Lake Wales High School is a high school located in Lake Wales, Florida, serving the city of Lake Wales and nearby communities such as Frostproof, Dundee, and Winter Haven, Florida. It is part of Lake Wales Charter Schools.
Serving 1,599 students in grades 9-12, Lake Wales Senior High School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Florida for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 44% (which is lower than the Florida state average of 52%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 48% (which is lower than the Florida state average of 52%).
The student:teacher ratio of 22:1 is higher than the Florida state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 58% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Florida state average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Charter School
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 1,599 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 22:1
- Minority Enrollment: 58%
- Graduation Rate: 82% (Btm 50% in FL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50%
- Math Proficiency: 44% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 48% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 60% (Top 30%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Lake Wales Senior High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Florida for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
School Overview
Lake Wales Senior High School's student population of 1,599 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 72 teachers has grown by 7% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
1,599 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
72 teachers
Year Founded
1921
Colors
Black, Orange
School Rankings
Lake Wales Senior High School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 3,704 schools in Florida (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Lake Wales Senior High School is 0.68, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#2181 out of 3704 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
52%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
60%
52%
Student : Teacher Ratio
22:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
2%
3%
Hispanic
34%
37%
Black
19%
21%
White
42%
35%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
3%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
82%
87%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
62%
47%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
6%
4%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
School Notes
- School Mascot: Highlanders
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lake Wales Senior High School's ranking?
Lake Wales Senior High School is ranked #2181 out of 3,704 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Florida.
What schools are Lake Wales Senior High School often compared to?
Lake Wales Senior High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Mulberry Senior High School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
44% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average), while 48% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Lake Wales Senior High School?
The graduation rate of Lake Wales Senior High School is 82%, which is lower than the Florida state average of 87%.
How many students attend Lake Wales Senior High School?
1,599 students attend Lake Wales Senior High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
42% of Lake Wales Senior High School students are White, 34% of students are Hispanic, 19% of students are Black, 3% of students are Two or more races, and 2% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Lake Wales Senior High School?
Lake Wales Senior High School has a student ration of 22:1, which is higher than the Florida state average of 17:1.
What grades does Lake Wales Senior High School offer ?
Lake Wales Senior High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Lake Wales Senior High School part of?
Lake Wales Senior High School is part of Polk School District.
School Reviews
Review Lake Wales Senior High School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
