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Needs Improvement

#3705 of 3,777 schools in FL

Winter Haven Senior High School

High School · POLK

600 6TH ST SE, Winter Haven, FL 33880

Enrollment

2,553

Student-Teacher

23:1

Score

3.3

Grades

9th – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Winter Haven

#19 of 19

public schools

Florida high schools

#690 of 748

In district

#150 of 155

POLK

About Winter Haven Senior High School

Winter Haven Senior High School serves 2,553 students in grades 9-12 in Winter Haven, Florida, making it a large comprehensive high school in Polk County. With 111 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 23:1, providing educational opportunities for a substantial student body in this growing community. Academically, the school has room for growth, with 46% of students achieving proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading across grade levels.

Winter Haven Senior High ranks in the 28th percentile among Florida high schools, reflecting the challenges many large public schools face in supporting diverse student populations. The school's academic focus centers on helping students develop essential skills while preparing them for post-secondary opportunities. The school draws from a working-class community where the median household income is $53,569 and about one in five residents experience poverty.

With 14% of area adults holding bachelor's degrees or higher, the school plays a vital role in expanding educational opportunities for local families. The surrounding neighborhood features median home values of $178,400, reflecting the affordable housing that characterizes this part of central Florida. Winter Haven Senior High stands as an important educational anchor in this small city of over 43,000 residents, serving families throughout the greater Winter Haven area.

What Parents Should Know

Winter Haven Senior High School is a large school with 2,553 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Winter Haven Senior High School is 23:1, 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

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress2.7Needs Improvement25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-3.86 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.0Below Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency26%
Reading/ELA Proficiency38%
Reading vs. State Avg-14.6 pts
Overall Proficiency32%
Expected (poverty-adj.)44%
vs. Expected-12.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
College Readiness3.2Fair30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation9.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment3.3Fair20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio23:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,952

Winter Haven Senior High School — Students at Winter Haven Senior High School score 32% 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

59.2%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 34.5%
School
State
N/A
ELA Proficiency 42.8%
School
State
52.7%

Based on 6 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
42%
2021*
Math
26%
ELA
38%
2024
ELA
45.5%

* 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: 2.7/10.

How Winter Haven Senior High School Compares

See how Winter Haven Senior High School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.3/10
2th percentile in FL
Academic
4.0/10
4.0/10
Growth
2.7/10
Below average
Environment
3.3/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
59%
Teaching Staff
23:1 student-teacher ratio
111 teachers

Location

600 6TH ST SE, Winter Haven, FL 33880

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Winter Haven Senior High School may also want to explore other high schools in the area. JOHN SNIVELY ELEMENTARY (rated 8.3/10, 2.1 miles away, in nearby Eloise), which scores notably higher. Another option is FRANK E. BRIGHAM ACADEMY (rated 8.0/10, 0.4 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, FUTURE SCHOLARS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (rated 7.9/10, 0.7 miles away, in nearby Winterhaven), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Winter Haven, see our Winter Haven schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 2.5 mi
School Distance Rating
WINTER HAVEN ADVENTIST ACADEMY Winter Haven 0.3 mi 4.5
FRANK E. BRIGHAM ACADEMY Winter Haven 0.4 mi 8.0
LANGUAGE & LITERACY ACADEMY FOR LEARNING Winter Haven 0.5 mi 5.5
DENISON MIDDLE SCHOOL Winter Haven 0.5 mi 4.6
GRACE LUTHERAN SCHOOL Winter Haven 0.5 mi 6.1
OVELL'S CHRISITIAN ACADEMY Winter Haven 0.5 mi
FUTURE SCHOLARS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Winter Haven 0.7 mi 7.6
FUTURE SCHOLARS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Winterhaven 0.7 mi 7.9
VALOR CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY Winter Haven 0.9 mi 5.4
CYPRESS JUNCTION MONTESSORI Winter Haven 1.0 mi 7.6
ELBERT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven 1.1 mi 5.6
CHAIN OF LAKES COLLEGIATE HIGH Winter Haven 1.2 mi 4.7
BEYMER UNITED METHODIST PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN Winter Haven 1.5 mi
ST JOSEPH CATHOLIC SCHOOL Winter Haven 1.7 mi 7.3
JOHN SNIVELY ELEMENTARY Eloise 2.1 mi 8.3
JEWETT MIDDLE ACADEMY MAGNET Winter Haven 2.2 mi 5.5
JEWETT SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Winter Haven 2.3 mi 5.9
LAKE SHIPP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Haven 2.3 mi 5.0
WINTER HAVEN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Winter Haven 2.4 mi 7.8
TREASURES OF LIFE ACADEMY Winter Haven 2.5 mi

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33880 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$56,803

Median Home Value

$200,900

Median Rent

$1,128/mo

Population

42,336

College Educated

17.3%

Homeownership

65.8%

Avg Commute

26.8 min

Poverty Rate

18.5%

Median Age

36.5

Community Profile

The community surrounding Winter Haven Senior High School has a median household income of $56,803. It is a community where 17% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $200,900, with a median rent of $1,128/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.5%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
MATANZAS HIGH SCHOOL Palm Coast, FL 3.3
PALM BEACH LAKES HIGH SCHOOL West Palm Beach, FL 3.3
PINE FOREST HIGH SCHOOL Pensacola, FL 3.3
CORAL GLADES HIGH SCHOOL Coral Springs, FL 3.2
EDWARD H. WHITE HIGH SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL 3.2
EVERGLADES HIGH SCHOOL Miramar, FL 3.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Winter Haven Senior High School

What grades does Winter Haven Senior High School serve?

Winter Haven Senior High School serves students in grades 9th through 12th.

How many students attend Winter Haven Senior High School?

Winter Haven Senior High School has an enrollment of approximately 2,553 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Winter Haven Senior High School?

The student-teacher ratio at Winter Haven Senior High School is 23:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Winter Haven Senior High School rank in FL?

Winter Haven Senior High School is ranked #3705 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Winter Haven Senior High School's MySchoolScout rating?

Winter Haven Senior High School has a composite rating of 3.3 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 Winter Haven Senior High School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Winter Haven Senior High School has 34.5% math proficiency and 42.8% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Winter Haven Senior High School a charter school?

No, Winter Haven Senior High School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Winter Haven Senior High School a Title I school?

No, Winter Haven Senior High School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Winter Haven Senior High School?

59.2% of students at Winter Haven Senior High 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
62 Somewhat Walkable
Bike Score
63 Bikeable
City Safety
High (1,786/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
9th – 12th
Enrollment
2,553
Student-Teacher Ratio
23:1
Teachers (FTE)
111
Free/Reduced Lunch
59.2%
Type
regular
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
#150 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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