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Below Average

#3289 of 3,777 schools in FL

Ridge Technical Academy

High School · POLK

7700 STATE ROAD 544, Winter Haven, FL 33881

Enrollment

143

Student-Teacher

20.4:1

Score

4.8

Grades

6th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Winter Haven

#16 of 19

public schools

Florida high schools

#505 of 748

In district

#127 of 155

POLK

About Ridge Technical Academy

Ridge Technical Academy is an alternative high school located in Winter Haven, Florida, with a focus on serving students from sixth to twelfth grade. The school has a relatively small enrollment of 143 students and a student-to-teacher ratio of 20.4:1, suggesting a personalized learning environment supported by seven full-time equivalent teachers. Ridge Technical Academy offers a unique educational experience tailored for those who benefit from an alternative setting.

With a MySchoolScout rating of 2.2 out of 10 and a state ranking of #3692 out of 3816 schools in Florida, the school is currently focusing on student development rather than academic performance metrics like math proficiency, which stands at only 25% proficient or above. Despite its lower rankings, Ridge Technical Academy provides a nurturing environment for students who may thrive outside traditional schooling. The small city setting adds to the close-knit community feel of the school, fostering strong relationships between staff and students.

What Parents Should Know

With an enrollment of 143 students, Ridge Technical 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.

The student-teacher ratio at Ridge Technical Academy is 20.4:1, 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.

Score Breakdown

Partial Profile · 3/4 metrics
Student ProgressNot Available

Requires 2+ years of test data

Academics2.9Needs Improvement33%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency25%
Overall Proficiency25%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-18.9 pts
Adjusted Percentile11th
College Readiness6.5Above Average40%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment4.5Below Average27%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio20.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,952

Ridge Technical Academy — Students at Ridge Technical Academy score 25% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 44%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

60.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Component weights adjusted due to data availability.

Test Scores FL EDFACTS (2020-21)

Math Proficiency 25.0%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency N/A
School
State
N/A

Based on 1 test record from FL state assessments. About our data

How Ridge Technical Academy Compares

See how Ridge Technical Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.8/10
13th percentile in FL
Academic
2.9/10
2.9/10
Environment
4.5/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
60%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
7 teachers

Location

7700 STATE ROAD 544, Winter Haven, FL 33881

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Ridge Technical Academy may also want to explore other high schools in the area. DON E WOODS OPPORTUNITY CENTER (rated 6.2/10, 4.2 miles away, in nearby Dundee), which scores notably higher. Another option is CHAIN OF LAKES COLLEGIATE HIGH (rated 4.7/10, 4.8 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, HAINES CITY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 4.6/10, 3.2 miles away, in nearby Haines City), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Winter Haven, see our Winter Haven schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 4.8 mi
School Distance Rating
RIDGE TEEN PARENT PROGRAM Winter Haven 0.0 mi
ALTA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Haines City 1.9 mi 7.3
DANIEL JENKINS ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY MIDDLE SCHOOL Haines City 2.5 mi 6.7
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN LEARNING CENTER Haines City 2.9 mi 7.0
ESTHERS SCHOOL INC - HAINES CITY Haines City 2.8 mi 4.8
SHELLEY S. BOONE MIDDLE SCHOOL Haines City 3.1 mi 4.4
GCTE CENTER INC Haines City 3.4 mi
HAINES CITY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Haines City 3.2 mi 4.6
ABA HAINES CITY INC Haines City 3.4 mi 6.4
WINTER HAVEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Winter Haven 3.5 mi 7.8
EASTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Haines City 3.5 mi 7.6
BETHUNE ACADEMY Haines City 3.6 mi 6.1
DUNDEE ELEMENTARY ACADEMY Dundee 4.1 mi 8.4
DON E WOODS OPPORTUNITY CENTER Dundee 4.2 mi 6.2
LAKE ALFRED ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Alfred 4.2 mi 7.1
JEWETT SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Winter Haven 4.3 mi 5.9
OUR CAREER CENTERED ACADEMY INC. Lake Alfred 4.3 mi 7.5
ELBERT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven 4.7 mi 5.6
JEWETT MIDDLE ACADEMY MAGNET Winter Haven 4.5 mi 5.5
CHAIN OF LAKES COLLEGIATE HIGH Winter Haven 4.8 mi 4.7

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33881 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$53,867

Median Home Value

$177,400

Median Rent

$1,153/mo

Population

39,189

College Educated

18%

Homeownership

69.6%

Avg Commute

33.4 min

Poverty Rate

17.2%

Median Age

43.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Ridge Technical Academy has a median household income of $53,867. It is a community where 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $177,400, with a median rent of $1,153/month. The area has a poverty rate of 17.2%. The average commute for residents is 33 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
MAYNARD A TRAVISS TECHNICAL ACADEMY Lakeland, FL 4.8
NEW HORIZONS LEARNING CENTER Panama City, FL 4.8
LEARNING ACADEMY OF SANTA ROSA Milton, FL 4.7
NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL Gainesville, FL 4.9
CENTER ACADEMY LUTZ Lutz, FL 4.6
CENTER ACADEMY-RIVERVIEW Riverview, FL 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Ridge Technical Academy

What grades does Ridge Technical Academy serve?

Ridge Technical Academy serves students in grades 6th through 12th.

How many students attend Ridge Technical Academy?

Ridge Technical Academy has an enrollment of approximately 143 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Ridge Technical Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Ridge Technical Academy is 20.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Ridge Technical Academy rank in FL?

Ridge Technical Academy is ranked #3289 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Ridge Technical Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Ridge Technical Academy has a composite rating of 4.8 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 Ridge Technical Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Ridge Technical Academy has 25.0% math proficiency.

Is Ridge Technical Academy a charter school?

No, Ridge Technical Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Ridge Technical Academy a Title I school?

No, Ridge Technical Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Ridge Technical Academy?

60.1% of students at Ridge Technical 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

City Safety
High (1,786/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Winter Haven). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
143
Student-Teacher Ratio
20.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
7
Free/Reduced Lunch
60.1%
Type
alternative
Setting
Small 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
#127 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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