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

James E. Stephens Academy

Q: Is James E. Stephens Academy a good school?

James E. Stephens Academy ranks 1081 st of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1081^st

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 52% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

James E. Stephens Academy is a public elementary school in Bartow, FL, serving 336 students in grades PK-5 within the Polk district, and it has become a remarkable turnaround story, rising from the bottom 10% of Florida elementary schools to a 3-star rating (52nd percentile) in the 2025-2026 school year.

The school's most impressive achievement is its sustained academic growth, especially in math, where it now outperforms the district average in every grade level. For example, 5th-grade math proficiency reached 70%, compared to the district's 51%, and far exceeds nearby schools like Eagle Lake Elementary School (20%) and Purcell Elementary School (33%). Science scores have also surged, with 59% of 5th graders proficient, nearly matching the state average. This progress is supported by a low student-teacher ratio of 14.6:1 and high per-student spending of $17,386, which is significantly more than peers like Bella Citta ($8,051) and Highland City Elementary School ($13,608). While the school serves a high-poverty population (79% free/reduced lunch), its rapid improvement—a 47-percentile-point gain since 2021—shows that targeted investments are making a real difference.

Despite these gains, chronic absenteeism remains a challenge at 35.7%, higher than the state average and nearby Bartow Elementary Academy (17.6%). However, this is a significant improvement from a peak of 55.1% two years ago. The contrast with Bartow Elementary Academy, which has lower poverty and higher performance (76th percentile), highlights how Stephens Academy is overcoming socioeconomic hurdles. For parents, this school offers a compelling option: a dedicated, improving environment with strong math and science outcomes, though attendance is an area to watch.

336

Students ?

14.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$17,386

Per pupil spending ?

79.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1350 Maple Ave N
Bartow, FL 33830

(863) 534-7455

District: Polk

Students who attend James E. Stephens Academy usually attend:

Middle:	Bartow Middle School
High:	Bartow Senior High School

Racial breakdown:

African American:

41.1%

Hispanic:

31.5%

White:

22.0%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare James E. Stephens Academy to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 10th percentile in 2016 → 52nd in 2026

Strengths

✓Ranking is trending up — up 42 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Florida median (52nd percentile)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school62%

District avg53%

Florida avg62%

1,081^st of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Top 48%▲ up 41 pts since 2016

From bottom 10% (2016) to top 48% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

23^rd 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	52.7	1081 of 2240	51.7%	★★★☆☆
2025	51.6	1079 of 2258	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2024	41.2	1309 of 2256	42.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	12.3	2099 of 2240	6.3%	☆☆☆☆☆
2022	9.5	2109 of 2219	5.0%	☆☆☆☆☆
2021	15.3	1978 of 2247	12.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	7.4	2101 of 2182	3.7%	☆☆☆☆☆
2018	10.5	1988 of 2118	6.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2017	15.4	1899 of 2112	10.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	14.9	1869 of 2087	10.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	18.3	1794 of 2064	13.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	29.8	1493 of 2029	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	25.5	1550 of 1984	21.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	27.3	1541 of 1985	22.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	22.0	1588 of 1919	17.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	19.1	1580 of 1847	14.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	20.2	1506 of 1789	15.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2007	24.0	1436 of 1786	19.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	38.6	1082 of 1688	35.9%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Math66%~ state avg

Science59%~ state avg

English Language Arts59%~ state avg

★

No ratings yet

Be the first to rate James E. Stephens Academy and help other families decide.

Rate James E. Stephens Academy

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

Reviews

No written reviews yet. If you know this school, be the first to share what stands out.

Schools Near James E. Stephens Academy

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
James E. Stephens Academy	Public	PK, KG-5	1350 Maple Ave N	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 534-7455	336	23	14.6	79.2%	74 (22.0%)	138 (41.1%)	106 (31.5%)	3 (0.9%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	13 (3.9%)	52.7	1081^st of 2240 public elementary schools	51.7%		51.6	1079^th of 2258 public elementary schools	52.2%	2	69.0	52.0	52.0				69.0	61.0	70.0				59.0					$17,386	$3,625	$13,761
Bartow Elementary Academy	Public, Magnet	K-5	590 Wilson Ave S	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	No	(863) 534-7410	524	34	15.4	49.0%	266 (50.8%)	86 (16.4%)	125 (23.9%)	16 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	30 (5.7%)	73.7	537^th of 2240 public elementary schools	76.0%		71.5	593^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	73.7%	56	81.0	72.0	67.0				73.0	67.0	78.0				66.0					$11,212	$1,323	$9,888
Floral Avenue Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1530 Floral Ave S	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 534-7420	585	38	15.3	70.9%	282 (48.2%)	92 (15.7%)	184 (31.5%)	5 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	20 (3.4%)	18.8	1963^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	12.4%		31.3	1606^th of 2258 public elementary schools	28.9%	357	27.0	41.0	49.0				43.0	53.0	46.0				52.0					$11,644	$1,787	$9,856
Bella Citta	Public	PK, KG-8	1915 S Floral Ave	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 519-7600	1,459	60	24.3	54.9%	219 (15.0%)	286 (19.6%)	910 (62.4%)	18 (1.2%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (1.7%)	24.1	1812^th of 2240 public elementary schools	19.1%		26	1755^th of 2258 public elementary schools	22.3%	57	53.0	48.0	49.0	46.0	43.0	41.0	59.0	49.0	40.0	46.0	44.0	41.0	37.0	31.0	64.0	90.0	75.0	$8,051	$1,075	$6,976
Spessard L Holland Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	2342 Ef Griffin Rd	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3031	843	49	17.2	64.5%	298 (35.3%)	240 (28.5%)	253 (30.0%)	16 (1.9%)	3 (0.4%)	2 (0.2%)	31 (3.7%)	21.6	1886^th of 2240 public elementary schools	15.8%		31.6	1600^th of 2258 public elementary schools	29.1%	286	44.0	53.0	51.0				45.0	42.0	39.0				48.0					$10,804	$1,659	$9,144
Highland City Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5355 9th Street SE	Highland City	33846	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3540	414	28	14.7	63.5%	197 (47.6%)	41 (9.9%)	139 (33.6%)	6 (1.4%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (7.0%)	47.9	1195^th of 2240 public elementary schools	46.7%		47.7	1166^th of 2258 public elementary schools	48.4%	29	54.0	44.0	62.0				69.0	48.0	72.0				66.0					$13,608	$1,784	$11,823
Valleyview Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2900 State Rd 540a E	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 648-3535	783	52	15.0	41.4%	412 (52.6%)	117 (14.9%)	184 (23.5%)	43 (5.5%)	5 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (2.8%)	74.7	511^th of 2240 public elementary schools	77.2%		79.4	416^th of 2258 public elementary schools	81.6%	95	73.0	71.0	69.0				73.0	70.0	82.0				69.0					$11,059	$1,070	$9,989
Scott Lake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1140 County Road 540a E	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3520	735	47	15.6	55.0%	374 (50.9%)	112 (15.2%)	200 (27.2%)	20 (2.7%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	27 (3.7%)	56.7	966^th of 2240 public elementary schools	56.9%		57.7	930^th of 2258 public elementary schools	58.8%	36	58.0	72.0	65.0				57.0	71.0	66.0				55.0					$11,561	$1,488	$10,074
Highlands Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4510 Lakeland Highlands Rd	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3002	691	46	15.0	50.1%	352 (50.9%)	101 (14.6%)	194 (28.1%)	20 (2.9%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (3.3%)	65.7	734^th of 2240 public elementary schools	67.2%		70.2	636^th of 2258 public elementary schools	71.8%	98	81.0	58.0	68.0				76.0	50.0	73.0				70.0					$12,216	$1,547	$10,670
Eagle Lake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	400 Crystal Beach Rd	Eagle Lake	33839	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5357	644	34	18.9	75.2%	201 (31.2%)	137 (21.3%)	267 (41.5%)	6 (0.9%)	5 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	27 (4.2%)	7.5	2178^th of 2240 public elementary schools	2.8%		10.4	2139^th of 2258 public elementary schools	5.3%	39	43.0	36.0	30.0				41.0	31.0	20.0				33.0					$11,515	$2,072	$9,444

Frequently Asked Questions about James E. Stephens Academy

Is James E. Stephens Academy a good school?

James E. Stephens Academy ranks 1081^st of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend James E. Stephens Academy?

In the 2024-25 school year, 336 students attended James E. Stephens Academy.

What schools do graduates of James E. Stephens Academy attend?

Students who attend James E. Stephens Academy usually go on to attend:

Middle : Bartow Middle School
High : Bartow Senior High School

What district is James E. Stephens Academy in?

Polk

What is the racial makeup of James E. Stephens Academy?

Students at James E. Stephens Academy are 41% African American, 32% Hispanic, 22% White, 4% Two or more races.

Rate James E. Stephens Academy!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida Elementary School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Bartow, FL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for James E. Stephens Academy!

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.