Is Bartow Middle School a good school?

Bartow Middle School ranks in the bottom 21.8% of Florida middle schools.

How many students attend Bartow Middle School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 999 students attended Bartow Middle School.

What is the racial makeup of Bartow Middle School?

Students at Bartow Middle School are 43% White, 31% Hispanic, 22% African American, 4% Two or more races.

What high school do graduates of Bartow Middle School attend?

Students who attend Bartow Middle School usually go on to attend Bartow Senior High School

Bartow Middle School

Summary:

Bartow Middle School is a public middle school in Bartow, Florida, serving 1,046 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Polk District, which is ranked 57 out of 68 districts in Florida and is rated 1 star out of 5 by SchoolDigger. Bartow Middle School has consistently been ranked in the bottom half of Florida middle schools, ranking between 700-900 out of over 1,000 schools in recent years.

Bartow Middle School faces several challenges, including lower-than-average test scores, high chronic absenteeism, and a high percentage of students from low-income families. The school's proficiency rates in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade ELA are below the Polk District and Florida state averages. Additionally, Bartow Middle School has a significantly higher chronic absenteeism rate of 33.3% compared to the district average of 41.7%. The school also has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at 62.62%.

When comparing Bartow Middle School to nearby schools in the Polk District, it performs similarly or slightly worse in terms of test scores, chronic absenteeism, and free/reduced lunch rates. However, one notable exception is Union Academy, a public charter school located just 1.45 miles from Bartow Middle School. Union Academy significantly outperforms Bartow Middle School and other nearby schools in test scores, with proficiency rates well above the district and state averages, and has a much lower chronic absenteeism rate of 13.6%.

Detail:

Public 6-8

550 Clower St E
Bartow, FL 33830

(863) 534-7415

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
935^th of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,883

Students who attend Bartow Middle School usually attend:

High:

Bartow Senior High School

Feeder schools for Bartow Middle School:

Elementary:	Alturas Elementary School
	Floral Avenue Elementary School
	Highland City Elementary School
	James E. Stephens Academy
	More...
	Spessard L Holland Elementary

Student/teacher ratio: 19.9

Number of students: 999

Racial breakdown:

White:

42.6%

Hispanic:

30.8%

African American:

22.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 69.9%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Bartow Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Bartow Middle School ranks worse than 78.2% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 14^th among 26 ranked middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 24.33. (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 Bartow Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (42.6%), Hispanic (30.8%), African American (22%). (See more...)

Compare Details 69.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Bartow Middle School is 19.9, which is the 12^th best among 26 middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Bartow Middle School employs 50 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Bartow Middle School is $8,883, which is the 13^th highest among 26 middle schools in the Polk School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Bartow Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Bartow Middle School 935^th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Bartow Middle School in the ranking list.)

Polk:

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

Average Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Bartow Middle School.

What do you think?

Your rating for Bartow Middle School?

(Ranking FAQ)

Rank History for Bartow Middle School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	25.21	470^th	593	20.7%
2005	27.99	468^th	602	22.3%
2006	23.92	525^th	675	22.2%
2007	30.55	534^th	736	27.4%
2008	25.59	580^th	740	21.6%
2009	28.88	579^th	780	25.8%
2010	29.02	626^th	839	25.4%
2011	25.01	694^th	891	22.1%
2012	23.79	688^th	897	23.3%
2013	27.91	704^th	956	26.4%
2014	23.25	794^th	999	20.5%
2016	19.24	827^th	997	17.1%
2017	18.53	863^rd	1031	16.3%
2018	21.36	839^th	1035	18.9%
2019	28.03	826^th	1099	24.8%
2021	25.19	861^st	1136	24.2%
2022	23.52	909^th	1148	20.8%
2023	25.29	905^th	1177	23.1%
2024	24.33	935^th	1196	21.8%

See the entire list of Florida Middle School Rankings!

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

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2)

100%

Reviews:

by a student
Friday, April 15, 2016

I have teachers that actually care, but there are some that I really think don't. In the beginning of my second year there, I had no stable teacher for, like, 4 or 5 out of my 7 classes. Two teachers quit on us, while the others found a better job or were on maternity leave. As far as the students... well. Last year we got water bottles banned because some idiots brought alcohol in a water bottle because they got drunk. It's also common that administration finds kids selling drugs or doing drugs. Just a few weeks ago, Someone was smoking pot in the bathroom around my lunch time, when everyone was in the hallway, so he got caught. Another student issue that happens ALL the time: FIGHTS. It's like they can't get enough of them. Unless you don't have anywhere to send your children, then send them here. Otherwise, I wouldn't recommend it. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Bartow Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	524	249	5	14	4	n/a	n/a	0	796
1989	509	247	7	20	2	n/a	n/a	0	785
1990	463	189	9	21	1	n/a	n/a	0	683
1991	480	224	10	24	3	n/a	n/a	0	741
1992	424	209	11	19	6	n/a	n/a	0	669
1993	546	239	6	41	4	n/a	n/a	0	836
1994	561	240	4	32	2	n/a	n/a	0	839
1995	582	285	7	42	1	n/a	n/a	0	917
1996	582	285	7	42	1	n/a	n/a	0	917
1997	612	285	8	49	0	n/a	n/a	0	954
1998	630	292	2	61	1	n/a	n/a	0	986
1999	670	293	2	77	1	n/a	n/a	0	1043
2000	621	278	7	94	2	n/a	n/a	0	1002
2001	550	266	6	106	2	n/a	n/a	0	930
2002	577	225	4	95	5	n/a	n/a	0	906
2003	577	225	4	95	5	n/a	n/a	0	906
2004	533	208	4	103	4	n/a	n/a	0	852
2005	523	215	6	110	2	n/a	n/a	0	856
2006	520	205	6	116	1	n/a	n/a	0	848
2007	466	178	8	113	1	n/a	n/a	18	784
2008	452	170	8	123	4	n/a	n/a	21	778
2009	413	189	6	113	2	n/a	n/a	25	748
2010	440	200	6	132	2	n/a	n/a	37	817
2011	413	180	9	161	11	3	24	0	801
2012	409	187	6	172	14	2	26	0	816
2013	429	186	4	201	10	3	16	0	849
2014	385	187	3	210	6	3	20	0	814
2015	391	183	5	218	7	3	19	0	826
2016	377	199	8	243	4	0	21	0	852
2017	388	191	9	249	3	0	18	0	858
2018	405	208	7	231	4	0	14	0	869
2019	418	189	6	257	2	0	19	0	891
2020	450	205	6	269	4	0	22	0	956
2021	412	219	10	257	3	0	23	0	924
2022	483	205	7	283	3	1	25	0	1007
2023	489	217	5	297	1	2	35	0	1046
2024	426	220	7	308	1	2	35	0	999

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 Bartow Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	796	37.0	21.5	24.7
1989	785	35.0	22.4	29.9
1990	683	35.0	19.5	0
1991	741	38.0	19.5	35
1992	669	34.0	19.6	28.1
1993	836	43.0	19.4	42.5
1994	839	41.0	20.5	45.4
1995	917	46.0	19.9	45.5
1996	917	46.0	19.9	45.5
1997	954	47.0	20.3	47
1998	986	49.0	20.1	48.6
1999	1043	54.0	19.3	58.2
2000	1002	57.0	17.6	58
2001	930	59.0	15.8	60.2
2002	906	56.0	16.2	62.3
2003	906	56.0	16.2	62.3
2004	852	58.0	14.7	60.3
2005	856	59.0	14.5	61.8
2006	848	59.0	14.4	61.2
2007	784	59.0	13.3	61
2008	778	61.5	12.7	63.3
2009	748	61.7	14.2	65.8
2010	817	53.5	15.2	75.6
2011	801	61.0	13.1	74.2
2012	816	59.0	13.8	74
2013	849	57.0	14.8	68.6
2014	814	52.0	15.6	69.3
2015	826	54.0	15.2	70.2
2016	852	45.0	18.9	58.2
2017	858	54.0	15.8	57.1
2018	869	55.0	15.8	55.6
2019	891	49.0	18.1	57.8
2020	956	53.0	18.0	53.8
2021	924	52.0	17.7	58
2022	1007	52.0	19.3	60
2023	1046	53.0	19.7	62.6
2024	999	50.0	19.9	69.9

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 Bartow Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	796	37.0	21.5	24.7
1989	785	35.0	22.4	29.9
1990	683	35.0	19.5	0
1991	741	38.0	19.5	35
1992	669	34.0	19.6	28.1
1993	836	43.0	19.4	42.5
1994	839	41.0	20.5	45.4
1995	917	46.0	19.9	45.5
1996	917	46.0	19.9	45.5
1997	954	47.0	20.3	47
1998	986	49.0	20.1	48.6
1999	1043	54.0	19.3	58.2
2000	1002	57.0	17.6	58
2001	930	59.0	15.8	60.2
2002	906	56.0	16.2	62.3
2003	906	56.0	16.2	62.3
2004	852	58.0	14.7	60.3
2005	856	59.0	14.5	61.8
2006	848	59.0	14.4	61.2
2007	784	59.0	13.3	61
2008	778	61.5	12.7	63.3
2009	748	61.7	14.2	65.8
2010	817	53.5	15.2	75.6
2011	801	61.0	13.1	74.2
2012	816	59.0	13.8	74
2013	849	57.0	14.8	68.6
2014	814	52.0	15.6	69.3
2015	826	54.0	15.2	70.2
2016	852	45.0	18.9	58.2
2017	858	54.0	15.8	57.1
2018	869	55.0	15.8	55.6
2019	891	49.0	18.1	57.8
2020	956	53.0	18.0	53.8
2021	924	52.0	17.7	58
2022	1007	52.0	19.3	60
2023	1046	53.0	19.7	62.6
2024	999	50.0	19.9	69.9

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 Bartow Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,135 (13.7%)	$7,165 (86.3%)	$8,300
2019	$1,079 (12.8%)	$7,348 (87.2%)	$8,427
2020	$1,621 (17.7%)	$7,540 (82.3%)	$9,161
2021	$1,372 (15.9%)	$7,245 (84.1%)	$8,618
2022	$1,922 (22.2%)	$6,753 (77.8%)	$8,675
2023	$1,394 (15.7%)	$7,491 (84.3%)	$8,883

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Bartow Middle School

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 826^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 905^th of 1177 Middle schools	1.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Bartow Middle School)	41	34	7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	43	5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Bartow Middle School)	38	32	6%
6th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	47	37	10%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Bartow Middle School)	32	29	3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	42	38	4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Bartow Middle School)	33	34	1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	39	35	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Bartow Middle School)	42	32	10%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	41	7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Bartow Middle School)	37	20	17%
8th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	35	32	3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Bartow Middle School)	42	36	6%
8th Grade Science (Polk)	41	33	8%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Bartow Middle School)	83	60	23%
End of Course Civics (Polk)	70	65	5%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Bartow Middle School)	81	63	18%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Polk)	51	41	10%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Bartow Middle School)	100	91	9%
End of Course Geometry (Polk)	54	37	17%
End of Course Geometry (Florida)	57	50	7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	891	1046	17.4%
African American	189	217	14.8%
American Indian	2	1	50%
Asian	6	5	16.7%
Hispanic	257	297	15.6%
Pacific Islander	0	2
White	418	489	17%
Two or More Races	19	35	84.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	57.8%	62.6%	4.8%

Schools Near Bartow Middle School

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 Geometry (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 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th 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 Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Bartow Middle School	Public	6-8	550 Clower St E	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 534-7415	999	50	19.9	69.9%	426 (42.6%)	220 (22.0%)	308 (30.8%)	7 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	35 (3.5%)	24.3	935^th of 1196 public middle schools	21.8%		25.3	905^th of 1177 public middle schools	23.1%	30		41.0	31.0	35.0		38.0	21.0	35.0		36.0	71.0	82.0	83.0	$8,883	$1,394	$7,491
Compass Middle Charter School	Public, Charter	5-8	550 Clower St E	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 519-8701	161	8	20.1	82.0%	42 (26.1%)	47 (29.2%)	67 (41.6%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.5%)	4.5	1144^th of 1196 public middle schools	4.3%		3	1156^th of 1177 public middle schools	1.8%	12	30.0	23.0	16.0	15.0	35.0	4.0	5.0	23.0	30.0	8.0			19.0	$8,527	$1,839	$6,688
Union Academy	Public, Magnet	6-8	1795 Wabash St E	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	No	(863) 534-7435	389	21	18.5	45.0%	184 (47.3%)	92 (23.7%)	84 (21.6%)	14 (3.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	15 (3.9%)	73.5	289^th of 1196 public middle schools	75.8%		80	193^rd of 1177 public middle schools	83.6%	96		62.0	79.0	66.0		75.0	21.0	53.0		60.0	86.0	94.0	97.0	$10,310	$1,238	$9,072
Mulberry Middle School	Public	6-8	500 Dr Mlk Jr Ave SE	Mulberry	33860	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 701-1066	1,176	54	21.7	72.5%	430 (36.6%)	94 (8.0%)	621 (52.8%)	8 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	21 (1.8%)	26.8	904^th of 1196 public middle schools	24.4%		25.4	902^nd of 1177 public middle schools	23.4%	2		32.0	32.0	42.0		42.0	33.0	37.0		36.0	73.0	98.0	85.0	$8,555	$1,401	$7,153
Lakeland Highlands Middle School	Public	6-8	740 Lake Miriam Dr	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 648-3500	1,260	65	19.3	49.1%	607 (48.2%)	204 (16.2%)	353 (28.0%)	41 (3.3%)	3 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	51 (4.0%)	50.5	583^rd of 1196 public middle schools	51.3%		45.6	626^th of 1177 public middle schools	46.8%	43		54.0	52.0	53.0		48.0	35.0	55.0		47.0	91.0	96.0	84.0	$7,875	$1,125	$6,750
Crystal Lake Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	2410 Crystal Lake Dr N	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 499-2970	865	40	21.6	79.0%	244 (28.2%)	210 (24.3%)	369 (42.7%)	9 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.6%)	28 (3.2%)	14.5	1057^th of 1196 public middle schools	11.6%		17.4	1010^th of 1177 public middle schools	14.2%	47		32.0	28.0	30.0		24.0	10.0	24.0		29.0	57.0	86.0	52.0	$9,469	$1,546	$7,922
Westwood Middle School	Public	6-8	3520 Avenue J NW	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 965-5484	829	42	19.7	77.8%	138 (16.6%)	263 (31.7%)	391 (47.2%)	6 (0.7%)	6 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	24 (2.9%)	11.6	1094^th of 1196 public middle schools	8.5%		12.2	1065^th of 1177 public middle schools	9.5%	29		25.0	24.0	27.0		37.0	15.0	17.0		19.0	65.0		71.0	$8,771	$1,932	$6,840
Southwest Middle School	Public	6-8	2815 Eden Pkwy	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2840	745	42	17.7	72.5%	235 (31.5%)	183 (24.6%)	294 (39.5%)	8 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	23 (3.1%)	17.8	1028^th of 1196 public middle schools	14.0%		15.3	1037^th of 1177 public middle schools	11.9%	9		24.0	34.0	34.0		26.0	22.0	27.0		32.0	75.0	74.0	67.0	$9,917	$1,863	$8,054
Denison Middle School	Public	6-8	400 Avenue A SE	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5353	729	34	21.4	77.0%	148 (20.3%)	267 (36.6%)	287 (39.4%)	8 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (2.6%)	14.2	1063^rd of 1196 public middle schools	11.1%		13.3	1056^th of 1177 public middle schools	10.3%	7		27.0	21.0	28.0		16.0	19.0	40.0		23.0	73.0	94.0	55.0	$9,845	$2,067	$7,778
Jere L. Stambaugh Middle	Public	6-8	226 Main St N	Auburndale	33823	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 965-5494	1,090	41	26.5	72.8%	420 (38.5%)	193 (17.7%)	428 (39.3%)	8 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	38 (3.5%)	13.8	1068^th of 1196 public middle schools	10.7%		16	1029^th of 1177 public middle schools	12.6%	39		30.0	23.0	25.0		30.0	25.0	19.0		27.0	35.0	82.0	56.0	$8,041	$1,338	$6,702

Bartow Middle School

Polk:

Average Rating:

What do you think?

Rank History for Bartow Middle School

Review counts

Enrollment information for Bartow Middle School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Bartow Middle School

Student/Teacher Ratio Bartow Middle School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Bartow Middle School

Impact of COVID-19 on Bartow Middle School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Bartow Middle School