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Charter schools in Winter Haven, FL

5 schools in Winter Haven, 22 more within 15 miles. Public, and free to attend.

Public charter schools (tuition-free)

Winter Haven charter schools at a glance

5 public charter schools give Winter Haven as their address in the 2025-26 federal school directory, and 22 more are within 15 miles. The 5 in town had about 2,186 students in 2024-25. 3 teach elementary grades and 3 teach high school. Every one is a public school that charges no tuition.

2,186 students, 2024-25
3 high schools
$0 tuition

Networks and districts with the most of these schools: Polk (27). Names as reported to the federal directory.

Charter schools in Winter Haven (5)

Largest first. Enrollment and teachers are from 2024-25; schools new in 2025-26 have no count yet.

Charter school Grades Students (2024-25) Per teacher Phone
New Beginnings High School 6-12 997 66.5 (863) 268-5666
Chain of Lakes Collegiate High 10-12 340 48.6 (863) 298-6800
Language & Literacy Academy for Learning PK-12 332 25.5 (863) 268-2903
Cypress Junction Montessori PK-8 317 18.3 (863) 259-1490
Hartridge Academy K-5 200 18.2 (863) 956-4434

Nearby, within 15 miles (22)

Charter schools in other towns, nearest first. Online schools are left out here because their address is an office.

Charter school Grades Students (2024-25) Per teacher Town Miles Phone
Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred 6-8 1,039 21.6 Lake Alfred 4 (863) 295-5955
Discovery High School 9-12 898 20 Lake Alfred 5 (863) 268-7178
Berkley Elementary School K-5 696 17.8 Auburndale 8 (863) 968-5024
Berkley Accelerated 6-10 622 20.1 Auburndale 9 (863) 984-2400
Navigator Academy of Leadership Davenport K-8 977 17.4 Davenport 10 (863) 353-3005
Navigator Academy of Leadership High School 9-12 new in 2025-26 Davenport 10 (863) 353-3005
Polk State College Collegiate High School 10-12 343 68.6 Lakeland 10 (863) 669-2322
Polk State Lakeland Gateway to College Collegiate High Scho 11-12 296 32.9 Lakeland 10 (863) 669-2322
MI Escuela Montessori PK-8 275 12.6 Lakeland 11 (863) 934-2780
South Mckeel Academy PK-6 1,200 17.4 Lakeland 11 (863) 510-0044
Janie Howard Wilson School PK-5 462 15.9 Lake Wales 12 (863) 678-4211
Lakeland Montessori School House K-8 129 13.6 Lakeland 13 (863) 413-0003
Victory Ridge Academy PK-12 321 12.8 Lake Wales 13 (863) 679-3338
Lake Wales Senior High School 9-12 1,597 21.9 Lake Wales 13 (863) 678-4222
Edward W Bok Academy North 6-8 726 20.2 Lake Wales 13 (863) 638-1010
Compass Middle Charter School 5-8 168 18.7 Bartow 13 (863) 519-8701
Achievement Academy PK 157 7.5 Lakeland 13 (863) 683-6504
Polk Avenue Elementary School PK-5 523 17.4 Lake Wales 14 (863) 678-4244
Mckeel Academy Central PK-6 610 16.5 Lakeland 14 (863) 499-1287
Hillcrest Elementary School PK-5 667 16.3 Lake Wales 14 (863) 678-4216
Magnolia Montessori Academy PK-8 182 11.4 Lakeland 15 (863) 797-4991
Ridgeview Global Studies Academy K-12 1,581 17.6 Davenport 15 (863) 419-3171

Charter schools: how they work

  • Public and free. NCES describes a public charter school as a publicly funded school, usually run by a group or organization under a contract (the charter) with the state, the district or another body. The federal definition says a charter school does not charge tuition.
  • Families choose it. Under the same definition, a charter school is one parents choose to send their children to, and it admits students by lottery when more apply than it has room for.
  • Its own rules, its own accountability. The charter frees the school from some state or local rules; in return it must meet the standards written in its charter. It is nonsectarian.
  • No program badge. ChoiceFunded’s program badges and “schools that accept” lists cover private schools only. Charter schools are listed separately here, with no badge, and are never counted with private schools.

Sources: 20 U.S.C. 7221i (federal Charter Schools Program definitions); NCES, Condition of Education: Public Charter School Enrollment. Each state writes its own charter law, so ask the school how enrollment works there.

Questions parents ask

How many charter schools are in Winter Haven?

5 public charter schools in the 2025-26 federal directory are in Winter Haven, and 22 more are within 15 miles. New Beginnings High School, Chain of Lakes Collegiate High, Language & Literacy Academy for Learning, Cypress Junction Montessori, Hartridge Academy.

Do charter schools in Winter Haven charge tuition?

No. Charter schools are public schools, and the federal definition of a charter school says it does not charge tuition. Ask each school about fees for extras.

How do I enroll in a Winter Haven charter school?

Apply to each school directly. Under the federal definition, a charter school admits students by lottery when more apply than it has room for, so check each school’s application dates. Each state writes its own charter law.

School facts: U.S. Department of Education, Common Core of Data (2025-26 directory, 2024-25 enrollment and staff). Where our data comes from.

See charter schools How enrollment works