Average
#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
Enrollment
44
Student-Teacher
44:1
Score
5.1
Grades
5th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Pioneer Career Academy — Students at Pioneer Career Academy score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 28%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
90.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 5 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 7.1/10.
How Pioneer Career Academy Compares
See how Pioneer Career Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has remained stable from 25% (2019) to 25% (2021).
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.
Explore More Schools
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
- Phone
- (863) 735-2300
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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