FL Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. 2023 | Commissioner of Education
FL Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr. 2023 | Commissioner of Education
Of the 4,725 students attending Hardee County schools, 62.4% were Hispanic. White students were the second largest ethnicity, making up 29.3% of Hardee County students.
In the previous school year, Hispanic students were also the most common ethnicity in Hardee County, representing 64.1% of the student body.
Wauchula Elementary School had the most even distribution of races among the county schools, including 54.9% Hispanic students, 32.7% white students, 9.6% Black students, and 2.4% multiracial students.
In the 2023-24 school year, the total number of students enrolled in the county dropped 3.6% when compared to the previous year.
Meanwhile, Florida continues to face a teacher shortage in the 2023-24 school year. Despite some improvements, the state reported nearly 4,800 instructional vacancies at the beginning of the year. According to the Florida Department of Education, core subjects such as English, reading, and math among the areas with the highest demand for teachers.
According to the National Education Association (NEA), Florida ranked 50th in the U.S. for teacher pay in the 2022-23 school year, with salaries lower than they were a decade ago when adjusted for inflation.
Governor DeSantis's budget for the 2024-25 school year allocates nearly $38 billion for education, with $1.25 billion dedicated to teachers' salaries and other instructional personnel.
| School Name | Most Prevalent Ethnicity | Percent of Total Student Body | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green Elementary School | Hispanic | 65.6% | 291 |
| Hardee Junior High School | Hispanic | 63.3% | 1,089 |
| Hardee Senior High School | Hispanic | 65.6% | 1,335 |
| Hardee Virtual Franchise | White | 68.6% | 35 |
| Hilltop Elementary School | Hispanic | 70.5% | 264 |
| North Wauchula Elementary School | Hispanic | 60.9% | 545 |
| Pioneer Career Academy | Hispanic | 72.7% | 44 |
| Wauchula Elementary School | Hispanic | 54.9% | 572 |
| Zolfo Springs Elementary School | Hispanic | 58.4% | 550 |
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