Skip to main content

Average

#3089 of 3,777 schools in FL

Bartow Senior High School

High School · POLK

1270 BROADWAY AVE S, Bartow, FL 33830

Enrollment

2,243

Student-Teacher

21.8:1

Score

5.1

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bartow

#9 of 15

public schools

Florida high schools

#436 of 748

In district

#112 of 155

POLK

About Bartow Senior High School

Bartow Senior High School serves 2,243 students in grades 9-12 in the heart of Bartow, Florida. With 103 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.8:1, providing a substantial high school experience in Polk County. Academically, Bartow Senior High has room for growth, with 48% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels.

The school ranks in the 35th percentile among Florida's high schools, reflecting opportunities for continued academic development and support for its large student body. The school draws from a diverse community where the median household income is $57,904 and median home value reaches $192,200. About one in five residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, while 17.2% of families navigate economic challenges.

This mix creates a learning environment that reflects the real-world diversity students will encounter beyond graduation. As a regular public high school serving nearly 2,250 students, Bartow Senior High offers the resources and scale that come with being one of the larger educational institutions in the area. The school sits in a town on the fringe of an urban area, giving students access to both community intimacy and broader metropolitan opportunities.

What Parents Should Know

Bartow Senior High School is a large school with 2,243 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Bartow Senior High School is 21.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress1.7Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.83 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26%
Reading/ELA Proficiency46%
Reading vs. State Avg-6.6 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)46%
vs. Expected-10.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
College Readiness9.3Exceptional30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation16.2%
IB ProgramYes
Resources & Environment3.9Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,952

Bartow Senior High School — Students at Bartow Senior High School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 46%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

56.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 37.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 47.8%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 6 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
49%
ELA
49%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
46%
2024
ELA
48%

* 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: 1.7/10.

How Bartow Senior High School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.1/10
18th percentile in FL
Academic
4.6/10
4.6/10
Growth
1.7/10
Below average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
56%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
103 teachers

Programs & Offerings

AP/IB Programs IB Programme
16.2% participation·147 IB enrolled·CRDC 2020-21

Data as of 2020-21 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

Location

1270 BROADWAY AVE S, Bartow, FL 33830

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Bartow Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. GAUSE ACADEMY OF LEADERSHIP (rated 6.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is TRANSITION SCHOOL (rated 5.0/10, 1.2 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, POLK STATE COLLEGE COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.9/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bartow, see our Bartow schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.9 mi
School Distance Rating
JEAN O'DELL LEARNING CENTER Bartow 0.1 mi 8.3
FLORAL AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bartow 0.2 mi 6.4
BARTOW MIDDLE SCHOOL Bartow 0.3 mi 5.1
COMPASS MIDDLE CHARTER SCHOOL Bartow 0.3 mi 5.2
BARTOW ELEMENTARY ACADEMY Bartow 0.6 mi 6.3
FIRST METHODIST SCHOOL INC. Bartow 0.6 mi 6.8
HOSPITAL HOMEBOUND Bartow 0.6 mi 3.5
TRANSITION SCHOOL Bartow 1.2 mi 5.0
POLK HALFWAY HOUSE Bartow 1.2 mi
WORD OF LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bartow 1.4 mi 7.6
GAUSE ACADEMY OF LEADERSHIP Bartow 1.4 mi 6.8
UNION ACADEMY Bartow 1.4 mi 5.6
POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S CENTRAL CENTER Bartow 1.4 mi 3.9
POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER Bartow 1.4 mi 3.8
JAMES E. STEPHENS ACADEMY Bartow 2.0 mi 7.9
SPESSARD L HOLLAND ELEMENTARY Bartow 4.7 mi 6.9
HIGHLAND CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Highland City 6.2 mi 7.9
VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 6.4 mi 7.4
GEORGE W. JENKINS SENIOR HIGH Lakeland 6.9 mi 4.6
POLK STATE COLLEGE COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL Lakeland 7.9 mi 4.9

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

Community Profile

The community surrounding Bartow Senior High School 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.

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BARBARA GOLEMAN SENIOR HIGH Miami Lakes, FL 5.1
COUNTRYSIDE HIGH SCHOOL Clearwater, FL 5.1
EAST BAY HIGH SCHOOL Gibsonton, FL 5.1
IMMOKALEE HIGH SCHOOL Immokalee, FL 5.1
LAKE WEIR HIGH SCHOOL Ocala, FL 5.1
MIAMI CORAL PARK SENIOR HIGH Miami, FL 5.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Bartow Senior High School

What grades does Bartow Senior High School serve?

Bartow Senior High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Bartow Senior High School?

Bartow Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,243 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Bartow Senior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Bartow Senior High School is 21.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Bartow Senior High School rank in FL?

Bartow Senior High School is ranked #3089 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Bartow Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Bartow Senior High School has a composite rating of 5.1 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Bartow Senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bartow Senior High School has 37.5% math proficiency and 47.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Bartow Senior High School a charter school?

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

Is Bartow Senior High School a Title I school?

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

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

56.2% of students at Bartow Senior High 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
35 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,296/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bartow). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,243
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
103
Free/Reduced Lunch
56.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

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

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

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.