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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Bartow Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 16 public schools serving 7,936 students in Bartow, FL (there are 2 private schools, serving 226 private students). 97% of all K-12 students in Bartow, FL are educated in public schools (compared to the FL state average of 87%).
The top-ranked public schools in Bartow, FL are Union Academy, Bartow Elementary Academy and Jean O'dell Learning Center. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Bartow, FL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 42% (versus the Florida public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Bartow have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Florida public schools.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Bartow, FL (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
Spessard L Holland Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2342 Ef Griffin Rd
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 648-3031
Gr: PK-5 | 843 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #55.
Bella Citta
(Math: 46% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1915 S Floral Ave
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 519-7600
Gr: PK-8 | 1,459 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 85%
Rank: #66.
Floral Avenue Elementary School
(Math: 43% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
1530 Floral Ave S
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 534-7420
Gr: PK-5 | 585 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #77.
Bartow Senior High School
Magnet School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
1270 Broadway Ave S
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 534-7400
Gr: 9-12 | 2,276 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #88.
Bartow Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 32%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
550 Clower St E
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 534-7415
Gr: 6-8 | 881 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #99.
James E. Stephens Academy
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
1350 Maple Ave N
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 534-7455
Gr: PK-5 | 336 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #1010.
Hospital Homebound
Special Education School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: 20-29% )
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1909 Floral Ave S
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 665-4538
Gr: PK-12 | 151 students Student-teacher ratio: 76:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1111.
Gause Academy Of Leadership
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 20-24%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1395 Polk St W
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 534-7425
Gr: 6-12 | 97 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1212.
Compass Middle Charter School
Alternative School
Charter School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 15-19%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
550 Clower St E
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 519-8701
Gr: 5-8 | 168 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: n/an/a
Gibbons Street Pk Center
1860 Gibbons St E
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 535-6489
Gr: PK
Rank: n/an/a
Polk County Sheriff's Central Center
Alternative School
2390 Bob Phillips Rd
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 519-3611
Gr: 7-12 | 45 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 89%
Rank: n/an/a
Polk County Sheriffs Regional Detention Center
Alternative School
2390 Bob Phillips Rd
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 519-3820
Gr: 4-12 | 58 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 95%
Rank: n/an/a
Transition School
Special Education School
1860 Gibbons St E
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 519-8169
Gr: 12 | 50 students Minority enrollment: 72%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Bartow, FL?
The top-ranked public schools in Bartow, FL include Union Academy, Bartow Elementary Academy and Jean O'dell Learning Center.
How many public schools are located in Bartow?
16 public schools are located in Bartow.
What percentage of students in Bartow go to public school?
97% of all K-12 students in Bartow are educated in public schools (compared to the FL state average of 87%).
What is the racial composition of students in Bartow?
Bartow public schools minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public schools average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Bartow are often viewed compared to one another?

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