Average
#1478 of 3,778 schools in FL
Top 39% in state
R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School
Elementary School · POLK
5500 YATES RD, Lakeland, FL 33811
Enrollment
954
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
954
Student-Teacher
15.6:1
Score
6.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#1,478 of 3,778
In Lakeland
#20 of 58
public schools
In district
#39 of 155
POLK
Equity
7.6 / 10
Very Good
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R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School
Elementary School in Lakeland · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Limitless Learning Edu
1.6 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
James W. Sikes Elementary School
2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School
R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lakeland, FL, part of POLK. R.
Bruce Wagner Elementary School serves approximately 954 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 15.6:1 student-teacher ratio. R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 out of 10 and ranks #1,478 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School show 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 6.9 · Average
- District avg 6.2
- FL avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
44% of students at R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School — Students at R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
65%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 33 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: 6.9/10.
How R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School Compares
See how R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School 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
5500 YATES RD, Lakeland, FL 33811
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. CLEVELAND COURT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 9.1/10, 4.7 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is WILLOW OAK SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 2.5 miles away, in nearby Mulberry), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SPRINGHEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Plant City), which scores slightly higher. For more schools in Lakeland, see our Lakeland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.1 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LIMITLESS LEARNING EDU Lakeland | 1.6 mi | — |
| JAMES W. SIKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.0 mi | 7.2 |
| BRILLIANT MINDS EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY Mulberry | 2.2 mi | 6.5 |
| WILLOW OAK SCHOOL Mulberry | 2.5 mi | 8.3 |
| MEDULLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.4 mi | 5.8 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.6 mi | 5.6 |
| RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lakeland | 3.6 mi | 7.3 |
| LAKELAND HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland | 3.7 mi | 6.2 |
| SPRINGHEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Plant City | 3.7 mi | 7.9 |
| SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland | 4.3 mi | 3.3 |
| SCOTT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 4.1 mi | 7.0 |
| CARLTON PALMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 4.2 mi | 6.1 |
| LAKELAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lakeland | 4.6 mi | 7.2 |
| SOUTHWEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 4.5 mi | 6.5 |
| HARVEST ACADEMY LLC Mulberry | 4.8 mi | 7.9 |
| THE CYGNET SCHOOL Lakeland | 4.6 mi | 4.5 |
| JESSE KEEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 4.9 mi | 4.0 |
| CLEVELAND COURT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 4.7 mi | 9.1 |
| WONDERHERE ACADEMY Lakeland | 4.9 mi | 7.0 |
| DIXIELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 5.1 mi | 4.1 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33811 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,821
Median Home Value
$289,800
Median Rent
$1,256/mo
Population
28,456
College Educated
31.6%
Homeownership
76.6%
Avg Commute
26.4 min
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Median Age
36.7
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BELMONT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Sun City Center, FL | 6.9 |
| BRONSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bronson, FL | 6.9 |
| COPPERGATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Middleburg, FL | 6.9 |
| CRYSTAL LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Mary, FL | 6.9 |
| DELTONA LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Deltona, FL | 6.9 |
| DUVAL CHARTER SCHOOL AT SOUTHSIDE Jacksonville, FL | 6.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School
What grades does R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School serve?
R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School?
R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 954 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School is 15.6:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School rank in FL?
R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School ranks #1,478 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 6.9 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 R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School has 54% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 51% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School a charter school?
No, R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School a Title I school?
No, R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School?
65.0% of students at R. Bruce Wagner 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.
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Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 954
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 15.6:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 61
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 65.0%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 43.5%
- Phone
- (863) 701-1450
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #39 of 155
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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