Union Academy is a magnet middle school in Bartow, Florida. It dates to 1897 when it opened as an elementary school for African Americans. It was expanded to include a high school in 1923.
Serving 389 students in grades 6-8, Union Academy ranks in the top 30% of all schools in Florida for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 30%, and reading proficiency is top 30%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 64% (which is higher than the Florida state average of 52%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 68% (which is higher than the Florida state average of 52%).
The student:teacher ratio of 19:1 is higher than the Florida state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 53% of the student body (majority Black and Hispanic), which is lower than the Florida state average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Magnet School
- Grades: 6-8
- Enrollment: 389 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 19:1
- Minority Enrollment: 53%
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 30% in FL
- Math Proficiency: 64% (Top 30%)
- Reading Proficiency: 68% (Top 20%)
- Science Proficiency: 65-69% (Top 20%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Union Academy ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Florida for:
Category
Attribute
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
School Overview
Union Academy's student population of 389 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 21 teachers has declined by 19% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 6-8
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
389 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
21 teachers
School Calendar
School Rankings
Union Academy ranks within the top 30% of all 3,704 schools in Florida (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Union Academy 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
#812 out of 3704 schools
(Top 30%)
(Top 30%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
64%
52%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
68%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
65-69%
52%
Student : Teacher Ratio
19:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
4%
3%
Hispanic
21%
37%
Black
24%
21%
White
47%
35%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
45%
47%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch (17-18)
4%
5%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Union Academy's ranking?
Union Academy is ranked #812 out of 3,704 schools, which ranks it among the top 30% of public schools in Florida.
What schools are Union Academy often compared to?
Union Academyis often viewed alongside schools like Lawton Chiles Middle Academy by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
64% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average), while 68% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average).
How many students attend Union Academy?
389 students attend Union Academy.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
47% of Union Academy students are White, 24% of students are Black, 21% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Asian, and 4% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Union Academy?
Union Academy has a student ration of 19:1, which is higher than the Florida state average of 17:1.
What grades does Union Academy offer ?
Union Academy offers enrollment in grades 6-8 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Union Academy part of?
Union Academy is part of Polk School District.
School Reviews
5 6/30/2018
Union is a great school that prepares you with skills of organization, respect for everyone and every culture, and gets you ready for all years to come, wherever in the world you may be. Union is the best school I`ve ever been to.
Review Union Academy. 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
Parents’ Guide to Special Education
Special education law is not easy to decipher, with several regulations that govern special education services for disabled students. In this article, learn about the core components of the laws, rights, and individual education plans that can help create the best public school environment for your child.
Surveillance Cameras: Violation of Rights or Improved Security?
A school district in Virginia has given the green light to schools that want to install surveillance cameras in common areas like cafeterias and hallways. We’ll look at whether this is a violation of student privacy or the best way to keep order in schools.
Teachers in 19 States Allowed to Physically Punish Students
As of 2014, nineteen states still allow corporal punishment – spanking and paddling the most common choices – in their public schools. However, some argue that not only are these punishments physically harmful, they also are disproportionately administered to students of color. As a result, House democrats have taken up the issue in a new bill that would ban all forms of corporal punishment nationwide.
