Best Schools in Bartow, Florida
19 schools · 6 Elementary · 3 Middle · 6 High · 4 Other
Choosing a school in Bartow?
Use this page to compare every school in Bartow by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
James E. Stephens Academy
Elementary · Polk. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Bartow Elementary Academy
Elementary · Polk. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
Union Academy
Middle · Polk. Ranked from real test data; compare it on the map and table below.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Bartow for 2026 are James E. Stephens Academy (8.6/10), Bartow Elementary Academy (7.8/10), and Union Academy (7.7/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 14 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
19
16 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$207,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Schools
19
16 public · 3 private
Avg Score
5.4
out of 10
Median Home
$207,900
home value · ACS
District
1
serving the city
Rates 8.6/10 despite 81% of students being economically disadvantaged. That's about 2.7 points higher than its student-poverty level predicts. Roughly as clean a case of strong results without an affluent-ZIP price tag as you'll find among Bartow schools.
Top-Rated Schools in Bartow
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (Top 10 of 14 rated schools; 19 schools in the directory). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | James E. Stephens Academy | 8.6 / 10 |
| 2 | Bartow Elementary Academy | 7.8 / 10 |
| 3 | Union Academy | 7.7 / 10 |
| 4 | Jean O'dell Learning Center | 6.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Bartow Middle School | 5.6 / 10 |
| 6 | Bella Citta | 5.6 / 10 |
| 7 | Bartow Senior High School | 5.4 / 10 |
| 8 | Gause Academy of Leadership | 5.0 / 10 |
| 9 | Spessard L Holland Elementary | 3.7 / 10 |
| 10 | Floral Avenue Elementary School | 3.5 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 5.4/10
- Median household income
- $62,636
- Median home value
- $207,900
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 18%
- Avg commute
- 28 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 69%
24% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Bartow compares
Florida rank
#264 of 286
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
-0.9
below Florida avg (6.3)
Median household income
$63k
84% of Florida median
Schools in this city
17
Polk runs Bartow's public schools
16 public schools. Polk is the only district on the page.
Every assigned public school in Bartow is a Polk school (16 of 16).
Among 14 public schools with real test data, composite scores run from 3.0 to 8.6 — the spread is inside Bartow, not a citywide average.
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 5.4 out of 10, schools in Bartow show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale. The composite blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Bartow is James E. Stephens Academy with a composite score of 8.6/10, 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.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 328 students · Pre-K–5th | 8.6 | ||
| 2 | 531 students · Kindergarten–5th | 7.8 | ||
| 3 | 1,111 students · Pre-K–7th | 5.6 | ||
| 4 | 769 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.7 | ||
| 5 | 629 students · Pre-K–5th | 3.5 | ||
Private Schools1 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 86 students · Pre-K–8th | Not Rated | ||
Middle Schools
3 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 389 students · 6th–8th | 7.7 |
| 2 | 999 students · 6th–8th | 5.6 |
| 3 | 161 students · 5th–8th | 3.5 |
High Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2,243 students · 9th–12th | 5.4 |
| 2 | 82 students · 6th–12th | 5.0 |
| 3 | 41 students · 12th–12th | 4.8 |
| 4 | 36 students · 7th–12th | 3.3 |
| 5 | 49 students · 5th–12th | 3.0 |
| 6 | 24 students · 5th–12th | — |
Other Schools
4 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 78 students · Pre-K–12th | 6.9 | ||
| 2 | 151 students · Pre-K–12th | 3.2 | ||
Private Schools2 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | 105 students · Kindergarten–12th | Not Rated | ||
| 2 | Family Life HomeschoolPrivate 18 students · Kindergarten–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.
Schools by Level
- State
- Florida
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 3
- High
- 6
- Other
- 4
Resources
School District
Other Major Cities in Florida
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently 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 5.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Bartow, Florida?
The top-ranked school in Bartow on MySchoolScout is James E. Stephens Academy with a composite score of 8.6/10.
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 8.6/10.
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 7.7/10.
What is the best high school in Bartow, Florida?
The top-ranked high school in Bartow on MySchoolScout is Bartow Senior High School with a composite score of 5.4/10.
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 8.1/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Bartow, Florida?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Bartow is 19.2:1. 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 built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
Related reading
- AI in Schools Keeps Making Headlines. Here's What's Actually Going On.ai in education
- Best States for Public Schools in 2026: A Complete Rankingdata insights
- Charter Schools vs Public Schools: What the Data Actually Shows (2026)school choice
- The $1,700 Loophole: How the New Federal School Choice Tax Credit Lowers Private Tuition Billsschool choice
- The New School Choice Map: Is Your State Participating in the Federal Tuition Tax Credit?data insights
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings and parent guides, free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Florida Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.