Public schools in Winter Haven, FL
21 open public schools with an address in Winter Haven, operated by 1 education agency. Compare size, staffing, grade spans, and school type, then confirm assignment with the district.
Public schools
21
NCES preliminary directory 2025–26
Reported students
13,407
21 schools reporting · NCES 2024–25
Median student–teacher ratio
19.5:1
Florida median 16.8:1
Charter schools
5
3 magnet · 0 virtual
An overview of Winter Haven public schools
The federal directory lists 21 public schools in Winter Haven, FL: 12 elementary, 3 middle, 5 high, 1 combined or other. The 21 schools that reported 2024–25 membership enrolled 13,407 students, an average of 638 per school. The largest campus is Winter Haven Senior High School (2,648 students), and the largest elementary school is Chain of Lakes Elementary School (1,007).
Every listed school belongs to Polk. City names come from school mailing addresses, which often differ from district or municipal boundaries.
Across schools that reported staffing, the median student–teacher ratio is 19.5:1, higher than the statewide school median of 16.8:1. A ratio counts classroom-teacher FTE against total enrollment, so specialized programs and part-time staffing can move it; ask schools for actual class sizes by grade.
School choice options include 5 charter schools, 3 magnet schools. Application windows and lotteries usually open months before the school year.
Among 5 high and combined schools with 2021–22 civil-rights data, 1 reported students enrolled in AP courses and 1 of 5 reported computer-science classes. Confirm current course catalogs directly with each school.
About 69% of students in reporting schools were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in 2024–25. This describes the community served; it is not a quality signal, and community-eligibility schools can report differently.
School districts and agencies serving Winter Haven
Elementary schools in Winter Haven
12| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain of Lakes Elementary School Polk | PK–05 | 1,007 | 18:1 | |
| Cypress Junction Montessori Polk · Charter | PK–08 | 317 | 18.3:1 | |
| Elbert Elementary School Polk | PK–05 | 549 | 18.9:1 | |
| Frank E. Brigham Academy Polk · Magnet | PK–05 | 547 | 17.6:1 | |
| Fred G. Garner Academy Polk | PK–05 | 817 | 17.8:1 | |
| Garden Grove Elementary School Polk | PK–05 | 652 | 21:1 | |
| Hartridge Academy Polk · Charter | KG–05 | 200 | 18.2:1 | |
| Inwood Elementary School Polk | PK–05 | 423 | 20.1:1 | |
| Jewett School of the Arts Polk · Magnet | PK–08 | 746 | 16.6:1 | |
| Lake Shipp Elementary School Polk | PK–05 | 576 | 20.6:1 | |
| South Pointe Elementary Polk | PK–05 | 689 | 21.5:1 | |
| Wahneta Elementary School Polk | PK–05 | 491 | 17.5:1 |
Middle schools in Winter Haven
3| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denison Middle School Polk | 06–08 | 684 | 24.4:1 | |
| Jewett Middle Academy Magnet Polk · Magnet | 06–08 | 566 | 21.8:1 | |
| Westwood Middle School Polk | 06–08 | 712 | 16.2:1 |
High schools in Winter Haven
5| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chain of Lakes Collegiate High Polk · Charter | 10–12 | 340 | 48.6:1 | |
| New Beginnings High School Polk · Charter · Alternative School | 06–12 | 997 | 66.5:1 | |
| Ridge Technical Academy Polk · Alternative School | 06–12 | 103 | 12.9:1 | |
| Ridge Teen Parent Program Polk · Alternative School | 06–12 | 11 | — | |
| Winter Haven Senior High School Polk | 09–12 | 2,648 | 24.3:1 |
Combined, early-childhood, and other schools in Winter Haven
1| School | Grades | Students | Ratio | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language & Literacy Academy for Learning Polk · Charter · Special Education School | PK–12 | 332 | 25.5:1 |
Student demographics
Race and ethnicity share of reported enrollment
- White26.5%
- Hispanic37.4%
- Black30.7%
- Asian1.8%
- American Indian / Alaska Native0.2%
- Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander0.1%
- Multiracial3.3%
Enrollment-weighted across 21 Winter Haven schools with NCES CCD 2024–25 race/ethnicity counts (13,407 students). Privacy suppression can leave small gaps.
Questions about public schools in Winter Haven
How many public schools are in Winter Haven, FL?
The current NCES directory lists 21 open public schools with a location address in Winter Haven: 12 elementary, 3 middle, 5 high, 1 combined or other. Together they reported 13,407 students in 2024–25. The count includes charter, alternative, and special-purpose public schools; it excludes private schools.
Which school districts serve Winter Haven?
All listed public schools with an address in Winter Haven belong to Polk. Mailing cities do not always match district boundaries, so confirm the district for a specific home address.
What is the largest public high school in Winter Haven?
Winter Haven Senior High School reported the largest high-school enrollment in Winter Haven, with 2,648 students in 2024–25 (grades 09–12). Size is a description of the campus, not a quality measure.
Are there charter schools in Winter Haven?
Yes. 5 of the 21 public schools in Winter Haven are identified as charter schools in the NCES directory, including Chain of Lakes Collegiate High, Cypress Junction Montessori, Hartridge Academy. Charter schools are public and tuition-free, but admission usually uses an application or lottery.
What is the typical student–teacher ratio in Winter Haven schools?
The median reported student–teacher ratio across Winter Haven public schools is 19.5:1, higher than the Florida school median of 16.8:1. The ratio divides enrollment by classroom-teacher FTE; it is not an average class size.
Does living in Winter Haven guarantee a seat at a specific school?
No. Assignment depends on the district's attendance boundaries, programs, and enrollment rules, which can split a city or cross city lines. Use the district profile and its official boundary or school-locator tool to confirm the assigned school for an exact address.
Nearby Florida cities
Sources: NCES Common Core of Data 2025–26 preliminary directory (schools, grades, addresses, charter status) and 2024–25 nonfiscal files (enrollment, teachers, race/ethnicity, meal eligibility); Civil Rights Data Collection 2021–22 (AP and computer science). Cities are grouped by school mailing address. Methodology · All Florida cities