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Average

#3001 of 3,777 schools in FL

Compass Middle Charter School

Middle School · POLK

550 CLOWER ST E, Bartow, FL 33830

Charter

Enrollment

161

Student-Teacher

20.1:1

Score

5.2

Grades

5th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bartow

#8 of 15

public schools

Florida middle schools

#441 of 573

In district

#107 of 155

POLK

Academic growth

8.1 / 10

Very strong

About Compass Middle Charter School

COMPASS MIDDLE CHARTER SCHOOL is a middle school located in Bartow, Florida, serving students from fifth to eighth grade. With an enrollment of 161 students and a student-teacher ratio of 20.1:1, the school offers personalized attention with eight full-time equivalent teachers. As a charter alternative school, COMPASS MIDDLE CHARTER SCHOOL aims to provide unique educational opportunities tailored to individual learning needs.

The academic performance data shows room for improvement, with a MySchoolScout Rating of 2.9 out of 10 and a state ranking of 3457 out of 3816 schools in Florida, placing it in the 9th percentile. Specifically, only 19% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 18% reach proficiency in Math. COMPASS MIDDLE CHARTER SCHOOL is situated on the edge of an urban area, offering a setting that blends town and city characteristics.

This location provides a variety of resources and opportunities for students to engage with both rural and urban communities.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 161 students, Compass Middle Charter School 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 Compass Middle Charter School 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Compass Middle Charter School is 20.1:1, 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 · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress8.1Excellent40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.05 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics2.3Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency17%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Math vs. State Avg-38.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-42.8 pts
Overall Proficiency15%
Expected (poverty-adj.)32%
vs. Expected-17.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile6th
Resources & Environment4.6Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,952

Compass Middle Charter School — Students at Compass Middle Charter School score 14% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 32%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

82%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 17.7%
School
State
53.4%
ELA Proficiency 18.8%
School
State
52.5%

Based on 12 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
22%
ELA
17%
2021*
Math
17%
ELA
12%
2024
Math
16.8%
ELA
21%

* 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: 8.1/10.

How Compass Middle Charter School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.2/10
21th percentile in FL
Academic
2.3/10
2.3/10
Growth
8.1/10
Above average
Environment
4.6/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
8 teachers

Location

550 CLOWER ST E, Bartow, FL 33830

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Compass Middle Charter School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. UNION ACADEMY (rated 5.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, BARTOW MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.1/10), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Bartow, see our Bartow schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.0 mi
School Distance Rating
BARTOW MIDDLE SCHOOL Bartow 0.0 mi 5.1
FLORAL AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bartow 0.3 mi 6.4
BARTOW SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Bartow 0.3 mi 5.1
JEAN O'DELL LEARNING CENTER Bartow 0.3 mi 8.3
HOSPITAL HOMEBOUND Bartow 0.5 mi 3.5
BARTOW ELEMENTARY ACADEMY Bartow 0.9 mi 6.3
FIRST METHODIST SCHOOL INC. Bartow 0.9 mi 6.8
POLK HALFWAY HOUSE Bartow 1.1 mi
TRANSITION SCHOOL Bartow 1.1 mi 5.0
POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S CENTRAL CENTER Bartow 1.3 mi 3.9
POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER Bartow 1.3 mi 3.8
UNION ACADEMY Bartow 1.5 mi 5.6
WORD OF LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bartow 1.6 mi 7.6
GAUSE ACADEMY OF LEADERSHIP Bartow 1.7 mi 6.8
JAMES E. STEPHENS ACADEMY Bartow 2.3 mi 7.9
SPESSARD L HOLLAND ELEMENTARY Bartow 5.1 mi 6.9
HIGHLAND CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Highland City 6.5 mi 7.9
VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 6.7 mi 7.4
GEORGE W. JENKINS SENIOR HIGH Lakeland 7.2 mi 4.6
EAGLE LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Eagle Lake 8.0 mi 4.8

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 Compass Middle Charter 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
ACADEMIR MIDDLE SCHOOL OF MATH AND SCIENCE Homestead, FL 5.1
MATER INTERNATIONAL PREPARATORY Miami, FL 5.4
SOMERSET ACADEMY-MIDDLE EAGLE CAMPUS Jacksonville, FL 5.4
RESILIENCE CHARTER SCHOOL INC Gainesville, FL 4.9
BROOKSVILLE ENGINEERING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (B.E.S.T.) Brooksville, FL 5.6
PURPOSE ACADEMY Pompano Beach, FL 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Compass Middle Charter School

What grades does Compass Middle Charter School serve?

Compass Middle Charter School serves students in grades 5th through 8th.

How many students attend Compass Middle Charter School?

Compass Middle Charter School has an enrollment of approximately 161 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Compass Middle Charter School?

The student-teacher ratio at Compass Middle Charter School is 20.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Compass Middle Charter School rank in FL?

Compass Middle Charter School is ranked #3001 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Compass Middle Charter School's MySchoolScout rating?

Compass Middle Charter School has a composite rating of 5.2 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 Compass Middle Charter School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Compass Middle Charter School has 17.7% math proficiency and 18.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Compass Middle Charter School a charter school?

Yes, Compass Middle Charter School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Compass Middle Charter School a Title I school?

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

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

82.0% of students at Compass Middle Charter 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

City Safety
High (2,296/100K)

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 8th
Enrollment
161
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
8
Free/Reduced Lunch
82.0%
Type
alternative
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
#107 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

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