Skip to main content

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

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 metrics
Student Progress9.9Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.65 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics4.7Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency29%
Reading/ELA Proficiency31%
Math vs. State Avg-31.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-24.2 pts
Overall Proficiency30%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-2.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile28th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.3Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,952

Fred G. Garner Academy — Students at Fred G. Garner Academy score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

81.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 41.0%
School
State
58.1%
ELA Proficiency 37.2%
School
State
54.2%

Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↑ Improving

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
28%
ELA
28%
2021*
Math
29%
ELA
31%
2024
Math
49.3%
ELA
42.3%

* 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.

Overall Score
7.8/10
82th percentile in FL
Academic
4.7/10
4.7/10
Growth
9.9/10
Above average
Environment
7.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
82%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
52 teachers

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 mi
School Distance Rating
IMMANUEL LUTHERAN Winter Haven 0.7 mi
INWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven 1.0 mi 5.0
WESTWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL Winter Haven 1.1 mi 4.8
TREASURES OF LIFE ACADEMY Winter Haven 1.2 mi
ALL HOPE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Auburndale 1.7 mi 6.3
NEW BEGINNINGS HIGH SCHOOL Winter Haven 1.8 mi 5.0
BEYMER UNITED METHODIST PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Winter Haven 1.8 mi
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Winter Haven 1.8 mi 7.3
HARTRIDGE ACADEMY Winter Haven 1.9 mi 5.3
OASIS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Winter Haven 2.2 mi 5.3
WALTER CALDWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Auburndale 2.1 mi 7.3
AUBURNDALE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Auburndale 2.1 mi 7.3
CYPRESS JUNCTION MONTESSORI Winter Haven 2.3 mi 7.6
AUBURNDALE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Auburndale 2.5 mi 3.0
JERE L. STAMBAUGH MIDDLE Auburndale 2.6 mi 4.6
JEWETT MIDDLE ACADEMY MAGNET Winter Haven 2.4 mi 5.5
FUTURE SCHOLARS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Winterhaven 2.6 mi 7.9
FUTURE SCHOLARS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Winter Haven 2.6 mi 7.6
JEWETT SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Winter Haven 2.6 mi 5.9
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Winter Haven 2.7 mi 6.1

Neighborhood 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
29 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
54 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,786/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Winter Haven). Data >1 year old.

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

Read our full methodology

Related reading

Get school insights in your inbox

New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.