Spessard L Holland Elementary

Q: Is Spessard L Holland Elementary a good school?

Spessard L Holland Elementary ranks 1328 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Spessard L Holland Elementary is a public elementary school located in Bartow, Florida, serving grades PK-5 with a student population of 766. The school is part of the Polk School District, which is ranked 57th out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Spessard L Holland Elementary has a more diverse student population compared to some of the nearby schools, with a higher percentage of African American (24.15%) and Hispanic (26.5%) students. However, the school has experienced a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 11.2% in 2019-2020 to 34.9% in 2022-2023, which is notably higher than the nearby schools like Highlands Grove Elementary and Bartow Elementary Academy. Additionally, the school's test scores are generally lower than the Polk County and Florida state averages across various subjects and grade levels, with the 3rd grade English Language Arts proficiency rate at 54%, compared to 49% for Polk County and 55% for the state.

Spessard L Holland Elementary's statewide ranking has steadily declined over the years, from a high of 619 out of 2,112 Florida elementary schools in 2016-2017 (4-star rating) to 1,328 out of 2,256 in 2023-2024 (2-star rating). This suggests the school is struggling to keep pace with other elementary schools in the state. The school's high rates of chronic absenteeism and free/reduced lunch recipients (51.7% in 2022-2023) may be contributing to its lower academic performance, as these factors are often associated with challenges that can hinder student learning and achievement.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

2342 Ef Griffin Rd
Bartow, FL 33830

(863) 648-3031

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
1328^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,173

Students who attend Spessard L Holland Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Bartow Middle School
High:	Bartow Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.0

Number of students: 769

Racial breakdown:

White:

40.4%

Hispanic:

28.9%

African American:

24.8%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 61.9%

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Compare Spessard L Holland Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Spessard L Holland Elementary ranks worse than 58.9% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 32^nd among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 40.55. (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 Spessard L Holland Elementary is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (40.4%), Hispanic (28.9%), African American (24.8%). (See more...)

Compare Details 61.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Spessard L Holland Elementary is 16, which is the 37^th best among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Spessard L Holland Elementary employs 48 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Spessard L Holland Elementary is $10,173. 45 elementary schools in the Polk School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Spessard L Holland Elementary 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 Spessard L Holland Elementary

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2010	32.63	1385^th	1919	27.8%
2011	33.89	1385^th	1985	30.2%
2012	44.21	1128^th	1984	43.1%
2013	48.69	1037^th	2029	48.9%
2014	46.03	1111^th	2064	46.2%
2016	54.78	938^th	2087	55.1%
2017	69.75	619^th	2112	70.7%
2018	58.73	844^th	2118	60.2%
2019	41.17	1287^th	2182	41.0%
2021	44.97	1193^rd	2247	46.9%
2022	46.16	1155^th	2219	47.9%
2023	36.36	1432^nd	2240	36.1%
2024	40.55	1328^th	2256	41.1%

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 Spessard L Holland Elementary

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
2010	371	151	15	88	0	n/a	n/a	25	650
2011	413	143	16	113	3	3	18	0	709
2012	430	167	14	126	2	4	23	0	766
2013	452	185	12	152	0	3	25	0	829
2014	475	163	16	159	0	2	28	0	843
2015	480	151	14	176	0	4	30	0	855
2016	444	167	9	186	0	1	26	0	833
2017	417	141	13	190	0	5	25	0	791
2018	373	129	17	163	0	1	28	0	711
2019	353	151	16	182	1	2	22	0	727
2020	346	165	16	181	3	1	21	0	733
2021	322	165	14	186	1	0	29	0	717
2022	327	158	15	200	1	0	29	0	730
2023	323	185	21	203	1	4	29	0	766
2024	311	191	17	222	1	1	26	0	769

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 Spessard L Holland Elementary

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2010	650	43.0	15.1	56.6
2011	709	47.0	15.0	52.3
2012	766	49.0	15.6	53.9
2013	829	53.0	15.6	52.2
2014	843	50.0	16.8	52.2
2015	855	52.0	16.4	53.8
2016	833	51.0	16.3	44.2
2017	791	49.0	16.1	40.7
2018	711	46.0	15.4	40.1
2019	727	46.0	15.8	46.2
2020	733	47.0	15.5	42.4
2021	717	47.0	15.2	44.8
2022	730	50.0	14.6	52.1
2023	766	49.0	15.6	51.7
2024	769	48.0	16.0	61.9

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 Spessard L Holland Elementary

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2010	650	43.0	15.1	56.6
2011	709	47.0	15.0	52.3
2012	766	49.0	15.6	53.9
2013	829	53.0	15.6	52.2
2014	843	50.0	16.8	52.2
2015	855	52.0	16.4	53.8
2016	833	51.0	16.3	44.2
2017	791	49.0	16.1	40.7
2018	711	46.0	15.4	40.1
2019	727	46.0	15.8	46.2
2020	733	47.0	15.5	42.4
2021	717	47.0	15.2	44.8
2022	730	50.0	14.6	52.1
2023	766	49.0	15.6	51.7
2024	769	48.0	16.0	61.9

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 Spessard L Holland Elementary

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$552 (6.6%)	$7,842 (93.4%)	$8,394
2019	$590 (7.3%)	$7,451 (92.7%)	$8,041
2020	$1,024 (11.3%)	$8,012 (88.7%)	$9,036
2021	$1,166 (12.8%)	$7,937 (87.2%)	$9,103
2022	$2,322 (21.9%)	$8,259 (78.0%)	$10,582
2023	$1,627 (16.0%)	$8,547 (84.0%)	$10,173

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Spessard L Holland Elementary

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 1287^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1432^nd of 2240 Elementary schools	4.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Spessard L Holland Elementary)	65	52	13%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	52	48	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Spessard L Holland Elementary)	65	51	14%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	51	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Spessard L Holland Elementary)	53	51	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	46	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Spessard L Holland Elementary)	64	53	11%
4th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	50	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Spessard L Holland Elementary)	35	57	22%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	47	44	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Spessard L Holland Elementary)	44	53	9%
5th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	51	40	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Spessard L Holland Elementary)	37	45	8%
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	727	766	5.4%
African American	151	185	22.5%
American Indian	1	1
Asian	16	21	31.3%
Hispanic	182	203	11.5%
Pacific Islander	2	4	100%
White	353	323	8.5%
Two or More Races	22	29	31.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	46.2%	51.7%	5.5%

Schools Near Spessard L Holland Elementary

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
Spessard L Holland Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2342 Ef Griffin Rd	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3031	769	48	16.0	61.9%	311 (40.4%)	191 (24.8%)	222 (28.9%)	17 (2.2%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	26 (3.4%)	40.6	1328^th of 2256 public elementary schools	41.1%		36.4	1432^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	36.1%	104	54.0	46.0	50.0	42.0	47.0	59.0	49.0	$10,173	$1,627	$8,547
Highland City Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5355 9th Street SE	Highland City	33846	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3540	415	28	14.8	62.7%	208 (50.1%)	47 (11.3%)	126 (30.4%)	5 (1.2%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (6.5%)	58.8	886^th of 2256 public elementary schools	60.7%		42.1	1285^th of 2240 public elementary schools	42.6%	399	70.0	54.0	48.0	73.0	44.0	63.0	60.0	$12,217	$1,734	$10,483
Valleyview Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2900 State Rd 540a E	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 648-3535	817	52	15.7	38.9%	446 (54.6%)	115 (14.1%)	177 (21.7%)	58 (7.1%)	4 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (2.1%)	84.4	313^th of 2256 public elementary schools	86.1%		83.2	334^th of 2240 public elementary schools	85.1%	21	70.0	71.0	73.0	76.0	76.0	74.0	66.0	$9,589	$1,090	$8,499
James E. Stephens Academy	Public	PK, KG-5	1350 Maple Ave N	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 534-7455	328	27	12.1	81.4%	59 (18.0%)	145 (44.2%)	106 (32.3%)	4 (1.2%)	2 (0.6%)	1 (0.3%)	11 (3.4%)	41.2	1309^th of 2256 public elementary schools	42.0%		12.3	2099^th of 2240 public elementary schools	6.3%	790	54.0	22.0	36.0	69.0	59.0	32.0	50.0	$15,850	$3,745	$12,106
Highlands Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4510 Lakeland Highlands Rd	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3002	712	45	15.8	46.9%	376 (52.8%)	90 (12.6%)	192 (27.0%)	26 (3.7%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (3.7%)	72.9	576^th of 2256 public elementary schools	74.5%		82.2	361^st of 2240 public elementary schools	83.9%	215	67.0	53.0	59.0	73.0	57.0	82.0	74.0	$10,707	$1,431	$9,277
Bartow Elementary Academy	Public, Magnet	K-5	590 Wilson Ave S	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	No	(863) 534-7410	531	36	14.7	48.0%	269 (50.7%)	108 (20.3%)	108 (20.3%)	12 (2.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	33 (6.2%)	73.2	568^th of 2256 public elementary schools	74.8%		62.8	779^th of 2240 public elementary schools	65.2%	211	75.0	62.0	56.0	70.0	74.0	64.0	58.0	$12,119	$1,482	$10,636
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
Floral Avenue Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1530 Floral Ave S	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 534-7420	629	39	16.1	70.1%	288 (45.8%)	114 (18.1%)	198 (31.5%)	9 (1.4%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	16 (2.5%)	38.8	1375^th of 2256 public elementary schools	39.1%		33.8	1498^th of 2240 public elementary schools	33.1%	123	40.0	41.0	55.0	32.0	64.0	57.0	49.0	$10,089	$1,763	$8,326
Oscar J. Pope Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2730 Maine Ave	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2992	378	25	15.1	80.4%	93 (24.6%)	62 (16.4%)	211 (55.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	10 (2.6%)	54.2	988^th of 2256 public elementary schools	56.2%		31.5	1565^th of 2240 public elementary schools	30.1%	577	47.0	48.0	64.0	64.0	55.0	64.0	56.0	$15,455	$3,339	$12,117
Gibbons Street Pk Center	Public	PK	1860 Gibbons St E	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 535-6489	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Spessard L Holland Elementary

What schools do graduates of Spessard L Holland Elementary attend?

Students who attend Spessard L Holland Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Bartow Middle School
High : Bartow Senior High School

What district is Spessard L Holland Elementary in?

Polk

How many students attend Spessard L Holland Elementary?

In the 2023-24 school year, 769 students attended Spessard L Holland Elementary.

Is Spessard L Holland Elementary a good school?

Spessard L Holland Elementary ranks 1328^th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Spessard L Holland Elementary?

Students at Spessard L Holland Elementary are 40% White, 29% Hispanic, 25% African American, 3% Two or more races, 2% 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.