Union Academy

Union Academy is a public middle school in Bartow, FL, serving 382 students in grades 6-8, and it stands out as a high-performing academic island within the Polk school district. While the district ranks in the bottom 13% of Florida, Union Academy has earned a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger for nine consecutive years, placing it in the top quarter of all Florida middle schools. This success is a stark contrast to nearby schools like Bartow Middle School, which is just 1.45 miles away but is a 1-star school with only 41% of 8th graders proficient in English Language Arts, compared to Union Academy's 79%.

Union Academy excels in most subjects, with standout results in Civics (94% proficient), 8th Grade Science (68% proficient), and Geometry (83% proficient). The school also benefits from exceptionally low chronic absenteeism at 14.5%, less than half the district rate of 39.1% and far below the state average of 31.4%. However, a persistent challenge is 7th Grade Math, where only 49% of students are proficient—a notable drop from 6th grade math (71%) and below the state average (53%). This "7th grade math slump" has been a recurring issue for several years.

Union Academy's strong performance is supported by higher per-pupil spending ($11,630) and a lower student-teacher ratio (19.1:1) compared to struggling peers like Denison Middle School (24.4:1 ratio, $10,243 spending) and Jere L. Stambaugh Middle (22:1 ratio, $9,690 spending), both 1-star schools. While the school has seen a slight decline from its historic peak in the top 10-15% of the state, it remains a high-quality option in a district where most middle schools, including Southwest Middle School and Crystal Lake Middle School, rank in the bottom 20%.