Skip to main content

Excellent

#715 of 3,778 schools in FL

Top 19% in state

Chain of Lakes Elementary School

Elementary School · POLK

7001 STATE HIGHWAY 653, Winter Haven, FL 33884

Enrollment

1,008

Student-Teacher

15:1

Score

8.1

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Florida schools

#715 of 3,778

In Winter Haven

#2 of 19

public schools

In district

#21 of 155

POLK

Equity

8.6 / 10

Excellent

School shortlistprofile + nearby

Shortlisting around Chain of Lakes Elementary School?

Use this profile as one decision point, then compare nearby options, source confidence, and commute fit before picking a neighborhood around it.

Shortlist starter

Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.

Chain of Lakes Elementary School

8.1/10

Elementary School in Winter Haven · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Garden Grove Elementary School

5.6/10

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

Wahneta Elementary School

6.0/10

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

About Chain of Lakes Elementary School

Chain of Lakes Elementary School is a public elementary school in Winter Haven, FL, part of POLK. Chain of Lakes Elementary School serves approximately 1,008 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15:1 student-teacher ratio. Chain of Lakes Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 out of 10 and ranks #715 of 3,778 schools in FL.

Structured state assessment records for Chain of Lakes Elementary School show 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.9 pts above district
  • This school 8.1 · Excellent
  • District avg 6.2
  • FL avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

44% of students at Chain of Lakes Elementary 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 Progress8.4Excellent50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.22 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics8.5Excellent30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67.7% (2024 FAST)
Reading/ELA Proficiency61% (2024 FAST)
Math vs. State Avg+7.2 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+5.8 pts
Overall Proficiency64% (2024 FAST, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)50% (model expectation from 2024 FAST)
vs. Expected+14.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile77th
Resources & Environment6.5Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio15:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,242
Chronic Absenteeism43.7%

Chain of Lakes Elementary School — Students at Chain of Lakes Elementary School score 64% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

51.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 68.7% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
58.1% (2024 FAST)
ELA Proficiency 62.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.2% (2024 FAST)

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

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2009
Math
71%
ELA
66%
2010
Math
71%
ELA
65%
2011
Math
64%
ELA
63%
2012
Math
68%
ELA
64%
2013
ELA
63%
2014
Math
68%
ELA
57%
2015
Math
70%
ELA
63%
2016
Math
77%
ELA
68%
2017
Math
72%
ELA
64%
2018
Math
74%
ELA
67%
2019
Math
74%
ELA
67%
2020*
Math
63%
ELA
60%
2021*
Math
63%
ELA
60%
2022
Math
60.9%
ELA
57.5%
2024
Math
67.7%
ELA
61%

* 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: 8.4/10.

How Chain of Lakes Elementary School Compares

See how Chain of Lakes Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
8.1/10
81th percentile in FL
Academic
8.5/10
Excellent
Growth
8.4/10
Excellent
Environment
6.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
52%
Teaching Staff
15:1 student-teacher ratio
67 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
43.7%

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

7001 STATE HIGHWAY 653, Winter Haven, FL 33884

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Chain of Lakes Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FRANK E. BRIGHAM ACADEMY (rated 8.5/10, 5.0 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is JOHN SNIVELY ELEMENTARY (rated 7.0/10, 3.9 miles away, in nearby Eloise), a more accessible option. Additionally, PINEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.4/10, 4.3 miles away, in nearby Eagle Lake), a more accessible option. For more schools in Winter Haven, see our Winter Haven schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.3 mi
School Distance Rating
GARDEN GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven 2.6 mi 5.6
WAHNETA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven 2.7 mi 6.0
FAMILY LIFE HOMESCHOOL Bartow 3.4 mi
VALOR CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Winter Haven 3.8 mi 5.4
JOHN SNIVELY ELEMENTARY Eloise 3.9 mi 7.0
PINEWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Eagle Lake 4.3 mi 6.4
WINTER HAVEN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Winter Haven 4.7 mi 4.9
WINTER HAVEN ADVENTIST ACADEMY Winter Haven 4.7 mi 4.5
THE VANGUARD SCHOOL Lake Wales 4.5 mi 9.2
ELBERT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven 4.9 mi 4.0
LAKE REGION HIGH SCHOOL Eagle Lake 4.6 mi 3.7
FRANK E. BRIGHAM ACADEMY Winter Haven 5.0 mi 8.5
OVELL'S CHRISITIAN ACADEMY Winter Haven 5.0 mi
LANGUAGE & LITERACY ACADEMY FOR LEARNING Winter Haven 5.1 mi 4.4
DENISON MIDDLE SCHOOL Winter Haven 5.2 mi 3.3
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Winter Haven 5.2 mi 6.1
BETHEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Eagle Lake 4.9 mi
FUTURE SCHOLARS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Winter Haven 5.3 mi 7.6
FUTURE SCHOLARS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Winterhaven 5.4 mi 7.9
LAKE SHIPP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven 5.3 mi 5.0

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33884 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$70,516

Median Home Value

$269,400

Median Rent

$1,523/mo

Population

36,395

College Educated

28.9%

Homeownership

76.1%

Avg Commute

27.2 min

Poverty Rate

11.8%

Median Age

45.3

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
BAY MEADOWS ELEMENTARY Orlando, FL 8.1
BOWMAN ASHE/DOOLIN K-8 ACADEMY Miami, FL 8.1
CASSELBERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Casselberry, FL 8.1
DORAL INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF MATH AND SCIENCE Doral, FL 8.1
DR. PHILLIPS ELEMENTARY Orlando, FL 8.1
DUNE LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Santa Rosa Beach, FL 8.1

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Chain of Lakes Elementary School

What grades does Chain of Lakes Elementary School serve?

Chain of Lakes Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Chain of Lakes Elementary School?

Chain of Lakes Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 1,008 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Chain of Lakes Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Chain of Lakes Elementary School is 15:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Chain of Lakes Elementary School rank in FL?

Chain of Lakes Elementary School ranks #715 of 3,778 schools in FL.

What is Chain of Lakes Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Chain of Lakes Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.1 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 Chain of Lakes Elementary School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Chain of Lakes Elementary School has 69% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 63% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Chain of Lakes Elementary School a charter school?

No, Chain of Lakes Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Chain of Lakes Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Chain of Lakes Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Chain of Lakes Elementary School?

51.5% of students at Chain of Lakes Elementary 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
5 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
26 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
1,008
Student-Teacher Ratio
15:1
Teachers (FTE)
67
Free/Reduced Lunch
51.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Small City
County
Polk County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
43.7%

District

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

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 rate

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.