Excellent
#2 of 1,462 private schools in FL
Top 1% of private schools
The Vanguard School
High School
22000 HWY 27, Lake Wales, FL 33859
Estimated academic score. This school does not have standardized test data. Based on FL statewide data. Learn more
Enrollment
103
Student-Teacher
6.1:1
Score
9.2
Grades
6th – 12th
Enrollment
103
Student-Teacher
6.1:1
Score
9.2
Grades
6th – 12th
Updated
2021-22
Updated 2021-22
How this school compares
In Lake Wales
#1 of 4
public schools
Florida high schools
#1 of 129
About The Vanguard School
The Vanguard School serves 103 students in grades 6-12 as a highly-rated public school in Lake Wales, Florida. With an exceptional 9.2 out of 10 rating from MySchoolScout and ranking #67 out of 1,462 schools statewide, The Vanguard School places in the 96th percentile of Florida schools, demonstrating outstanding academic excellence. The school maintains an remarkably low 6.1:1 student-teacher ratio with 17 full-time equivalent teachers, allowing for highly personalized attention and individualized instruction that likely contributes to its stellar reputation.
This intimate learning environment enables teachers to closely monitor each student's progress and provide targeted support. Located at 22000 Highway 27, The Vanguard School draws students from the surrounding Lake Wales community in Polk County. The school's ZIP code area has a median household income of $61,815 and median home values around $181,100, with 23% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher.
While 19.4% of the community experiences poverty, the school's exceptional performance suggests it effectively serves students across all economic backgrounds. The Vanguard School is situated in a rural area near the town of Lake Wales, providing students with a peaceful learning environment away from urban distractions while maintaining access to community resources and opportunities.
What's said publicly about The Vanguard School
Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated May 2026.
Sources (1)
What Parents Should Know
With an enrollment of 103 students, The Vanguard School 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.
With a student-teacher ratio of 6.1:1, The Vanguard School offers a notably low ratio compared to the national average. This typically means smaller class sizes and more opportunities for one-on-one interaction between students and teachers.
As a private school, The Vanguard School operates independently from the local public school district. Families considering this school should inquire about tuition costs, financial aid availability, and the admissions process. Private schools are not required to follow the same curriculum standards as public schools, which can be either an advantage or a consideration depending on your priorities.
Compare to Public Schools
BetaHow The Vanguard School compares to 6 public schools serving similar grades in Lake Wales, FL
Student Demographics
Nearby High Schools
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| The Vanguard School (this school) | 9.2 |
| ROOSEVELT ACADEMY | 6.6 |
| VICTORY RIDGE ACADEMY | 6.3 |
| LAKE WALES SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL | 5.3 |
| EDWARD W BOK ACADEMY NORTH | 4.6 |
| MCLAUGHLIN ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE | 5.9 |
| BOK ACADEMY | 4.9 |
Demographics sourced from NCES Private School Survey (PSS) and Common Core of Data (CCD). Comparisons are based on enrollment-weighted averages.
Score Breakdown
What This Rating Measures
This rating reflects classroom size, instructional time, student diversity, community resources, and school characteristics. Private schools are ranked against other private schools in FL.
Data Unavailable
View data sources
Score basis: Private school model
Data coverage: 80% of scoring components had data
Components scored: 4 of 5
Ranking pool: Private schools in FL
Test Scores
Test score data not yet available for this school.
Student Demographics NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
Source: NCES Private School Survey (PSS)
Location
22000 HWY 27, Lake Wales, FL 33859
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering The Vanguard School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. ROOSEVELT ACADEMY (rated 6.6/10, 1.7 miles away), a more accessible option. Another option is DON E WOODS OPPORTUNITY CENTER (rated 6.2/10, 6.4 miles away, in nearby Dundee), a more accessible option. Additionally, LAKE WALES SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL (rated 5.3/10, 2.2 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lake Wales, see our Lake Wales schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 7.0 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| JANIE HOWARD WILSON SCHOOL Lake Wales | 1.4 mi | 5.8 |
| ROOSEVELT ACADEMY Lake Wales | 1.7 mi | 6.6 |
| VICTORY RIDGE ACADEMY Lake Wales | 2.1 mi | 6.3 |
| SPOOK HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Wales | 2.2 mi | 7.6 |
| LAKE WALES SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Lake Wales | 2.2 mi | 5.3 |
| CANAAN ACADEMY Lake Wales | 2.4 mi | 6.0 |
| EDWARD W BOK ACADEMY NORTH Lake Wales | 2.3 mi | 4.6 |
| CANDLELIGHT CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lake Wales | 2.3 mi | 6.4 |
| ENDTIME CHRISTIAN SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE Lake Wales | 2.7 mi | 4.8 |
| POLK AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Wales | 2.8 mi | 6.7 |
| MCLAUGHLIN ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE Lake Wales | 3.4 mi | 5.9 |
| HILLCREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Wales | 3.7 mi | 8.5 |
| CHAIN OF LAKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven | 4.5 mi | 7.3 |
| GARDEN GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven | 5.1 mi | 6.8 |
| DUNDEE RIDGE MIDDLE ACADEMY Dundee | 5.9 mi | 6.5 |
| DON E WOODS OPPORTUNITY CENTER Dundee | 6.4 mi | 6.2 |
| DUNDEE ELEMENTARY ACADEMY Dundee | 6.5 mi | 8.4 |
| BOK ACADEMY Lake Wales | 7.6 mi | 4.9 |
| FAMILY LIFE HOMESCHOOL Bartow | 6.9 mi | — |
| WAHNETA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven | 7.0 mi | 6.2 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33859 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$61,871
Median Home Value
$200,300
Median Rent
$1,232/mo
Population
10,827
College Educated
23.4%
Homeownership
75.6%
Avg Commute
30.3 min
Poverty Rate
22.5%
Median Age
50.2
Community Profile
The community surrounding The Vanguard School has a median household income of $61,871. It is a community where 23% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $200,300, with a median rent of $1,232/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.5%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 30 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 |
|---|---|
| SHAAREI BINA TORAH ACADEMY FOR GIRLS Hollywood, FL | 8.1 |
| ESE TRANSITION Winter Garden, FL | 7.8 |
| AMIKIDS MARITIME ACADEMY Panama City, FL | — |
| LEE COUNTY ACCELERATION ACADEMIES Fort Myers, FL | — |
| MATER ACADEMY NARCOOSSEE HIGH SCHOOL Orlando, FL | — |
| NASSAU COUNTY COMMUNITY SCHOOL Fernandina Beach, FL | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about The Vanguard School
What grades does The Vanguard School serve?
The Vanguard School serves students in grades 6th through 12th.
How many students attend The Vanguard School?
The Vanguard School has an enrollment of approximately 103 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at The Vanguard School?
The student-teacher ratio at The Vanguard School is 6.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 11:1 for private schools.
How does The Vanguard School rank in FL?
The Vanguard School is ranked #2 out of 1,462 private schools in FL.
What is The Vanguard School's MySchoolScout rating?
The Vanguard School has a composite rating of 9.2 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.
Is The Vanguard School a private school?
Yes, The Vanguard School is a private coeducational school with a Nonsectarian affiliation. Private schools are not required to participate in state standardized testing, so academic performance data may be limited compared to public schools.
Is The Vanguard School a religious school?
No, The Vanguard School is a nonsectarian (non-religious) private school.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Quick Facts NCES PSS (SY 2021-22)
- Grades
- 6th – 12th
- Enrollment
- 103
- Gender Split
- 73% M / 27% F
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 6.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 17
- Type
- private
- Coed Status
- coed
- Affiliation
- Nonsectarian
- School Day
- 8 hours
- Days Per Year
- 176 days
- Setting
- Fringe Rural
- County
- POLK
- Phone
- (863) 676-6091
- Data Year
- 2022–2023
Resources & Links
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 methodologyRelated reading
- Best Public Schools in Florida 2026: Top-Ranked Elementary, Middle & High Schoolsbest schools
- Best Public Schools in Jacksonville, Miami & Tampa for Families Exploring School Choicebest schools
- Best Schools in Jacksonville, FL — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Miami, FL — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
- Best Schools in Orlando, FL — 2026 Rankingsbest schools
Get school insights in your inbox
New rankings, best-schools lists, and parent guides — delivered free. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.