Summary:
There are four elementary schools serving grades PK through 5 in the 33853 zip code of Lake Wales, Florida, all part of the Polk school district, which faces significant systemic challenges as it ranks in the bottom 13% of Florida districts.
Hillcrest Elementary School is the clear standout performer in this area, achieving the highest academic results despite having the lowest spending per student ($8,238) and the lowest rate of economic disadvantage (69.12%). It is the only school to earn a 3-star rating, with an average proficiency of 62.3% across all subjects, and it outperforms district averages in Math, where 86% of 4th graders were proficient. In stark contrast, Spook Hill Elementary School faces the most significant challenges, with a 0-star rating, the lowest average proficiency at 35.4%, and a critical chronic absenteeism rate of 51.5%. Polk Avenue Elementary School and Janie Howard Wilson School fall in the middle, with average proficiency rates of 45.7% and 38.4%, respectively, and both serve populations with very high economic disadvantage rates above 78%.
A key takeaway is that spending does not guarantee success: Spook Hill spends the most per student ($11,877) but has the worst outcomes, while Hillcrest spends the least and achieves the best. Chronic absenteeism is a powerful predictor of performance, as the two lowest-performing schools have the highest rates of chronic absence. Science is a universal weakness across all schools, with none reaching the state average of 60%. While Hillcrest demonstrates that success is possible despite high poverty, its state ranking has been declining, dropping from the 66th percentile to the 52nd percentile over recent years, which warrants attention to maintain its high standards.
Thank you for your feedback!