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
Enrollment
328
Student-Teacher
12.1:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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James E. Stephens Academy — Students at James E. Stephens Academy score 24% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 33%).
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 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.8/10.
How James E. Stephens Academy Compares
See how James E. Stephens Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 32% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 27% (2019) to 22% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (863) 534-7455
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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