Photo: Connor J. Williams · CC BY 3.0Winter Haven’s public schools score below 88% of Florida districts on tests and graduation
42% of students in Winter Haven’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Florida average (52%). The grade covers the public school district serving Winter Haven, 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.
Winter Haven’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 424 Florida towns with household incomes within a quarter of Winter Haven’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 ↓
Seven elementary schools, then three 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
Chain of Lakes Collegiate High, New Beginnings High School, Cypress Junction Montessori, Language & Literacy Academy for Learning, St. Joseph Catholic School (private), Winter Haven Christian School (private), Grace Lutheran School (private), Beymer United Methodist Preschool & Kindergarten (private), Winter Haven Montessori (private), Winter Haven Adventist Academy (private), Valor Christian Leadership Academy (private), Treasures of Life Academy (private) and Ovells Christian Academy (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 Winter Haven’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 Winter Haven, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Winter Haven · depends on your address
Jewett School of the Arts
Grades PK–8 · 746 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Denison Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 684 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Jewett Middle Academy Magnet
Grades 6–8 · 566 students · 22:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Winter Haven · depends on your address
Jewett School of the Arts
Grades PK–8 · 746 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Denison Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 684 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Jewett Middle Academy Magnet
Grades 6–8 · 566 students · 22:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Winter Haven · depends on your address
Jewett School of the Arts
Grades PK–8 · 746 students · 17:1 students per teacher
Denison Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 684 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Jewett Middle Academy Magnet
Grades 6–8 · 566 students · 22:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Winter Haven
Winter Haven Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,648 students · 24:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Winter Haven
Winter Haven Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,648 students · 24:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Winter Haven
Winter Haven Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,648 students · 24:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Winter Haven
Winter Haven Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 2,648 students · 24:1 students per teacher
Winter Haven’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
Winter Haven vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Winter Haven’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Haven | D | Polk County |
| Lake Alfred | D | Polk County |
| Lake Wales | D | Polk County |
| Dundee | D | Polk County |
| Auburndale | D | Polk County |
| Eagle Lake | D | Polk County |
All 5 neighbors share Polk County with Winter Haven, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Winter Haven
24 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 (Ridge Teen Parent Program).
Questions about Winter Haven’s schools
Are Winter Haven’s schools good?
On Florida’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Winter Haven 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 Winter Haven in?
Polk County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 116,440 students in 159 schools (2024–25).
Where do Winter Haven kids go to high school?
Winter Haven Senior High School, with 2,648 students; its own test results earn a C−.
What is Winter Haven’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 Winter Haven 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 Winter Haven?
Yes: St. Joseph Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 506 students), Winter Haven Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 456 students), Grace Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 438 students), Beymer United Methodist Preschool & Kindergarten (religious, grades PK–K, 134 students), Winter Haven Montessori (nonsectarian, grades PK–4, 120 students), Winter Haven Adventist Academy (religious, grades K–11, 60 students), Valor Christian Leadership Academy (religious, grades K–12, 57 students), Treasures of Life Academy (religious, grades K–10, 16 students) and Ovells Christian Academy (religious, grades K–3, 7 students). Winter Haven also has 4 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Winter Haven families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Winter Haven → 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.