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Very Good

#619 of 3,777 schools in FL

Top 16% in state

James E. Stephens Academy

Elementary School · POLK

1350 MAPLE AVE N, Bartow, FL 33830

Enrollment

328

Student-Teacher

12.1:1

Score

7.9

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Bartow

#2 of 15

public schools

Florida elementary schools

#569 of 2,196

In district

#18 of 155

POLK

Academic growth

9.8 / 10

Exceptional

About James E. Stephens Academy

James E. Stephens Academy is a public elementary school located in Bartow, Florida, on the edge of an urban area. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade and has an enrollment of 328 students with a student-teacher ratio of 12.1:1, ensuring that each child receives personalized attention.

With 27 full-time equivalent teachers dedicated to supporting its diverse learning community, James E. Stephens Academy fosters a nurturing environment where students can thrive. Academically, the school has a MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks as the 2502nd best school in Florida based on state rankings.

The academic score is currently at 1.9 out of 10, indicating there's room for improvement, particularly in areas like ELA/Reading where only 32% of students are proficient or above. In math, however, 44% of students meet or exceed proficiency levels, demonstrating a stronger performance in this subject area. James E.

Stephens Academy is situated within a community that values education and supports its young learners as they grow and develop their skills. The school's setting provides an ideal blend of urban proximity and small-town charm, creating a supportive environment for student development.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at James E. Stephens Academy 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress9.8Exceptional50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change+3.35 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendImproving
Academics3.6Fair30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency27%
Reading/ELA Proficiency22%
Math vs. State Avg-33.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-33.2 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)33%
vs. Expected-8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile17th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment9.6Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio12.1:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,952

James E. Stephens Academy — Students at James E. Stephens Academy score 24% 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

81.4%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 43.8%
School
State
58.1%
ELA Proficiency 32.2%
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
32%
ELA
27%
2021*
Math
27%
ELA
22%
2024
Math
53.3%
ELA
37.3%

* 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: 9.8/10.

How James E. Stephens Academy Compares

See how James E. Stephens Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
7.9/10
84th percentile in FL
Academic
3.6/10
3.6/10
Growth
9.8/10
Above average
Environment
9.6/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
81%
Teaching Staff
12:1 student-teacher ratio
27 teachers

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. HIGHLAND CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Highland City), with a very similar rating. Another option is VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), with a comparable rating. Additionally, SPESSARD L HOLLAND ELEMENTARY (rated 6.9/10, 2.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. 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 6.8
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 6.3
JEAN O'DELL LEARNING CENTER Bartow 2.0 mi 8.3
BARTOW SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Bartow 2.0 mi 5.1
FLORAL AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bartow 2.1 mi 6.4
BARTOW MIDDLE SCHOOL Bartow 2.3 mi 5.1
COMPASS MIDDLE CHARTER SCHOOL Bartow 2.3 mi 5.2
HOSPITAL HOMEBOUND Bartow 2.5 mi 3.5
UNION ACADEMY Bartow 2.4 mi 5.6
TRANSITION SCHOOL Bartow 2.6 mi 5.0
SPESSARD L HOLLAND ELEMENTARY Bartow 2.8 mi 6.9
POLK HALFWAY HOUSE Bartow 2.9 mi
POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S CENTRAL CENTER Bartow 3.0 mi 3.9
POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER Bartow 3.0 mi 3.8
HIGHLAND CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Highland City 4.2 mi 7.9
VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 4.5 mi 7.4
GEORGE W. JENKINS SENIOR HIGH Lakeland 5.1 mi 4.6
POLK STATE COLLEGE COLLEGIATE HIGH SCHOOL Lakeland 5.9 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 James E. Stephens Academy 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
BUNCHE PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miami Gardens, FL 7.9
DR. FREDERICA S. WILSON/SKYWAY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Miami Gardens, FL 7.9
HIGHLAND CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Highland City, FL 7.9
HOLY NATIVITY EPISCOPAL SCHOOL Panama City, FL 7.9
HUNGERFORD ELEMENTARY Eatonville, FL 7.9
INA A.COLEN ACADEMY Ocala, FL 7.9

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 is ranked #619 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is James E. Stephens Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

James E. Stephens Academy has a composite rating of 7.9 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 James E. Stephens Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, James E. Stephens Academy has 43.8% math proficiency and 32.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
8 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
29 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
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
Data Year
2023–2024

District

POLK
District Enrollment
111,041
Schools in District
167
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,242
District Rank
#18 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

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