Needs Improvement
#3604 of 3,777 schools in FL
Polk County Sheriff's Central Center
High School · POLK
2390 BOB PHILLIPS RD, Bartow, FL 33830
Enrollment
36
Student-Teacher
36:1
Score
3.9
Grades
7th – 12th
Enrollment
36
Student-Teacher
36:1
Score
3.9
Grades
7th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Bartow
#13 of 15
public schools
Florida high schools
#623 of 748
In district
#145 of 155
POLK
About Polk County Sheriff's Central Center
Polk County Sheriff's Central Center is an alternative high school located in Bartow, Florida. Serving students from seventh through twelfth grade, the school has a unique educational setting with an enrollment of just 36 students and one full-time equivalent teacher, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 36:1. The school focuses on providing support for its small community of learners, though its academic performance currently shows room for growth, with a MySchoolScout rating of 1.8 out of 10 and an ELA/Reading proficiency rate of only 25%.
The school is situated in a rural area near the town, offering students a quiet environment conducive to personal development and individualized attention from staff. Despite its challenges, Polk County Sheriff's Central Center provides essential services for students who need alternative education pathways.
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 36 students, Polk County Sheriff's Central Center 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.
The student-teacher ratio at Polk County Sheriff's Central Center is 36:1, 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, Polk County Sheriff's Central Center 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
Partial Profile · 3/4 metricsRequires 2+ years of test data
View breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Polk County Sheriff's Central Center — Students at Polk County Sheriff's Central Center score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 71%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
8.3%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Component weights adjusted due to data availability.
Test Scores FL EDFACTS (2018-19)
Based on 1 test record from FL state assessments. About our data
How Polk County Sheriff's Central Center Compares
See how Polk County Sheriff's Central Center performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Location
2390 BOB PHILLIPS RD, Bartow, FL 33830
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Polk County Sheriff's Central Center may also want to explore other high schools in the area. GAUSE ACADEMY OF LEADERSHIP (rated 6.8/10, 2.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is BARTOW SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.1/10, 1.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, TRANSITION SCHOOL (rated 5.0/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Bartow, see our Bartow schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 6.6 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER Bartow | 0.0 mi | 3.8 |
| POLK HALFWAY HOUSE Bartow | 0.2 mi | — |
| TRANSITION SCHOOL Bartow | 0.4 mi | 5.0 |
| UNION ACADEMY Bartow | 0.8 mi | 5.6 |
| BARTOW MIDDLE SCHOOL Bartow | 1.3 mi | 5.1 |
| COMPASS MIDDLE CHARTER SCHOOL Bartow | 1.3 mi | 5.2 |
| BARTOW SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Bartow | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| BARTOW ELEMENTARY ACADEMY Bartow | 1.5 mi | 6.3 |
| FLORAL AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bartow | 1.5 mi | 6.4 |
| JEAN O'DELL LEARNING CENTER Bartow | 1.5 mi | 8.3 |
| FIRST METHODIST SCHOOL INC. Bartow | 1.7 mi | 6.8 |
| HOSPITAL HOMEBOUND Bartow | 1.7 mi | 3.5 |
| GAUSE ACADEMY OF LEADERSHIP Bartow | 2.7 mi | 6.8 |
| WORD OF LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bartow | 2.7 mi | 7.6 |
| JAMES E. STEPHENS ACADEMY Bartow | 3.0 mi | 7.9 |
| SPESSARD L HOLLAND ELEMENTARY Bartow | 5.5 mi | 6.9 |
| HIGHLAND CITY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Highland City | 7.0 mi | 7.9 |
| FAMILY LIFE HOMESCHOOL Bartow | 6.7 mi | — |
| EAGLE LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Eagle Lake | 7.2 mi | 4.8 |
| ALTURAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Alturas | 6.6 mi | 8.3 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33830 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$62,636
Median Home Value
$207,900
Median Rent
$1,017/mo
Population
32,738
College Educated
18.4%
Homeownership
68.5%
Avg Commute
27.9 min
Poverty Rate
18.3%
Median Age
36.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding Polk County Sheriff's Central Center has a median household income of $62,636. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $207,900, with a median rent of $1,017/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.3%. The average commute for residents is 28 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 |
|---|---|
| ALTA CAREER ACADEMY Miami, FL | 3.8 |
| ALTA CAREER ACADEMY Miami, FL | 3.8 |
| POLK COUNTY SHERIFFS REGIONAL DETENTION CENTER Bartow, FL | 3.8 |
| OKALOOSA REGIONAL DETENTION Crestview, FL | 4.1 |
| MLMPI PREP ACADEMY 2 Oakland Park, FL | 4.4 |
| SCPS CONSEQUENCE UNIT Sanford, FL | 4.4 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Polk County Sheriff's Central Center
What grades does Polk County Sheriff's Central Center serve?
Polk County Sheriff's Central Center serves students in grades 7th through 12th.
How many students attend Polk County Sheriff's Central Center?
Polk County Sheriff's Central Center has an enrollment of approximately 36 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Polk County Sheriff's Central Center?
The student-teacher ratio at Polk County Sheriff's Central Center is 36:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Polk County Sheriff's Central Center rank in FL?
Polk County Sheriff's Central Center is ranked #3604 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Polk County Sheriff's Central Center's MySchoolScout rating?
Polk County Sheriff's Central Center has a composite rating of 3.9 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 County Sheriff's Central Center?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Polk County Sheriff's Central Center has 25.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Polk County Sheriff's Central Center a charter school?
No, Polk County Sheriff's Central Center is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Polk County Sheriff's Central Center a Title I school?
No, Polk County Sheriff's Central Center is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Polk County Sheriff's Central Center?
8.3% of students at Polk County Sheriff's Central Center 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 (2,296/100K)
FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Bartow). Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- 7th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 36
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 36:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 1
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 8.3%
- Type
- alternative
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (863) 519-3611
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #145 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 methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in Florida 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in Jacksonville, Miami & Tampa for Families Exploring School Choicebest schools
- Best Schools in Jacksonville, FL — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Miami, FL — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Orlando, FL — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.