Average
#1536 of 3,778 schools in FL
Top 41% in state
Lake Wales Senior High School
High School · POLK
1 HIGHLANDER WAY, Lake Wales, FL 33853
Enrollment
1,599
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,599
Student-Teacher
22.2:1
Score
6.8
Grades
9th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#1,536 of 3,778
In Lake Wales
#2 of 10
public schools
In district
#40 of 155
POLK
Academic growth
9.2 / 10
Excellent
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Lake Wales Senior High School
High School in Lake Wales · grades 9th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Victory Ridge Academy
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Spook Hill Elementary School
0.5 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Lake Wales Senior High School
Lake Wales Senior High School is a public high school in Lake Wales, FL, part of POLK. Lake Wales Senior High School serves approximately 1,599 students, and covers grades 9th-12th, and has a 22.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Lake Wales Senior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 out of 10 and ranks #1,536 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for Lake Wales Senior High School show 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.8 · Average
- District avg 5.0
- FL avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
Lake Wales Senior High School runs 22.2:1 students to teachers, above the national average. That often means bigger classes. Ask how the school supports kids who need extra help, and whether there are teaching assistants or small-group time.
Lake Wales Senior High 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.
35% of students at Lake Wales Senior High 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 · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
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Lake Wales Senior High School — Students at Lake Wales Senior High School score 43% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
68%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 27 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: 9.2/10.
How Lake Wales Senior High School Compares
See how Lake Wales Senior High School 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
1 HIGHLANDER WAY, Lake Wales, FL 33853
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lake Wales Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. THE VANGUARD SCHOOL (rated 9.2/10, 2.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is ROOSEVELT ACADEMY (rated 6.5/10, 1.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, DON E WOODS OPPORTUNITY CENTER (rated 6.1/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Dundee), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lake Wales, see our Lake Wales schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 8.8 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| VICTORY RIDGE ACADEMY Lake Wales | 0.3 mi | 4.8 |
| SPOOK HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Wales | 0.5 mi | 3.7 |
| EDWARD W BOK ACADEMY NORTH Lake Wales | 0.8 mi | 4.0 |
| CANDLELIGHT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lake Wales | 0.9 mi | 6.4 |
| JANIE HOWARD WILSON SCHOOL Lake Wales | 0.9 mi | 5.2 |
| ROOSEVELT ACADEMY Lake Wales | 1.0 mi | 6.5 |
| ENDTIME CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Lake Wales | 1.3 mi | 4.8 |
| POLK AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Wales | 1.5 mi | 5.2 |
| CANAAN ACADEMY Lake Wales | 1.6 mi | 6.0 |
| HILLCREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Wales | 1.7 mi | 8.6 |
| MCLAUGHLIN ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE Lake Wales | 2.0 mi | 4.2 |
| THE VANGUARD SCHOOL Lake Wales | 2.2 mi | 9.2 |
| BOK ACADEMY Lake Wales | 6.5 mi | 5.1 |
| DALE R FAIR BABSON PARK ELEMENTARY Babson Park | 6.6 mi | 7.8 |
| DUNDEE RIDGE MIDDLE ACADEMY Dundee | 7.0 mi | 7.8 |
| CHAIN OF LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven | 6.6 mi | 8.1 |
| GARDEN GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven | 7.2 mi | 5.6 |
| DON E WOODS OPPORTUNITY CENTER Dundee | 7.8 mi | 6.1 |
| DUNDEE ELEMENTARY ACADEMY Dundee | 8.0 mi | 9.0 |
| SANDHILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Haines City | 8.8 mi | 3.1 |
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 |
|---|---|
| FLEMING ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL Orange Park, FL | 6.8 |
| LAWTON CHILES HIGH SCHOOL Tallahassee, FL | 6.8 |
| MIAMI LAKES EDUCATIONAL CENTER Miami Lakes, FL | 6.8 |
| NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL St. Petersburg, FL | 6.8 |
| WEST FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL/TECHNICAL Pensacola, FL | 6.8 |
| ATLANTIC HIGH SCHOOL Delray Beach, FL | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lake Wales Senior High School
What grades does Lake Wales Senior High School serve?
Lake Wales Senior High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.
How many students attend Lake Wales Senior High School?
Lake Wales Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,599 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lake Wales Senior High School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lake Wales Senior High School is 22.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lake Wales Senior High School rank in FL?
Lake Wales Senior High School ranks #1,536 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Lake Wales Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lake Wales Senior High School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.8 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 Lake Wales Senior High School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Lake Wales Senior High School has 47% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 45% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Lake Wales Senior High School a charter school?
Yes, Lake Wales Senior High School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Lake Wales Senior High School a Title I school?
No, Lake Wales Senior High School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lake Wales Senior High School?
68.0% of students at Lake Wales 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 9th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 1,599
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 22.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 72
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 68.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 34.7%
- Phone
- (863) 678-4222
- 4-Year Graduation
- 91.0%
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #40 of 155
How we rate schools
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