Best Public Schools in Lakeland, FL

The city of Lakeland, Florida is home to 60 schools serving students from elementary through high school, including 34 elementary schools, 8 middle schools, 14 high schools, and 4 alternative schools. The data reveals a diverse educational landscape, with standout performers like McKeel Academy of Technology, a public charter high school that consistently ranks among the top schools in the state, as well as strong elementary schools like Valleyview Elementary and Lincoln Avenue Academy.

However, the data also highlights significant disparities in academic performance across the district. While the top-performing charter and magnet schools are producing exceptional results, with 80-95% of students proficient in core subjects, many of the district-run schools, especially those serving higher-need populations, struggle with very low proficiency rates. This stark divide suggests that school choice may be playing a role in driving excellence, as families who can access the high-performing options are seeing dramatically better outcomes for their children. Addressing these performance gaps, whether through expanded school choice, targeted interventions, or equitable funding, will be crucial for ensuring all students in Polk County have access to a high-quality education.

The data also reveals significant challenges at the district's alternative and virtual schools, which face extremely low graduation rates, high chronic absenteeism, and poor academic performance. Addressing the needs of these vulnerable student populations will be critical for the district. Additionally, the wide range in per-student spending, from $6,600 to over $15,000, points to potential funding inequities that may be contributing to the performance gaps across the system.