Fred G. Garner Academy

Q: Is Fred G. Garner Academy a good school?

Fred G. Garner Academy ranks 1552 nd of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Fred G. Garner Elementary School is a public elementary school in Winter Haven, Florida, serving 901 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Polk School District, which is ranked 57th out of 68 districts in the state and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Despite its diverse student population, with significant representation of African American (38.4%) and Hispanic (39.07%) students, Fred G. Garner Elementary faces several challenges. The school has consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 48.5% to 51.4%, which is significantly higher than the state and district averages. Academically, the school's performance, as measured by standardized test scores, is consistently below the state and district averages across all grade levels and subjects, with only 34% to 51% of students proficient or better in English Language Arts and Math, compared to the state averages of 53% to 60%. Additionally, the school has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 61.71% to 75%, indicating a high level of economic disadvantage among the student population.

When compared to nearby schools, such as Frank E. Brigham Academy and Hartridge Academy, Fred G. Garner Elementary stands out with its lower academic performance and higher chronic absenteeism rates. These nearby schools generally outperform Fred G. Garner Elementary in terms of standardized test scores and statewide rankings, and they also tend to have a higher percentage of white students and lower percentages of economically disadvantaged students. These factors suggest the need for targeted interventions and support to improve student outcomes at Fred G. Garner Elementary School.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

2500 Havendale Blvd NW
Winter Haven, FL 33881

(863) 965-5455

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
1552^nd of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,948

Students who attend Fred G. Garner Academy usually attend:

High:

Winter Haven Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.1

Number of students: 840

Racial breakdown:

African American:

40.6%

Hispanic:

39.2%

White:

17.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 81.8%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Fred G. Garner Academy to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Fred G. Garner Academy ranks worse than 68.8% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 48^th among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 32.27. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Fred G. Garner Academy is diverse. Racial makeup is: African American (40.6%), Hispanic (39.2%), White (17.3%). (See more...)

Compare Details 81.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Fred G. Garner Academy is 16.1, which is the 40^th best among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Fred G. Garner Academy employs 52 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Fred G. Garner Academy is $9,948. 54 elementary schools in the Polk School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Fred G. Garner Academy was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Polk:

SchoolDigger ranks Polk 57^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Rank History for Fred G. Garner Academy

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	29.49	1226^th	1688	27.4%
2007	16.42	1570^th	1786	12.1%
2008	11.04	1670^th	1789	6.7%
2009	7.12	1774^th	1847	4.0%
2010	14.73	1730^th	1919	9.8%
2011	11.46	1840^th	1985	7.3%
2012	10.73	1867^th	1984	5.9%
2013	12.03	1901^st	2029	6.3%
2014	13.59	1896^th	2064	8.1%
2016	8.28	2000^th	2087	4.2%
2017	3.86	2082^nd	2112	1.4%
2018	10.24	1991^st	2118	6.0%
2019	4.93	2133^rd	2182	2.2%
2021	13.41	2038^th	2247	9.3%
2022	14.85	2003^rd	2219	9.7%
2023	15.56	2013^th	2240	10.1%
2024	32.27	1552^nd	2256	31.2%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Fred G. Garner Academy

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	301	317	2	26	1	n/a	n/a	0	647
1989	307	337	1	45	1	n/a	n/a	0	691
1990	299	321	2	51	0	n/a	n/a	0	673
1991	314	322	2	47	0	n/a	n/a	0	685
1992	319	316	6	43	0	n/a	n/a	0	684
1993	317	328	5	43	0	n/a	n/a	0	693
1994	457	314	7	54	0	n/a	n/a	0	832
1995	442	349	15	40	0	n/a	n/a	0	846
1996	442	349	15	40	0	n/a	n/a	0	846
1997	436	358	13	67	0	n/a	n/a	0	874
1998	448	398	15	78	0	n/a	n/a	0	939
1999	457	411	12	75	3	n/a	n/a	0	958
2000	448	402	12	96	5	n/a	n/a	0	963
2001	318	237	11	70	0	n/a	n/a	0	636
2002	258	228	10	72	0	n/a	n/a	0	568
2003	258	228	10	72	0	n/a	n/a	0	568
2004	249	205	8	78	2	n/a	n/a	0	542
2005	290	230	6	111	0	n/a	n/a	0	637
2006	323	282	9	134	2	n/a	n/a	0	750
2007	292	274	6	142	3	n/a	n/a	42	759
2008	285	293	7	137	4	n/a	n/a	56	782
2009	258	320	8	144	4	n/a	n/a	50	784
2010	214	327	4	157	2	n/a	n/a	42	746
2011	181	284	4	150	13	1	24	0	657
2012	196	282	3	165	8	1	26	0	681
2013	198	317	6	197	4	0	23	0	745
2014	156	287	6	172	4	0	19	0	644
2015	169	305	4	149	3	0	16	0	646
2016	159	301	4	191	2	0	15	0	672
2017	148	305	3	207	1	0	16	0	680
2018	134	274	0	216	1	0	15	0	640
2019	152	287	1	243	2	0	16	0	701
2020	183	290	2	299	4	0	13	0	791
2021	188	309	1	317	4	0	17	0	836
2022	182	308	3	357	5	0	13	0	868
2023	182	346	3	352	5	0	13	0	901
2024	145	341	7	329	4	0	14	0	840

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Fred G. Garner Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	647	36.0	17.9	60.4
1989	691	38.0	18.1	59.9
1990	673	37.0	18.1	11.9
1991	685	38.0	18.0	71.1
1992	684	36.0	19.0	66.8
1993	693	40.0	17.3	70
1994	832	43.0	19.3	65.9
1995	846	48.0	17.6	69.7
1996	846	48.0	17.6	69.7
1997	874	46.0	19.0	71.2
1998	939	55.0	17.1	69.6
1999	958	57.0	16.8	75.7
2000	963	60.0	16.1	68.8
2001	636	47.0	13.5	81.8
2002	568	40.0	14.2	88.2
2003	568	40.0	14.2	88.2
2004	542	40.0	13.6	82.8
2005	637	43.0	14.8	78.6
2006	750	47.0	16.0	83.1
2007	759	50.0	15.2	94.3
2008	782	51.0	15.3	93
2009	784	64.6	14.3	77.9
2010	746	53.0	14.0	93.6
2011	657	51.0	12.8	93.3
2012	681	48.0	14.1	91.2
2013	745	54.0	13.7	89.1
2014	644	46.0	14.0	67.9
2015	646	47.0	13.7	74.1
2016	672	48.0	14.0	76.9
2017	680	42.0	16.1	75.3
2018	640	44.0	14.5	73.1
2019	701	37.0	18.9	73.6
2020	791	47.0	16.8	67
2021	836	48.0	17.4	73.6
2022	868	49.0	17.7	75
2023	901	54.0	16.6	61.7
2024	840	52.0	16.1	81.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Fred G. Garner Academy

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	647	36.0	17.9	60.4
1989	691	38.0	18.1	59.9
1990	673	37.0	18.1	11.9
1991	685	38.0	18.0	71.1
1992	684	36.0	19.0	66.8
1993	693	40.0	17.3	70
1994	832	43.0	19.3	65.9
1995	846	48.0	17.6	69.7
1996	846	48.0	17.6	69.7
1997	874	46.0	19.0	71.2
1998	939	55.0	17.1	69.6
1999	958	57.0	16.8	75.7
2000	963	60.0	16.1	68.8
2001	636	47.0	13.5	81.8
2002	568	40.0	14.2	88.2
2003	568	40.0	14.2	88.2
2004	542	40.0	13.6	82.8
2005	637	43.0	14.8	78.6
2006	750	47.0	16.0	83.1
2007	759	50.0	15.2	94.3
2008	782	51.0	15.3	93
2009	784	64.6	14.3	77.9
2010	746	53.0	14.0	93.6
2011	657	51.0	12.8	93.3
2012	681	48.0	14.1	91.2
2013	745	54.0	13.7	89.1
2014	644	46.0	14.0	67.9
2015	646	47.0	13.7	74.1
2016	672	48.0	14.0	76.9
2017	680	42.0	16.1	75.3
2018	640	44.0	14.5	73.1
2019	701	37.0	18.9	73.6
2020	791	47.0	16.8	67
2021	836	48.0	17.4	73.6
2022	868	49.0	17.7	75
2023	901	54.0	16.6	61.7
2024	840	52.0	16.1	81.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Fred G. Garner Academy

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,324 (15.1%)	$7,442 (84.9%)	$8,766
2019	$1,164 (13.8%)	$7,242 (86.1%)	$8,407
2020	$1,397 (15.7%)	$7,491 (84.3%)	$8,888
2021	$1,469 (17.4%)	$6,963 (82.6%)	$8,431
2022	$3,268 (32.7%)	$6,738 (67.3%)	$10,006
2023	$2,099 (21.1%)	$7,849 (78.9%)	$9,948

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Fred G. Garner Academy

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 2133^rd of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 2013^th of 2240 Elementary schools	7.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Fred G. Garner Academy)	33	29	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	52	48	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Fred G. Garner Academy)	24	30	6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	51	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Fred G. Garner Academy)	23	30	7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	46	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Fred G. Garner Academy)	35	45	10%
4th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	50	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Fred G. Garner Academy)	24	37	13%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	47	44	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Fred G. Garner Academy)	20	32	12%
5th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	51	40	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Fred G. Garner Academy)	18	20	2%
5th Grade Science (Polk)	45	39	6%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	701	901	28.5%
African American	287	346	20.6%
American Indian	2	5	150%
Asian	1	3	200%
Hispanic	243	352	44.9%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	152	182	19.7%
Two or More Races	16	13	18.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	73.6%	61.7%	11.9%

Schools Near Fred G. Garner Academy

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)						FAST Math (2024)						Statewide Science Science (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Fred G. Garner Academy	Public	PK, KG-5	2500 Havendale Blvd NW	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 965-5455	840	52	16.1	81.8%	145 (17.3%)	341 (40.6%)	329 (39.2%)	7 (0.8%)	4 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (1.7%)	32.3	1552^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	31.2%		15.6	2013^th of 2240 public elementary schools	10.1%	461	42.0	34.0	51.0				48.0	47.0	53.0				45.0				$9,948	$2,099	$7,849
Inwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2200 Avenue G NW	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5369	393	14	28.0	81.4%	58 (14.8%)	199 (50.6%)	114 (29.0%)	7 (1.8%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.6%)	14.9	2035^th of 2256 public elementary schools	9.8%		29.6	1622^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	27.6%	413	24.0	33.0	32.0				32.0	35.0	38.0				45.0				$12,064	$2,143	$9,921
Hartridge Academy	Public, Charter	K-5	1400 Us Highway 92 W	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 956-4434	171	10	17.1	55.0%	83 (48.5%)	20 (11.7%)	58 (33.9%)	3 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (4.1%)	67.8	686^th of 2256 public elementary schools	69.6%		71.9	587^th of 2240 public elementary schools	73.8%	99	56.0	59.0	82.0				73.0	67.0	68.0				41.0				$8,954	$355	$8,599
Winter Haven Head Start	Public	PK	135 Avenue Y NE	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 298-5631	0	0			0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Auburndale Central Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	320 Lemon St	Auburndale	33823	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 965-5450	372	22	16.9	79.3%	101 (27.2%)	98 (26.3%)	149 (40.1%)	4 (1.1%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (5.1%)	27.8	1690^th of 2256 public elementary schools	25.1%		20.1	1891^st of 2240 public elementary schools	15.6%	201	32.0	36.0	52.0				37.0	34.0	48.0				58.0				$10,083	$2,000	$8,082
Walter Caldwell Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	141 Dairy Rd	Auburndale	33823	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 965-5470	895	55	16.2	71.7%	288 (32.2%)	243 (27.2%)	322 (36.0%)	9 (1.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (3.6%)	41.8	1298^th of 2256 public elementary schools	42.5%		25.9	1721^st of 2240 public elementary schools	23.2%	423	38.0	45.0	57.0				49.0	50.0	54.0				59.0				$9,619	$1,744	$7,875
Cypress Junction Montessori	Public, Charter	PK, KG-8	220 5th St SW	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 259-1490	193	14	13.7		119 (61.7%)	18 (9.3%)	46 (23.8%)	3 (1.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.0%)	5 (2.6%)	35.4	1478^th of 2256 public elementary schools	34.5%		61.2	811^th of 2240 public elementary schools	63.8%	667	55.0	53.0	54.0	58.0	37.0	65.0	40.0	47.0	25.0	50.0	60.0		29.0	41.0	72.0		$9,873	$1,562	$8,311
Jewett School Of The Arts	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	2250 8th St NE	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	No	(863) 291-5373	737	46	16.0	60.5%	183 (24.8%)	343 (46.5%)	172 (23.3%)	10 (1.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (3.9%)	39.9	1347^th of 2256 public elementary schools	40.3%		30	1610^th of 2240 public elementary schools	28.1%	263	51.0	48.0	52.0	57.0	46.0	48.0	51.0	34.0	39.0	59.0	26.0	43.0	51.0	31.0	75.0	73.0	$11,006	$1,267	$9,740
Frank E. Brigham Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	601 Avenue C SE	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	No	(863) 291-5300	551	32	17.2	49.5%	230 (41.7%)	137 (24.9%)	144 (26.1%)	20 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	20 (3.6%)	90.7	153^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	93.2%		84.6	296^th of 2240 public elementary schools	86.8%	143	80.0	76.0	81.0				80.0	76.0	82.0				73.0				$9,878	$1,088	$8,791
Lake Shipp Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	250 Camellia Dr	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5384	620	26	23.8	78.9%	153 (24.7%)	220 (35.5%)	198 (31.9%)	11 (1.8%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	36 (5.8%)	24.1	1791^st of 2256 public elementary schools	20.6%		32.7	1537^th of 2240 public elementary schools	31.4%	254	40.0	40.0	37.0				58.0	36.0	38.0				32.0				$8,752	$1,570	$7,180

Frequently Asked Questions about Fred G. Garner Academy

Is Fred G. Garner Academy a good school?

Fred G. Garner Academy ranks 1552^nd of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Fred G. Garner Academy?

Students at Fred G. Garner Academy are 41% African American, 39% Hispanic, 17% White, 2% Two or more races.

What district is Fred G. Garner Academy in?

Polk

How many students attend Fred G. Garner Academy?

In the 2023-24 school year, 840 students attended Fred G. Garner Academy.

What schools do graduates of Fred G. Garner Academy attend?

Students who attend Fred G. Garner Academy usually go on to attend:

High : Winter Haven Senior High School

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.