Skip to main content

Average

#1574 of 3,777 schools in FL

Top 42% in state

Gause Academy of Leadership

High School · POLK

1395 POLK ST W, Bartow, FL 33830

Enrollment

82

Student-Teacher

5.1:1

Score

6.8

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bartow

#4 of 15

public schools

Florida high schools

#87 of 748

In district

#55 of 155

POLK

Academic growth

9.7 / 10

Exceptional

About Gause Academy of Leadership

GAUSE ACADEMY OF LEADERSHIP is an alternative school located in Bartow, Florida, offering education for students from sixth through twelfth grade. With a total enrollment of 82 students and a student-teacher ratio of 5.1:1, the school provides personalized attention to each student. The campus is situated on Polk Street West, right at the edge of an urban area.

While GAUSE ACADEMY OF LEADERSHIP currently ranks in the lower quartile among Florida schools, with its academic performance reflecting areas for improvement—only 22% proficiency in ELA and 11% in math—the school is focused on fostering student development. The supportive environment aims to help students build leadership skills and navigate their educational journey effectively. GAUSE ACADEMY OF LEADERSHIP sits in a town that blends the tranquility of suburban life with the conveniences of an urban setting, providing a unique backdrop for its academic community.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 82 students, Gause Academy of Leadership 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.

While current test scores at Gause Academy of Leadership are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5.1:1, Gause Academy of Leadership 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress9.7Exceptional25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+2.49 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics1.9Significantly Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency2.5%
Reading/ELA Proficiency12%
Math vs. State Avg-44.9 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-38.3 pts
Overall Proficiency7%
Expected (poverty-adj.)29%
vs. Expected-21.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile4th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.7Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio5.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,952

Gause Academy of Leadership — Students at Gause Academy of Leadership score 7% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 29%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

89%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 10.8%
School
State
50.9%
ELA Proficiency 21.8%
School
State
51.6%

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
7.5%
ELA
12%
2021*
Math
2.5%
ELA
12%
2024
Math
16.5%
ELA
26.8%

* 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: 9.7/10.

How Gause Academy of Leadership Compares

See how Gause Academy of Leadership performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.8/10
58th percentile in FL
Academic
1.9/10
1.9/10
Growth
9.7/10
Above average
Environment
9.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
89%
Teaching Staff
5:1 student-teacher ratio
16 teachers

Location

1395 POLK ST W, Bartow, FL 33830

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Gause Academy of Leadership may also want to explore other high schools in the area. BARTOW SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.1/10, 1.4 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is TRANSITION SCHOOL (rated 5.0/10, 2.3 miles away), a more accessible option. Additionally, POLK STATE COLLEGE COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.9/10, 6.6 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), a more accessible option. For more schools in Bartow, see our Bartow schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.6 mi
School Distance Rating
WORD OF LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bartow 0.3 mi 7.6
JAMES E. STEPHENS ACADEMY Bartow 0.7 mi 7.9
FIRST METHODIST SCHOOL INC. Bartow 1.0 mi 6.8
BARTOW ELEMENTARY ACADEMY Bartow 1.1 mi 6.3
JEAN O'DELL LEARNING CENTER Bartow 1.4 mi 8.3
BARTOW SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Bartow 1.4 mi 5.1
FLORAL AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bartow 1.5 mi 6.4
BARTOW MIDDLE SCHOOL Bartow 1.7 mi 5.1
COMPASS MIDDLE CHARTER SCHOOL Bartow 1.7 mi 5.2
HOSPITAL HOMEBOUND Bartow 1.8 mi 3.5
TRANSITION SCHOOL Bartow 2.3 mi 5.0
UNION ACADEMY Bartow 2.3 mi 5.6
POLK HALFWAY HOUSE Bartow 2.5 mi
POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S CENTRAL CENTER Bartow 2.7 mi 3.9
POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER Bartow 2.7 mi 3.8
SPESSARD L HOLLAND ELEMENTARY Bartow 3.4 mi 6.9
HIGHLAND CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Highland City 4.9 mi 7.9
VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 4.9 mi 7.4
GEORGE W. JENKINS SENIOR HIGH Lakeland 5.5 mi 4.6
POLK STATE COLLEGE COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL Lakeland 6.6 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 Gause Academy of Leadership 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
BUILDING CONSTRUCTION ACADEMY AT BOWERS WHITLEY Tampa, FL 6.8
DR. MARVIN DUNN ACADEMY FOR COMMUNITY EDUCATION. El Portal, FL 6.8
EDISON ACADEMICS Bradenton, FL 6.8
KEYSTONE PREP HIGH SCHOOL Odessa, FL 6.8
PACE CENTER FOR GIRLS Tallahassee, FL 6.8
SADDLEBROOK PREPARATORY SCHOOL Wesley Chapel, FL 6.8

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Gause Academy of Leadership

What grades does Gause Academy of Leadership serve?

Gause Academy of Leadership serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Gause Academy of Leadership?

Gause Academy of Leadership has an enrollment of approximately 82 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Gause Academy of Leadership?

The student-teacher ratio at Gause Academy of Leadership is 5.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Gause Academy of Leadership rank in FL?

Gause Academy of Leadership is ranked #1574 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Gause Academy of Leadership's MySchoolScout rating?

Gause Academy of Leadership 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.

What are the test scores at Gause Academy of Leadership?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Gause Academy of Leadership has 10.8% math proficiency and 21.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Gause Academy of Leadership a charter school?

No, Gause Academy of Leadership is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Gause Academy of Leadership a Title I school?

No, Gause Academy of Leadership is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Gause Academy of Leadership?

89.0% of students at Gause Academy of Leadership 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
15 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
42 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,296/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
82
Student-Teacher Ratio
5.1:1
Teachers (FTE)
16
Free/Reduced Lunch
89.0%
Type
alternative
Setting
Fringe Town
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

POLK
District Enrollment
111,041
Schools in District
167
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,242
District Rank
#55 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.