Frank E. Brigham Academy

Frank E. Brigham Academy is a public elementary school in Winter Haven, FL, serving 547 students in grades PK-5 and stands out as a high-performing beacon within the Polk County School District, which ranks in the bottom 20% of Florida districts.

Brigham Academy dramatically outperforms nearly every nearby school in academic achievement. For the 2025-2026 school year, 92% of its 3rd graders were proficient in math, compared to an average of just 60% at seven other nearby elementary schools. In 3rd grade English Language Arts, Brigham scored 85% proficiency, while the average for those same schools was 57%. This consistent excellence places Brigham Academy in the top 10% of all Florida elementary schools, a stark contrast to its neighbors—most of which rank in the bottom 30-40% of the state. The school’s success is strongly linked to its exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of 13.5%, which is less than half the state average and dramatically lower than the district average of 39.1%. Nearby schools like Elbert Elementary (50.1% absenteeism) and Lake Shipp Elementary (43.6%) have much higher rates and significantly lower academic performance.

This school is a clear "pocket of excellence" in a struggling district, suggesting that its leadership, teachers, and community have built a culture of success independent of broader district challenges. While per-student spending at Brigham Academy ($11,639) is not the highest in the area, its results are far superior, indicating effective use of resources. The school has seen a slight dip in its state ranking from the 93rd to the 90th percentile in recent years, and the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch has risen from 34% to 52%, which may present new challenges. However, its foundational focus on attendance and academic rigor makes it a standout choice for families in Winter Haven.