Best Public Schools in Zip Code 33850

The 33850 zip code area in Polk County, Florida is home to 5 schools serving students from elementary through high school, including 1 alternative school. While the overall district performance is below average, a closer look at the individual schools reveals stark differences in academic outcomes and other key metrics.

The standout school in the area is Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred, a middle school that outperforms the Polk district and state averages on several end-of-course exams. In contrast, the other schools in the area, including Discovery High School and Karen M. Siegel Academy, struggle to meet state and district benchmarks, despite the alternative school's very low student-teacher ratio and high per-student spending.

Across the schools, chronic absenteeism rates are a significant concern, ranging from 29.2% at Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred to 72% at Karen M. Siegel Academy. These disparities in attendance, test scores, and other metrics suggest potential equity issues within the Polk school district and highlight the need for targeted interventions to address the unique challenges faced by each school in the 33850 zip code area.