Photo: Averette · CC BY 3.0Lake Wales’s public schools score below 88% of Florida districts on tests and graduation
Math proficiency in Lake Wales’s districts is 42%, below the Florida average (52%). The grade covers the public school district serving Lake Wales, 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.
Lake Wales’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 381 Florida towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lake Wales’s, its schools beat 4%, 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 ↓
One elementary school, then one middle and 15 high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is up 12% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Polk Avenue Elementary School, Hillcrest Elementary School, Janie Howard Wilson School, Lake Wales Senior High School, Victory Ridge Academy, Edward W Bok Academy North, Candlelight Christian Academy (private), The Vanguard School (private), Grand Academy (private), Bcat of Lake Wales (private), Canaan Academy (private) and Endtime Christian School of Excellence (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 Lake Wales’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 Lake Wales, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Lake Wales
Spook Hill Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 574 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Lake Wales
Spook Hill Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 574 students · 17:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Lake Wales
Spook Hill Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 574 students · 17:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Lake Wales
Spook Hill Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 574 students · 17:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Lake Wales
Spook Hill Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 574 students · 17:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Lake Wales
Spook Hill Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 574 students · 17:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Lake Wales
Spook Hill Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 574 students · 17:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Lake Wales
McLaughlin Academy of Excellence
Grades 6–11 · 758 students · 24:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Lake Wales
McLaughlin Academy of Excellence
Grades 6–11 · 758 students · 24:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Lake Wales
McLaughlin Academy of Excellence
Grades 6–11 · 758 students · 24:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Lake Wales
McLaughlin Academy of Excellence
Grades 6–11 · 758 students · 24:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Lake Wales
McLaughlin Academy of Excellence
Grades 6–11 · 758 students · 24:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Lake Wales
McLaughlin Academy of Excellence
Grades 6–11 · 758 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Lake Wales’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
Lake Wales vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Lake Wales’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Wales | D | Polk County |
| Dundee | D | Polk County |
| Winter Haven | D | Polk County |
| Highland Park | — | Polk County |
All 3 neighbors share Polk County with Lake Wales, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Lake Wales
30 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).
Questions about Lake Wales’s schools
Are Lake Wales’s schools good?
On Florida’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lake Wales 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 4%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lake Wales in?
Polk County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 116,440 students in 159 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lake Wales kids go to high school?
One of 15 high schools, depending on your address: Haines City Senior High School, Davenport High School, Winter Haven Senior High School, Ridge Community High School, George W. Jenkins Senior High, Bartow Senior High School, Lakeland Senior High School, Lake Gibson Senior High School, Kathleen Senior High School, Auburndale Senior High School, Lake Region High School, Mulberry Senior High School, Tenoroc High School, Frostproof Middle/Senior High and Fort Meade Middle/Senior High School.
What is Lake Wales’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 Lake Wales 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 Lake Wales?
Yes: Candlelight Christian Academy (religious, grades K–12, 203 students), The Vanguard School (nonsectarian, grades 6–12, 105 students), Grand Academy (religious, grades K–12, 84 students), Bcat of Lake Wales (religious, grades PK–12, 80 students), Canaan Academy (religious, grades K–8, 60 students) and Endtime Christian School of Excellence (religious, grades K–12, 51 students). Lake Wales also has 6 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Lake Wales families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lake Wales → 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.