Needs Improvement
#3730 of 3,777 schools in FL
Hardee Senior High School
High School · HARDEE
830 ALTMAN RD, Wauchula, FL 33873
Enrollment
1,335
Student-Teacher
20.5:1
Score
3.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,335
Student-Teacher
20.5:1
Score
3.1
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Wauchula
#7 of 7
public schools
Florida high schools
#714 of 748
In district
#9 of 9
HARDEE
About Hardee Senior High School
Hardee Senior High School serves 1,335 students in grades 9-12 in Wauchula, Florida, with a student-teacher ratio of 20.5:1 across its 65 full-time equivalent teachers. The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.0 out of 10 and ranks #2,680 out of 3,816 Florida high schools, placing it in the 30th percentile statewide with room for academic growth. Currently, 44% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels.
The school's academic score of 4.1 out of 10 reflects ongoing opportunities for educational improvement and student development. Hardee Senior High operates within a community where the median household income is $40,625 and the median home value is $120,200. The surrounding area faces economic challenges, with a poverty rate of 29.7% and only 10% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
The ZIP code 33873 has a population of 13,678 residents. Despite these socioeconomic challenges, the school continues to serve its student body as the primary high school option for families in this rural Hardee County community. The school is situated in a rural area near the town of Wauchula, providing education in a close-knit, small-town Florida setting.
What Parents Should Know
The student-teacher ratio at Hardee Senior High School is 20.5:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.
Located in a rural area, Hardee Senior High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.
Score Breakdown
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Hardee Senior High School — Students at Hardee Senior High School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
61.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 6 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 2.0/10.
How Hardee Senior High School Compares
See how Hardee Senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 47% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 42% (2019) to 40% (2021).
Location
830 ALTMAN RD, Wauchula, FL 33873
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Hardee Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HARDEE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 4.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is FORT MEADE MIDDLE/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 16.4 miles away, in nearby Fort Meade), which scores notably higher. Additionally, PIONEER CAREER ACADEMY (rated 5.1/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Wauchula, see our Wauchula schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 21.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wauchula | 1.4 mi | 7.2 |
| ALANE ACADEMY Wauchula | 1.6 mi | 5.0 |
| PIONEER CAREER ACADEMY Wauchula | 1.5 mi | 5.1 |
| HARDEE VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Wauchula | 2.4 mi | 3.6 |
| NORTH WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wauchula | 2.5 mi | 6.0 |
| HARDEE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Wauchula | 4.0 mi | 6.8 |
| HILLTOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wauchula | 4.0 mi | 5.4 |
| ZOLFO SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Zolfo Springs | 3.8 mi | 6.1 |
| LAKESIDE NEUROLOGIC Wauchula | 4.7 mi | — |
| BOWLING GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bowling Green | 7.5 mi | 7.6 |
| LEWIS ANNA WOODBURY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Meade | 15.0 mi | 6.8 |
| FORT MEADE MIDDLE/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Fort Meade | 16.4 mi | 5.8 |
| DESOTO SECONDARY SCHOOL Arcadia | 21.1 mi | 5.2 |
| DESOTO MIDDLE SCHOOL Arcadia | 21.1 mi | 6.0 |
| DESOTO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Arcadia | 21.1 mi | 4.3 |
| WEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Arcadia | 21.2 mi | 7.5 |
| REDUCED SERVICES Arcadia | 21.4 mi | — |
| DESOTO VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Arcadia | 21.4 mi | — |
| DESOTO VIRTUAL ACADEMY Arcadia | 21.4 mi | — |
| DESOTO CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Arcadia | 21.6 mi | — |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33873 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$51,311
Median Home Value
$128,500
Median Rent
$944/mo
Population
14,162
College Educated
14.2%
Homeownership
70.1%
Avg Commute
27 min
Poverty Rate
27.3%
Median Age
36.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding Hardee Senior High School has a median household income of $51,311. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $128,500, with a median rent of $944/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 27 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 |
|---|---|
| PINE RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL Deltona, FL | 3.1 |
| SOUTH MIAMI SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Miami, FL | 3.1 |
| AUBURNDALE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Auburndale, FL | 3.0 |
| BRADFORD HIGH SCHOOL Starke, FL | 3.0 |
| EDWARD H. WHITE HIGH SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL | 3.2 |
| ESCAMBIA HIGH SCHOOL Pensacola, FL | 3.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Hardee Senior High School
What grades does Hardee Senior High School serve?
Hardee Senior High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Hardee Senior High School?
Hardee Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,335 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Hardee Senior High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Hardee Senior High School is 20.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Hardee Senior High School rank in FL?
Hardee Senior High School is ranked #3730 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Hardee Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Hardee Senior High School has a composite rating of 3.1 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 Hardee Senior High School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Hardee Senior High School has 36.0% math proficiency and 42.8% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Hardee Senior High School a charter school?
No, Hardee Senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Hardee Senior High School a Title I school?
No, Hardee Senior High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Hardee Senior High School?
61.3% of students at Hardee Senior High School 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
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,335
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 20.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 65
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 61.3%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Hardee County
- Phone
- (863) 773-3181
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
HARDEE- District Enrollment
- 4,725
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,932
- District Rank
- #9 of 9
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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