Average
#1652 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 44% in state
Polk Avenue Elementary School
Elementary School · POLK
110 POLK AVE E, Lake Wales, FL 33853
Enrollment
534
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
534
Student-Teacher
17.2:1
Score
6.7
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lake Wales
#3 of 10
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#1,341 of 2,196
In district
#58 of 155
POLK
Academic growth
7.4 / 10
Strong
About Polk Avenue Elementary School
Polk Avenue Elementary School is a charter school located in Lake Wales, Florida. The school serves students from pre-kindergarten through fifth grade with an enrollment of 534 students and maintains a student-teacher ratio of 17.2:1, ensuring that each child receives individual attention. Polk Avenue Elementary has 31 full-time equivalent teachers who are dedicated to providing quality education.
The academic performance at Polk Avenue Elementary is rated 5.1 out of 10 by MySchoolScout and ranks 44th percentile among Florida schools. The school’s ELA/Reading proficiency rate stands at 39%, while the Math proficiency rate is slightly higher at 46%. These scores indicate that there is room for improvement in academic performance, but Polk Avenue Elementary continues to focus on developing each student's potential.
The setting of Polk Avenue Elementary School is in a large suburban area within Lake Wales. The school is part of the vibrant community where families and educators work together to support students' educational journey.
What Parents Should Know
Polk Avenue Elementary School is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.
Score Breakdown
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Polk Avenue Elementary School — Students at Polk Avenue Elementary School score 38% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
73.6%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 7.4/10.
How Polk Avenue Elementary School Compares
See how Polk Avenue Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 50% (2019) to 40% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 37% (2021).
Location
110 POLK AVE E, Lake Wales, FL 33853
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Polk Avenue Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. HILLCREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.5/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is DUNDEE ELEMENTARY ACADEMY (rated 8.4/10, 9.2 miles away, in nearby Dundee), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ALTURAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 7.8 miles away, in nearby Alturas), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lake Wales, see our Lake Wales schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 9.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| ENDTIME CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Lake Wales | 0.2 mi | 4.8 |
| MCLAUGHLIN ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE Lake Wales | 0.6 mi | 5.9 |
| CANDLELIGHT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lake Wales | 0.7 mi | 6.4 |
| CANAAN ACADEMY Lake Wales | 0.6 mi | 6.0 |
| EDWARD W BOK ACADEMY NORTH Lake Wales | 0.8 mi | 4.6 |
| SPOOK HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Wales | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| ROOSEVELT ACADEMY Lake Wales | 1.2 mi | 6.6 |
| VICTORY RIDGE ACADEMY Lake Wales | 1.3 mi | 6.3 |
| HILLCREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Wales | 1.3 mi | 8.5 |
| LAKE WALES SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Lake Wales | 1.5 mi | 5.3 |
| JANIE HOWARD WILSON SCHOOL Lake Wales | 1.5 mi | 5.8 |
| THE VANGUARD SCHOOL Lake Wales | 2.8 mi | 9.2 |
| BOK ACADEMY Lake Wales | 5.0 mi | 4.9 |
| DALE R FAIR BABSON PARK ELEMENTARY Babson Park | 5.8 mi | 6.2 |
| CHAIN OF LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven | 6.9 mi | 7.3 |
| GARDEN GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven | 7.9 mi | 6.8 |
| DUNDEE RIDGE MIDDLE ACADEMY Dundee | 8.3 mi | 6.5 |
| ALTURAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Alturas | 7.8 mi | 8.3 |
| DON E WOODS OPPORTUNITY CENTER Dundee | 9.1 mi | 6.2 |
| DUNDEE ELEMENTARY ACADEMY Dundee | 9.2 mi | 8.4 |
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
Community Profile
The community surrounding Polk Avenue Elementary School has a median household income of $40,938. It is a community where 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $198,100, with a median rent of $965/month. The area has a poverty rate of 23.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| A. K. SUTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pensacola, FL | 6.7 |
| BANYAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sunrise, FL | 6.7 |
| BELLE GLADE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Belle Glade, FL | 6.7 |
| BELLVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pensacola, FL | 6.7 |
| BRIDGEPREP ACADEMY OF NORTH MIAMI BEACH North Miami Beach, FL | 6.7 |
| CHRISTA MCAULIFFE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Bay, FL | 6.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Polk Avenue Elementary School
What grades does Polk Avenue Elementary School serve?
Polk Avenue Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Polk Avenue Elementary School?
Polk Avenue Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 534 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Polk Avenue Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Polk Avenue Elementary School is 17.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Polk Avenue Elementary School rank in FL?
Polk Avenue Elementary School is ranked #1652 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Polk Avenue Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Polk Avenue Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.7 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 Polk Avenue Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Polk Avenue Elementary School has 45.8% math proficiency and 38.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Polk Avenue Elementary School a charter school?
Yes, Polk Avenue Elementary School is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is Polk Avenue Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Polk Avenue Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Polk Avenue Elementary School?
73.6% of students at Polk Avenue Elementary 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
- City Safety
- High (1,772/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Lake Wales). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 534
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 17.2:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 31
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 73.6%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (863) 678-4244
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #58 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.
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