Photo: Excel23 · CC BY-SA 3.0Lake City’s public schools outscore 75% of Florida districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Lake City, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Florida, not nationally.
From Florida state tests taken in spring 2022, when 96% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Lake City’s schools, in brief
Better than its incomes would predict
Among the 386 Florida towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lake City’s, its schools beat 85%, higher than their 75% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state on both counts
Reading proficiency is 53% and math 56% in spring 2022, against 52% and 52% statewide; 92% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $10,841 per student, against $13,006 across Florida (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Two elementary schools, then one middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Epiphany Catholic School (private) and North Florida Arts & Sciences Academy (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Lake City’s grade
A−: better than 75% of Florida school districts, #119 of 638 Florida towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Florida average; graduation is the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lake City, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Lake City · depends on your address
Melrose Park Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 635 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Summers Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 492 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Kindergarten in Lake City · depends on your address
Melrose Park Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 635 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Summers Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 492 students · 16:1 students per teacher
1st grade in Lake City · depends on your address
Melrose Park Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 635 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Summers Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 492 students · 16:1 students per teacher
2nd grade in Lake City · depends on your address
Melrose Park Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 635 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Summers Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 492 students · 16:1 students per teacher
3rd grade in Lake City · depends on your address
Melrose Park Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 635 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Summers Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 492 students · 16:1 students per teacher
4th grade in Lake City · depends on your address
Melrose Park Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 635 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Summers Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 492 students · 16:1 students per teacher
5th grade in Lake City · depends on your address
Melrose Park Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 635 students · 16:1 students per teacher
Summers Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 492 students · 16:1 students per teacher
6th grade in Lake City
Richardson Sixth Grade Academy
Grades 6 · 455 students · 17:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Lake City
Lake City Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 809 students · 19:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Lake City
Lake City Middle School
Grades 7–8 · 809 students · 19:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Lake City · depends on your address
Columbia High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,711 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Fort White High School
Grades 6–12 · 1,101 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Fort White
10th grade in Lake City · depends on your address
Columbia High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,711 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Fort White High School
Grades 6–12 · 1,101 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Fort White
11th grade in Lake City · depends on your address
Columbia High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,711 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Fort White High School
Grades 6–12 · 1,101 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Fort White
12th grade in Lake City · depends on your address
Columbia High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,711 students · 23:1 students per teacher
Fort White High School
Grades 6–12 · 1,101 students · 17:1 students per teacher · in Fort White
Lake City’s public schools are run by Columbia County School District, which also serves Fort White. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Lake City vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Lake City’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lake City | A− | Columbia County |
Every school in Lake City
9 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Florida’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Left off: 4 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Columbia Virtual Instruction Program, Columbia Virtual Franchise, Prek Ese and Columbia Virtual Instruction Program (District Provided)).
Questions about Lake City’s schools
Are Lake City’s schools good?
By Florida’s own tests, yes: the public schools Lake City children attend outscore 75% of Florida’s school districts on tests and graduation, an A− Schools grade, #119 of 638 Florida towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 85%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lake City in?
Columbia County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 9,508 students in 15 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lake City kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Columbia High School and Fort White High School.
What is Lake City’s graduation rate?
92% of the class of 2023 in Columbia County School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida.
How much does Lake City spend per student?
$10,841 in Columbia County School District (FY2024), against $13,006 across Florida. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Lake City?
Yes: Epiphany Catholic School (Catholic, grades K–8, 128 students) and North Florida Arts & Sciences Academy (religious, grades PK–11, 56 students).
Parents talk
What Lake City families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lake City → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Florida. Stars are from neighbors.