POLK

Polk County Schools is a large suburban district in Florida serving 109,558 students across 168 schools. The district experienced 3.9% enrollment growth in the prior year, indicating continued population expansion in the region. With 5,972 teachers, the district maintains a student-teacher ratio of 18.3:1.

Academic performance metrics fall below state averages. Math proficiency stands at 46.0% compared to the state average of 55.3%, while reading proficiency is 46.0% versus the state average of 52.6%. The graduation rate of 78.0% trails the state average of 86.0% by eight percentage points.

The student population reflects significant economic and demographic diversity. Approximately 86.5% of students qualify as economically disadvantaged, with 12.4% identified as English learners and 16.8% receiving special education services. Racial demographics show 43.4% Hispanic, 30.4% White, 21.5% Black, and 1.5% Asian students.

Financially, Polk allocates $11,696 per pupil, slightly below the state average of $12,465. The total operating budget of $1.186 billion is composed of federal funding (15.2%), state funding (52.9%), and local revenue (31.9%). This funding structure indicates moderate local tax contribution relative to state and federal support, which is typical for districts with substantial economically disadvantaged populations.