Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Garden Grove Elementary School

Q: Is Garden Grove Elementary School a good school?

Garden Grove Elementary School ranks 1471 st of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1471^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 34% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Garden Grove Elementary School in Winter Haven, FL, is a mid-sized elementary school serving 652 students in grades PK-5 within the Polk district, a community that has seen significant demographic shifts in recent years.

Garden Grove currently holds a 2-star rating, reflecting a mixed performance history with notable volatility in test scores from year to year. For example, 5th-grade math proficiency has swung dramatically, from 57% to 75% and back to 52% in recent years, a pattern not seen at more stable nearby schools like Frank E. Brigham Academy (5-star) or Dundee Elementary Academy (3-star). This "yo-yo" effect suggests that individual groups of students vary widely in their academic readiness. A key concern is the school's high and rising chronic absenteeism rate of 35.1%, which is much higher than top-performing peers like Jewett School Of The Arts (16.0%) and Frank E. Brigham Academy (13.5%). This absenteeism is a major barrier to consistent learning.

Despite these challenges, Garden Grove shows a relative strength in math instruction, often outperforming the district average in upper elementary math. In the 2024-2025 school year, 75% of 5th graders were proficient in math, which was 29 points higher than the district average and the highest score among comparable schools. However, the school sits in a precarious middle ground—it outperforms lower-tier schools like Elbert Elementary (0-star) but is outpaced by magnet and choice schools with lower poverty rates. The rapid increase in students qualifying for free or reduced lunch (from 45.5% to 74.4% in two years) and high absenteeism pose risks of further decline, as seen with Chain Of Lakes Elementary, which dropped from 4-star to 2-star in just two years.

652

Students ?

21.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,412

Per pupil spending ?

74.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4599 Cypress Gardens Rd
Winter Haven, FL 33884

(863) 291-5396

District: Polk

Students who attend Garden Grove Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Denison Middle School
High:	Winter Haven Senior High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

33.6%

Hispanic:

31.9%

African American:

29.0%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Garden Grove Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Rebounding — 26th percentile in 2023 → 34th in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is rebounding — up to 34th (2026) from a 26th-percentile low (2023)

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (55% vs 62% meeting standards)

!Science scores 13 pts below the Florida average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school55%

District avg53%

Florida avg62%

1,471^st of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Bottom 34%▼ down 16 pts since 2016

From top 49% (2016) to bottom 34% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

32^nd of 86Elementary 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	37.2	1471 of 2240	34.3%	★★☆☆☆
2025	32.7	1566 of 2258	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2024	41.7	1300 of 2256	42.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	28.5	1648 of 2240	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	28.8	1597 of 2219	28.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	36.0	1420 of 2247	36.8%	★★☆☆☆
2019	42.9	1242 of 2182	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2018	49.3	1077 of 2118	49.2%	★★☆☆☆
2017	39.4	1295 of 2112	38.7%	★★☆☆☆
2016	50.3	1033 of 2087	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2014	38.5	1297 of 2064	37.2%	★★☆☆☆
2013	48.9	1034 of 2029	49.0%	★★☆☆☆
2012	52.1	951 of 1984	52.1%	★★★☆☆
2011	53.3	973 of 1985	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2010	48.7	1063 of 1919	44.6%	★★☆☆☆
2009	57.3	834 of 1847	54.8%	★★★☆☆
2008	50.6	933 of 1789	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2007	68.8	565 of 1786	68.4%	★★★☆☆
2006	69.5	526 of 1688	68.8%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Math58%-6 vs state

English Language Arts54%-6 vs state

Science47%-13 vs state

1.3

3 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★0

4★0

3★0

2★1

1★2

Rate Garden Grove Elementary School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, July 7, 2017

In fact the school has lack of information for the students and a lot of teachers didnt care about the improvement of them Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, August 15, 2011

Extremely "clicky" PTO and faculty relationship (including the administration). When you bring a concern to the administration you are given lip service and nothing changes. Administration and staff are daily seen screaming at the children--this includes kindergardners (not just talking with raised voices, but where you can hear them word for word 20-30 ft away and see their arms flailing in the air). Kids who are waiting for school 10-15 minutes BEFORE the bell rings are required to sit in silence because as I have witnessed one teacher and one administrator say "shut your mouths, you are all giving me a headache". Children are bullied by other students without the staff stepping in. The only time the staff steps in is when a parent brings it to their attention. There are nothing but inconsistencies in how school procedures and rules are applied.

I have complained to the school board, but nothing has changed. DO NOT MOVE INTO ZONING FOR THIS SCHOOL!!!! Close Quote

Schools Near Garden Grove Elementary School

Load more schools when map is moved

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 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 (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 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 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 Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Garden Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4599 Cypress Gardens Rd	Winter Haven	33884	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5396	652	31	21.0	74.4%	219 (33.6%)	189 (29.0%)	208 (31.9%)	7 (1.1%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (4.3%)	37.2	1471^st of 2240 public elementary schools	34.3%		32.7	1566^th of 2258 public elementary schools	30.6%	95	51.0	55.0	56.0				60.0	63.0	52.0				47.0					$10,412	$1,399	$9,013
Chain Of Lakes Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	7001 State Highway 653	Winter Haven	33884	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 326-5388	1,007	56	17.9	55.6%	309 (30.7%)	221 (21.9%)	379 (37.6%)	56 (5.6%)	4 (0.4%)	3 (0.3%)	35 (3.5%)	47.9	1197^th of 2240 public elementary schools	46.6%		50.7	1099^th of 2258 public elementary schools	51.3%	98	61.0	62.0	60.0				60.0	68.0	55.0				50.0					$10,953	$1,557	$9,395
Elbert Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	205 15th St NE	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5364	549	29	18.9	72.9%	110 (20.0%)	221 (40.3%)	195 (35.5%)	5 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	17 (3.1%)	14	2061^st of 2240 public elementary schools	8.0%		16.5	2000^th of 2258 public elementary schools	11.4%	61	40.0	44.0	37.0				44.0	52.0	33.0				33.0					$10,817	$1,384	$9,432
Dundee Elementary Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	215 Frederick Ave	Dundee	33838	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 421-3316	657	41	16.0	63.8%	197 (30.0%)	111 (16.9%)	324 (49.3%)	7 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	16 (2.4%)	63.6	795^th of 2240 public elementary schools	64.5%		61.2	853^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	62.2%	58	80.0	51.0	64.0				81.0	60.0	69.0				65.0					$10,904	$1,372	$9,533
Frank E. Brigham Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	601 Avenue C SE	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	No	(863) 291-5300	547	31	17.6	51.9%	221 (40.4%)	143 (26.1%)	143 (26.1%)	18 (3.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (4.0%)	86	234^th of 2240 public elementary schools	89.6%		88.9	200^th of 2258 public elementary schools	91.1%	34	85.0	78.0	79.0				92.0	88.0	78.0				63.0					$11,639	$1,220	$10,419
John Snively Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	848 Snively Ave	Eloise	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5325	396	24	16.5	82.3%	59 (14.9%)	106 (26.8%)	214 (54.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.8%)	44.8	1276^th of 2240 public elementary schools	43.0%		32.3	1579^th of 2258 public elementary schools	30.1%	303	65.0	64.0	49.0				64.0	66.0	45.0				50.0					$12,458	$1,967	$10,490
Wahneta Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	205 4th St E	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5392	491	28	17.5	81.5%	46 (9.4%)	18 (3.7%)	422 (85.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (0.8%)	25.1	1786^th of 2240 public elementary schools	20.3%		26.5	1741^st of 2258 public elementary schools	22.9%	45	37.0	41.0	45.0				52.0	48.0	55.0				58.0					$11,455	$1,756	$9,698
South Pointe Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	9525 State Hwy 653	Winter Haven	33884	Polk County	Polk	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(863) 317-8317	689	32	21.5	68.8%	182 (26.4%)	172 (25.0%)	300 (43.5%)	4 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	29 (4.2%)	39.3	1418^th of 2240 public elementary schools	36.7%		35.9	1474^th of 2258 public elementary schools	34.7%	56	45.0	64.0	55.0				62.0	69.0	47.0				44.0					$9,426	$1,159	$8,267
Cypress Junction Montessori	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	220 5th St SW	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 259-1490	317	17	18.3		162 (51.1%)	32 (10.1%)	107 (33.8%)	5 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (3.5%)	33.5	1572^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	29.8%		41.2	1323^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	41.4%	249	83.0	74.0	59.0	45.0	57.0	35.0	56.0	44.0	24.0	32.0	50.0	15.0	34.0	53.0	39.0	60.0	43.0	$9,035	$517	$8,517
Pinewood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1400 Gilbert St	Eagle Lake	33839	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 298-7977	740	43	17.2	73.0%	215 (29.1%)	191 (25.8%)	308 (41.6%)	4 (0.5%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (2.6%)	32.2	1614^th of 2240 public elementary schools	27.9%		29.1	1671^st of 2258 public elementary schools	26.0%	57	53.0	56.0	53.0				48.0	41.0	56.0				55.0					$10,165	$1,472	$8,692

Frequently Asked Questions about Garden Grove Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Garden Grove Elementary School?

Students at Garden Grove Elementary School are 34% White, 32% Hispanic, 29% African American, 4% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

What district is Garden Grove Elementary School in?

Polk

How many students attend Garden Grove Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 652 students attended Garden Grove Elementary School.

What schools do graduates of Garden Grove Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Garden Grove Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Denison Middle School
High : Winter Haven Senior High School

Is Garden Grove Elementary School a good school?

Garden Grove Elementary School ranks 1471^st of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Garden Grove Elementary School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida Elementary School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Winter Haven, FL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Garden Grove Elementary School!

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.