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Needs Improvement

#3691 of 3,777 schools in FL

Mulberry Senior High School

High School · POLK

4TH CIRCLE NE, Mulberry, FL 33860

Enrollment

1,399

Student-Teacher

22.6:1

Score

3.4

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mulberry

#4 of 4

public schools

Florida high schools

#679 of 748

In district

#149 of 155

POLK

About Mulberry Senior High School

Mulberry Senior High School serves 1,399 students in grades 9-12 in the rural community of Mulberry, Florida. With 62 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 22.6:1, providing a sizeable high school experience in Polk County. Academically, Mulberry Senior High has room for growth, with 41% of students performing proficient or above in English Language Arts and Reading across grade levels.

The school holds a MySchoolScout rating of 3.4 out of 10 and ranks in the 22nd percentile among Florida high schools, indicating opportunities for continued academic development and student support. The school draws from a working-class community where the median household income is $62,429 and median home values are $189,400. About 15% of local residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while 15.5% of families live below the poverty line, reflecting a diverse socioeconomic student body that brings varied perspectives and experiences to the classroom.

As a regular public high school, Mulberry Senior High provides comprehensive secondary education to teens in this close-knit area. The school is situated in Polk County's rural landscape near the town of Mulberry, offering students a small-town atmosphere while preparing them for their post-graduation paths.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Mulberry Senior High School is 22.6:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Located in a rural area, Mulberry Senior High School may involve longer commutes for some families. Rural schools often serve as community anchors and may have smaller class sizes, but parents should consider transportation logistics, after-school program availability, and access to specialized services.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.3Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-4.58 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.7Fair25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21%
Reading/ELA Proficiency36%
Reading vs. State Avg-16.6 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-12.0 pts
Adjusted Percentile18th
College Readiness3.9Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation13.7%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.4Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio22.6:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,952

Mulberry Senior High School — Students at Mulberry Senior High School score 28% 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

66.6%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 31.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 38.8%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 6 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

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

2019
Math
41%
ELA
37%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
36%
2024
ELA
41%

* 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: 2.3/10.

How Mulberry Senior High School Compares

See how Mulberry Senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.4/10
2th percentile in FL
Academic
3.7/10
3.7/10
Growth
2.3/10
Below average
Environment
3.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
67%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers

Location

4TH CIRCLE NE, Mulberry, FL 33860

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mulberry Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. SCOTT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 3.8 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), which scores notably higher. Another option is R. BRUCE WAGNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 5.5 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HARVEST ACADEMY LLC (rated 7.9/10, 1.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mulberry, see our Mulberry schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 6.1 mi
School Distance Rating
MULBERRY MIDDLE SCHOOL Mulberry 0.7 mi 4.6
PURCELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mulberry 0.8 mi 7.2
HARVEST ACADEMY LLC Mulberry 1.0 mi 7.9
MULBERRY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mulberry 1.3 mi 7.8
BRILLIANT MINDS EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY Mulberry 3.3 mi 6.5
JAMES W. SIKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 3.6 mi 7.9
SCOTT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 3.8 mi 8.3
WILLOW OAK SCHOOL Mulberry 3.8 mi 7.6
MEDULLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 4.6 mi 5.5
LIMITLESS LEARNING EDU Lakeland 4.4 mi
GEORGE W. JENKINS SENIOR HIGH Lakeland 4.7 mi 4.6
VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 4.8 mi 7.4
LAKELAND HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland 5.2 mi 5.8
R. BRUCE WAGNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 5.5 mi 8.0
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakeland 5.9 mi 5.6
HIGHLANDS GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 6.2 mi 7.8
RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lakeland 6.4 mi 7.3
CARLTON PALMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 6.6 mi 5.1
PARKWAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lakeland 6.6 mi 7.6
WORD OF LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bartow 6.1 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33860 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,779

Median Home Value

$221,400

Median Rent

$1,150/mo

Population

25,617

College Educated

14.8%

Homeownership

70%

Avg Commute

29 min

Poverty Rate

16.7%

Median Age

34.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mulberry Senior High School has a median household income of $62,779. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,400, with a median rent of $1,150/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.7%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
MIAMI JACKSON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Miami, FL 3.4
ANCLOTE HIGH SCHOOL Holiday, FL 3.3
DELTONA HIGH SCHOOL Deltona, FL 3.5
HIALEAH-MIAMI LAKES SENIOR HIGH Hialeah, FL 3.3
MIAMI NORLAND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Miami, FL 3.5
PASCO HIGH SCHOOL Dade City, FL 3.5

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mulberry Senior High School

What grades does Mulberry Senior High School serve?

Mulberry Senior High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Mulberry Senior High School?

Mulberry Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 1,399 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Mulberry Senior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Mulberry Senior High School is 22.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mulberry Senior High School rank in FL?

Mulberry Senior High School is ranked #3691 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Mulberry Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mulberry Senior High School has a composite rating of 3.4 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 Mulberry Senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mulberry Senior High School has 31.0% math proficiency and 38.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mulberry Senior High School a charter school?

No, Mulberry Senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Mulberry Senior High School a Title I school?

No, Mulberry Senior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Mulberry Senior High School?

66.6% of students at Mulberry 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
36 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (575/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
1,399
Student-Teacher Ratio
22.6:1
Teachers (FTE)
62
Free/Reduced Lunch
66.6%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

POLK
District Enrollment
111,041
Schools in District
167
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,242
District Rank
#149 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

Related reading

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