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Average

#1882 of 3,778 schools in FL

Top 50% in state

Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred

Middle School · POLK

1000 BUENA VISTA DR N, Lake Alfred, FL 33850

Charter

Enrollment

911

Student-Teacher

19:1

Score

6.3

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Florida schools

#1,882 of 3,778

In Lake Alfred

#3 of 5

public schools

In district

#52 of 155

POLK

Equity

7.2 / 10

Very Good

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Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred

6.3/10

Middle School in Lake Alfred · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Karen M. Siegel Academy

8.2/10

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

Lake Alfred Polytech Academy

6.7/10

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

About Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred

Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred is a public middle school in Lake Alfred, FL, part of POLK. Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred serves approximately 911 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 19:1 student-teacher ratio. Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 out of 10 and ranks #1,882 of 3,778 schools in FL.

Structured state assessment records for Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred show 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.4 pts above district
  • This school 6.3 · Average
  • District avg 4.9
  • FL avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

30% of students at Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred 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 Progress6.4Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-0.82 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendStable
Academics6.8Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency47.7% (2024 FAST)
Reading/ELA Proficiency48.7% (2024 FAST)
Math vs. State Avg-8 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-5.7 pts
Overall Proficiency48% (2024 FAST, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2024 FAST)
vs. Expected+7.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile54th
Resources & Environment5.5Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,242
Chronic Absenteeism30.4%

Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred — Students at Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred score 48% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 51.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
52.5% (2024 FAST)
ELA Proficiency 53.3% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.8% (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
56%
ELA
62%
2010
Math
58%
ELA
65%
2011
Math
56%
ELA
57%
2012
Math
52%
ELA
56%
2013
ELA
54%
2014
Math
57%
ELA
59%
2015
Math
54%
ELA
51%
2016
Math
55%
ELA
52%
2017
Math
52%
ELA
49%
2018
Math
51%
ELA
55%
2019
Math
51%
ELA
55%
2020*
Math
49%
ELA
50%
2021*
Math
49%
ELA
50%
2022
Math
46.4%
ELA
45.9%
2024
Math
47.7%
ELA
48.7%

* 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: 6.4/10.

How Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred Compares

See how Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.3/10
50th percentile in FL
Academic
6.8/10
Average
Growth
6.4/10
Average
Environment
5.5/10
Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
75%
Teaching Staff
19:1 student-teacher ratio
48 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
30.4%

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

1000 BUENA VISTA DR N, Lake Alfred, FL 33850

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. LAKE ALFRED POLYTECH ACADEMY (rated 6.7/10, 0.2 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is JEWETT MIDDLE ACADEMY MAGNET (rated 4.3/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Winter Haven), a more accessible option. Additionally, JERE L. STAMBAUGH MIDDLE (rated 2.8/10, 4.4 miles away, in nearby Auburndale), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lake Alfred, see our Lake Alfred schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.3 mi
School Distance Rating
KAREN M. SIEGEL ACADEMY Lake Alfred 0.2 mi 8.2
LAKE ALFRED POLYTECH ACADEMY Lake Alfred 0.2 mi 6.7
DISCOVERY HIGH SCHOOL Lake Alfred 0.4 mi 5.4
OUR CAREER CENTERED ACADEMY INC. Lake Alfred 1.2 mi 7.5
LAKE ALFRED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Alfred 1.4 mi 5.7
HARTRIDGE ACADEMY Winter Haven 2.8 mi 6.2
NEW BEGINNINGS HIGH SCHOOL Winter Haven 3.5 mi 4.3
WALTER CALDWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Auburndale 3.8 mi 5.6
JEWETT SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Winter Haven 4.3 mi 5.2
JEWETT MIDDLE ACADEMY MAGNET Winter Haven 4.4 mi 4.3
TREASURES OF LIFE ACADEMY Winter Haven 4.5 mi
AUBURNDALE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Auburndale 4.3 mi 4.1
JERE L. STAMBAUGH MIDDLE Auburndale 4.4 mi 2.8
FRED G. GARNER ACADEMY Winter Haven 4.8 mi 6.2
ALL HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Auburndale 4.8 mi 6.3
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Winter Haven 5.1 mi 7.3
AUBURNDALE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Auburndale 4.9 mi 6.3
WINTER HAVEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Winter Haven 5.2 mi 7.8
CHAIN OF LAKES COLLEGIATE HIGH Winter Haven 5.4 mi 7.0
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN Winter Haven 5.3 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33850 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,877

Median Home Value

$215,700

Median Rent

$1,072/mo

Population

9,825

College Educated

24.1%

Homeownership

73.6%

Avg Commute

29.6 min

Poverty Rate

10.7%

Median Age

43.5

Similar Schools

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

School Rating
ABRAHAM LINCOLN MIDDLE SCHOOL Gainesville, FL 6.3
BAY POINT MIDDLE SCHOOL St. Petersburg, FL 6.3
DUNCAN U. FLETCHER MIDDLE SCHOOL Jacksonville Beach, FL 6.3
GULF MIDDLE SCHOOL Cape Coral, FL 6.3
HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL 6.3
NORTH MIAMI MIDDLE SCHOOL North Miami, FL 6.3

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred

What grades does Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred serve?

Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred?

Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred has an enrollment of approximately 911 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred?

The student-teacher ratio at Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred is 19:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred rank in FL?

Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred ranks #1,882 of 3,778 schools in FL.

What is Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred's MySchoolScout rating?

Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.3 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 Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred has 52% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 53% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred a charter school?

Yes, Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred a Title I school?

No, Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred?

74.9% of students at Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred 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
6 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
30 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
911
Student-Teacher Ratio
19:1
Teachers (FTE)
48
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Polk County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
30.4%

District

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

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