The Vanguard School

22000 Hwy 27
Lake Wales, FL 33859
The Vanguard School is a co-educational learning diverse boarding community for children in grades 6-12 since 1966.
Our campus provides a family-style community to engage and launch learners to higher educational opportunities and independent life.
The Vanguard School embraces students who have different learning styles and may have been diagnosed with dyslexia, executive function difficulties, attention deficits, or other language-based learning disabilities.
Vanguard's program is for learners on a wide spectrum of academic and social learning skills. We include twice-exceptional, average, and modified curriculum learners who support each other in the Vanguard community.
We provide core values to guide students in building their empathy, integrity, and sense of community. Students thrive from their acceptance and resilience as a result of the confidence they derive in leadership.
We offer a variety of arts, athletics, community service, dual enrollment, internships, and more for students to gain the necessary skills that will serve them lifelong.
Vanguard offers a safe and welcoming environment to support students who have been frustrated with their learning progress in other academic settings.
By helping to eliminate these frustrations Vanguard successfully provides its students opportunities for college placement and various other interests.

Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Grades: 6-12
  • Enrollment: 120 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $52,000
  • Acceptance rate: 85%
  • Average class size: 8 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

Top Rankings

The Vanguard School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools (out of 280 schools) for:

Category
Attribute
Student Attention

School Overview

Definition of Terms | 2024 School Data
The Vanguard School
Boarding School Avg.
School Focus
College Preparatory
College Preparatory
Grades Offered
6-12
9-12
School Type
Co-ed
Co-ed
ADD/ADHD Support
Yes
Supports Learning Differences (LD)
Yes
Religious Affiliation
Non-denominational
Year Founded
1966
1906
Campus Size
77 acres
125 acres

Student Body

Enrollment
120 students
314 students
% Students of Color
64%
25%
% International Students
30%
20%
% Students Boarding
70%
70%
Average ACT score
21
(Out of 36)
*National Avg. »View
Offers Post-Grad Year
No
No

Academics and Faculty

Saturday Classes
No
No
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
School Uniform
Casual
Average Class Size
8 students
12
* National Avg. »18
Student : Teacher Ratio
8:1
7:1
ESL Courses Offered
No
Yes
% Faculty with Advanced Degree
30%
71%
Summer Program Offered
Yes
Summer Program Details

Tuition Cost

Endowment Size
$7 million
$28 million
Yearly Tuition
(Boarding Students)
$52,000
$66,200
Yearly Tuition
(Day Students)
n/a
$35,600
Yearly Tuition
(5 Day Boarding)
$46,000
$49,400
Summer Program Cost
$6,500
% Students on Financial Aid
60%
40%
Avg. Financial Aid Grant
$18,500
(based on financial need)
$25,000
Merit Scholarships Offered
No
No

Acceptance Rate

Application Deadline
None / Rolling
Jan. 15
Acceptance Rate
85%
60%
Director of Admissions
Susi Vacek

Sports

Extracurriculars

Total Extracurricular Organizations
9
23
Extracurriculars
Club or Organization:
Anime Club, Cooking Club, Dance Team, Gamers' Club, Intramural Chess, Money Management, Movie Club

Recreational Athletic Programs:
Archery, Intramural Sports

School Notes

  • The Vanguard School serves diverse co-educational learners in 6th through 12th grades in sunny central Florida.  Our campus provides space for outdoor athletics (tennis, swimming, soccer, a running track) and leisure activities (fishing, canoeing, and more).  
  • Vanguard's mission is to support students who learn diversely and may be of high intelligence but low socialization, require more direct motivation, or students who learn best through applied knowledge.  Our students excel in small targeted education settings and utilize the targeted support in academics, self-confidence building, social and independence skills. Our safe and diverse environment is designed to build confidence, share cultures, create connections, and build a path that is individualized for each student. 
  • Our core value-based open mindset helps students gain empathy, leadership, and contribute to the community while shaping their journey forward. We prepare diverse learners to thrive in a diverse world.
  • The Vanguard School accreditations: FCIS
Source: Verified school update

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does The Vanguard School cost?
The Vanguard School's tuition is approximately $52,000 for boarding students.
What is the acceptance rate of The Vanguard School?
The acceptance rate of The Vanguard School is 85%, which is higher than the boarding school average of 60%.
What sports does The Vanguard School offer?
The Vanguard School offers 10 interscholastic sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Cross Country Running, Golf, Soccer, Swimming, Tennis, Track, Track and Field and Volleyball.
Does The Vanguard School offer a summer program?
Yes, The Vanguard School offers a summer program. Visit their summer school page for more information.
What is The Vanguard School's ranking?
The Vanguard School ranks among the top 20 boarding schools for High percentage of students on financial aid and Small average class sizes.
When is the application deadline for The Vanguard School?
The application deadline for The Vanguard School is rolling (applications are reviewed as they are received year-round).
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Quick Stats (2024-25)

  • Grades: 6-12
  • Enrollment: 120 students
  • Yearly Tuition (Boarding Students): $52,000
  • Acceptance rate: 85%
  • Average class size: 8 students
  • Application Deadline: None / Rolling
  • Source: Verified school update

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