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Average

#2756 of 3,777 schools in FL

Discovery High School

High School · POLK

1000 N BUENA VISTA DR, Lake Alfred, FL 33850

Charter

Enrollment

812

Student-Teacher

17.3:1

Score

5.5

Grades

9th – 12th

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 metrics
Student Progress7.5Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.48 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics5.1Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29%
Reading/ELA Proficiency42%
Reading vs. State Avg-10.6 pts
Overall Proficiency36%
Expected (poverty-adj.)38%
vs. Expected-2.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile33th
College Readiness3.4Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation10.1%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment6.4Above Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio17.3:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,952

Discovery High School — Students at Discovery High School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

70.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 29.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 43.0%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 6 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
30%
ELA
45%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
42%
2024
ELA
42.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
5.5/10
27th percentile in FL
Academic
5.1/10
5.1/10
Growth
7.5/10
Above average
Environment
6.4/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
71%
Teaching Staff
17:1 student-teacher ratio
47 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
KAREN M. SIEGEL ACADEMY Lake Alfred 0.4 mi 8.5
DISCOVERY ACADEMY OF LAKE ALFRED Lake Alfred 0.4 mi 6.7
LAKE ALFRED POLYTECH ACADEMY Lake Alfred 0.5 mi 5.8
OUR CAREER CENTERED ACADEMY INC. Lake Alfred 1.4 mi 7.5
LAKE ALFRED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Alfred 1.6 mi 7.1
HARTRIDGE ACADEMY Winter Haven 3.2 mi 5.3
NEW BEGINNINGS HIGH SCHOOL Winter Haven 3.8 mi 5.0
WALTER CALDWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Auburndale 4.2 mi 7.3
JEWETT SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Winter Haven 4.6 mi 5.9
JEWETT MIDDLE ACADEMY MAGNET Winter Haven 4.7 mi 5.5
TREASURES OF LIFE ACADEMY Winter Haven 4.8 mi
AUBURNDALE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Auburndale 4.6 mi 3.0
JERE L. STAMBAUGH MIDDLE Auburndale 4.8 mi 4.6
FRED G. GARNER ACADEMY Winter Haven 5.1 mi 7.8
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Winter Haven 5.4 mi 7.3
WINTER HAVEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Winter Haven 5.4 mi 7.8
ALL HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Auburndale 5.2 mi 6.3
RIDGE TEEN PARENT PROGRAM Winter Haven 5.0 mi
RIDGE TECHNICAL ACADEMY Winter Haven 5.0 mi 4.8
AUBURNDALE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Auburndale 5.3 mi 7.3

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

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

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