Auburndale Central Elementary School

Auburndale Central Elementary School is a small, PK-5 public school in Auburndale, FL, serving 371 students as part of the Polk district. The school faces significant challenges, with nearly 75% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch and a chronic absenteeism rate of 43.2% in 2023-2024—far higher than the state average of 31.4% and a key driver of its low academic performance. Despite spending $12,190 per student, among the highest in its peer group, the school consistently ranks in the bottom 15-20% of Florida elementary schools, holding a 1-star rating from Schooldigger.

One interesting pattern is the "5th Grade Effect": while 3rd and 4th graders struggle—with 4th-grade math proficiency at just 35% in 2025-2026—5th graders show resilience, outperforming the district in English Language Arts (55% vs. 52%) and science (41% vs. district average). This suggests strong upper-grade teaching or interventions, but foundational skills in early grades remain a critical weakness. Nearby Walter Caldwell Elementary School, just 1.07 miles away, serves a similar demographic (72.7% free/reduced lunch) but achieves far better results, with a 2-star rating and significantly lower absenteeism (35.6%), proving the challenges at Auburndale Central are not solely due to poverty.

In contrast, Hartridge Academy (2.61 miles away) is a standout with a 3-star rating, 94% 3rd-grade math proficiency, and a lower poverty rate (54.5%), showing high performance is possible in the district. For parents, the key takeaway is that Auburndale Central’s high spending hasn’t translated into strong outcomes, and the school’s chronic absenteeism and early-grade struggles need urgent attention. While 5th graders offer a bright spot, the school remains an outlier compared to peers like Walter Caldwell, which achieves better results with similar resources.