Skip to main content

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

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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.0Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.23 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.2Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency40%
Reading vs. State Avg-12.6 pts
Overall Proficiency33%
Expected (poverty-adj.)43%
vs. Expected-10.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness2.2Needs Improvement30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation4.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.5:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,936

Hardee Senior High School — Students at Hardee Senior High School score 32% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 43%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

61.3%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.8%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 6 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
47%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
40%
2024
ELA
44.5%

* 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.

Overall Score
3.1/10
1th percentile in FL
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
2.0/10
Below average
Environment
4.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
61%
Teaching Staff
21:1 student-teacher ratio
65 teachers

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
32 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (1,150/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

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
Data Year
2023–2024

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.

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.