Lakeland Highlands’s public schools score below 88% of Florida districts on tests and graduation
42% of students in Lakeland Highlands’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Florida average (52%). The grade covers the public school district serving Lakeland Highlands, 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.
Lakeland Highlands’s schools, in brief
Results trail the state
In spring 2022, 43% of tested students were proficient in reading and 42% in math, against 52% and 52% statewide; 96% of students in the tested grades sat the tests. The grade ↓
Graduation
78% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida. Districts ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $12,447 per student, against $13,006 across Florida (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
One elementary school, then 28 middle and 16 high schools
Which school depends on the address at the later steps. Enrollment is up 12% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
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 Lakeland Highlands’s grade
D: better than 12% of Florida school districts, #592 of 638 Florida towns. Both inputs trail the Florida average; among the 282 Florida towns with similar household incomes, Lakeland Highlands’s schools place at the bottom.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lakeland Highlands, with each school’s own grade.
Pre-K in Lakeland Highlands
Scott Lake Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 735 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Lakeland
Kindergarten in Lakeland Highlands
Scott Lake Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 735 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Lakeland
1st grade in Lakeland Highlands
Scott Lake Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 735 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Lakeland
2nd grade in Lakeland Highlands
Scott Lake Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 735 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Lakeland
3rd grade in Lakeland Highlands
Scott Lake Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 735 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Lakeland
4th grade in Lakeland Highlands
Scott Lake Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 735 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Lakeland
5th grade in Lakeland Highlands
Scott Lake Elementary School
Grades PK–5 · 735 students · 16:1 students per teacher · in Lakeland
Lakeland Highlands’s public schools are run by Polk County School District. 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.
Well below the state in reading
Lakeland Highlands vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Lakeland Highlands’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeland Highlands | D | Polk County |
| Mulberry | D | Polk County |
| Lakeland | D | Polk County |
All 2 neighbors share Polk County with Lakeland Highlands, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Lakeland Highlands
42 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).
Questions about Lakeland Highlands’s schools
Are Lakeland Highlands’s schools good?
On Florida’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lakeland Highlands children attend score below 88% of Florida’s school districts on tests and graduation, a D Schools grade, #592 of 638 Florida towns. Among towns with similar incomes they place at the bottom. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lakeland Highlands in?
Polk County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 116,440 students in 159 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lakeland Highlands kids go to high school?
One of 16 high schools, depending on your address: Haines City Senior High School, Davenport High School, Winter Haven Senior High School, Ridge Community High School, George W. Jenkins Senior High, Bartow Senior High School, Lakeland Senior High School, Lake Gibson Senior High School, Kathleen Senior High School, Auburndale Senior High School, Lake Region High School, Mulberry Senior High School, Tenoroc High School, Frostproof Middle/Senior High, McLaughlin Academy of Excellence and Fort Meade Middle/Senior High School.
What is Lakeland Highlands’s graduation rate?
78% of the class of 2023 in Polk County School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida.
How much does Lakeland Highlands spend per student?
$12,447 in Polk County School District (FY2024), against $13,006 across Florida. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Parents talk
What Lakeland Highlands families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lakeland Highlands → 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.