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
Enrollment
1,017
Student-Teacher
16.4:1
Score
6.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
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 metricsView breakdown
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Sandhill Elementary School — Students at Sandhill Elementary School score 29% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
72.9%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 10 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: 7.1/10.
How Sandhill Elementary School Compares
See how Sandhill Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 21% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 40% (2019) to 37% (2021).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (863) 419-3166
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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