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McKeel Academy Of Technology

Q: Is McKeel Academy Of Technology a good school?

McKeel Academy Of Technology ranks 92 nd of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public, Charter Grades 7-12

92^nd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 838 Florida High Schools

Better than 89% of Florida high schools

Summary

McKeel Academy Of Technology is a high-performing public charter school in Lakeland, FL, serving 1,750 students in grades 7 through 12, and it stands out as a remarkable exception within the Polk school district, which ranks near the bottom in the state.

McKeel Academy achieves exceptional results that far surpass nearby traditional public schools. For example, in Algebra 1, 86% of McKeel students are proficient, compared to just 24% at Kathleen Senior High School and 49% district-wide. In 10th-grade ELA, McKeel scores 74% proficiency versus 48% at Lake Gibson Senior High School and 52% across the district. The school's graduation rate is nearly perfect at 99.2%, far above the district's 87.7% and the state's 92.2%. Perhaps most striking is McKeel's chronic absenteeism rate of just 0.1%, which is 390 times lower than the district average of 39.1% and dramatically better than nearby schools like Lakeland Senior High School (43.0%) and Kathleen (44.7%).

What makes McKeel's success even more impressive is that it achieves these outstanding outcomes while spending significantly less per student—just $6,682 compared to over $9,800 at nearby traditional high schools. The only comparable school in the area is Polk State College Collegiate High School, which ranks in the top 1% of the state but is a much smaller, highly selective dual-enrollment program. McKeel, by contrast, serves a larger, more diverse student body (36% economically disadvantaged) and has maintained its top 10-15% state ranking for the past decade, demonstrating that its model of high expectations, strong attendance culture, and efficient spending can deliver elite results consistently.

1,750

Students ?

23.6

Student/teacher ratio ?

$6,682

Per pupil spending ?

36.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1810 Parker St W
Lakeland, FL 33815

(863) 499-2818

District: Polk

Racial breakdown:

White:

62.8%

Hispanic:

22.5%

African American:

8.1%

See top rated Florida high schools

Compare McKeel Academy Of Technology to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 91st percentile in 2016 → 89th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (80% vs 63% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 11% of Florida high schools

✓99% graduate in 4 years — above the Florida average (92%)

Worth a look

!Large classes — about 24 students per teacher

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school80%

District avg52%

Florida avg63%

Middle school

169^th of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Top 14%▲ up 3 pts since 2016

From top 17% (2016) to top 14% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

High school

92^nd of 838

Florida public high schools ?

Top 11%▼ down 2 pts since 2016

See the entire ranking list of Florida High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

3^rd of 25High 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)

Middle school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	82.2	169 of 1216	86.1%	★★★★☆
2025	86.5	127 of 1205	89.5%	★★★★☆
2024	88.8	95 of 1196	92.1%	★★★★★
2023	87.7	113 of 1177	90.4%	★★★★★
2022	88.5	99 of 1148	91.4%	★★★★★
2021	94.6	35 of 1136	96.9%	★★★★★
2019	91.5	63 of 1099	94.3%	★★★★★
2018	90.9	74 of 1035	92.9%	★★★★★
2017	88.0	107 of 1031	89.6%	★★★★☆
2016	81.1	171 of 997	82.8%	★★★★☆
2014	89.1	74 of 999	92.6%	★★★★★
2013	86.6	93 of 956	90.3%	★★★★★
2012	86.1	97 of 897	89.2%	★★★★☆
2011	80.5	152 of 891	82.9%	★★★★☆
2010	79.1	145 of 839	82.7%	★★★★☆
2009	77.9	154 of 780	80.3%	★★★★☆
2008	79.1	137 of 740	81.5%	★★★★☆
2007	76.5	151 of 736	79.5%	★★★★☆
2006	81.4	105 of 675	84.4%	★★★★☆
2005	68.2	181 of 602	69.9%	★★★★☆
2004	77.8	116 of 593	80.4%	★★★★☆

High school ranking

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	76.3	92 of 838	89.0%	★★★★☆
2025	77.0	97 of 844	88.5%	★★★★☆
2024	80.8	64 of 807	92.1%	★★★★★
2023	80.3	69 of 792	91.3%	★★★★★
2022	79.7	68 of 774	91.2%	★★★★★
2021	82.6	48 of 746	93.6%	★★★★★
2019	79.8	58 of 734	92.1%	★★★★★
2018	76.4	78 of 716	89.1%	★★★★☆
2017	70.9	103 of 714	85.6%	★★★★☆
2016	79.7	60 of 693	91.3%	★★★★★
2014	80.4	76 of 687	88.9%	★★★★☆
2013	83.4	55 of 648	91.5%	★★★★★
2012	80.6	45 of 606	92.6%	★★★★★
2011	78.8	117 of 622	81.2%	★★★★☆
2010	72.1	162 of 620	73.9%	★★★★☆
2009	76.8	116 of 587	80.2%	★★★★☆
2008	74.6	131 of 577	77.3%	★★★★☆
2007	63.4	194 of 563	65.5%	★★★☆☆
2006	71.3	120 of 477	74.8%	★★★★☆
2005	74.9	108 of 487	77.8%	★★★★☆
2004	70.0	141 of 484	70.9%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Civics95%+18 vs state

Biology 188%+14 vs state

US History88%+14 vs state

Algebra 186%+23 vs state

Math82%+24 vs state

English Language Arts75%+14 vs state

Geometry74%+18 vs state

Science70%+18 vs state

3.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, November 9, 2023

All Mckeel schools in general does not care about kids with any disabilities or ese needs they are a burden to them and make the child feel unwanted and honestly they don't want them there they preach all this kindness and no bullying but behind all that fake you have it actually happening by adults to students and there families they careless what you are going through.They will give you a hard time till you can't enjoy your child's school years and want you to dis enroll your child because it is too much work for them to accommodate them when they have the ability they just choose not to and yet they don't mind getting federal or state money etc to do what they desire with it which is unfair to the student and other schools who have to comply unlike them they consider themselves special and above the laws of school requirements.They will however choose there favorites by what you have to offer them.There also a sweep it under the rug type school and they like to play games and have each others backs to stab you in yours hypothetically speaking just know they don't care about your child especially if your a special needs /ese kid and how they get a way with it is beyond me and the system is so fixed and allows it to happen!This school deserves no stars ⭐️:( but they made me to do the review. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, February 14, 2017

My kids attend here! I love the school. Close Quote

Schools Near McKeel Academy Of Technology

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 Geometry (2026)	EOC Biology 1 (2026)	EOC US History (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 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
McKeel Academy Of Technology	Public, Charter	7-12	1810 Parker St W	Lakeland	33815	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 499-2818	1,750	74	23.6	36.2%	1,099 (62.8%)	141 (8.1%)	394 (22.5%)	70 (4.0%)	3 (0.2%)	2 (0.1%)	41 (2.3%)	76.3	92^nd of 838 public high schools	89.0%		77	97^th of 844 public high schools	88.5%	5		79.0	70.0	77.0	74.0		90.0	76.0	70.0	86.0	74.0	88.0	88.0	95.0	$6,682	$231	$6,451
Kathleen Senior High School	Public	9-12	1100 Red Devil Way	Lakeland	33815	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2655	1,861	76	24.4	69.8%	592 (31.8%)	417 (22.4%)	783 (42.1%)	18 (1.0%)	6 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	44 (2.4%)	26.9	613^th of 838 public high schools	26.8%		27.8	607^th of 844 public high schools	28.1%	6				43.0	49.0					24.0	24.0	65.0	64.0		$10,142	$1,510	$8,632
Polk Virtual Franchise	Public, Virtual	6-12	604 S Central Ave	Lakeland	33815	Polk County	Polk	No	No	Yes	No	(863) 354-3999	0	23	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Pace Center For Girls	Public	6-12	213 Tyler Ave	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 688-5596	59	6	9.8	83.1%	22 (37.3%)	10 (16.9%)	19 (32.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.7%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (11.9%)								(n/a)															$8,066	$54	$8,011
Lakeland Senior High School	Public	9-12	726 Hollingsworth Rd	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 499-2900	1,985	103	19.2	56.8%	770 (38.8%)	506 (25.5%)	594 (29.9%)	35 (1.8%)	5 (0.3%)	5 (0.3%)	70 (3.5%)	44.8	413^th of 838 public high schools	50.7%		44.4	406^th of 844 public high schools	51.9%	7				62.0	63.0					34.0	38.0	70.0	72.0		$9,937	$1,447	$8,490
Polk Grad Academy	Public	9-12	910 Lowry Ave	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 413-2948	14	0		85.7%	6 (42.9%)	5 (35.7%)	3 (21.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Fresh Start Community School	Public	10-12	910 Lowry Ave	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 419-3486	105	5	21.0	67.6%	18 (17.1%)	30 (28.6%)	55 (52.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (1.0%)								(n/a)
Lake Gibson Senior High School	Public	9-12	7007 Socrum Loop Rd N	Lakeland	33809	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 853-6100	1,973	93	21.2	62.3%	795 (40.3%)	437 (22.1%)	661 (33.5%)	29 (1.5%)	8 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	42 (2.1%)	30.1	583^rd of 838 public high schools	30.4%		27.1	615^th of 844 public high schools	27.1%	32				42.0	48.0					25.0	27.0	70.0	68.0		$9,858	$1,251	$8,607
Maynard A Traviss Technical Academy	Public	6-12	3225 Winter Lake Rd	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2700	151	7	21.5	62.9%	75 (49.7%)	23 (15.2%)	46 (30.5%)	3 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (2.6%)								(n/a)													71.0		$7,824	$742	$7,082
Bill Duncan Opportunity Center	Public	6-12	3333 Winter Lake Rd	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 499-2860	87	12	7.2	87.4%	21 (24.1%)	34 (39.1%)	30 (34.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (2.3%)	3.6	759^th of 838 public high schools	9.4%		2.9	778^th of 844 public high schools	7.8%	19	12.0	18.0	5.0	21.0	13.0	9.0	7.0	8.0	3.0	14.0	5.0	36.0	19.0		$36,884	$2,110	$34,775

Frequently Asked Questions about McKeel Academy Of Technology

How many students attend McKeel Academy Of Technology?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,750 students attended McKeel Academy Of Technology.

Is McKeel Academy Of Technology a good school?

McKeel Academy Of Technology ranks 92^nd of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is McKeel Academy Of Technology in?

Polk

What is the racial makeup of McKeel Academy Of Technology?

Students at McKeel Academy Of Technology are 63% White, 23% Hispanic, 8% African American, 4% Asian, 2% Two or more races.

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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.