Below Average
#3148 of 3,778 schools in FL
Pioneer Career Academy
High School · HARDEE
200 S FLORIDA AVE, Wauchula, FL 33873
Enrollment
44
Student-Teacher
44:1
Score
4.5
Grades
5th – 12th
Enrollment
44
Student-Teacher
44:1
Score
4.5
Grades
5th – 12th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#3,148 of 3,778
In Wauchula
#7 of 7
public schools
In district
#9 of 9
HARDEE
Academic growth
8.8 / 10
Excellent
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Pioneer Career Academy
High School in Wauchula · grades 5th – 12th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Wauchula Elementary School
0.2 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Hardee Virtual Franchise
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About Pioneer Career Academy
Pioneer Career Academy is a public high school in Wauchula, FL, part of HARDEE. Pioneer Career Academy serves approximately 44 students, and covers grades 5th-12th, and has a 44:1 student-teacher ratio. Pioneer Career Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #3,148 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for Pioneer Career Academy show 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 4.5 · Below Average
- District avg 5.4
- FL avg 5.7
What Parents Should Know
At 44 students, Pioneer Career Academy is on the smaller side. That usually buys more individual attention and teachers who know every kid by name, with the trade-off of fewer electives and extracurriculars than a larger school can staff. Ask what activities it actually offers.
Test scores at Pioneer Career Academy sit below average, but its growth scores are strong: students here make above-average progress year over year. The raw numbers haven't caught up, but a school that keeps moving kids forward is doing the harder, more important work.
Pioneer Career Academy runs 44:1 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 4/4 metricsView breakdown
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Pioneer Career Academy — Students at Pioneer Career Academy score 22% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 34%).
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 25 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: 8.8/10.
How Pioneer Career Academy Compares
See how Pioneer Career Academy 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
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. FORT MEADE MIDDLE/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.7/10, 15.1 miles away, in nearby Fort Meade), which scores notably higher. Another option is HARDEE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 6.1/10, 2.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HARDEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.5/10, 1.5 miles away), 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 | 5.5 |
| NORTH WAUCHULA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wauchula | 1.1 mi | 7.3 |
| ALANE ACADEMY Wauchula | 1.0 mi | 5.0 |
| HARDEE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Wauchula | 1.5 mi | 5.5 |
| HARDEE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Wauchula | 2.8 mi | 6.1 |
| HILLTOP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wauchula | 2.8 mi | 5.4 |
| ZOLFO SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Zolfo Springs | 4.0 mi | 7.7 |
| BOWLING GREEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bowling Green | 6.3 mi | 7.2 |
| 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 | 6.7 |
| CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Avon Park | 18.9 mi | 6.9 |
| WALKER MEMORIAL ACADEMY Avon Park | 18.8 mi | 7.3 |
| HILL-GUSTAT MIDDLE SCHOOL Sebring | 18.7 mi | 5.1 |
| SUN 'N LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sebring | 18.7 mi | 7.9 |
| AVON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Avon Park | 19.3 mi | 5.7 |
| AVON PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL Avon Park | 19.7 mi | 6.2 |
| MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Avon Park | 19.7 mi | 6.8 |
| DESOTO COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Arcadia | 22.3 mi | 4.5 |
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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| CHAUTAUQUA CHARTER SCHOOL Panama City, FL | 4.5 |
| POLK COUNTY SHERIFF'S CENTRAL CENTER Bartow, FL | 4.5 |
| WESTERN GENERAL EDUCATION Miami, FL | 4.5 |
| ACHIEVEMENT CENTER OF SARASOTA THE Sarasota, FL | 4.6 |
| MLMPI PREP ACADEMY 2 Oakland Park, FL | 4.4 |
| PENSACOLA PRIVATE SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS Pensacola, FL | 4.6 |
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 ranks #3,148 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Pioneer Career Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
Pioneer Career Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Pioneer Career Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Pioneer Career Academy has 23% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2021) and 23% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
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
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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
- 4-Year Graduation
- <50%
Resources & Links
District
HARDEE- District Enrollment
- 4,725
- Schools in District
- 11
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,932
- District Rank
- #9 of 9
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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