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Bartow Senior High School

Q: Is Bartow Senior High School a good school?

Bartow Senior High School ranks 510 th of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public, Magnet Grades 9-12

510^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 838 Florida High Schools

Better than 39% of Florida high schools

Summary

Bartow Senior High School is a large, traditional public high school in Bartow, FL, serving 2,276 students in grades 9-12 as part of the Polk school district.

Bartow Senior High stands out for its exceptional graduation rate of 96%, which is significantly higher than the district average of 87.7% and the state average of 92.2%. This rate also outperforms nearby traditional schools like Lake Region High School (87.6%) and Mulberry Senior High School (93.7%), and is competitive with the higher-performing George W. Jenkins Senior High (98.9%). The school shows relative strength in humanities, with a 72% proficiency rate in US History—above the district average and nearly matching the state average—and solid English Language Arts scores. However, math proficiency is a persistent challenge, with only 32% of students proficient in Algebra 1 and Geometry, far below state averages. This creates a "graduation vs. proficiency" paradox: the school excels at guiding students to graduation but struggles to ensure deep subject mastery, particularly in math.

Chronic absenteeism is a growing concern at 35.9%, which is worse than the state average of 31.4% but slightly better than the district average of 39.1%. The school serves a moderately high-needs population, with 57.82% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, yet its per-student spending of $8,576 is below that of comparable traditional peers like George W. Jenkins Senior High ($9,219) and Mulberry Senior High School ($9,500). For context, the nearby Polk State College Collegiate High School is a selective magnet school with a 100% graduation rate and near-perfect test scores, but it serves a very different student population, making it an unrealistic benchmark for Bartow's comprehensive public school mission.

2,276

Students ?

22.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$8,576

Per pupil spending ?

57.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1270 Broadway Ave S
Bartow, FL 33830

(863) 534-7400

District: Polk

Feeder schools for Bartow Senior High School:

Elementary:	Alturas Elementary School
	Floral Avenue Elementary School
	Highland City Elementary School
	James E. Stephens Academy
	More...
	Spessard L Holland Elementary
Middle:	Bartow Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

40.9%

Hispanic:

32.4%

African American:

20.0%

See top rated Florida high schools

Compare Bartow Senior High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 38th percentile in 2016 → 39th in 2026

Strengths

✓96% graduate in 4 years — above the Florida average (92%)

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (52% vs 64% meeting standards)

!Algebra 1 scores 31 pts below the Florida average

!Large classes — about 22 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school52%

District avg53%

Florida avg64%

510^th of 838

Florida public high schools ?

Bottom 39%▲ up 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Florida High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

8^th of 25High Schools in the Polk

61^st of 70Polk among Florida districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	36.9	510 of 838	39.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	36.1	510 of 844	39.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	37.2	450 of 807	44.2%	★★☆☆☆
2023	39.4	395 of 792	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	42.0	365 of 774	52.8%	★★★☆☆
2021	37.8	384 of 746	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2019	41.3	382 of 734	48.0%	★★☆☆☆
2018	36.1	415 of 716	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2017	35.6	419 of 714	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2016	33.7	431 of 693	37.8%	★★☆☆☆
2014	38.7	420 of 687	38.9%	★★☆☆☆
2013	40.8	366 of 648	43.5%	★★☆☆☆
2012	46.4	273 of 606	55.0%	★★★☆☆
2011	64.9	223 of 622	64.1%	★★★☆☆
2010	65.7	214 of 620	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2009	69.7	158 of 587	73.1%	★★★★☆
2008	66.9	181 of 577	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2007	40.5	355 of 563	36.9%	★★☆☆☆
2006	33.2	354 of 477	25.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	45.6	301 of 487	38.2%	★★☆☆☆
2004	51.6	259 of 484	46.5%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

US History72%~ state avg

Biology 164%-10 vs state

English Language Arts54%-7 vs state

Algebra 132%-31 vs state

Geometry32%-24 vs state

5.0

1 rating

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Schools Near Bartow Senior High School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)					FAST Math (2026)			Statewide Science Science (2026)	EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Geometry (2026)	EOC Biology 1 (2026)	EOC US History (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Bartow Senior High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	1270 Broadway Ave S	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	No	(863) 534-7400	2,276	102	22.3	57.8%	931 (40.9%)	456 (20.0%)	737 (32.4%)	97 (4.3%)	2 (0.1%)	3 (0.1%)	50 (2.2%)	36.9	510^th of 838 public high schools	39.1%		36.1	510^th of 844 public high schools	39.6%					55.0	53.0					32.0	32.0	64.0	72.0	$8,576	$1,199	$7,378
Transition School	Public	12	1860 Gibbons St E	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 519-8169	50	0		52.0%	14 (28.0%)	12 (24.0%)	23 (46.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.0%)								(n/a)
Polk County Sheriff's Central Center	Public	7-12	2390 Bob Phillips Rd	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 519-3611	45	2	22.5	6.7%	5 (11.1%)	28 (62.2%)	11 (24.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (2.2%)								(n/a)											0.0			$14,583	$1,493	$13,088
Gause Academy Of Leadership	Public	6-12	1395 Polk St W	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 534-7425	97	17	5.7	90.7%	36 (37.1%)	31 (32.0%)	27 (27.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (3.1%)	12.4	698^th of 838 public high schools	16.7%		10.2	702^nd of 844 public high schools	16.8%	4			16.0	53.0				0.0	9.0	18.0	6.0	25.0	50.0	$36,292	$4,059	$32,233
George W. Jenkins Senior High	Public	9-12	6000 Lakeland Highlands Rd	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 648-3566	2,469	115	21.4	47.0%	1,133 (45.9%)	408 (16.5%)	757 (30.7%)	68 (2.8%)	6 (0.2%)	4 (0.2%)	93 (3.8%)	45.3	403^rd of 838 public high schools	51.9%		44.8	400^th of 844 public high schools	52.6%	3				61.0	59.0					33.0	34.0	72.0	75.0	$9,219	$914	$8,305
Mulberry Senior High School	Public	9-12	4th Circle NE	Mulberry	33860	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 701-1104	1,451	64	22.6	69.4%	549 (37.8%)	130 (9.0%)	720 (49.6%)	8 (0.6%)	5 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	39 (2.7%)	29.4	588^th of 838 public high schools	29.8%		28.8	596^th of 844 public high schools	29.4%	8				42.0	53.0					20.0	26.0	62.0	71.0	$9,500	$1,225	$8,274
Polk State Lakeland Gateway To College Collegiate High School	Public, Charter	11-12	3425 Winter Lake Rd	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 669-2322	296	9	32.8		98 (33.1%)	93 (31.4%)	90 (30.4%)	4 (1.4%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (3.4%)								(n/a)													64.0	$5,954	$04	$5,951
Polk State College Collegiate High School	Public, Charter	10-12	3425 Winter Lake Rd	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 669-2322	343	5	68.6		220 (64.1%)	24 (7.0%)	74 (21.6%)	18 (5.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (2.0%)	92.7	7^th of 838 public high schools	99.2%		95	2^nd of 844 public high schools	99.8%	5					100.0						96.0	100.0	100.0	$7,367	$00	$7,367
Bill Duncan Opportunity Center	Public	6-12	3333 Winter Lake Rd	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 499-2860	87	12	7.2	87.4%	21 (24.1%)	34 (39.1%)	30 (34.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.3%)	3.6	759^th of 838 public high schools	9.4%		2.9	778^th of 844 public high schools	7.8%	19	12.0	18.0	5.0	21.0	13.0	9.0	7.0	8.0	3.0	14.0	5.0	36.0	19.0	$36,884	$2,110	$34,775
Maynard A Traviss Technical Academy	Public	6-12	3225 Winter Lake Rd	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2700	151	7	21.5	62.9%	75 (49.7%)	23 (15.2%)	46 (30.5%)	3 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.6%)								(n/a)													71.0	$7,824	$742	$7,082

Frequently Asked Questions about Bartow Senior High School

What district is Bartow Senior High School in?

Polk

What is the racial makeup of Bartow Senior High School?

Students at Bartow Senior High School are 41% White, 32% Hispanic, 20% African American, 4% Asian, 2% Two or more races.

Is Bartow Senior High School a good school?

Bartow Senior High School ranks 510^th of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Bartow Senior High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 2,276 students attended Bartow Senior High School.

What schools feed into Bartow Senior High School?

Bartow Senior High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Alturas Elementary School
Elementary : Floral Avenue Elementary School
Elementary : Highland City Elementary School
Elementary : James E. Stephens Academy
Elementary : Spessard L Holland Elementary
Middle : Bartow Middle School

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.