Average
#508 of 1,462 private schools in FL
Top 35% of private schools
First Methodist School Inc.
Elementary School
455 S BROADWAY AVE, Bartow, FL 33830
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on FL statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
75
Student-Teacher
7.5:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Enrollment
75
Student-Teacher
7.5:1
Score
6.8
Grades
Pre-K – 8th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Bartow
#2 of 2
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#222 of 612
About First Methodist School Inc.
First Methodist School Inc. serves 75 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in Bartow, Florida. This small elementary school maintains an exceptionally low student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1 with 10 full-time equivalent teachers, creating an intimate learning environment where each child receives individualized attention. The school has earned impressive recognition with a 9.2 out of 10 MySchoolScout rating and ranks #141 out of 1,462 schools statewide, placing it in the 90th percentile among Florida schools.
This outstanding performance reflects the school's commitment to educational excellence despite its compact size. The intimate scale of First Methodist School allows teachers to know each student personally and tailor instruction to individual learning needs. With fewer than 80 students total, the school fosters a close-knit community atmosphere where students can participate actively in classroom discussions and receive immediate feedback from their teachers.
First Methodist School is situated in Bartow's large suburban setting within Polk County. The surrounding 33830 ZIP code area is home to over 30,000 residents, with a median household income of $57,904 and median home values around $192,200. The community shows economic diversity, with 20% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 17.2%, creating a varied socioeconomic environment for students.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 75 students, First Methodist School Inc. 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 7.5:1, First Methodist School Inc. offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, First Methodist School Inc. operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Financial Overview
Source: IRS Form 990 (2021 filing)
- Per-Pupil Spending
- Total expenses ÷ enrollment
- $11,771
- Per-Pupil Revenue
- Total revenue ÷ enrollment
- $13,053
- Financial Health
- Revenue-to-expense ratio (>1.0 = surplus)
- 1.11x — Strong
- Tuition Dependency
- Share of revenue from program services (tuition, fees)
- 84%
- Total Assets
- End-of-year total assets from IRS filing
- $363,130
Financial data from IRS Form 990 filings via ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. Per-pupil figures based on current enrollment of 75 students. Not all private schools file Form 990.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow First Methodist School Inc. compares to 14 public schools serving similar grades in Bartow, FL
Student Demographics
Nearby Elementary Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| First Methodist School Inc. (this school) | 6.8 |
| BARTOW ELEMENTARY ACADEMY | 6.3 |
| JEAN O'DELL LEARNING CENTER | 8.3 |
| FLORAL AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | 6.4 |
| COMPASS MIDDLE CHARTER SCHOOL | 5.2 |
| BARTOW MIDDLE SCHOOL | 5.1 |
| GAUSE ACADEMY OF LEADERSHIP | 6.8 |
| HOSPITAL HOMEBOUND | 3.5 |
| UNION ACADEMY | 5.6 |
| JAMES E. STEPHENS ACADEMY | 7.9 |
| POLK HALFWAY HOUSE | — |
| POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S CENTRAL CENTER | 3.9 |
| POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER | 3.8 |
| SPESSARD L HOLLAND ELEMENTARY | 6.9 |
| BELLA CITTA | 4.3 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in FL.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in FL
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
455 S BROADWAY AVE, Bartow, FL 33830
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering First Methodist School Inc. may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. JAMES E. STEPHENS ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HIGHLAND CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 5.6 miles away, in nearby Highland City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 5.8 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Bartow, see our Bartow schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.3 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BARTOW ELEMENTARY ACADEMY Bartow | 0.2 mi | 6.3 |
| BARTOW SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Bartow | 0.6 mi | 5.1 |
| JEAN O'DELL LEARNING CENTER Bartow | 0.7 mi | 8.3 |
| FLORAL AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bartow | 0.8 mi | 6.4 |
| BARTOW MIDDLE SCHOOL Bartow | 0.9 mi | 5.1 |
| COMPASS MIDDLE CHARTER SCHOOL Bartow | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| GAUSE ACADEMY OF LEADERSHIP Bartow | 1.0 mi | 6.8 |
| WORD OF LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bartow | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| HOSPITAL HOMEBOUND Bartow | 1.2 mi | 3.5 |
| JAMES E. STEPHENS ACADEMY Bartow | 1.4 mi | 7.9 |
| TRANSITION SCHOOL Bartow | 1.3 mi | 5.0 |
| UNION ACADEMY Bartow | 1.4 mi | 5.6 |
| POLK HALFWAY HOUSE Bartow | 1.6 mi | — |
| POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S CENTRAL CENTER Bartow | 1.7 mi | 3.9 |
| POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER Bartow | 1.7 mi | 3.8 |
| SPESSARD L HOLLAND ELEMENTARY Bartow | 4.1 mi | 6.9 |
| HIGHLAND CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Highland City | 5.6 mi | 7.9 |
| VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 5.8 mi | 7.4 |
| GEORGE W. JENKINS SENIOR HIGH Lakeland | 6.4 mi | 4.6 |
| POLK STATE COLLEGE COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL Lakeland | 7.3 mi | 4.9 |
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 First Methodist School Inc. 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 |
|---|---|
| APPLE TREE MONTESSORI Southwest Ranches, FL | 6.8 |
| GRACE CLASSICAL ACADEMY Bonita Springs, FL | 6.8 |
| JEWISH ACADEMY OF ORLANDO Maitland, FL | 6.8 |
| PALM BEACH CHRISTIAN ACADEMY West Palm Beach, FL | 6.8 |
| PLAY LEARN CHILDCARE CENTER INC Homestead, FL | 6.8 |
| SUNCOAST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lake Worth, FL | 6.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about First Methodist School Inc.
What grades does First Methodist School Inc. serve?
First Methodist School Inc. serves students in grades Pre-K through 8th.
How many students attend First Methodist School Inc.?
First Methodist School Inc. has an enrollment of approximately 75 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at First Methodist School Inc.?
The student-teacher ratio at First Methodist School Inc. is 7.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does First Methodist School Inc. rank in FL?
First Methodist School Inc. is ranked #508 out of 1,462 private schools in FL.
What is First Methodist School Inc.'s MySchoolScout rating?
First Methodist School Inc. has a composite rating of 6.8 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.
Is First Methodist School Inc. a private school?
Yes, First Methodist School Inc. is a private coeducational school with a Methodist affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is First Methodist School Inc. a religious school?
First Methodist School Inc. has a Methodist religious affiliation.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
- City Safety
- High (2,296/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bartow). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 8th
- Enrollment
- 75
- Gender Split
- 37% M / 63% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 7.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 10
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Methodist
- School Day
- 6.5 hours
- Days Per Year
- 180 days
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- POLK
- Phone
- (863) 533-0905
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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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