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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

Private Estimated Score

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

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

Beta

How First Methodist School Inc. compares to 14 public schools serving similar grades in Bartow, FL

Student-Teacher Ratio
7.5:1
This School
vs
21.3:1
Public Avg
Avg School Size
75
This School
vs
381
Public Avg
Avg School Scout Rating
6.8
This School
vs
5.7
Public Avg

Student Demographics

White 73.3% vs 0%
Black 14.7% vs 0%
Hispanic 8% vs 0%
First Methodist School Inc. Bartow Public Avg

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.

Classroom Attention
? Student-teacher ratio calibrated against other private schools. Lower ratios mean more individual attention. (30% of overall score)
A 8.7 / 10
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio 7.5:1
Instructional Commitment
? Total annual instructional hours based on school day length and days per year. (15% of overall score)
B- 4.9 / 10
View breakdown
School Day Length 6.5 hours
Annual Instructional Hours 1,170
Diversity & Inclusion
? Racial and ethnic diversity of the student body using Simpson's diversity index. (20% of overall score)
B 6.4 / 10
View breakdown
Diversity Index 43%
Community Context

Data Unavailable

School Profile
? Enrollment size and grade span breadth — indicators of program depth and peer community. (15% of overall score)
B 5.5 / 10
View breakdown
Enrollment 75
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)

White 73.3%
Black 14.7%
Hispanic 8.0%
Two or More 4.0%

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

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
Data Year
2022–2023

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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