Ridge Career Center is on the northeast edge of Winter Haven, Florida. Its street address is 7700 State Road 544, Winter Haven, Florida 33881. However, it is actually a short distance south of Road 544 and it can be reached via Brenton Manor Avenue, where all entrances to the school are located.
Ridge Technical Academy serves 143 students in grades 6-12.
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is <50% (which is lower than the Florida state average of 52%).
The student:teacher ratio of 20:1 is higher than the Florida state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Florida state average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- School Type: Alternative school
- Grades: 6-12
- Enrollment: 143 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 20:1
- Minority Enrollment: 64%
- Graduation Rate: <50% (Btm 50% in FL)
- Math Proficiency: <50% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: <50% (Top 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Ridge Technical Academy ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Florida for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
Student Attention
School Overview
Ridge Technical Academy's student population of 143 students has grown by 155% over five school years.
The teacher population of 7 teachers has declined by 22% over five school years.
School Type
Grades Offered
Grades 6-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
143 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
7 teachers
Year Founded
1978
School Rankings
The diversity score of Ridge Technical Academy is 0.65, 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.
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
<50%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
<50%
52%
Student : Teacher Ratio
20:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
n/a
3%
Hispanic
45%
37%
Black
17%
21%
White
36%
35%
Hawaiian
1%
n/a
Two or more races
1%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
<50%
87%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
60%
47%
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 the graduation rate of Ridge Technical Academy?
The graduation rate of Ridge Technical Academy is 50%, which is lower than the Florida state average of 87%.
How many students attend Ridge Technical Academy?
143 students attend Ridge Technical Academy.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
45% of Ridge Technical Academy students are Hispanic, 36% of students are White, 17% of students are Black, 1% of students are Hawaiian, and 1% of students are Two or more races.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Ridge Technical Academy?
Ridge Technical Academy has a student ration of 20:1, which is higher than the Florida state average of 17:1.
What grades does Ridge Technical Academy offer ?
Ridge Technical Academy offers enrollment in grades 6-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Ridge Technical Academy part of?
Ridge Technical Academy is part of Polk School District.
School Reviews
Review Ridge Technical 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.