- POLK AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — 2.6 mi · Grades PK–5 · 523 students
- MCLAUGHLIN ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE — 2.7 mi · Grades 6–11 · 758 students
- ROOSEVELT ACADEMY — 2.7 mi · Grades 6–12 · 279 students
- JANIE HOWARD WILSON SCHOOL — 3.1 mi · Grades PK–5 · 462 students
- EDWARD W BOK ACADEMY NORTH — 3.1 mi · Grades 6–8 · 726 students
- SPOOK HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — 3.2 mi · Grades PK–5 · 574 students
- VICTORY RIDGE ACADEMY — 3.4 mi · Grades PK–12 · 321 students
- LAKE WALES SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL — 3.7 mi · Grades 9–12 · 1,597 students
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| Metric | Polk County School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 109,558 | 3,544 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 164 | 7 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $12,447/yr | $17,619/yr | ↓ 29% below avg |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 2/10 — Poor | — | Below average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 74 rated districts in FL → 16th percentile → 2/10.
Source: Florida Dept. of Education FAST ELA & Mathematics, 2024. Full methodology →
About Polk County School District
Polk County School District serves zip code 33859, covering Lake Wales, Florida with grades Pre-K – 12th. Whether you’re researching a move, evaluating a home purchase, or preparing to enroll a child, the sections below give you a complete picture of this district’s resources, size, and what its rating means for your family.
Understanding the 2/10 Rating
SchoolDistrictFinder rates Polk County School District 2 out of 10 — low-rated among Florida public school districts. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Florida’s FAST ELA & Mathematics assessments (2024 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Florida is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Polk County School District holds a low overall rating, with reading and math proficiency among the lowest in Florida on state assessments. Test results reflect many factors beyond the classroom, including community and economic conditions; a low score is a signal to research carefully, not a verdict on any individual school or teacher. Families in this area should research all available alternatives: inter-district transfers, charter schools, and magnet programs. Contact the district directly to understand exactly what programs are available at your assigned school.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 33859
Children in zip code 33859 are assigned to Polk County School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 33859, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Polk County School District at (863)534-0500 or visit the district’s official website. Typical enrollment documents include a signed lease or mortgage statement, birth certificate, state-required immunization documentation, and recent report cards or transcripts. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Florida districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Lake Wales
Research consistently shows that district assignment affects residential property values. Because Polk County School District serves zip code 33859, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 33859. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Florida, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Polk County School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 33859.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments and phone numbers are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring; per-pupil spending comes from the US Census Bureau's Annual Survey of School System Finances, released about two years after the fiscal year it covers. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Polk County School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 33859 data.