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Average

#2130 of 3,777 schools in FL

Sandhill Elementary School

Elementary School · POLK

1801 TYNER RD, Haines City, FL 33844

Enrollment

1,017

Student-Teacher

16.4:1

Score

6.2

Grades

Pre-K – 5th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Haines City

#4 of 7

public schools

Florida elementary schools

#1,611 of 2,196

In district

#77 of 155

POLK

School environment

7.2 / 10

Strong

About Sandhill Elementary School

Sandhill Elementary School serves 1,017 students in grades PK through 5 in Haines City, with a student-teacher ratio of 16.4 to 1 among its 62 full-time equivalent teachers. This large elementary school has significant room for academic growth, with 35% of students performing at proficient levels or above in ELA/reading and 40% in math across grade levels. The school ranks in the 25th percentile among Florida elementary schools.

The school draws from a diverse working-class community in the 33844 ZIP code area, where the median household income is $58,242 and median home values are $191,600. With 16% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and a poverty rate of 16.2%, Sandhill Elementary serves families from varied economic backgrounds in this community of nearly 46,000 residents. As a regular public school, Sandhill Elementary provides foundational education during these crucial early learning years, working to build strong academic foundations for its nearly 1,000 young learners.

The school is situated in a rural setting near the town of Haines City in Polk County, offering students a small-town atmosphere while remaining connected to the broader Central Florida community.

What Parents Should Know

While current test scores at Sandhill Elementary School are below average, the school shows strong growth metrics — meaning students are making above-average progress year over year. This upward trajectory can be a positive indicator for families who value a school's ability to help students improve, even if absolute scores haven't caught up yet.

Located in a rural area, Sandhill Elementary School 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

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress7.1Very Good50%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-0.7 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendStable
Academics4.0Below Average30%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency21%
Reading/ELA Proficiency37%
Math vs. State Avg-39.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-18.2 pts
Overall Proficiency29%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-8.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College ReadinessNot Available

Data not available for this school

Resources & Environment7.2Very Good20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio16.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,952

Sandhill Elementary School — Students at Sandhill Elementary School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.9%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 36.6%
School
State
58.1%
ELA Proficiency 36.2%
School
State
54.2%

Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

→ Stable

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
43%
ELA
40%
2021*
Math
21%
ELA
37%
2024
Math
39.7%
ELA
34.7%

* 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: 7.1/10.

How Sandhill Elementary School Compares

See how Sandhill Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
6.2/10
44th percentile in FL
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
7.1/10
Above average
Environment
7.2/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
16:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers

Location

1801 TYNER RD, Haines City, FL 33844

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Sandhill Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. DUNDEE ELEMENTARY ACADEMY (rated 8.4/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Dundee), which scores notably higher. Another option is EASTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.6/10, 6.0 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, LAUREL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.4/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Poinciana), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Haines City, see our Haines City schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 8.2 mi
School Distance Rating
DUNDEE RIDGE MIDDLE ACADEMY Dundee 2.8 mi 6.5
LAKE MARION CREEK MIDDLE SCHOOL Poinciana 3.5 mi 5.2
DUNDEE ELEMENTARY ACADEMY Dundee 3.7 mi 8.4
DON E WOODS OPPORTUNITY CENTER Dundee 3.7 mi 6.2
ESTHERS SCHOOL INC - HAINES CITY Haines City 4.2 mi 4.8
HAINES CITY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Haines City 4.8 mi 4.6
ALTA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Haines City 4.9 mi 7.3
SHELLEY S. BOONE MIDDLE SCHOOL Haines City 5.1 mi 4.4
LAUREL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Poinciana 5.0 mi 7.4
ABA HAINES CITY INC Haines City 5.6 mi 6.4
DANIEL JENKINS ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY MIDDLE SCHOOL Haines City 5.7 mi 6.7
EASTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Haines City 6.0 mi 7.6
LIGHTHOUSE CHRISTIAN LEARNING CENTER Haines City 6.1 mi 7.0
RIDGE TEEN PARENT PROGRAM Winter Haven 6.1 mi
RIDGE TECHNICAL ACADEMY Winter Haven 6.1 mi 4.8
BETHUNE ACADEMY Haines City 6.7 mi 6.1
GCTE CENTER INC Haines City 7.3 mi
GARDEN GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven 7.1 mi 6.8
DAVENPORT ELEMENTARY Davenport 8.3 mi 7.2
THE VANGUARD SCHOOL Lake Wales 8.2 mi 9.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33844 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,426

Median Home Value

$212,700

Median Rent

$1,158/mo

Population

49,133

College Educated

17.3%

Homeownership

69.9%

Avg Commute

36.2 min

Poverty Rate

16.2%

Median Age

39.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Sandhill Elementary School has a median household income of $60,426. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $212,700, with a median rent of $1,158/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.2%. The average commute in the area is 36 minutes, which is above the national average. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
BAY LAKE ELEMENTARY Windermere, FL 6.2
BELLE TERRE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Coast, FL 6.2
CLIFFORD O TAYLOR/KIRKLANE ELEMENTARY Palm Springs, FL 6.2
CORAL WAY K-8 CENTER Miami, FL 6.2
DR N H JONES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Ocala, FL 6.2
EAST LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Kissimmee, FL 6.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Sandhill Elementary School

What grades does Sandhill Elementary School serve?

Sandhill Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.

How many students attend Sandhill Elementary School?

Sandhill Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 1,017 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Sandhill Elementary School?

The student-teacher ratio at Sandhill Elementary School is 16.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Sandhill Elementary School rank in FL?

Sandhill Elementary School is ranked #2130 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Sandhill Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?

Sandhill Elementary School has a composite rating of 6.2 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 Sandhill Elementary School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Sandhill Elementary School has 36.6% math proficiency and 36.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Sandhill Elementary School a charter school?

No, Sandhill Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Sandhill Elementary School a Title I school?

No, Sandhill Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Sandhill Elementary School?

72.9% of students at Sandhill 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
3 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
25 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
Elevated (926/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
1,017
Student-Teacher Ratio
16.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
62
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.9%
Type
regular
Setting
Fringe Rural
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

POLK
District Enrollment
111,041
Schools in District
167
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,242
District Rank
#77 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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