Very Good
#1103 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 29% in state
Walter Caldwell Elementary School
Elementary School · POLK
141 DAIRY RD, Auburndale, FL 33823
Enrollment
895
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
895
Student-Teacher
16.3:1
Score
7.3
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Auburndale
#4 of 8
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#964 of 2,196
In district
#41 of 155
POLK
Academic growth
9.3 / 10
Exceptional
About Walter Caldwell Elementary School
Walter Caldwell Elementary School serves 895 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Auburndale, a community in Polk County, Florida. With 55 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 16.3 to 1, providing reasonable class sizes for elementary learners. Academically, Walter Caldwell Elementary has room for growth, with 47% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading, while 51% meet proficiency standards in mathematics.
The school ranks in the 48th percentile statewide, placing it at #1994 among Florida's 3,816 elementary schools. These results reflect opportunities for continued academic development and support for students. The school draws families from a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $61,190 and median home values average $207,600.
About 17% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the local poverty rate stands at 14.3%. This mix creates a varied student population with different backgrounds and experiences. Walter Caldwell Elementary operates as a regular public school in Auburndale's large suburban setting, serving families throughout the 33823 ZIP code area.
The school's location provides access to suburban amenities while maintaining a community-focused environment for its nearly 900 elementary students.
What Parents Should Know
While current test scores at Walter Caldwell 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.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
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Data not available for this school
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Walter Caldwell Elementary School — Students at Walter Caldwell Elementary School score 30% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 38%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
71.7%
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
↑ ImprovingAverage 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: 9.3/10.
How Walter Caldwell Elementary School Compares
See how Walter Caldwell Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 46% (2019) to 27% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 41% (2019) to 32% (2021).
Location
141 DAIRY RD, Auburndale, FL 33823
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Walter Caldwell Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. FRED G. GARNER ACADEMY (rated 7.8/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Winter Haven), which scores slightly higher. Another option is AUBURNDALE CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 1.1 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 3.7 miles away, in nearby Winter Haven), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Auburndale, see our Auburndale schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.9 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33823 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$64,248
Median Home Value
$234,300
Median Rent
$1,068/mo
Population
39,146
College Educated
17.2%
Homeownership
71.2%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
15%
Median Age
40.8
Community Profile
The community surrounding Walter Caldwell Elementary School has a median household income of $64,248. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $234,300, with a median rent of $1,068/month. The area has a poverty rate of 15.0%. The average commute for residents is 29 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 |
|---|---|
| ALTA VISTA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Haines City, FL | 7.3 |
| BARBARA A HARVEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Parrish, FL | 7.3 |
| BAYSHORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Bradenton, FL | 7.3 |
| BENJAMIN FRANKLIN K-8 CENTER North Miami, FL | 7.3 |
| BEVERLY SHORES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Leesburg, FL | 7.3 |
| BINKS FOREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wellington, FL | 7.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Walter Caldwell Elementary School
What grades does Walter Caldwell Elementary School serve?
Walter Caldwell Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Walter Caldwell Elementary School?
Walter Caldwell Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 895 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Walter Caldwell Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Walter Caldwell Elementary School is 16.3:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Walter Caldwell Elementary School rank in FL?
Walter Caldwell Elementary School is ranked #1103 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Walter Caldwell Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Walter Caldwell Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.3 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 Walter Caldwell Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Walter Caldwell Elementary School has 45.2% math proficiency and 42.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Walter Caldwell Elementary School a charter school?
No, Walter Caldwell Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Walter Caldwell Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Walter Caldwell Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Walter Caldwell Elementary School?
71.7% of students at Walter Caldwell 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
- 895
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 16.3:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 55
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 71.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (863) 965-5470
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #41 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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