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Best Public Schools in Polk County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Polk County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 171 public schools serving 119,074 students in Polk County, FL (there are 68 private schools, serving 10,694 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Polk County, FL are educated in public schools (compared to the FL state average of 87%).
The top-ranked public schools in Polk County, FL are Magnolia Montessori Academy, Lakeland Montessori School House and Lincoln Avenue Academy. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Polk County, FL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 41% (versus the Florida public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 44% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Polk County have an average ranking of 2/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Florida public schools.
Minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Florida public school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Polk County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Magnolia Montessori Academy
Charter School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
815 S Central Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 797-4991
Gr: K-8 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #22.
Lakeland Montessori School House
Charter School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1124 Lake Parker Ave N
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 413-0003
Gr: K-8 | 129 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #33.
Lincoln Avenue Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 86%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 5%
1330 Lincoln Ave N
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 499-2955
Gr: K-5 | 512 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #44.
Mckeel Academy Central
Charter School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
411 Florida Ave N
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-1287
Gr: PK-6 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #55.
Mckeel Academy Of Technology
Charter School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
1810 Parker St W
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 499-2818
Gr: 7-12 | 1,750 student Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #66.
South Mckeel Academy
Charter School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2222 Edgewood Dr S
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 510-0044
Gr: PK-6 | 1,200 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Cleveland Court Elementary School
(Math: 75-79% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
328 Edgewood Dr E
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2929
Gr: K-5 | 374 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #7 - 87. - 8.
Frank E. Brigham Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
601 Avenue C Se
Winter Haven, FL 33880
(863) 291-5300
Gr: PK-5 | 547 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #99.
Valleyview Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2900 State Rd 540a E
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 648-3535
Gr: PK-5 | 783 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #1010.
Union Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 78% | Reading: 68%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1795 Wabash St E
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 534-7435
Gr: 6-8 | 382 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 48%
Rank: #1111.
Berkley Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 74% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5240 Berkley Rd
Auburndale, FL 33823
(863) 968-5024
Gr: K-5 | 696 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #1212.
Ridgeview Global Studies Academy
Charter School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 75%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1000 Dunson Rd
Davenport, FL 33896
(863) 419-3171
Gr: K-12 | 1,581 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1313.
Hartridge Academy
Charter School
(Math: 60-64% | Reading: 90-94%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
1400 Us Highway 92 W
Winter Haven, FL 33881
(863) 956-4434
Gr: K-5 | 200 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #1414.
Davenport School Of The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4751 County Road 547 N
Davenport, FL 33837
(863) 420-2557
Gr: PK-8 | 1,440 student Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1515.
Berkley Accelerated
Charter School
(Math: 70% | Reading: 70%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
5316 Berkley Rd
Auburndale, FL 33823
(863) 984-2400
Gr: 6-10 | 622 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 32%
Rank: #1616.
Highlands Grove Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4510 Lakeland Highlands Rd
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 648-3002
Gr: PK-5 | 691 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1717.
Lawton Chiles Middle Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
400 Florida Ave N
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2742
Gr: 6-8 | 704 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1818.
Bartow Elementary Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
590 Wilson Ave S
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 534-7410
Gr: K-5 | 524 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #1919.
Dale R Fair Babson Park Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 71% | Reading: 61%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
815 Scenic Hwy N
Babson Park, FL 33827
(863) 678-4664
Gr: K-5 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 30%
Rank: #2020.
Winston Academy Of Engineering
Magnet School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3415 Swindell Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 499-2890
Gr: PK-5 | 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #2121.
Hillcrest Elementary School
Charter School
(Math: 67% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
1051 State Road 60 E
Lake Wales, FL 33853
(863) 678-4216
Gr: PK-5 | 667 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #2222.
Cypress Junction Montessori
Charter School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 70-74%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
220 5th St Sw
Winter Haven, FL 33880
(863) 259-1490
Gr: PK-8 | 317 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #2323.
Dundee Elementary Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
215 Frederick Ave
Dundee, FL 33838
(863) 421-3316
Gr: PK-5 | 657 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 70%
Rank: #2424.
Jean O'dell Learning Center
Special Education School
(Math: 60-69% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1310 Floral Ave S
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 534-7440
Gr: PK-12 | 81 students Student-teacher ratio: 5:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #2525.
Chain Of Lakes Elementary School
(Math: 60% | Reading: 57%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
7001 State Highway 653
Winter Haven, FL 33884
(863) 326-5388
Gr: PK-5 | 1,007 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #2626.
Scott Lake Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1140 County Road 540a E
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 648-3520
Gr: PK-5 | 735 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #2727.
Rochelle School Of The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1501 Martin L King Jr Ave
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 499-2810
Gr: PK-8 | 762 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #2828.
Bok Academy
Charter School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 52%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
13895 Hwy 27
Lake Wales, FL 33859
(863) 638-1010
Gr: 6-8 | 640 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Dundee Ridge Middle Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
5555 Lake Trask Rd
Dundee, FL 33838
(863) 419-3088
Gr: 6-8 | 725 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #29 - 3029. - 30.
Four Corners Charter School
Charter School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 51%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
9100 Teacher Ln
Davenport, FL 33897
(407) 787-4300
Gr: K-5 | 1,103 student Student-teacher ratio: 34:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #3131.
James W. Sikes Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2727 Shepherd Rd
Lakeland, FL 33811
(863) 648-3525
Gr: PK-5 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #3232.
Southwest Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2650 Southwest Ave
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2830
Gr: PK-5 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #3333.
Alturas Elementary School
(Math: 55-59% | Reading: 45-49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
420 4th St
Alturas, FL 33820
(863) 519-3917
Gr: PK-5 | 274 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 35%
Rank: #3434.
Lakeland Highlands Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
740 Lake Miriam Dr
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 648-3500
Gr: 6-8 | 1,118 student Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #3535.
Wendell Watson Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
6800 Walt Williams Rd
Lakeland, FL 33809
(863) 853-6060
Gr: PK-5 | 764 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 53%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Polk County, FL?
The top-ranked public schools in Polk County, FL include Magnolia Montessori Academy, Lakeland Montessori School House and Lincoln Avenue Academy.
How many public schools are located in Polk County?
172 public schools are located in Polk County.
What percentage of students in Polk County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Polk County are educated in public schools (compared to the FL state average of 87%).
What is the racial composition of students in Polk County?
Polk County public schools minority enrollment is 68% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the Florida public schools average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Polk County are often viewed compared to one another?

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