5.8 avg / 10

Best Schools in Bartow, Florida

19 schools · 6 Elementary · 3 Middle · 6 High · 4 Other

Last updated: May 2026

Public: 16

Private: 3

Districts: 1

Avg Rating: 5.8/10

Estimated Scores: 18%

Family Snapshot

At a glance

Avg school rating: 5.8/10
Median household income: $62,636
Median home value: $207,900
Bachelor's degree or higher: 18%
Avg commute: 28 min
Owner-occupied homes: 69%

How Bartow compares

Florida rank

#239 of 280

cities by avg. school score

Vs. state average

-0.6

below Florida avg (6.4)

Median household income

$63k

84% of Florida median

Schools in this city

17

About Schools in Bartow, Florida

Bartow, Florida is home to 19 schools, including 16 public schools and 3 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 6 high schools.

With an average rating of 5.8 out of 10, schools in Bartow show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which measures academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

The highest-performing school in Bartow is Jean O'dell Learning Center with a composite score of 8.3/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.

Bartow is served by 1 school district: POLK. These districts collectively serve 111,041 students.

Bartow's community shows 18% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $62,636. The poverty rate in the area is 18.3%.

Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.

Filter by Level: All Levels (19) Elementary (6) Middle (3) High (6)

Filter by Type: All Types (19) Public (16) Private (3)

Filter by Rating: All Ratings (19) Academics (19) Growth (11) Diversity (14) Resources (15)

Filter by ZIP: 33830 (18)

Elementary Schools

6 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	JAMES E. STEPHENS ACADEMY 328 students · Pre-K–5th	328	Pre-K–5th	7.9
2	SPESSARD L HOLLAND ELEMENTARY 769 students · Pre-K–5th	769	Pre-K–5th	6.9
3	FLORAL AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 629 students · Pre-K–5th	629	Pre-K–5th	6.4
4	BARTOW ELEMENTARY ACADEMY 531 students · Kindergarten–5th	531	Kindergarten–5th	6.3
5	BELLA CITTA 1,111 students · Pre-K–7th	1,111	Pre-K–7th	4.3
Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.
1	FIRST METHODIST SCHOOL INC. Private 75 students · Pre-K–8th	75	Pre-K–8th	Not Rated

Middle Schools

3 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	UNION ACADEMY 389 students · 6th–8th	389	6th–8th	5.6
2	COMPASS MIDDLE CHARTER SCHOOL 161 students · 5th–8th	161	5th–8th	5.2
3	BARTOW MIDDLE SCHOOL 999 students · 6th–8th	999	6th–8th	5.1

High Schools

6 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	GAUSE ACADEMY OF LEADERSHIP 82 students · 6th–12th	82	6th–12th	6.8
2	BARTOW SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL 2,243 students · 9th–12th	2,243	9th–12th	5.1
3	TRANSITION SCHOOL 41 students · 12th–12th	41	12th–12th	5.0
4	POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S CENTRAL CENTER 36 students · 7th–12th	36	7th–12th	3.9
5	POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER 49 students · 5th–12th	49	5th–12th	3.8
6	POLK HALFWAY HOUSE 24 students · 5th–12th	24	5th–12th	—

Other Schools

4 schools

#	School	Enrollment	Grades	Rating
1	JEAN O'DELL LEARNING CENTER 78 students · Pre-K–12th	78	Pre-K–12th	8.3
2	HOSPITAL HOMEBOUND 151 students · Pre-K–12th	151	Pre-K–12th	3.5
Private Schools 2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types.
1	WORD OF LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Private 64 students · Kindergarten–12th	64	Kindergarten–12th	Not Rated
2	FAMILY LIFE HOMESCHOOL Private 14 students · 1st–12th	14	1st–12th	Not Rated

Schools in Bartow

Bartow, Florida · 19 schools

Community Demographics

Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code

Median Income

$62,636

Median Home Value

$207,900

Median Rent

$1,017/mo

Population

32,738

College Educated

18%

Homeownership

69%

Avg Commute

28 min

Poverty Rate

18.3%

Community Profile

Bartow has a median household income of $62,636. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $207,900, with a median rent of $1,017/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.3%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Quick Facts

State: Florida
Total Schools: 19
Elementary: 6
Middle: 3
High: 6
Districts: 1
Avg Rating: 5.8/10

Resources

🔍 Google "Bartow schools" 🏫 GreatSchools Bartow 📊 Niche Bartow Rankings 📍 Google Maps: Schools

School District

POLK

167 schools · 111,041 students

Nearby Cities

Highland City (1 school)

5 mi

Eagle Lake (4 schools)

Cape Coral (1 school)

8 mi

Winterhaven (1 school)

10 mi

Winter Haven (32 schools)

10 mi

Mulberry (7 schools)

9 mi

Fort Meade (2 schools)

11 mi

Auburndale (9 schools)

12 mi

Lakeland (80 schools)

12 mi

Lake Alfred (6 schools)

14 mi

Lake Wales (14 schools)

Other Major Cities in Florida

Top metros statewide by school count.

Miami 497 schools Orlando 299 schools Jacksonville 296 schools Tampa 239 schools Hialeah 118 schools

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about schools in Bartow, Florida

How many schools are in Bartow, Florida?

Bartow has 19 schools, including 16 public and 3 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.

What is the average school rating in Bartow, Florida?

The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Bartow is 5.8 out of 10, based on academic achievement, student growth, equity, and school environment.

What is the top-ranked school in Bartow, Florida?

The top-ranked school in Bartow on MySchoolScout is Jean O'dell Learning Center with a composite score of 8.3/10.

What is the best elementary school in Bartow, Florida?

The top-ranked elementary school in Bartow on MySchoolScout is James E. Stephens Academy with a composite score of 7.9/10.

What is the best middle school in Bartow, Florida?

The top-ranked middle school in Bartow on MySchoolScout is Union Academy with a composite score of 5.6/10.

What is the best high school in Bartow, Florida?

The top-ranked high school in Bartow on MySchoolScout is Gause Academy of Leadership with a composite score of 6.8/10.

How many school districts serve Bartow, Florida?

Bartow is served by 1 school district: Polk.

What is the education level in Bartow, Florida?

According to Census data, 18% of adults in Bartow have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the median income in Bartow, Florida?

The median household income in Bartow is approximately $62,636 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.

Are there private schools in Bartow, Florida?

Yes, Bartow has 3 private schools alongside 16 public schools. The top-rated private school is Word of Life Christian School with a score of 7.6/10.

What is the student-teacher ratio in Bartow, Florida?

The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Bartow is 19.3:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.

How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Bartow, Florida?

MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score based on four components: Academic Achievement, Student Growth, Equity, and School Environment.