Very Good
#698 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 19% in state
Fred G. Garner Academy
Elementary School · POLK
2500 HAVENDALE BLVD NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881
Enrollment
840
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
840
Student-Teacher
16.2:1
Score
7.8
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Winter Haven
#2 of 19
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#635 of 2,196
In district
#24 of 155
POLK
Academic growth
9.9 / 10
Exceptional
About Fred G. Garner Academy
Fred G. Garner Academy serves students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Winter Haven, a small city in Polk County. The school enrolls 840 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.2:1 with 52 full-time equivalent teachers on staff.
Academically, the school is working to strengthen student performance across core subjects. In English language arts, 37% of students performed at or above proficiency levels, while 41% achieved proficiency or above in math. These results suggest there is meaningful room for academic growth, and the school ranks at the 44th percentile statewide among Florida's elementary schools.
The school's overall rating on MySchoolScout is 5.1 out of 10. As a regular public elementary school, Fred G. Garner Academy is part of the Polk County school system and serves the Winter Haven community with a focus on early childhood through upper elementary education.
The school's location on Havendale Boulevard places it within the small city's residential and educational landscape.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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Fred G. Garner Academy — Students at Fred G. Garner Academy score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.9/10.
How Fred G. Garner Academy Compares
See how Fred G. Garner Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 28% (2019) to 29% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has improved from 28% (2019) to 31% (2021).
Location
2500 HAVENDALE BLVD NW, Winter Haven, FL 33881
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Fred G. Garner Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CYPRESS JUNCTION MONTESSORI (rated 7.6/10, 2.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, WALTER CALDWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Auburndale), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Winter Haven, see our Winter Haven schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.7 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33881 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$53,867
Median Home Value
$177,400
Median Rent
$1,153/mo
Population
39,189
College Educated
18%
Homeownership
69.6%
Avg Commute
33.4 min
Poverty Rate
17.2%
Median Age
43.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Fred G. Garner Academy has a median household income of $53,867. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,400, with a median rent of $1,153/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. The average commute for residents is 33 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 |
|---|---|
| ALTAMONTE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Altamonte Springs, FL | 7.8 |
| ANNIE LUCY WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Parrish, FL | 7.8 |
| APOLLO BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Apollo Beach, FL | 7.8 |
| ARBOR RIDGE K-8 Orlando, FL | 7.8 |
| BEACON COVE INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL Jupiter, FL | 7.8 |
| BOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tallahassee, FL | 7.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Fred G. Garner Academy
What grades does Fred G. Garner Academy serve?
Fred G. Garner Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Fred G. Garner Academy?
Fred G. Garner Academy has an enrollment of approximately 840 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Fred G. Garner Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at Fred G. Garner Academy is 16.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Fred G. Garner Academy rank in FL?
Fred G. Garner Academy is ranked #698 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Fred G. Garner Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Fred G. Garner Academy has a composite rating of 7.8 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.
What are the test scores at Fred G. Garner Academy?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Fred G. Garner Academy has 41.0% math proficiency and 37.2% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Fred G. Garner Academy a charter school?
No, Fred G. Garner Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Fred G. Garner Academy a Title I school?
No, Fred G. Garner Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Fred G. Garner Academy?
81.8% of students at Fred G. Garner Academy 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
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 840
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 52
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Small City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (863) 965-5455
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #24 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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