Best Schools in Polk County, FL
Polk County, FL has 218 public schools (38 high, 27 middle, 107 elementary) serving 128,496 students. On average they score 46% on state proficiency tests against a projected 37%, so schools in Polk County meet expectations. Rankings below compare each school’s actual results with the projection for its socioeconomic context.
Best High Schools in Polk County, FL
The top high schools in Polk County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Polk State College Collegiate High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Charter • Grades 10 - 12 • 353 Students
2. Chain Of Lakes Collegiate High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Charter • Grades 10 - 12 • 328 Students
3. Mckeel Academy Of Technology
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Charter • Grades 7 - 12 • 1727 Students
4. Harmony High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Osceola • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2822 Students
5. Lake Wales Senior High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Charter • Grades 9 - 12 • 1586 Students
6. George W. Jenkins Senior High
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2451 Students
7. Lakeland Senior High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2043 Students
8. Winter Haven Senior High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2467 Students
9. Fort Meade Middle/senior High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Public • Grades 6 - 12 • 786 Students
10. Bartow Senior High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 2125 Students
Best Middle Schools in Polk County, FL
The top middle schools in Polk County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Union Academy
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 396 Students
2. Berkley Accelerated Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Charter • Grades 6 - 10 • 623 Students
3. Lawton Chiles Middle Academy
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 649 Students
4. Jewett Middle Academy Magnet
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 584 Students
5. Harmony Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Osceola • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 1042 Students
6. Daniel Jenkins Academy Of Technology Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 516 Students
7. Lakeland Highlands Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 1265 Students
8. Dundee Ridge Middle Academy
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 773 Students
9. Discovery Academy Of Lake Alfred
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Charter • Grades 6 - 8 • 911 Students
10. Bok Academy
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Charter • Grades 6 - 8 • 611 Students
Best Elementary Schools in Polk County, FL
The top elementary schools in Polk County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Magnolia Montessori Academy
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Charter • Grades KG - 8 • 171 Students
2. Lincoln Avenue Academy
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 526 Students
3. Mckeel Academy Central
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Charter • Grades Pre K - 6 • 610 Students
4. South Mckeel Academy
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Charter • Grades Pre K - 6 • 1200 Students
5. Frank E. Brigham Academy
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 564 Students
6. Berkley Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Charter • Grades KG - 5 • 696 Students
7. Lakeland Montessori School House
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Charter • Grades KG - 8 • 110 Students
8. Hartridge Academy
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Charter • Grades KG - 5 • 201 Students
9. Valleyview Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 861 Students
10. Davenport School Of The Arts
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Polk • Public • Grades Pre K - 8 • 1168 Students
Education & Community Snapshot in Polk County, FL
County-level factors that shape the learning environment around local schools.
Community Factors
Polk County, FL has a total population of 725,046 with 23% of that population attending schools. The adult high school graduation rate is 87%, and 22% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Students in Polk County, FL
K-12 Students
High School Graduates
Adults 25+ with HS diplomas
College Graduates
Adults 25+ with a Bachelor’s degree or higher
Demographics statistics provided by Best Neighborhood Polk County, FL.
Safety
Crime Grades summarize reported incidents per 1,000 residents. Use them as neighborhood context, not a school rating.
Overall Crime Grade
11.67 per 1,000 Residents
Violent Crime Grade
2.23 per 1,000 Residents
Property Crime Grade
9.44 per 1,000 Residents
Crime statistics provided by CrimeGrade in Polk County, FL.
Connectivity
Connectivity influences learning at home. We summarize internet infrastructure, typical download speed, and a digital connectivity index for Polk County, FL.
ISP Report Card
Internet Infrastructure Grade
Average Download Speed
Speed Most Residents Can Get
Digital Connectivity Index
ISP Connectivity Demand Report
To read more about these statistics, please visit Polk County, FL Internet Health Assessment.
Questions About Schools in Polk County, FL
How many schools are in Polk County, FL?
Polk County, FL has 218 public schools: 38 high schools, 27 middle schools and 107 elementary schools, serving 128,496 students in total.
How do schools in Polk County perform on state tests?
On average, 218 schools in Polk County score 46% proficient on state assessments. Given the socioeconomic context of their students we project 37%, so on average schools in Polk County meet expectations.
How does SchoolGrade rank the best schools in Polk County?
Every public school gets a SchoolGrade from A+ to F based on the share of students at or above the state proficiency bar. The Impact Grade compares that result with what we would expect given the school’s student and community context, so schools that outperform their circumstances stand out. Schools cannot pay to change a grade. Read the full methodology.
Best Schools in Cities Near Polk County, FL
Explore nearby cities to widen your school search.
- Actual: 49%
- Projected: 39%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 48%
- Projected: 37%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 51%
- Projected: 41%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 55%
- Projected: 41%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 50%
- Projected: 38%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 51%
- Projected: 47%
- Impact Grade: Underperforms Expectations
- Actual: 54%
- Projected: 43%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 52%
- Projected: 44%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 63%
- Projected: 47%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 55%
- Projected: 46%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
Cities, towns and school districts in Polk County
18 places in Polk County with graded public schools. Each link opens that place's ranked schools.
Cities and towns (18)
- Lakeland (50)
- Winter Haven (19)
- Bartow (11)
- Auburndale (9)
- Lake Wales (8)
- Davenport (7)
- Haines City (7)
- Lake Alfred (4)
- Mulberry (4)
- Dundee (3)
- Eagle Lake (3)
- Poinciana (3)
- Fort Meade (2)
- Frostproof (2)
- Alturas (1)
- Babson Park (1)
- Highland City (1)
- Polk City (1)
School districts (1)
- Polk (152 schools)