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Carlton Palmore Elementary School

Q: Is Carlton Palmore Elementary School a good school?

Carlton Palmore Elementary School ranks 1536 th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1536^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 31% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Carlton Palmore Elementary School is a mid-sized elementary school in Lakeland, FL, serving 402 students in grades PK through 5 as part of the Polk school district, where about two-thirds of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

One of the most notable findings is that Carlton Palmore has a clear strength in English Language Arts (ELA), especially in 4th grade, where 68% of students were proficient in the most recent school year—well above the district average of 53% and the state average of 60%. This is a significant improvement from the previous year and suggests a highly effective teacher or intervention at that grade level. However, math scores remain below district and state averages, creating a "tale of two subjects" that sets the school apart from nearby higher-performing schools like Highlands Grove Elementary and Cleveland Court Elementary, which excel in both subjects. The school also faces a persistent challenge with chronic absenteeism, which sits at 40%—far higher than the state average of 31.4% and much worse than nearby South McKeel Academy, which has a rate of just 0.1%.

Interestingly, Carlton Palmore spends more per student ($12,914) than several nearby schools that achieve better results, such as Highlands Grove ($12,216) and South McKeel ($9,708). This spending paradox suggests that the school's core challenges—like high absenteeism and the effects of poverty—require targeted support beyond just general funding. The school has not yet fully recovered from the pandemic, dropping from a 3-star rating before COVID to a 2-star rating now, while nearby schools like Cleveland Court have maintained higher rankings. Understanding what works in 4th-grade ELA could provide a blueprint for improvement across the school.

402

Students ?

15.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,914

Per pupil spending ?

66.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

3725 Clevelnd Hts Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33803

(863) 648-3510

District: Polk

Students who attend Carlton Palmore Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Lakeland Senior High School

Racial breakdown:

White:

43.0%

Hispanic:

27.9%

African American:

22.1%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Carlton Palmore Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 49th percentile in 2016 → 31st in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (52% vs 62% meeting standards)

!High chronic absenteeism (40% vs 31% Florida)

!Ranking has slipped — down 18 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school52%

District avg53%

Florida avg62%

1,536^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Bottom 31%▼ down 18 pts since 2016

From bottom 49% (2016) to bottom 31% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

35^th of 86Elementary Schools in the Polk

61^st of 70Polk among Florida districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	34.7	1536 of 2240	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	34.2	1520 of 2258	32.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	26.7	1720 of 2256	23.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	36.7	1423 of 2240	36.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	34.9	1447 of 2219	34.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	41.4	1280 of 2247	43.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	54.0	992 of 2182	54.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	50.1	1056 of 2118	50.1%	★★★☆☆
2017	48.3	1097 of 2112	48.1%	★★☆☆☆
2016	49.1	1063 of 2087	49.1%	★★☆☆☆
2014	32.3	1459 of 2064	29.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	40.7	1213 of 2029	40.2%	★★☆☆☆
2012	33.6	1346 of 1984	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2011	32.2	1435 of 1985	27.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2010	28.9	1457 of 1919	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2009	44.6	1087 of 1847	41.1%	★★☆☆☆
2008	52.4	898 of 1789	49.8%	★★☆☆☆
2007	44.0	1058 of 1786	40.8%	★★☆☆☆
2006	43.6	996 of 1688	41.0%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts57%-3 vs state

Math53%-11 vs state

Science31%-29 vs state

2.3

3 ratings · 3 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★2

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What people are saying

by a parent
Saturday, May 26, 2018

School is terrible for students with disabilities. They offer zero support and only care about what is written oppose to actually supporting the students in class. Beware. The school isn't great. Close Quote

by a parent
Saturday, June 10, 2017

This is an excellent school! I always wonder when a bad review is added, what the other side of the story is? I recommend visiting this school, as they have so many positive things in place! The new administration is fabulous. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, May 5, 2017

Theirs a reason why this school is on the very low end of the state / county rating spectrum.... From my experience, It should be the "POSTER CHILD" of What's mostly wrong w/ the Florida State Education System, & Why it has such a "BAD" reputation compare to majority of other states! Close Quote

Schools Near Carlton Palmore Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)						FAST Math (2026)						Statewide Science Science (2026)		EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Civics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Carlton Palmore Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3725 Clevelnd Hts Blvd	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3510	402	26	15.4	66.7%	173 (43.0%)	89 (22.1%)	112 (27.9%)	5 (1.2%)	4 (1.0%)	3 (0.7%)	16 (4.0%)	34.7	1536^th of 2240 public elementary schools	31.4%		34.2	1520^th of 2258 public elementary schools	32.7%	16	55.0	68.0	44.0				59.0	55.0	44.0				31.0				$12,914	$1,902	$11,011
Cleveland Court Elementary School	Public	K-5	328 Edgewood Dr E	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2929	374	27	13.8	54.0%	153 (40.9%)	90 (24.1%)	109 (29.1%)	12 (3.2%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.4%)	82.6	320^th of 2240 public elementary schools	85.7%		76	495^th of 2258 public elementary schools	78.1%	175	71.0	86.0	75.0				74.0	78.0	83.0				75.0				$13,187	$1,655	$11,533
Southwest Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2650 Southwest Ave	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2830	376	31	12.1	77.7%	123 (32.7%)	79 (21.0%)	146 (38.8%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (6.6%)	34.4	1547^th of 2240 public elementary schools	30.9%		43.7	1255^th of 2258 public elementary schools	44.4%	292	52.0	54.0	52.0				42.0	47.0	59.0				62.0				$14,321	$2,064	$12,257
Highlands Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4510 Lakeland Highlands Rd	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3002	691	46	15.0	50.1%	352 (50.9%)	101 (14.6%)	194 (28.1%)	20 (2.9%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (3.3%)	65.7	734^th of 2240 public elementary schools	67.2%		70.2	636^th of 2258 public elementary schools	71.8%	98	81.0	58.0	68.0				76.0	50.0	73.0				70.0				$12,216	$1,547	$10,670
Dixieland Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	416 Ariana St	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2930	344	20	17.2	81.7%	85 (24.7%)	91 (26.5%)	148 (43.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (5.2%)	20.4	1917^th of 2240 public elementary schools	14.4%		13.8	2063^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	8.6%	146	56.0	49.0	45.0				47.0	43.0	43.0				29.0				$11,420	$1,627	$9,792
Mi Escuela Montessori	Public, Charter	PK, KG-7	2130 E Edgewood Dr	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 934-2780	275	22	12.6	48.4%	89 (32.4%)	9 (3.3%)	160 (58.2%)	5 (1.8%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (4.0%)	33	1587^th of 2240 public elementary schools	29.2%		28.1	1700^th of 2258 public elementary schools	24.7%	113	48.0	66.0	61.0	66.0	69.0	77.0	40.0	50.0	32.0	59.0	47.0		32.0	67.0	100.0	56.0	$10,345	$471	$9,874
Medulla Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	850 Schoolhouse Rd	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3515	488	29	16.8	73.0%	138 (28.3%)	119 (24.4%)	204 (41.8%)	4 (0.8%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (4.5%)	27.8	1719^th of 2240 public elementary schools	23.3%		21.6	1857^th of 2258 public elementary schools	17.8%	138	43.0	48.0	54.0				49.0	57.0	51.0				48.0				$12,878	$2,001	$10,876
South McKeel Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-6	2222 Edgewood Dr S	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 510-0044	1,200	69	17.3	56.3%	719 (59.9%)	103 (8.6%)	252 (21.0%)	66 (5.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	59 (4.9%)	89.4	145^th of 2240 public elementary schools	93.5%		89.3	188^th of 2258 public elementary schools	91.7%	43	88.0	82.0	74.0	84.0			89.0	92.0	82.0	85.0		100.0	82.0				$9,708	$467	$9,240
Scott Lake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1140 County Road 540a E	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3520	735	47	15.6	55.0%	374 (50.9%)	112 (15.2%)	200 (27.2%)	20 (2.7%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	27 (3.7%)	56.7	966^th of 2240 public elementary schools	56.9%		57.7	930^th of 2258 public elementary schools	58.8%	36	58.0	72.0	65.0				57.0	71.0	66.0				55.0				$11,561	$1,488	$10,074
Oscar J. Pope Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2730 Maine Ave	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2992	365	19	19.2	80.8%	102 (27.9%)	74 (20.3%)	173 (47.4%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.8%)	11.2	2121^st of 2240 public elementary schools	5.3%		17.7	1977^th of 2258 public elementary schools	12.4%	144	31.0	34.0	37.0				38.0	37.0	58.0				26.0				$12,313	$1,606	$10,707

Frequently Asked Questions about Carlton Palmore Elementary School

How many students attend Carlton Palmore Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 402 students attended Carlton Palmore Elementary School.

What district is Carlton Palmore Elementary School in?

Polk

What schools do graduates of Carlton Palmore Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Carlton Palmore Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Lakeland Senior High School

What is the racial makeup of Carlton Palmore Elementary School?

Students at Carlton Palmore Elementary School are 43% White, 28% Hispanic, 22% African American, 4% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

Is Carlton Palmore Elementary School a good school?

Carlton Palmore Elementary School ranks 1536^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Carlton Palmore Elementary School!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.