Average
#2267 of 3,777 schools in FL
Belmont Academy
School · COLUMBIA
1476 SW WALTER AVE, Lake City, FL 32024
Enrollment
823
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Enrollment
823
Student-Teacher
20.6:1
Score
6.0
Grades
Pre-K – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lake City
#10 of 13
public schools
Florida schools
#120 of 260
In district
#11 of 15
COLUMBIA
Equity
9.6 / 10
Exceptional
About Belmont Academy
Belmont Academy stands out as a high-performing charter school serving 823 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade in Lake City, Florida. This regular public charter school has earned impressive recognition, ranking in the 90th percentile statewide at #365 out of 3,816 Florida schools with a strong MySchoolScout rating of 8.4 out of 10. The school demonstrates exceptional academic achievement, particularly in mathematics where 90% of students score proficient or above across grade levels.
Reading and English language arts performance is also solid, with 77% of students meeting proficiency standards. With 40 full-time equivalent teachers serving the student body, Belmont Academy maintains a student-teacher ratio of 20.6 to 1, allowing for reasonable class sizes given its comprehensive grade span. As a charter school, Belmont Academy offers families an alternative educational approach while maintaining public school accessibility.
The school's academic score of 9.6 out of 10 reflects its commitment to educational excellence and student achievement across all grade levels. Belmont Academy is situated in Columbia County's rural landscape, serving a community where the median household income is $63,013 and home values average $179,600, providing students with a small-town educational environment.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Belmont Academy is 20.6:1, 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.
Belmont Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Located in a rural area, Belmont Academy may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Belmont Academy — Students at Belmont Academy score 76% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 56%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
37.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 17 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* 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: 8.0/10.
How Belmont Academy Compares
See how Belmont Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 85% (2019) to 72% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 85% (2019) to 80% (2021).
Location
1476 SW WALTER AVE, Lake City, FL 32024
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Belmont Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. CAMBRIDGE PREP ACADEMY (rated 8.1/10, 5.9 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is COVENANT COMMUNITY SCHOOL (rated 6.6/10, 6.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, NORTH FLORIDA ARTS & SCIENCES ACADEMY (rated 6.4/10, 9.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Lake City, see our Lake City schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| COLUMBIA CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake City | 1.0 mi | 8.5 |
| WESTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake City | 5.6 mi | 7.5 |
| COLUMBIA HIGH SCHOOL Lake City | 5.8 mi | 3.6 |
| CAMBRIDGE PREP ACADEMY Lake City | 5.9 mi | 8.1 |
| NEW GENERATION SCHOOL Lake City | 6.3 mi | 5.6 |
| COVENANT COMMUNITY SCHOOL Lake City | 6.5 mi | 6.6 |
| EPIPHANY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lake City | 6.6 mi | 8.2 |
| FAITH ACADEMY Lake City | 6.8 mi | — |
| SUMMERS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake City | 6.9 mi | 6.6 |
| LAKE CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL Lake City | 7.4 mi | 6.0 |
| LAKE CITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lake City | 7.2 mi | 5.7 |
| JOY EXPLOSION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lake City | 7.3 mi | — |
| PINEMOUNT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake City | 7.9 mi | 6.9 |
| RICHARDSON SIXTH GRADE ACADEMY Lake City | 8.1 mi | 6.4 |
| PREK ESE Lake City | 8.2 mi | — |
| BEHAVIORAL LEARNING ACADEMY Lake City | 8.3 mi | — |
| COLUMBIA VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM (DISTRICT PROVIDED) Lake City | 8.3 mi | — |
| PATHWAYS ACADEMY Lake City | 8.5 mi | 6.2 |
| MELROSE PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake City | 8.4 mi | 5.8 |
| NORTH FLORIDA ARTS & SCIENCES ACADEMY Lake City | 9.0 mi | 6.4 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 32024 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,066
Median Home Value
$201,700
Median Rent
$980/mo
Population
20,644
College Educated
16%
Homeownership
85.3%
Avg Commute
26 min
Poverty Rate
14.6%
Median Age
44.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Belmont Academy has a median household income of $62,066. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $201,700, with a median rent of $980/month. The area has a poverty rate of 14.6%. The average commute for residents is 26 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 |
|---|---|
| BABCOCK NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL Babcock Ranch, FL | 6.0 |
| BURNS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CHARTER SCHOOL Oak Hill, FL | 6.0 |
| JUPITER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Jupiter, FL | 6.0 |
| DIVINE SAVIOR ACADEMY Doral, FL | 5.9 |
| MORNINGSIDE ACADEMY Port St. Lucie, FL | 5.9 |
| WESTMINSTER ACADEMY Fort Lauderdale, FL | 6.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Belmont Academy
What grades does Belmont Academy serve?
Belmont Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 12th.
How many students attend Belmont Academy?
Belmont Academy has an enrollment of approximately 823 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Belmont Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Belmont Academy is 20.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Belmont Academy rank in FL?
Belmont Academy is ranked #2267 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Belmont Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Belmont Academy has a composite rating of 6.0 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 Belmont Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Belmont Academy has 86.9% math proficiency and 78.3% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Belmont Academy a charter school?
Yes, Belmont Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Belmont Academy a Title I school?
No, Belmont Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Belmont Academy?
37.2% of students at Belmont Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- County Safety
- Elevated (868/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 12th
- Enrollment
- 823
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 40
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 37.2%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Distant Rural
- County
- Columbia County
- Phone
- (386) 487-0487
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
COLUMBIA- District Enrollment
- 9,785
- Schools in District
- 19
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,472
- District Rank
- #11 of 15
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.
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