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Average

#2702 of 3,778 schools in FL

Janie Howard Wilson School

Elementary School · POLK

306 FLORIDA AVE, Lake Wales, FL 33853

Charter

Enrollment

430

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

5.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Florida schools

#2,702 of 3,778

In Lake Wales

#5 of 10

public schools

In district

#89 of 155

POLK

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Janie Howard Wilson School

5.2/10

Elementary School in Lake Wales · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Roosevelt Academy

6.5/10

0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Victory Ridge Academy

4.8/10

0.7 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Janie Howard Wilson School

Janie Howard Wilson School is a public elementary school in Lake Wales, FL, part of POLK. Janie Howard Wilson School serves approximately 430 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. Janie Howard Wilson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 out of 10 and ranks #2,702 of 3,778 schools in FL.

Structured state assessment records for Janie Howard Wilson School show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares1.0 pts below district
  • This school 5.2 · Average
  • District avg 6.2
  • FL avg 6.6

What Parents Should Know

Janie Howard Wilson School is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.

Janie Howard Wilson School sits in a rural area, which can mean longer drives for some families. Rural schools are often community anchors with smaller classes, but check transportation, after-school options, and access to specialized services before you commit.

53% of students at Janie Howard Wilson School 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 metrics
Student Progress4.9Below Average50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.2 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.6Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36% (2024 FAST)
Reading/ELA Proficiency36% (2024 FAST)
Math vs. State Avg-24.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-19.2 pts
Overall Proficiency36% (2024 FAST, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)41% (model expectation from 2024 FAST)
vs. Expected-5.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile27th
Resources & Environment6.8Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,242
Chronic Absenteeism53%

Janie Howard Wilson School — Students at Janie Howard Wilson School score 36% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

74.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 47.2% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
58.1% (2024 FAST)
ELA Proficiency 39.1% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
54.2% (2024 FAST)

Based on 33 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
63%
ELA
59%
2010
Math
69%
ELA
62%
2011
Math
55%
ELA
40%
2012
Math
44%
ELA
36%
2013
ELA
37%
2014
Math
45%
ELA
24%
2015
Math
43%
ELA
28%
2016
Math
39%
ELA
35%
2017
Math
53%
ELA
41%
2018
Math
52%
ELA
45%
2019
Math
52%
ELA
45%
2020*
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
47%
ELA
37%
2022
Math
38.2%
ELA
31%
2024
Math
36%
ELA
36%

* 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: 4.9/10.

How Janie Howard Wilson School Compares

See how Janie Howard Wilson School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.2/10
29th percentile in FL
Academic
4.6/10
Below Average
Growth
4.9/10
Below Average
Environment
6.8/10
Average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
74%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
33 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
53.0%

Location

306 FLORIDA AVE, Lake Wales, FL 33853

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Janie Howard Wilson School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DUNDEE ELEMENTARY ACADEMY (rated 9.0/10, 7.7 miles away, in nearby Dundee), which scores notably higher. Another option is HILLCREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.6/10, 2.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ALTURAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.2/10, 7.9 miles away, in nearby Alturas), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lake Wales, see our Lake Wales schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.9 mi
School Distance Rating
ROOSEVELT ACADEMY Lake Wales 0.4 mi 6.5
VICTORY RIDGE ACADEMY Lake Wales 0.7 mi 4.8
SPOOK HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Wales 0.8 mi 3.7
EDWARD W BOK ACADEMY NORTH Lake Wales 0.9 mi 4.0
CANDLELIGHT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lake Wales 1.0 mi 6.4
LAKE WALES SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Lake Wales 0.9 mi 6.8
CANAAN ACADEMY Lake Wales 1.2 mi 6.0
ENDTIME CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Lake Wales 1.4 mi 4.8
THE VANGUARD SCHOOL Lake Wales 1.4 mi 9.2
POLK AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Wales 1.5 mi 5.2
MCLAUGHLIN ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE Lake Wales 2.2 mi 4.2
HILLCREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Wales 2.3 mi 8.6
CHAIN OF LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven 5.8 mi 8.1
BOK ACADEMY Lake Wales 6.5 mi 5.1
DUNDEE RIDGE MIDDLE ACADEMY Dundee 6.8 mi 7.8
GARDEN GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven 6.5 mi 5.6
DALE R FAIR BABSON PARK ELEMENTARY Babson Park 7.2 mi 7.8
DON E WOODS OPPORTUNITY CENTER Dundee 7.5 mi 6.1
DUNDEE ELEMENTARY ACADEMY Dundee 7.7 mi 9.0
ALTURAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Alturas 7.9 mi 8.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33853 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$40,938

Median Home Value

$198,100

Median Rent

$965/mo

Population

12,385

College Educated

18.7%

Homeownership

55.8%

Avg Commute

24.8 min

Poverty Rate

23.8%

Median Age

37.3

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BONNEVILLE ELEMENTARY Orlando, FL 5.2
CUTLER RIDGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Cutler Bay, FL 5.2
DR. MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE ELEMENTARY Riviera Beach, FL 5.2
GLADE VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Belle Glade, FL 5.2
GOULDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Homestead, FL 5.2
LAKE SYBELIA ELEMENTARY Maitland, FL 5.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Janie Howard Wilson School

What grades does Janie Howard Wilson School serve?

Janie Howard Wilson School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Janie Howard Wilson School?

Janie Howard Wilson School has an enrollment of approximately 430 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Janie Howard Wilson School?

The student-teacher ratio at Janie Howard Wilson School is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Janie Howard Wilson School rank in FL?

Janie Howard Wilson School ranks #2,702 of 3,778 schools in FL.

What is Janie Howard Wilson School's MySchoolScout rating?

Janie Howard Wilson School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 5.2 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 Janie Howard Wilson School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Janie Howard Wilson School has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 39% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

Is Janie Howard Wilson School a charter school?

Yes, Janie Howard Wilson School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Janie Howard Wilson School a Title I school?

No, Janie Howard Wilson School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Janie Howard Wilson School?

74.2% of students at Janie Howard Wilson 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
17 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
430
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
33
Free/Reduced Lunch
74.2%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Polk County
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
53.0%

District

POLK
District Enrollment
111,041
Schools in District
167
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,242
District Rank
#89 of 155

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