Average
#2552 of 3,778 schools in FL
Discovery High School
High School · POLK
1000 N BUENA VISTA DR, Lake Alfred, FL 33850
Enrollment
812
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
812
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
5.4
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#2,552 of 3,778
In Lake Alfred
#5 of 5
public schools
In district
#83 of 155
POLK
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Discovery High School
High School in Lake Alfred · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Karen M. Siegel Academy
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Discovery High School
Discovery High School is a public high school in Lake Alfred, FL, part of POLK. Discovery High School serves approximately 812 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 17.3:1 student-teacher ratio. Discovery High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 out of 10 and ranks #2,552 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for Discovery High School show 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2021) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024).
- This school 5.4 · Average
- District avg 5.0
- FL avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
Discovery High School 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 High School 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.
42% of students at Discovery High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Discovery High School — Students at Discovery High School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
70.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 14 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: 4.7/10.
How Discovery High School Compares
See how Discovery High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1000 N BUENA VISTA DR, Lake Alfred, FL 33850
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Discovery High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. RIDGE TECHNICAL ACADEMY (rated 4.9/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Winter Haven), with a comparable rating. Another option is NEW BEGINNINGS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.3/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Winter Haven), a more accessible option. Additionally, AUBURNDALE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.1/10, 4.6 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 miNeighborhood 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 |
|---|---|
| BISHOP VEROT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL Fort Myers, FL | 5.4 |
| CARDINAL GIBBONS HIGH SCHOOL Fort Lauderdale, FL | 5.4 |
| DOCTORS CHARTER SCHOOL OF MIAMI SHORES Miami Shores, FL | 5.5 |
| FROSTPROOF MIDDLE/SENIOR HIGH Frostproof, FL | 5.3 |
| MADISON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Madison, FL | 5.3 |
| MIAMI EDISON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Miami, FL | 5.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Discovery High School
What grades does Discovery High School serve?
Discovery High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Discovery High School?
Discovery High School has an enrollment of approximately 812 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Discovery High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Discovery High School is 17.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Discovery High School rank in FL?
Discovery High School ranks #2,552 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Discovery High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Discovery High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.4 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 High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Discovery High School has 32% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2021) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2016-2024).
Is Discovery High School a charter school?
Yes, Discovery High School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Discovery High School a Title I school?
No, Discovery High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Discovery High School?
70.9% of students at Discovery High 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 812
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 47
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 70.9%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 42.2%
- Phone
- (863) 268-7178
- 4-Year Graduation
- 95%+
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #83 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.
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