Photo: Connor J. Williams · CC BY 3.0Lakeland’s public schools score below 88% of Florida districts on tests and graduation
42% of students in Lakeland’s public schools are proficient in math, below the Florida average (52%). The grade covers the public school district serving Lakeland, 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’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 452 Florida towns with household incomes within a quarter of Lakeland’s, its schools beat 3%, lower than their 12% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
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 ↓
Ten elementary schools, then six middle and one high school
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is up 12% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Idea Lakeland, Achievement Academy, McKeel Academy Central, Lakeland Montessori School House, South McKeel Academy, Magnolia Montessori Academy, Lakeland Christian School (private), Victory Christian Academy (private), St. Paul Lutheran School (private), Resurrection Catholic School (private), Parkway Christian Academy (private), Geneva Classical Academy (private), Roberts Academy at Florida Southern College (private), Families of Faith Christian Academy International (private), Academy Prep Center of Lakeland (private), Head of the Class Learning Center (private), The Cygnet School (private), Lakeland Institute for Learning, Org., Corp (private), Greater ST. Paul Academy (private), Pathways School of Excellence (private) and Inspiration Academy of Lakeland (private) are in town. Polk Full Time Eschool, an online school, is based here too; it isn’t counted as a local school. 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 Lakeland’s grade
D: better than 12% of Florida school districts, #592 of 638 Florida towns. Both inputs trail the Florida average; test scores are the closer of the two to typical.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Lakeland, with each school’s own grade.
9th grade in Lakeland
Lakeland Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,985 students · 19:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Lakeland
Lakeland Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,985 students · 19:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Lakeland
Lakeland Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,985 students · 19:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Lakeland
Lakeland Senior High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,985 students · 19:1 students per teacher
Lakeland’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 vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Lakeland’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeland | D | Polk County |
| Polk City | D | Polk County |
| Plant City | C+ | Hillsborough County |
Every school in Lakeland
38 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: 2 public programs with fewer than 25 students (Polk Virtual Franchise and Polk Virtual Instruction Program).
Questions about Lakeland’s schools
Are Lakeland’s schools good?
On Florida’s tests they score below most of the state: the public schools Lakeland 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 beat 3%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Lakeland in?
Polk County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 116,440 students in 159 schools (2024–25).
Where do Lakeland kids go to high school?
Lakeland Senior High School, with 1,985 students; its own test results earn a C+.
What is Lakeland’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 spend per student?
$12,447 in Polk County School District (FY2024), against $13,006 across Florida. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Lakeland?
Yes: Lakeland Christian School (religious, grades PK–12, 1,135 students), Victory Christian Academy (religious, grades K–12, 698 students), St. Paul Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 515 students), Resurrection Catholic School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 503 students), Parkway Christian Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 421 students), Geneva Classical Academy (religious, grades PK–12, 250 students), Roberts Academy at Florida Southern College (nonsectarian, grades 2–8, 183 students), Families of Faith Christian Academy International (religious, grades K–12, 148 students), Academy Prep Center of Lakeland (nonsectarian, grades 5–8, 131 students), Head of the Class Learning Center (nonsectarian, grades PK–7, 125 students), The Cygnet School (nonsectarian, grades K–12, 108 students), Lakeland Institute for Learning, Org., Corp (special education, grades 3–12, 82 students), Greater ST. Paul Academy (religious, grades PK–9, 69 students), Pathways School of Excellence (religious, grades 6–12, 54 students) and Inspiration Academy of Lakeland (nonsectarian, grades 1–5, 21 students). Lakeland also has 6 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Lakeland families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Lakeland → 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.