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Average

#1862 of 3,777 schools in FL

Top 49% in state

Polk Pre-collegiate Academy

School · POLK

114 NORTH TENNESSEE AVE SUITE 302, Lakeland, FL 33801

Charter

Enrollment

39

Student-Teacher

13:1

Score

6.5

Grades

9th – 10th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lakeland

#28 of 58

public schools

In district

#67 of 155

POLK

School environment

9.3 / 10

Exceptional

About Polk Pre-collegiate Academy

Polk Pre-Collegiate Academy serves 39 students in grades 9 and 10 as a charter school in Lakeland, Florida. This small, focused institution maintains a favorable 13:1 student-teacher ratio with 3 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for personalized attention in its early high school program. The school demonstrates exceptional academic performance, earning an impressive 8.8 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #209 out of 3,816 schools statewide, placing it in the 94th percentile of Florida schools.

Students show strong literacy skills, with 74% achieving proficiency or above in ELA/Reading across grade levels. This outstanding achievement is particularly noteworthy given the school's charter status and intimate size. Located at 114 North Tennessee Avenue in downtown Lakeland, the academy operates in the heart of this mid-size Central Florida city.

The surrounding 33801 ZIP code area reflects a working-class community with a median household income of $45,932 and median home values around $123,300. While 16% of residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher and the poverty rate stands at 26%, Polk Pre-Collegiate Academy has clearly established itself as a high-performing educational option. The school's urban Lakeland setting provides students access to the resources and opportunities of Polk County's largest city.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 39 students, Polk Pre-collegiate 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.

Polk Pre-collegiate Academy 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

Full Profile · 4/3 metrics
Student Progress1.8Significantly Below Average25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-5.69 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.0Exceptional25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency67%
Reading/ELA Proficiency77%
Reading vs. State Avg+24.4 pts
Overall Proficiency72%
Expected (poverty-adj.)59%
vs. Expected+12.7 pts
Adjusted Percentile84th
College Readiness6.5Above Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment9.3Exceptional20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio13:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,952

Polk Pre-collegiate Academy — Students at Polk Pre-collegiate Academy score 72% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 59%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

30.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 75.8%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 77.8%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 6 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
84.5%
ELA
87%
2021*
Math
67%
ELA
77%
2024
ELA
73.5%

* 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: 1.8/10.

How Polk Pre-collegiate Academy Compares

See how Polk Pre-collegiate Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.5/10
51th percentile in FL
Academic
9.0/10
9.0/10
Growth
1.8/10
Below average
Environment
9.3/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
31%
Teaching Staff
13:1 student-teacher ratio
3 teachers

Location

114 NORTH TENNESSEE AVE SUITE 302, Lakeland, FL 33801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Polk Pre-collegiate Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. ACADEMY PREP CENTER OF LAKELAND (rated 8.5/10, 0.8 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is MCKEEL ACADEMY CENTRAL (rated 8.3/10, 0.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY (rated 8.3/10, 1.3 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lakeland, see our Lakeland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.8 mi
School Distance Rating
LAWTON CHILES MIDDLE ACADEMY Lakeland 0.3 mi 5.9
MCKEEL ACADEMY CENTRAL Lakeland 0.3 mi 8.3
ROSABELLE W. BLAKE ACADEMY Lakeland 0.7 mi 4.8
HADLEYS EARLY EDUCATION DBA INSPIRE ACADEM Lakeland 0.8 mi
ACADEMY PREP CENTER OF LAKELAND Lakeland 0.8 mi 8.5
PREPARING THE WAY ACADEMY Lakeland 1.0 mi
PACE CENTER FOR GIRLS Lakeland 1.0 mi 5.9
PHILIP O'BRIEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 1.1 mi 5.1
POLK VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM Lakeland 1.1 mi
POLK FULL TIME ESCHOOL Lakeland 1.1 mi 4.9
LAKELAND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Lakeland 1.2 mi 5.2
ROBERTS ACADEMY AT FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE Lakeland 1.2 mi 7.6
DIXIELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 1.3 mi 7.8
LINCOLN AVENUE ACADEMY Lakeland 1.3 mi 7.8
MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY Lakeland 1.3 mi 8.3
ROCHELLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Lakeland 1.4 mi 8.1
LAKELAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL HOUSE Lakeland 1.3 mi 7.6
LAKELAND MONTESSORI MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland 1.3 mi 7.8
LAKELAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lakeland 1.7 mi 7.2
ACHIEVEMENT ACADEMY Lakeland 1.8 mi 7.3

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,210

Median Home Value

$138,700

Median Rent

$1,100/mo

Population

33,460

College Educated

15.8%

Homeownership

50.2%

Avg Commute

25.6 min

Poverty Rate

22.8%

Median Age

33.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Polk Pre-collegiate Academy has a median household income of $49,210. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $138,700, with a median rent of $1,100/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Polk Pre-collegiate Academy

What grades does Polk Pre-collegiate Academy serve?

Polk Pre-collegiate Academy serves students in grades 9th through 10th.

How many students attend Polk Pre-collegiate Academy?

Polk Pre-collegiate Academy has an enrollment of approximately 39 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Polk Pre-collegiate Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Polk Pre-collegiate Academy is 13:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Polk Pre-collegiate Academy rank in FL?

Polk Pre-collegiate Academy is ranked #1862 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Polk Pre-collegiate Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Polk Pre-collegiate Academy has a composite rating of 6.5 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 Pre-collegiate Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Polk Pre-collegiate Academy has 75.8% math proficiency and 77.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Polk Pre-collegiate Academy a charter school?

Yes, Polk Pre-collegiate Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Polk Pre-collegiate Academy a Title I school?

No, Polk Pre-collegiate Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Polk Pre-collegiate Academy?

30.8% of students at Polk Pre-collegiate 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

County Safety
Average (575/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 10th
Enrollment
39
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
Teachers (FTE)
3
Free/Reduced Lunch
30.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

POLK
District Enrollment
111,041
Schools in District
167
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,242
District Rank
#67 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 methodology

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