Local Schools Near Oak Crossing, Auburndale, 33823

Oak Crossing is a community located in Auburndale, FL, within the 33823 ZIP code. Auburndale is part of Polk County, and the schools serving this area are primarily under the Polk County Public Schools district. Below, I’ll provide information on the schools near Oak Crossing, including their ratings, based on available data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche.com, and the Florida Department of Education. Ratings can vary depending on the source, so I’ll use GreatSchools.org as a primary reference (scale of 1-10) since it’s widely recognized, and I’ll note if there are significant discrepancies elsewhere. I’ll also include approximate distances from Oak Crossing, though exact distances may vary slightly based on specific addresses within the community.

Public Schools Near Oak Crossing, Auburndale, FL 33823

Public schools are assigned based on zoning, so families in Oak Crossing are typically zoned for the following schools. You can confirm exact zoning with the Polk County Public Schools district (https://polkschoolsfl.com/schoolzoning/).

1. Walter Caldwell Elementary School (Grades PK-5)

   • Location: 141 Dairy Rd, Auburndale, FL 33823
   • Approximate Distance from Oak Crossing: 1-2 miles
   • GreatSchools Rating: 5/10
   • Overview: This is a public elementary school serving the Auburndale area. The rating reflects average performance in test scores, with some areas of strength in student progress. Reviews on Niche.com give it a C+ overall, citing mixed feedback on academics and facilities.
   • Additional Info: Enrollment is around 600-700 students, with a student-teacher ratio of approximately 16:1.

2. Jere L. Stambaugh Middle School (Grades 6-8)

   • Location: 226 N Main St, Auburndale, FL 33823
   • Approximate Distance from Oak Crossing: 2-3 miles
   • GreatSchools Rating: 4/10
   • Overview: This middle school serves the Auburndale community and has below-average test scores compared to state averages, contributing to its rating. Niche.com also rates it around a C, with some concerns from parents about school culture and resources.
   • Additional Info: Enrollment is approximately 800-900 students, with a student-teacher ratio of about 17:1.

3. Auburndale Senior High School (Grades 9-12)

   • Location: 1 Bloodhound Trail, Auburndale, FL 33823
   • Approximate Distance from Oak Crossing: 2-3 miles
   • GreatSchools Rating: 5/10
   • Overview: The local high school for Oak Crossing residents, Auburndale Senior High has average performance in test scores and college readiness metrics. Graduation rates are around 85-90%, which is close to the state average. Niche.com gives it a B- rating, with positive notes on sports programs but mixed reviews on academics.
   • Additional Info: Enrollment is around 1,600-1,700 students, with a student-teacher ratio of approximately 20:1.

   Other Nearby Public Schools (Not Necessarily Zoned for Oak Crossing)

   These schools are within a reasonable driving distance but may require special enrollment or magnet programs for attendance.

4. Lena Vista Elementary School (Grades PK-5)

   • Location: 925 Berkley Rd, Auburndale, FL 33823
   • Approximate Distance from Oak Crossing: 3-4 miles
   • GreatSchools Rating: 4/10
   • Overview: Another elementary option in Auburndale, with slightly below-average performance in state assessments.

5. Lake Alfred Polytech Academy (Grades 6-8)

   • Location: 550 E Cummings St, Lake Alfred, FL 33850
   • Approximate Distance from Oak Crossing: 5-6 miles
   • GreatSchools Rating: 5/10
   • Overview: A middle school with a focus on technical education, offering an alternative to traditional middle schools in the area.

   Charter and Magnet Schools Near Oak Crossing

   Charter schools in Polk County often have open enrollment but may have waitlists or lottery systems.

6. Berkley Accelerated Middle School (Charter, Grades 6-8)

   • Location: 5316 Berkley Rd, Auburndale, FL 33823
   • Approximate Distance from Oak Crossing: 3-4 miles
   • GreatSchools Rating: 7/10
   • Overview: A charter school with a focus on accelerated learning, showing stronger test scores than nearby traditional middle schools. Niche.com rates it highly for academics (B+).
   • Additional Info: Smaller enrollment (around 400-500 students) and a rigorous curriculum.

7. Berkley Elementary School (Charter, Grades K-5)

   • Location: 5240 Berkley Rd, Auburndale, FL 33823
   • Approximate Distance from Oak Crossing: 3-4 miles
   • GreatSchools Rating: 6/10
   • Overview: A charter elementary school with better-than-average performance in the area, often paired with Berkley Accelerated Middle for continuity.

   Private Schools Near Oak Crossing

   Private schools offer alternative education options, often with religious affiliations or specialized curricula. Tuition and admission requirements vary.

8. Advance Prep Academy (Private, Grades K-12)

   • Location: 2301 N Florida Ave, Lakeland, FL 33805 (nearby city)
   • Approximate Distance from Oak Crossing: 10-12 miles
   • GreatSchools Rating: Not rated (limited data)
   • Overview: A smaller private school with a focus on individualized learning. Reviews on Niche.com are limited but generally positive for personalized attention.
   • Additional Info: Tuition information is available directly from the school.

9. Bible Baptist Christian Academy (Private, Grades K-12)

   • Location: 114 Hallum Dr, Auburndale, FL 33823
   • Approximate Distance from Oak Crossing: 2-3 miles
   • GreatSchools Rating: Not rated (limited data)
   • Overview: A faith-based school offering a Christian curriculum. Limited public data on academic performance, but it’s a local option for families seeking religious education.

   Additional Notes on Ratings and Selection

   • GreatSchools Ratings: These are based on test scores, student progress, equity, and sometimes parent reviews. A rating of 5/10 is considered average, while below 5 indicates areas of concern, and above 7 is above average. Keep in mind that ratings don’t capture everything (e.g., extracurriculars, teacher quality, or specific student needs).
   • Niche.com: Provides letter grades (A-F) and often includes parent and student reviews, which can offer a more qualitative perspective.
   • Florida Department of Education: You can check school grades (A-F) directly on their website (https://www.fldoe.org/) for the most official state assessment data. As of the latest reports, most Auburndale public schools receive C grades from the state.
   • School Choice: Polk County offers school choice options, including magnet programs and charter schools. Families can apply for out-of-zone schools if space is available, though transportation may not be provided.

   How to Verify Zoning and Get More Info

   • Polk County Public Schools: Visit https://polkschoolsfl.com/ or call their zoning office at (863) 534-0500 to confirm which schools serve your specific address in Oak Crossing.
   • School Tours and Open Houses: Many schools offer tours or virtual open houses, especially for charter and private options.
   • Parent Reviews: Websites like GreatSchools.org and Niche.com have community feedback that can provide insight beyond numbers.

   If you have a specific address within Oak Crossing or are looking for schools with particular programs (e.g., special needs, gifted, or sports-focused), let me know, and I can refine the search further. Additionally, if you’d like more details on a specific school or updated ratings (since data can change yearly), I’m happy to assist!