Average
#2756 of 3,777 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
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
812
Student-Teacher
17.3:1
Score
5.5
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lake Alfred
#5 of 5
public schools
Florida high schools
#337 of 748
In district
#100 of 155
POLK
Academic growth
7.5 / 10
Very strong
About Discovery High School
Discovery High School serves grades 9 through 12 in Lake Alfred, a rural area in Polk County. The school enrolls 812 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.3 to 1, with 47 full-time equivalent teachers on staff. As a public charter high school, Discovery focuses on serving its local community.
Academically, the school is working toward strengthening student performance across core subjects. In English language arts, 43% of students scored at or above proficiency levels, while mathematics proficiency reached 30% across grade levels. These results suggest the school has significant room for academic growth and improvement in student achievement.
The school's MySchoolScout rating of 4.7 out of 10 places it in the lower range statewide, ranking 2382nd among Florida's 3816 schools. For families considering Discovery High School, it's worth having conversations with school leadership about specific academic support programs, interventions, and any specialized offerings that might align with your student's needs and goals. Discovery High School's rural setting near Lake Alfred provides a community-focused learning environment for Polk County students.
What Parents Should Know
Discovery High School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Located in a rural area, Discovery High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Discovery High School — Students at Discovery High School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
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 6 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: 7.5/10.
How Discovery High School Compares
See how Discovery High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 30% (2019) to 29% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 45% (2019) to 42% (2021).
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. NEW BEGINNINGS HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.0/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Winter Haven), with a comparable rating. Another option is RIDGE TECHNICAL ACADEMY (rated 4.8/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Winter Haven), with a comparable rating. Additionally, AUBURNDALE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 3.0/10, 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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Discovery High School has a median household income of $53,877. It is a community where 24% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $215,700, with a median rent of $1,072/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.7%. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| AVANT GARDE ACADEMY OF BROWARD Hollywood, FL | 5.5 |
| FORT WHITE HIGH SCHOOL Fort White, FL | 5.5 |
| HAMILTON COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Jasper, FL | 5.5 |
| SHERIDAN TECHNICAL COLLEGE Hollywood, FL | 5.5 |
| TRADITION PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL Ft. Lauderdale, FL | 5.5 |
| AMERICAN WORLDWIDE ACADEMY Miami, FL | 5.6 |
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 is ranked #2756 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Discovery High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Discovery High School has a composite rating of 5.5 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 Discovery High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Discovery High School has 29.5% math proficiency and 43.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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
- City Safety
- Elevated (1,098/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lake Alfred). Data >1 year old.
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
- Phone
- (863) 268-7178
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #100 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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