US Newsweek names HARTRIDGE ACADEMY
2025
#1 Elementary School in Polk County
#16 Elementary School in Florida
GRADE "A" School 2025
"High-Performing Charter 2024 2025" status by Florida Dept of Education
2024 School of Excellence by State of Florida !
SEE ENROLLMENT tab above for 2025 2026 Open Enrollment Lottery Application
It is not too late to enter our 2025 2026 waiting pool!
The privacy and safety of Hartridge students and staff is highly valued and respected. Therefore, you will not find pictures, names, announcements of field trips, school newsletters, or maps on this site. Students' families have individual personalized agendas and correspondence for 24 hour access and school communication. The sole purpose of this website is to provide the minimum information required for public viewing and consideration when seeking a school of choice or opportunities to serve our school
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HARTRIDGE ACADEMY 's 2025 FSA percentages of students earning Level 3 and above surpassed the district and state averages earning us a Grade A!. Details are available at FLDOE.org regarding all Polk County public schools including Hartridge.
Congratulations to Hartridge students and staff as we've completed our 24th year of academic success as a parental choice in free public education for Polk County families! The continued success of our former students is the most authentic and consistent evidence of our popular award winning program. For those who choose to measure schools by a school grade instead, Hartridge has been awarded an "A" most years.
Despite a waiting pool of applicants, we choose to remain a small school. Our current enrollment is intentionally smaller this year as we have an increase in number of new students with exceptional needs and limited English. We continue to use funding to offer free tutoring to students as needed, retain highly qualified staff, and customize education. The benefits of each staff member knowing all children has proven to be a strong ingredient for student success and safety. Our scheduling for one on one time for each family throughout the year strengthens the learning process as well as the home to school relationship.
PROGRAMS OF THE SCHOOL
Hartridge Academy is an elementary school (K-5) with:
Traditional academic subjects, services for Gifted and other ESE students, Multi-Grade Combination Classes, Accelerated Curriculum Classes, Single Gender Class opportunities (when available), and Distant Education when school is unexpectedly closed, such as during a pandemic or hurricane.
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VPK (preschool) & AFTERSCHOOL :
As a member of Florida's FREE education system, we assist families with placements in Vpk, preschool, ESE services, summer programs, and afterschool programs elsewhere when/if not available onsite. Transportation on our public school bus is provided to several locations for our elementary students and after school childcare centers, depending on each year's students' needs and busing availability.
Interested in entering your child in our lottery or waiting pool? Select the Enrollment tab for applications for our waiting pool.
2025-26: Hartridge has received notice that it will receive a portion of federal Title 1 funding to
provide additional services for our students, staff, and program.
This year, ALL students are eligible to order FREE breakfast and lunch during our morning attendance. It is prepared by the PCSB and delivered to the school at mealtime, thus none on hand for late arrivals. Parents may also pack lunches.
The following are available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole :
School Public Accountability Plan (SPAR) School Improvement Plan (SIP CIMS) Title I Compact
