New Beginnings High School

Summary:

New Beginnings High School is a public charter high school serving grades 6-12 in Winter Haven, Florida, with a student population of 753. The school is part of the Polk School District, which is ranked 57 out of 68 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite serving a diverse student body, New Beginnings High School has consistently ranked in the bottom 20% of Florida high schools, with a 0-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school has faced significant challenges, including extremely low graduation rates (ranging from 10.7% to 24.1% over the past five years), high chronic absenteeism (rising from 14.9% to 34.3% in recent years), and extremely low academic performance (with only 9-15% of students proficient in English Language Arts and Math, compared to 45-55% statewide).

In comparison, nearby schools in the Polk School District, such as Tenoroc High School, Haines City Senior High School, and Winter Haven Senior High School, all outperform New Beginnings High School on key metrics. These schools have higher statewide rankings and star ratings from SchoolDigger, suggesting that the challenges faced by New Beginnings High School are unique and require a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to address the school's resource constraints, staffing issues, and overall educational environment.

Detail:

Public, Charter 6-12

250 Magnolia Ave SW
Winter Haven, FL 33880

(863) 268-5666

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
739^th of 807 Florida High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,631

Student/teacher ratio: 75.3

Number of students: 753

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

44.2%

African American:

29.1%

White:

22.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 65.5%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details New Beginnings High School is not ranked due for the most recent year due to insufficient test score data. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2023 the calculated Average Standard Score was 7.6. (See more...)

Compare Details New Beginnings High School ranks worse than 91.6% of high schools in Florida. It also ranks 25^th among 26 ranked high schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 3.89. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at New Beginnings High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

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 New Beginnings High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (44.2%), African American (29.1%), White (22.3%). (See more...)

Compare Details 65.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at New Beginnings High School is 75.3. 32 high schools in the Polk School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare New Beginnings High School employs 10 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at New Beginnings High School is $8,631, which is the 17^th highest among 26 high schools in the Polk School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

New Beginnings High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks New Beginnings High School 739^th of 807 Florida public high schools. (See New Beginnings High School 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 New Beginnings High School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile	SchoolDigger Rating
2017	2.61	1015^th	1031	1.6%
2023	7.60	1101^st	1177	6.5%

See the entire list of Florida High School Rankings!

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

Rank History for New Beginnings High School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	FL State Percentile
2013	1.00	648^th	648	0.0%
2014	3.88	638^th	687	7.1%
2016	3.78	650^th	693	6.2%
2017	3.82	657^th	714	8.0%
2018	2.78	675^th	716	5.7%
2019	1.87	711^th	734	3.1%
2021	5.06	673^rd	746	9.8%
2022	3.34	716^th	774	7.5%
2023	4.11	725^th	792	8.5%
2024	3.89	739^th	807	8.4%

See the entire list of Florida High 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 New Beginnings High School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2012	86	133	2	65	0	0	3	289
2013	93	181	1	84	1	0	5	365
2014	68	145	1	87	2	0	5	308
2015	82	198	0	86	1	1	14	382
2016	82	214	1	106	6	0	10	419
2017	172	303	2	211	5	0	21	714
2018	249	353	2	317	4	1	32	958
2019	186	294	4	260	5	2	22	773
2020	258	375	2	332	5	1	34	1007
2021	205	226	2	283	3	1	25	745
2022	167	206	2	273	3	0	20	671
2023	168	219	5	333	1	0	27	753

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 New Beginnings High School

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2012	289	19.0	15.2	72.3
2013	365	16.0	22.8	64.9
2014	308	16.0	19.2	62
2015	382	14.0	27.2	61.5
2016	419	16.0	26.1	52.3
2017	714	29.0	24.6	49.3
2018	958	30.0	31.9	50.5
2019	773	12.0	64.4	49.8
2020	1007	13.0	77.4	50
2021	745	13.0	57.3	52.6
2022	671	17.0	39.4	61.8
2023	753	10.0	75.3	65.5

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 New Beginnings High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2012	289	19.0	15.2	72.3
2013	365	16.0	22.8	64.9
2014	308	16.0	19.2	62
2015	382	14.0	27.2	61.5
2016	419	16.0	26.1	52.3
2017	714	29.0	24.6	49.3
2018	958	30.0	31.9	50.5
2019	773	12.0	64.4	49.8
2020	1007	13.0	77.4	50
2021	745	13.0	57.3	52.6
2022	671	17.0	39.4	61.8
2023	753	10.0	75.3	65.5

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 New Beginnings High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$300 (4.9%)	$5,851 (95.1%)	$6,151
2019	$337 (5.0%)	$6,401 (95.0%)	$6,737
2020	$351 (4.7%)	$7,194 (95.3%)	$7,545
2021	$952 (11.9%)	$7,060 (88.1%)	$8,012
2022	$736 (8.3%)	$8,145 (91.7%)	$8,881
2023	$668 (7.7%)	$7,963 (92.3%)	$8,631

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on New Beginnings High 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 711^th of 734 High schools	Ranks 725^th of 792 High schools	5.3%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
9th Grade English Language Arts (New Beginnings High School)	8	19	11%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	45	44	1%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	55	51	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (New Beginnings High School)	0	7	7%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	42	38	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	53	49	4%
End of Course Biology 1 (New Beginnings High School)	4	5	1%
End of Course Biology 1 (Polk)	54	50	4%
End of Course Biology 1 (Florida)	67	63	4%
End of Course US History (New Beginnings High School)	15	11	4%
End of Course US History (Polk)	58	50	8%
End of Course US History (Florida)	70	63	7%
End of Course Algebra 1 (New Beginnings High School)	5	2	3%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Polk)	51	41	10%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (New Beginnings High School)	5	9	4%
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	773	753	2.6%
African American	294	219	25.5%
American Indian	5	1	80%
Asian	4	5	25%
Hispanic	260	333	28.1%
Pacific Islander	2	0	100%
White	186	168	9.7%
Two or More Races	22	27	22.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	49.8%	65.5%	15.7%

Schools Near New Beginnings High 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)	EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Biology 1 (2024)	EOC US History (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 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th 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	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
New Beginnings High School	Public, Charter	6-12	250 Magnolia Ave SW	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 268-5666	753	10	75.3	65.5%	168 (22.3%)	219 (29.1%)	333 (44.2%)	5 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (3.6%)	3.9	739^th of 807 public high schools	8.4%		4.1	725^th of 792 public high schools	8.5%	14		9.0	12.0	9.0			0.0	13.0	0.0	12.0	15.0	$8,631	$668	$7,963
Chain Of Lakes Collegiate High	Public, Charter	11-12	999 Avenue H NE	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 298-6800	328	8	41.0	0.9%	153 (46.6%)	56 (17.1%)	92 (28.0%)	18 (5.5%)	1 (0.3%)	2 (0.6%)	6 (1.8%)								(n/a)												$8,402	$1,459	$6,944
Winter Haven Senior High School	Public	9-12	600 6th St SE	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5330	2,467	116	21.2	50.5%	789 (32.0%)	740 (30.0%)	825 (33.4%)	42 (1.7%)	8 (0.3%)	5 (0.2%)	58 (2.4%)	37.4	447^th of 807 public high schools	44.6%		27.6	527^th of 792 public high schools	33.5%	80			48.0	43.0				26.0	37.0	61.0	64.0	$8,493	$1,373	$7,121
Auburndale Senior High School	Public	9-12	1 Bloodhound Trl	Auburndale	33823	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 965-6200	1,716	74	23.1	52.7%	710 (41.4%)	380 (22.1%)	545 (31.8%)	19 (1.1%)	6 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	55 (3.2%)	18.9	644^th of 807 public high schools	20.2%		21.2	592^nd of 792 public high schools	25.3%	52			34.0	37.0				18.0	28.0	45.0	37.0	$8,341	$1,302	$7,039
Discovery High School	Public, Charter	9-12	1000 N Buena Vista Dr	Lake Alfred	33850	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 268-7178	911	45	20.2	71.7%	292 (32.1%)	153 (16.8%)	435 (47.7%)	9 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.5%)	17 (1.9%)	28.5	559^th of 807 public high schools	30.7%		32.6	474^th of 792 public high schools	40.2%	85			42.0	43.0				24.0	26.0	51.0	62.0	$9,992	$1,611	$8,381
Ridge Teen Parent Program	Public	6-12	7700 Lucerne Park Rd	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 299-2512	8	0			1 (12.5%)	4 (50.0%)	3 (37.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Ridge Technical Academy	Public	6-12	7700 State Road 544	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 419-3060	84	8	10.5	53.6%	29 (34.5%)	13 (15.5%)	40 (47.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.4%)	25.2	586^th of 807 public high schools	27.4%		20.3	599^th of 792 public high schools	24.4%	13									18.0		53.0	$13,158	$1,603	$11,554
Lake Region High School	Public	9-12	1995 Thunder Rd	Eagle Lake	33839	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 297-3099	1,545	59	26.1	61.0%	365 (23.6%)	416 (26.9%)	722 (46.7%)	12 (0.8%)	4 (0.3%)	2 (0.1%)	24 (1.6%)	20.5	635^th of 807 public high schools	21.3%		13.4	651^st of 792 public high schools	17.8%	16			35.0	42.0				15.0	21.0	41.0	50.0	$9,136	$1,724	$7,411
Don E Woods Opportunity Center	Public	6-12	213 Lake Ave E	Dundee	33838	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 421-3325	56	11	5.0	76.8%	12 (21.4%)	19 (33.9%)	23 (41.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (3.6%)	3	760^th of 807 public high schools	5.8%		3.2	751^st of 792 public high schools	5.2%	9	27.0	13.0	8.0	0.0	7.0	17.0	7.0	7.0
Tenoroc High School	Public	9-12	4905 Saddle Creek Rd	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 614-9183	1,127	51	22.0	63.2%	444 (39.4%)	198 (17.6%)	445 (39.5%)	3 (0.3%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	33 (2.9%)	21.3	631^st of 807 public high schools	21.8%		20.4	597^th of 792 public high schools	24.6%	34			35.0	29.0				16.0	19.0	45.0	59.0	$9,773	$1,621	$8,152

Frequently Asked Questions about New Beginnings High School

Is New Beginnings High School a good school?

New Beginnings High School ranks in the bottom 8.4% of Florida high schools.

What district is New Beginnings High School in?

Polk

What is the racial makeup of New Beginnings High School?

Students at New Beginnings High School are 44% Hispanic, 29% African American, 22% White, 4% Two or more races.

How many students attend New Beginnings High School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 753 students attended New Beginnings High School.

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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.