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Average

#2700 of 3,778 schools in FL

Bartow Middle School

Middle School · POLK

550 CLOWER ST E, Bartow, FL 33830

Enrollment

999

Student-Teacher

20:1

Score

5.2

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Florida schools

#2,700 of 3,778

In Bartow

#8 of 15

public schools

In district

#87 of 155

POLK

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Bartow Middle School

5.2/10

Middle School in Bartow · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Compass Middle Charter School

4.4/10

0.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Floral Avenue Elementary School

5.8/10

0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Bartow Middle School

Bartow Middle School is a public middle school in Bartow, FL, part of POLK. Bartow Middle School serves approximately 999 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 20:1 student-teacher ratio. Bartow Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,700 of 3,778 schools in FL.

Structured state assessment records for Bartow Middle School show 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.3 pts above district
  • This school 5.2 · Average
  • District avg 4.9
  • FL avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

Test scores at Bartow Middle School sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.

40% of students at Bartow Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress6.8Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.72 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.0Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency31.3% (2024 FAST)
Reading/ELA Proficiency35.7% (2024 FAST)
Math vs. State Avg-24.4 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.7 pts
Overall Proficiency34% (2024 FAST, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)43% (model expectation from 2024 FAST)
vs. Expected-9.3 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment4.2Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,242
Chronic Absenteeism40%

Bartow Middle School — Students at Bartow Middle School score 34% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

69.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 35.9% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
52.5% (2024 FAST)
ELA Proficiency 38.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.8% (2024 FAST)

Based on 33 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2009
Math
47%
ELA
52%
2010
Math
44%
ELA
50%
2011
Math
36%
ELA
41%
2012
Math
39%
ELA
42%
2013
ELA
40%
2014
Math
30%
ELA
34%
2015
Math
32%
ELA
35%
2016
Math
29%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
35%
2018
Math
44%
ELA
39%
2019
Math
44%
ELA
39%
2020*
Math
33%
ELA
36%
2021*
Math
33%
ELA
36%
2022
Math
35.4%
ELA
32.3%
2024
Math
31.3%
ELA
35.7%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 6.8/10.

How Bartow Middle School Compares

See how Bartow Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
29th percentile in FL
Academic
4.0/10
Below Average
Growth
6.8/10
Average
Environment
4.2/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
70%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
50 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
40.0%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

550 CLOWER ST E, Bartow, FL 33830

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bartow Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. UNION ACADEMY (rated 5.5/10, 1.5 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, COMPASS MIDDLE CHARTER SCHOOL (rated 4.4/10), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Bartow, see our Bartow schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.0 mi
School Distance Rating
COMPASS MIDDLE CHARTER SCHOOL Bartow 0.0 mi 4.4
FLORAL AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bartow 0.3 mi 5.8
BARTOW SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Bartow 0.3 mi 5.5
JEAN O'DELL LEARNING CENTER Bartow 0.3 mi 8.8
HOSPITAL HOMEBOUND Bartow 0.5 mi 4.5
BARTOW ELEMENTARY ACADEMY Bartow 0.9 mi 5.8
FIRST METHODIST SCHOOL INC. Bartow 0.9 mi 6.8
POLK HALFWAY HOUSE Bartow 1.1 mi
TRANSITION SCHOOL Bartow 1.1 mi 3.5
POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S CENTRAL CENTER Bartow 1.3 mi 4.5
POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER Bartow 1.3 mi 3.5
UNION ACADEMY Bartow 1.5 mi 5.5
WORD OF LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bartow 1.6 mi 7.6
GAUSE ACADEMY OF LEADERSHIP Bartow 1.7 mi 6.4
JAMES E. STEPHENS ACADEMY Bartow 2.3 mi 4.6
SPESSARD L HOLLAND ELEMENTARY Bartow 5.1 mi 6.8
HIGHLAND CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Highland City 6.5 mi 7.8
VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 6.7 mi 8.8
GEORGE W. JENKINS SENIOR HIGH Lakeland 7.2 mi 5.6
EAGLE LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Eagle Lake 8.0 mi 4.4

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33830 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,636

Median Home Value

$207,900

Median Rent

$1,017/mo

Population

32,738

College Educated

18.4%

Homeownership

68.5%

Avg Commute

27.9 min

Poverty Rate

18.3%

Median Age

36.2

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BAIR MIDDLE SCHOOL Sunrise, FL 5.2
DR MONA JAIN MIDDLE SCHOOL E. Bradenton, FL 5.2
GREENWOOD LAKES MIDDLE SCHOOL Lake Mary, FL 5.2
MEADOW WOODS MIDDLE Orlando, FL 5.2
RANSOM MIDDLE SCHOOL Cantonment, FL 5.2
SOMERSET ACADEMY CANYONS MIDDLE SCHOOL Boynton Beach, FL 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bartow Middle School

What grades does Bartow Middle School serve?

Bartow Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Bartow Middle School?

Bartow Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 999 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bartow Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bartow Middle School is 20:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bartow Middle School rank in FL?

Bartow Middle School ranks #2,700 of 3,778 schools in FL.

What is Bartow Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bartow Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bartow Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Bartow Middle School has 36% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 38% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Bartow Middle School a charter school?

No, Bartow Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Bartow Middle School a Title I school?

No, Bartow Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bartow Middle School?

69.9% of students at Bartow Middle School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
999
Student-Teacher Ratio
20:1
Teachers (FTE)
50
Free/Reduced Lunch
69.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Polk County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
40.0%

District

POLK
District Enrollment
111,041
Schools in District
167
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,242
District Rank
#87 of 155

How we rate schools

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