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
Enrollment
2,553
Student-Teacher
23:1
Score
3.3
Grades
9th – 12th
Updated
2022-23
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
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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%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
59.2%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 6 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: 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.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 43% (2019) to 26% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 42% (2019) to 38% (2021).
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 miNeighborhood 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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
- Phone
- (863) 291-5330
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
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.
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