Average
#1859 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 49% in state
Bill Duncan Opportunity Center
High School · POLK
3333 WINTER LAKE RD, Lakeland, FL 33803
Enrollment
85
Student-Teacher
8.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
85
Student-Teacher
8.5:1
Score
6.5
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lakeland
#26 of 58
public schools
Florida high schools
#133 of 748
In district
#64 of 155
POLK
School environment
9.7 / 10
Exceptional
About Bill Duncan Opportunity Center
Bill Duncan Opportunity Center is an alternative high school located in Lakeland, Florida, on Winter Lake Road. Serving students from sixth to twelfth grade, the school has a small enrollment of 85 students and maintains a low student-to-teacher ratio of 8.5:1 with ten full-time equivalent teachers. The school’s academic performance is currently at the 20th percentile among Florida schools, ranking it as number 3042 out of 3816 statewide, with room for improvement in both ELA and math proficiency levels.
Bill Duncan Opportunity Center focuses on providing a supportive educational environment tailored to its diverse student population. The school’s rural setting near the town offers a unique atmosphere conducive to personalized learning experiences.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 85 students, Bill Duncan Opportunity Center is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.
While current test scores at Bill Duncan Opportunity Center are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.
With a student-teacher ratio of 8.5:1, Bill Duncan Opportunity Center offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Bill Duncan Opportunity Center — Students at Bill Duncan Opportunity Center score 18% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
74.1%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 11 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 Bill Duncan Opportunity Center Compares
See how Bill Duncan Opportunity Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has improved from 10% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 10% (2019) to 10% (2021).
Location
3333 WINTER LAKE RD, Lakeland, FL 33803
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Bill Duncan Opportunity Center may also want to explore other high schools in the area. FRESH START COMMUNITY SCHOOL (rated 5.1/10, 2.9 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is POLK STATE COLLEGE COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.9/10, 0.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, PATHWAYS SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE (rated 4.9/10, 3.1 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lakeland, see our Lakeland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.1 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33803 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,180
Median Home Value
$236,200
Median Rent
$1,337/mo
Population
29,058
College Educated
33.8%
Homeownership
62.2%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Median Age
42.3
Community Profile
The community surrounding Bill Duncan Opportunity Center has a median household income of $63,180. It is an area where 34% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $236,200, with a median rent of $1,337/month. The area has a poverty rate of 12.7%. The average commute for residents is 22 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 |
|---|---|
| CENTER ACADEMY Coral Springs, FL | 6.5 |
| PINELLAS SECONDARY SCHOOL Pinellas Park, FL | 6.5 |
| SOMERSET ISLAND PREP Key West, FL | 6.5 |
| TURNING POINTS ACADEMY West Palm Beach, FL | 6.5 |
| IR PREP Vero Beach, FL | 6.4 |
| YESHIVA TIFERES TORAH OF BOCA RATON Boca Raton, FL | 6.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Bill Duncan Opportunity Center
What grades does Bill Duncan Opportunity Center serve?
Bill Duncan Opportunity Center serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend Bill Duncan Opportunity Center?
Bill Duncan Opportunity Center has an enrollment of approximately 85 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Bill Duncan Opportunity Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Bill Duncan Opportunity Center is 8.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Bill Duncan Opportunity Center rank in FL?
Bill Duncan Opportunity Center is ranked #1859 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Bill Duncan Opportunity Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Bill Duncan Opportunity Center has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Bill Duncan Opportunity Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Bill Duncan Opportunity Center has 13.0% math proficiency and 10.9% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Bill Duncan Opportunity Center a charter school?
No, Bill Duncan Opportunity Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Bill Duncan Opportunity Center a Title I school?
No, Bill Duncan Opportunity Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Bill Duncan Opportunity Center?
74.1% of students at Bill Duncan Opportunity Center 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
- Average (575/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 85
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 8.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 74.1%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (863) 499-2860
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #64 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.
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