Below Average
#3124 of 3,778 schools in FL
James E. Stephens Academy
Elementary School · POLK
1350 MAPLE AVE N, Bartow, FL 33830
Enrollment
328
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
328
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
4.6
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#3,124 of 3,778
In Bartow
#9 of 15
public schools
In district
#108 of 155
POLK
Equity
7.0 / 10
Very Good
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James E. Stephens Academy
Elementary School in Bartow · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Gause Academy of Leadership
0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Word of Life Christian School
1.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James E. Stephens Academy
James E. Stephens Academy is a public elementary school in Bartow, FL, part of POLK. James E.
Stephens Academy serves approximately 328 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 12.1:1 student-teacher ratio. James E. Stephens Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10 and ranks #3,124 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for James E. Stephens Academy show 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.6 · Below Average
- District avg 6.2
- FL avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
63% of students at James E. Stephens Academy were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
James E. Stephens Academy — Students at James E. Stephens Academy score 45% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
81.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 33 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: 2.7/10.
How James E. Stephens Academy Compares
See how James E. Stephens Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
1350 MAPLE AVE N, Bartow, FL 33830
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James E. Stephens Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), which scores notably higher. Another option is HIGHLAND CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Highland City), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FIRST METHODIST SCHOOL INC. (rated 6.8/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bartow, see our Bartow schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.9 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| GAUSE ACADEMY OF LEADERSHIP Bartow | 0.7 mi | 6.4 |
| WORD OF LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bartow | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| FIRST METHODIST SCHOOL INC. Bartow | 1.4 mi | 6.8 |
| BARTOW ELEMENTARY ACADEMY Bartow | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| JEAN O'DELL LEARNING CENTER Bartow | 2.0 mi | 8.8 |
| BARTOW SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Bartow | 2.0 mi | 5.5 |
| FLORAL AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bartow | 2.1 mi | 5.8 |
| BARTOW MIDDLE SCHOOL Bartow | 2.3 mi | 5.2 |
| COMPASS MIDDLE CHARTER SCHOOL Bartow | 2.3 mi | 4.4 |
| HOSPITAL HOMEBOUND Bartow | 2.5 mi | 4.5 |
| UNION ACADEMY Bartow | 2.4 mi | 5.5 |
| TRANSITION SCHOOL Bartow | 2.6 mi | 3.5 |
| SPESSARD L HOLLAND ELEMENTARY Bartow | 2.8 mi | 6.8 |
| POLK HALFWAY HOUSE Bartow | 2.9 mi | — |
| POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S CENTRAL CENTER Bartow | 3.0 mi | 4.5 |
| POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER Bartow | 3.0 mi | 3.5 |
| HIGHLAND CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Highland City | 4.2 mi | 7.8 |
| VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 4.5 mi | 8.8 |
| GEORGE W. JENKINS SENIOR HIGH Lakeland | 5.1 mi | 5.6 |
| POLK STATE COLLEGE COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL Lakeland | 5.9 mi | 7.0 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ATHENIAN ACADEMY Clearwater, FL | 4.6 |
| CHARTER SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Fort Lauderdale, FL | 4.6 |
| IPPOLITO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Riverview, FL | 4.6 |
| NEW SPRINGS SCHOOLS Tampa, FL | 4.6 |
| BETHUNE ACADEMY Haines City, FL | 4.5 |
| BROWARD JUNIOR ACADEMY Plantation, FL | 4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about James E. Stephens Academy
What grades does James E. Stephens Academy serve?
James E. Stephens Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend James E. Stephens Academy?
James E. Stephens Academy has an enrollment of approximately 328 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James E. Stephens Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at James E. Stephens Academy is 12.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James E. Stephens Academy rank in FL?
James E. Stephens Academy ranks #3,124 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is James E. Stephens Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
James E. Stephens Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.6 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at James E. Stephens Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James E. Stephens Academy has 43% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is James E. Stephens Academy a charter school?
No, James E. Stephens Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James E. Stephens Academy a Title I school?
No, James E. Stephens Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James E. Stephens Academy?
81.4% of students at James E. Stephens 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.
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Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 328
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 12.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 27
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 81.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Fringe Town
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 63.1%
- Phone
- (863) 534-7455
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #108 of 155
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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