Discovery High School

Q: Is Discovery High School a good school?

Discovery High School ranks 559 th of 807 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Discovery High School is a public charter high school located in Lake Alfred, Florida, serving grades 9-12 with a total enrollment of 911 students. The school is part of the Polk County School District, which is ranked 57th out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Discovery High School has a more diverse student population compared to nearby schools, with a higher percentage of Hispanic students (47.75%) and a lower percentage of White students (32.05%), it has maintained relatively high four-year graduation rates, ranging from 92.4% to 97.6% over the past five years, which is significantly higher than the nearby schools. However, the school has experienced a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 15.1% in 2019-2020 to 37.3% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the nearby schools. Additionally, Discovery High School's test scores, particularly in Algebra 1, Geometry, and English Language Arts, are generally lower than the Polk County and Florida state averages, indicating room for improvement in academic performance.

Despite maintaining relatively high graduation rates, Discovery High School's statewide ranking has declined from 347 out of 774 Florida high schools in 2021-2022 to 559 out of 807 in 2023-2024, indicating a need to address academic performance. The school has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 60.27% to 71.68% over the past three years, which is higher than the nearby schools. Additionally, Discovery High School has seen an increase in spending per student, from $7,588 in 2019-2020 to $9,992 in 2022-2023, which is higher than the nearby schools, suggesting a need to evaluate the effectiveness of resource utilization and identify areas for improvement in academic outcomes.

Detail:

Public, Charter 9-12

1000 N Buena Vista Dr
Lake Alfred, FL 33850

(863) 268-7178

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
559^th of 807 Florida High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,992

Student/teacher ratio: 17.2

Number of students: 812

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

49.5%

White:

28.3%

African American:

19.2%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 70.9%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Discovery High School ranks worse than 69.3% of high schools in Florida. It also ranks 12^th among 26 ranked high schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 28.48. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Discovery High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

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 Discovery High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (49.5%), White (28.3%), African American (19.2%). (See more...)

Compare Details 70.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Discovery High School is 17.2, which is the 10^th best among 26 high schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Discovery High School employs 47 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Discovery High School is $9,992, which is the 9^th highest among 26 high schools in the Polk School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Discovery High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Discovery High School 559^th of 807 Florida public high schools. (See Discovery High School in the ranking list.)

Polk:

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

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Rank History for Discovery High School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	FL State Percentile
2019	32.24	467^th	734	36.4%
2021	29.64	475^th	746	36.3%
2022	43.47	347^th	774	55.2%
2023	32.57	474^th	792	40.2%
2024	28.48	559^th	807	30.7%

See the entire list of Florida High 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 Discovery High School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2017	98	49	5	123	2	1	10	288
2018	172	82	5	200	3	1	16	479
2019	237	131	8	278	4	3	20	681
2020	300	155	9	355	2	4	17	842
2021	324	140	12	419	3	3	16	917
2022	308	135	11	406	3	3	15	881
2023	292	153	9	435	0	5	17	911
2024	230	156	6	402	0	6	12	812

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 Discovery High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2017	288	17.0	16.9	73.6
2018	479	28.0	17.1	76.8
2019	681	36.0	18.9	76.8
2020	842	42.0	20.0	68.1
2021	917	45.0	20.3	67
2022	881	48.0	18.3	60.3
2023	911	45.0	20.2	71.7
2024	812	47.0	17.2	70.9

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 Discovery High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2017	288	17.0	16.9	73.6
2018	479	28.0	17.1	76.8
2019	681	36.0	18.9	76.8
2020	842	42.0	20.0	68.1
2021	917	45.0	20.3	67
2022	881	48.0	18.3	60.3
2023	911	45.0	20.2	71.7
2024	812	47.0	17.2	70.9

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 Discovery High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,182 (15.3%)	$6,568 (84.7%)	$7,750
2019	$317 (3.9%)	$7,840 (96.1%)	$8,157
2020	$287 (3.8%)	$7,301 (96.2%)	$7,588
2021	$764 (9.1%)	$7,667 (90.9%)	$8,431
2022	$431 (5.0%)	$8,229 (95.0%)	$8,660
2023	$1,611 (16.1%)	$8,381 (83.9%)	$9,992

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Discovery High 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 467^th of 734 High schools	Ranks 474^th of 792 High schools	3.8%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
9th Grade English Language Arts (Discovery High School)	46	54	8%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	45	44	1%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	55	51	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Discovery High School)	44	46	2%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	42	38	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	53	49	4%
End of Course Biology 1 (Discovery High School)	53	52	1%
End of Course Biology 1 (Polk)	54	50	4%
End of Course Biology 1 (Florida)	67	63	4%
End of Course US History (Discovery High School)	66	62	4%
End of Course US History (Polk)	58	50	8%
End of Course US History (Florida)	70	63	7%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Discovery High School)	24	32	8%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Polk)	51	41	10%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Discovery High School)	37	36	1%
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	681	911	33.8%
African American	131	153	16.8%
American Indian	4	0	100%
Asian	8	9	12.5%
Hispanic	278	435	56.5%
Pacific Islander	3	5	66.7%
White	237	292	23.2%
Two or More Races	20	17	15%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	76.8%	71.7%	5.1%

Schools Near Discovery High 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)			Statewide Science Science (2024)	EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Biology 1 (2024)	EOC US History (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 8th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Discovery High School	Public, Charter	9-12	1000 N Buena Vista Dr	Lake Alfred	33850	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 268-7178	812	47	17.2	70.9%	230 (28.3%)	156 (19.2%)	402 (49.5%)	6 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (0.7%)	12 (1.5%)	28.5	559^th of 807 public high schools	30.7%		32.6	474^th of 792 public high schools	40.2%	85		42.0	43.0		24.0	26.0	51.0	62.0	$9,992	$1,611	$8,381
Auburndale Senior High School	Public	9-12	1 Bloodhound Trl	Auburndale	33823	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 965-6200	1,777	78	22.7	61.7%	716 (40.3%)	389 (21.9%)	603 (33.9%)	18 (1.0%)	6 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (2.5%)	18.9	644^th of 807 public high schools	20.2%		21.2	592^nd of 792 public high schools	25.3%	52		34.0	37.0		18.0	28.0	45.0	37.0	$8,341	$1,302	$7,039
Ridge Teen Parent Program	Public	6-12	7700 Lucerne Park Rd	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 299-2512	10	0		40.0%	0 (0.0%)	6 (60.0%)	4 (40.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Ridge Technical Academy	Public	6-12	7700 State Road 544	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 419-3060	143	7	20.4	60.1%	52 (36.4%)	24 (16.8%)	65 (45.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.7%)	1 (0.7%)	25.2	586^th of 807 public high schools	27.4%		20.3	599^th of 792 public high schools	24.4%	13						18.0		53.0	$13,158	$1,603	$11,554
Chain Of Lakes Collegiate High	Public, Charter	11-12	999 Avenue H NE	Winter Haven	33881	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 298-6800	314	5	62.8		133 (42.4%)	59 (18.8%)	94 (29.9%)	20 (6.4%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.3%)	4 (1.3%)								(n/a)									$8,402	$1,459	$6,944
Ridge Community High School	Public	9-12	500 Orchid Dr	Davenport	33837	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 419-3315	2,666	121	22.0	62.2%	243 (9.1%)	631 (23.7%)	1,707 (64.0%)	36 (1.4%)	7 (0.3%)	5 (0.2%)	37 (1.4%)	28.4	560^th of 807 public high schools	30.6%		23.4	569^th of 792 public high schools	28.2%	9		41.0	38.0		22.0	28.0	59.0	55.0	$6,861	$995	$5,866
New Beginnings High School	Public, Charter	6-12	250 Magnolia Ave SW	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 268-5666	837	14	59.7	71.3%	165 (19.7%)	243 (29.0%)	404 (48.3%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (2.7%)	3.9	739^th of 807 public high schools	8.4%		4.1	725^th of 792 public high schools	8.5%	14	9.0	12.0	9.0	0.0	13.0	0.0	12.0	15.0	$8,631	$668	$7,963
Winter Haven Senior High School	Public	9-12	600 6th St SE	Winter Haven	33880	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 291-5330	2,553	111	23.0	59.2%	800 (31.3%)	785 (30.7%)	837 (32.8%)	44 (1.7%)	8 (0.3%)	7 (0.3%)	72 (2.8%)	37.4	447^th of 807 public high schools	44.6%		27.6	527^th of 792 public high schools	33.5%	80		48.0	43.0		26.0	37.0	61.0	64.0	$8,493	$1,373	$7,121
Haines City Senior High School	Public, Magnet	9-12	2800 Hornet Dr	Haines City	33844	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 421-3281	2,914	122	23.8	68.3%	297 (10.2%)	798 (27.4%)	1,712 (58.8%)	45 (1.5%)	16 (0.5%)	9 (0.3%)	37 (1.3%)	25.1	587^th of 807 public high schools	27.3%		24.4	562^nd of 792 public high schools	29.0%	25		38.0	35.0		23.0	39.0	54.0	42.0	$8,739	$1,486	$7,253
Tenoroc High School	Public	9-12	4905 Saddle Creek Rd	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 614-9183	1,157	41	28.2	69.7%	423 (36.6%)	222 (19.2%)	476 (41.1%)	3 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.3%)	30 (2.6%)	21.3	631^st of 807 public high schools	21.8%		20.4	597^th of 792 public high schools	24.6%	34		35.0	29.0		16.0	19.0	45.0	59.0	$9,773	$1,621	$8,152

Frequently Asked Questions about Discovery High School

How many students attend Discovery High School?

In the 2023-24 school year, 812 students attended Discovery High School.

What district is Discovery High School in?

Polk

Is Discovery High School a good school?

Discovery High School ranks 559^th of 807 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of Discovery High School?

Students at Discovery High School are 50% Hispanic, 28% White, 19% African American, 1% Two or more races.

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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.