	$508 (7.7%)	$6,064 (92.3%)	$6,573

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Bok 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 249^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 566^th of 1177 Middle schools	25.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Bok Academy)	59	57	2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	43	5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Bok Academy)	63	49	14%
6th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	47	37	10%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Bok Academy)	62	45	17%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	42	38	4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Bok Academy)	63	36	27%
7th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	39	35	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Bok Academy)	81	54	27%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	41	7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Bok Academy)	80	46	34%
8th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	35	32	3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Bok Academy)	67	36	31%
8th Grade Science (Polk)	41	33	8%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Bok Academy)	93	76	17%
End of Course Civics (Polk)	70	65	5%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Bok Academy)	100	98	2%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Polk)	51	41	10%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Bok Academy)	100	94	6%
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	600	611	1.8%
African American	97	122	25.8%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	11	7	36.4%
Hispanic	165	197	19.4%
Pacific Islander	0	3
White	312	266	14.7%
Two or More Races	15	16	6.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	58.7%	61.2%	2.5%

Schools Near Bok 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 Biology 1 (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 English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th 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 Biology 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Bok Academy	Public, Charter	6-8	13895 Hwy 27	Lake Wales	33859	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 638-1010	611	32	19.0	61.2%	266 (43.5%)	122 (20.0%)	197 (32.2%)	7 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.5%)	16 (2.6%)	53.3	542^nd of 1196 public middle schools	54.7%		49.8	566^th of 1177 public middle schools	51.9%	24		55.0	54.0	60.0				43.0	34.0	74.0		42.0	97.0	92.0		74.0	$6,573	$508	$6,064
McLaughlin Academy Of Excellence	Public	6-10	800 4th St S	Lake Wales	33853	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 678-4233	542	35	15.4	68.1%	151 (27.9%)	152 (28.0%)	221 (40.8%)	5 (0.9%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	11 (2.0%)	11.4	1097^th of 1196 public middle schools	8.3%		12	1068^th of 1177 public middle schools	9.3%	29		27.0	17.0	31.0	24.0	29.0		16.0	15.0	30.0		21.0	34.0	38.0	33.0	61.0	$13,711	$2,457	$11,254
Edward W Bok Academy North	Public, Charter	6-8	401 N 4th Street	Lake Wales	33853	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 638-1010	615	31	19.8	65.4%	299 (48.6%)	111 (18.0%)	172 (28.0%)	16 (2.6%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	15 (2.4%)	37.8	755^th of 1196 public middle schools	36.9%		35.4	768^th of 1177 public middle schools	34.7%	13		47.0	48.0	53.0				46.0	27.0	44.0		34.0	90.0	100.0	97.0	75.0	$6,039	$492	$5,547
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
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
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
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
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
Avon Park Middle School	Public	6-8	401 S Lake Ave	Avon Park	33825	Highlands County	Highlands	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 452-4333	638	30	21.2	77.0%	157 (24.6%)	163 (25.5%)	297 (46.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	19 (3.0%)	31.1	854^th of 1196 public middle schools	28.6%		27.4	878^th of 1177 public middle schools	25.4%	24		47.0	35.0	38.0				37.0	48.0	34.0		33.0	62.0			59.0	$11,241	$2,938	$8,302
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 Bok Academy

How many students attend Bok Academy?

In the 2022-23 school year, 611 students attended Bok Academy.

Is Bok Academy a good school?

Bok Academy ranks 542^nd of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Bok Academy in?

Polk

What is the racial makeup of Bok Academy?

Students at Bok Academy are 44% White, 32% Hispanic, 20% African American, 3% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

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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.