Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 2.5Bartow’s public schools score below 88% of Florida districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Bartow’s districts is 42%, below the Florida average (52%). The grade covers the public school district serving Bartow, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Florida, not nationally.
From Florida state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Bartow’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 467 Florida towns with household incomes within a quarter of Bartow’s, its schools beat 3%, lower than their 12% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 43% of tested students were proficient in reading and 42% in math, against 52% and 52% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
78% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,447 per student, against $13,006 across Florida (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Four elementary schools, then two middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 12% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Compass Middle Charter School, First Methodist School Inc. (private) and Word of Life Christian School (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Bartow’s grade
D: better than 12% of Florida school districts, #592 of 638 Florida towns. Both inputs trail the Florida average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Bartow, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Bartow · depends on your address
Spessard L Holland Elementary
Grades PK–5 · 843 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Floral Avenue Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 585 students · 15:1 students per teacher
James E. Stephens Academy
Grades PK–5 · 336 students · 15:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Bartow · depends on your address
Bartow Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 881 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Union Academy
Grades 6–8 · 382 students · 19:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Bartow · depends on your address
Bartow Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 881 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Union Academy
Grades 6–8 · 382 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Bartow · depends on your address
Bartow Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 881 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Union Academy
Grades 6–8 · 382 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Bartow
Bartow Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,276 students · 22:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Bartow
Bartow Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,276 students · 22:1 students per teacher
Bartow’s public schools are run by Polk County School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Well below the state in reading
Bartow vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Bartow’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Bartow | D | Polk County |
Every school in Bartow
16 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Florida’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 1 public program with fewer than 25 students (Gibbons Street PK Center).
Questions about Bartow’s schools
Are Bartow’s schools good?
On Florida’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Bartow children attend score below 88% of Florida’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #592 of 638 Florida towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 3%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Bartow in?
Polk County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 116,440 students in 159 schools (2024–25).
Where do Bartow kids go to high school?
Bartow Senior High School, with 2,276 students; its own test results earn a C.
What is Bartow’s graduation rate?
78% of the class of 2023 in Polk County School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida.
How much does Bartow spend per student?
$12,447 in Polk County School District (FY2024), against $13,006 across Florida. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Bartow?
Yes: First Methodist School Inc. (religious, grades PK–8, 166 students) and Word of Life Christian School (religious, grades K–12, 105 students). Bartow also has 1 charter school, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Bartow families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Bartow → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Florida. Stars are from neighbors.