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#3047 of 3,777 schools in FL

Pioneer Career Academy

High School · HARDEE

200 S FLORIDA AVE, Wauchula, FL 33873

Enrollment

44

Student-Teacher

44:1

Score

5.1

Grades

5th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Wauchula

#5 of 7

public schools

Florida high schools

#429 of 748

In district

#7 of 9

HARDEE

Academic growth

7.1 / 10

Strong

About Pioneer Career Academy

Pioneer Career Academy is an alternative school located in Wauchula, Florida. Serving students from fifth grade through twelfth grade, the school has a total enrollment of 44 students with just one full-time teacher, resulting in a high student-to-teacher ratio of 44:1. The academic performance at Pioneer Career Academy currently ranks at 2.8 out of 10 on MySchoolScout’s rating system and places it at number 3477 out of the 3816 schools statewide, placing it in the 9th percentile overall.

In terms of proficiency scores, only 23% of students are proficient or above in ELA/Reading, while 25% are proficient or above in Math. Despite these challenges, Pioneer Career Academy is focused on supporting its unique student population and providing personalized education tailored to their needs. The school’s setting within the town of Wauchula offers a close-knit community environment where students can receive individualized attention from educators who strive to help them succeed academically and personally.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 44 students, Pioneer Career Academy is a smaller school where families often find a close-knit community atmosphere. Smaller settings can mean more individual attention from teachers and staff, though they may offer fewer extracurricular options than larger schools.

While current test scores at Pioneer Career 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Career Academy is 44:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.72 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.2Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Reading/ELA Proficiency25%
Reading vs. State Avg-27.8 pts
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)28%
vs. Expected-2.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile23th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.4Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio44:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,936

Pioneer Career Academy — Students at Pioneer Career Academy score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

90.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 22.7%
School
State
52.8%

Based on 5 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2019
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2021*
Math
25%
ELA
25%
2024
ELA
18%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Pioneer Career Academy Compares

See how Pioneer Career Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.1/10
19th percentile in FL
Academic
4.2/10
4.2/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
1.4/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
91%
Teaching Staff
44:1 student-teacher ratio
1 teachers

Location

200 S FLORIDA AVE, Wauchula, FL 33873

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Pioneer Career Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. HARDEE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.8/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is HILL-GUSTAT MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 6.5/10, 18.7 miles away, in nearby Sebring), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FORT MEADE MIDDLE/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.8/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Fort Meade), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Wauchula, see our Wauchula schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 22.3 mi
School Distance Rating
WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wauchula 0.2 mi 7.2
HARDEE VIRTUAL FRANCHISE Wauchula 0.9 mi 3.6
NORTH WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wauchula 1.1 mi 6.0
ALANE ACADEMY Wauchula 1.0 mi 5.0
HARDEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Wauchula 1.5 mi 3.1
HARDEE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Wauchula 2.8 mi 6.8
HILLTOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wauchula 2.8 mi 5.4
ZOLFO SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Zolfo Springs 4.0 mi 6.1
BOWLING GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bowling Green 6.3 mi 7.6
LAKESIDE NEUROLOGIC Wauchula 5.8 mi
LEWIS ANNA WOODBURY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Fort Meade 13.8 mi 6.8
FORT MEADE MIDDLE/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Fort Meade 15.1 mi 5.8
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Avon Park 18.9 mi 7.0
WALKER MEMORIAL ACADEMY Avon Park 18.8 mi 7.3
HILL-GUSTAT MIDDLE SCHOOL Sebring 18.7 mi 6.5
SUN 'N LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sebring 18.7 mi 7.2
AVON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Avon Park 19.3 mi 7.2
AVON PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL Avon Park 19.7 mi 7.2
MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Avon Park 19.7 mi 7.9
DESOTO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Arcadia 22.3 mi 4.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33873 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$51,311

Median Home Value

$128,500

Median Rent

$944/mo

Population

14,162

College Educated

14.2%

Homeownership

70.1%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

27.3%

Median Age

36.7

Community Profile

The community surrounding Pioneer Career Academy has a median household income of $51,311. It is a community where 14% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $128,500, with a median rent of $944/month. The area has a poverty rate of 27.3%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 27 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
COASTAL MIDDLE & SR HIGH SCHOOL Lake Park, FL 5.1
ESCAMBIA JUVENILE DETENTION Pensacola, FL 5.1
IMMOKALEE TEEN PARENTING PROG Immokalee, FL 5.1
PACE CENTER FOR GIRLS Palm Beach Springs, FL 5.1
AMIKIDS CLAY COUNTY Green Cove Springs, FL 5.0
ELEVATION PREPARATORY ACADEMY Sarasota, FL 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Pioneer Career Academy

What grades does Pioneer Career Academy serve?

Pioneer Career Academy serves students in grades 5th through 12th.

How many students attend Pioneer Career Academy?

Pioneer Career Academy has an enrollment of approximately 44 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Career Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Pioneer Career Academy is 44:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Pioneer Career Academy rank in FL?

Pioneer Career Academy is ranked #3047 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Pioneer Career Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Pioneer Career Academy has a composite rating of 5.1 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 Pioneer Career Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Pioneer Career Academy has 25.0% math proficiency and 22.7% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Pioneer Career Academy a charter school?

No, Pioneer Career Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Pioneer Career Academy a Title I school?

No, Pioneer Career Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Pioneer Career Academy?

90.9% of students at Pioneer Career 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

City Safety
Elevated (1,150/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Wauchula). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
5th – 12th
Enrollment
44
Student-Teacher Ratio
44:1
Teachers (FTE)
1
Free/Reduced Lunch
90.9%
Type
alternative
Setting
Distant Town
County
Hardee County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

HARDEE
District Enrollment
4,725
Schools in District
11
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,932
District Rank
#7 of 9

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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