Summary:
In zip code 33859, there is one middle school, Bok Academy, serving grades 6 through 8 in Lake Wales, Florida, an area where the majority of students come from households with economic need.
Bok Academy presents a mixed picture of academic performance. The school excels in advanced math, with 93% of students proficient in Algebra 1 and 97% in Geometry, far exceeding both the Polk district and state averages. However, this strength contrasts with significant weaknesses in other areas. For example, only 37% of 7th graders are proficient in grade-level math, well below the state average of 53%, and 8th-grade science proficiency is 46%, also below the state average. The school’s overall state ranking has declined from a 3-star rating (55th percentile) in 2023-2024 to a 2-star rating (45th-46th percentile) in the following two years. A major concern is the high chronic absenteeism rate of 41.9%, which is worse than both the district and state averages and likely contributes to the school’s inconsistent performance.
Despite being a relative bright spot within the low-ranked Polk district, Bok Academy struggles to maintain consistent academic growth across all subjects and grade levels. The school spends $7,425 per student, below the state average, and has a student-teacher ratio of 20.6:1. While it effectively accelerates top-tier students in advanced math, the general student body faces challenges, particularly in 7th-grade math, 8th-grade science, and civics. Addressing the high absenteeism rate will be critical for the school to reverse its declining trajectory and improve outcomes for all students.
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