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McLaughlin Academy Of Excellence

Public, Alternative Grades 6-11

1118^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,216 Florida Alternative Schools

Better than 8% of Florida alternative schools

Summary

McLaughlin Academy Of Excellence in Lake Wales, FL, is a large alternative school serving 758 students in grades 6 through 11 within the Polk district, a high-poverty area where over 80% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch.

This school stands out for its size and efficiency, but also for significant challenges. It is the largest alternative school in the area, more than double the size of the next largest, Language & Literacy Academy For Learning. Despite this, it spends far less per student—$11,027 compared to $61,739 at Jean O'Dell Learning Center and $38,050 at Victory Ridge Academy. This lean budget results in a high student-teacher ratio of 24.4:1, much higher than the 4.7:1 at Jean O'Dell. While McLaughlin outperforms some peers on tests—for example, 22% proficiency in Algebra 1 versus 5% at Language & Literacy—the most pressing issue is a crisis in chronic absenteeism. In the 2023-2024 school year, 62.6% of students were chronically absent, nearly double the district average and triple the state average, indicating deep disengagement.

There are a few bright spots. The school shows relative strength in social studies, with Civics proficiency (68%) close to the state average (77%) and even exceeding the district average in 2024-2025. However, core subjects like math are declining, with 7th and 8th grade proficiency dropping from 22% to 14% over recent years. This creates a paradox: McLaughlin is the most cost-efficient alternative school, but its high absenteeism and falling test scores suggest the current model may not be enough to meet the needs of its students.

758

Students ?

24.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,027

Per pupil spending ?

80.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

800 4th St S
Lake Wales, FL 33853

(863) 678-4233

District: Polk

Feeder schools for McLaughlin Academy Of Excellence:

Elementary:	Chain Of Lakes Elementary School
	Spook Hill Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

43.7%

African American:

28.4%

White:

25.7%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare McLaughlin Academy Of Excellence to nearby alternative schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 9th percentile in 2016 → 8th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (33% vs 63% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (8th percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (63% vs 31% Florida)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school33%

District avg51%

Florida avg63%

1,118^th of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Bottom 8%▼ down 1 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 5Alternative 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	10.2	1118 of 1216	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2025	7.3	1133 of 1205	6.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	11.4	1097 of 1196	8.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	12.0	1068 of 1177	9.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	22.6	918 of 1148	20.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	22.0	905 of 1136	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	9.7	1014 of 1099	7.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	8.8	961 of 1035	7.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	13.6	922 of 1031	10.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	10.8	910 of 997	8.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2014	25.6	770 of 999	22.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	21.0	772 of 956	19.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	22.0	714 of 897	20.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	19.9	726 of 891	18.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	21.4	683 of 839	18.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	34.6	551 of 780	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	30.5	545 of 740	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	30.4	535 of 736	27.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	21.8	537 of 675	20.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	26.6	480 of 602	20.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	23.8	480 of 593	19.1%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Civics68%-9 vs state

US History56%-18 vs state

Biology 150%-24 vs state

English Language Arts34%-27 vs state

Math30%-29 vs state

Geometry26%-30 vs state

Algebra 122%-41 vs state

Science17%-35 vs state

★

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Schools Near McLaughlin Academy Of Excellence

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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 ()				Ranking ()				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)	EOC Civics (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 ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	SchoolDigger Rating ()	Average Standard Score ()	Statewide Rank ()	State Percentile ()	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	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 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th 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	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
McLaughlin Academy Of Excellence	Public, Alternative	6-11	800 4th St S	Lake Wales	33853	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 678-4233	758	31	24.4	80.2%	195 (25.7%)	215 (28.4%)	331 (43.7%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	13 (1.7%)								(n/a)				35.0	40.0	30.0	28.0	38.0				34.0	23.0	30.0		17.0	22.0	26.0	50.0	56.0	68.0	$11,027	$1,830	$9,197
Victory Ridge Academy	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	501 Burns Ave	Lake Wales	33853	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 679-3338	321	25	12.8	65.4%	113 (35.2%)	55 (17.1%)	143 (44.5%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (2.5%)								(n/a)																						$38,050	$1,436	$36,615
Language & Literacy Academy For Learning	Public, Charter, Alternative	PK, KG-12	222 East Central Ave	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 268-2903	332	13	25.5	85.5%	94 (28.3%)	84 (25.3%)	144 (43.4%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.3%)	7 (2.1%)								(n/a)	0.0	0.0	9.0	20.0	0.0	11.0	0.0	7.0	0.0	0.0	0.0		7.0	0.0	0.0	5.0	5.0		21.0		13.0	$23,283	$1,994	$21,289
Polk County Sheriffs Regional Detention Center	Public, Alternative	4-12	2390 Bob Phillips Rd	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 519-3820	58	3	19.3	6.9%	3 (5.2%)	30 (51.7%)	24 (41.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.7%)								(n/a)																						$15,372	$998	$14,374
Jean O'Dell Learning Center	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	1310 Floral Ave S	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 534-7440	81	17	4.7	72.8%	27 (33.3%)	13 (16.0%)	40 (49.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.2%)								(n/a)																						$61,739	$14,098	$47,641
Hospital Homebound	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	1909 Floral Ave S	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 665-4538	151	2	75.5	2.0%	67 (44.4%)	22 (14.6%)	55 (36.4%)	2 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (3.3%)								(n/a)					40.0		52.0	41.0									13.0	7.0	47.0	41.0		$47,253	$10,627	$36,626
Karen M. Siegel Academy	Public, Alternative	PK, KG-12	935 Evenhouse Rd	Lake Alfred	33850	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 965-5566	175	19	9.2	68.0%	59 (33.7%)	30 (17.1%)	81 (46.3%)	2 (1.1%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.1%)								(n/a)																						$40,377	$11,971	$28,406

Frequently Asked Questions about McLaughlin Academy Of Excellence

What district is McLaughlin Academy Of Excellence in?

Polk

Is McLaughlin Academy Of Excellence a good school?

McLaughlin Academy Of Excellence ranks in the bottom 8.1% of Florida alternative schools.

How many students attend McLaughlin Academy Of Excellence?

In the 2024-25 school year, 758 students attended McLaughlin Academy Of Excellence.

What is the racial makeup of McLaughlin Academy Of Excellence?

Students at McLaughlin Academy Of Excellence are 44% Hispanic, 28% African American, 26% White, 2% Two or more races.

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Schools in Lake Wales, FL

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Latest Florida data All new data »

2025–26 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataMar 20, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

2024–25 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2025

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.