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Lakeland Highlands Middle School

Q: Is Lakeland Highlands Middle School a good school?

Lakeland Highlands Middle School ranks 649 th of 1216 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

649^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,216 Florida Middle Schools

Better than 47% of Florida middle schools

Summary

Lakeland Highlands Middle School is a mid-sized public school in Lakeland, FL, serving 1,118 students in grades 6-8 within the Polk district, a district that ranks in the bottom 20% of Florida. Despite this, the school consistently outperforms its district peers, ranking in the 47th-51st percentile statewide over the last three years, and stands out as the second-highest ranked middle school in its immediate area, trailing only Lawton Chiles Middle Academy (77th percentile). It significantly outperforms nearby schools like Southwest Middle School (18th percentile), Crystal Lake Middle School (14th percentile), and Sleepy Hill Middle School (9th percentile).

The school's greatest strength is its exceptional advanced math program: in the 2025-2026 school year, 88% of students were proficient in Algebra 1 and 93% in Geometry, dramatically higher than state averages (63% and 56%, respectively). Civics proficiency is also a standout at 90%, well above the state average of 77%. However, a persistent weakness is 7th-grade math, where only 30% of students were proficient—far below the state average of 53% and even the district average of 43%. This creates a "barbell" effect: the school excels at accelerating top students but struggles with standard grade-level math for 7th graders. Chronic absenteeism is 33.1%, which is high compared to the state average (31.4%) but significantly lower than nearby competitors like Southwest Middle (52.1%) and Sleepy Hill (50.4%).

Compared to Lawton Chiles Middle Academy, which has a lower free/reduced lunch rate (43.75% vs. 52.42%) and much lower chronic absenteeism (15.3% vs. 33.1%), Lakeland Highlands is a strong traditional public school serving a more diverse socioeconomic population. The school also demonstrates spending efficiency, spending $9,544 per student—less than the average of nearby Polk competitors ($10,291)—while achieving better outcomes than schools with higher spending like Crystal Lake ($11,361) and Bartow Middle School ($10,530). Its state ranking has remained flat over the last five years (47th-51st percentile), suggesting it is in a holding pattern and needs a strategic push to break into the top tier of Florida middle schools.

1,118

Students ?

18.3

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,544

Per pupil spending ?

52.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

740 Lake Miriam Dr
Lakeland, FL 33813

(863) 648-3500

District: Polk

Students who attend Lakeland Highlands Middle School usually attend:

High:

George W. Jenkins Senior High

Feeder schools for Lakeland Highlands Middle School:

Elementary:	Highlands Grove Elementary School
	Scott Lake Elementary School
	Valleyview Elementary School

Racial breakdown:

White:

48.6%

Hispanic:

29.6%

African American:

15.2%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Lakeland Highlands Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 56th percentile in 2016 → 47th in 2026

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 9 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school62%

District avg48%

Florida avg61%

649^th of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Bottom 47%▼ down 10 pts since 2016

From top 44% (2016) to bottom 47% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

9^th of 25Middle 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	48.0	649 of 1216	46.6%	★★☆☆☆
2025	48.6	611 of 1205	49.3%	★★☆☆☆
2024	50.5	583 of 1196	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2023	45.6	626 of 1177	46.8%	★★☆☆☆
2022	53.9	492 of 1148	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2021	56.0	466 of 1136	59.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	54.1	501 of 1099	54.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	49.4	525 of 1035	49.3%	★★☆☆☆
2017	55.5	450 of 1031	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2016	54.4	436 of 997	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2014	45.1	552 of 999	44.7%	★★☆☆☆
2013	51.9	463 of 956	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2012	48.4	481 of 897	46.4%	★★☆☆☆
2011	63.9	335 of 891	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2010	65.4	304 of 839	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2009	66.5	273 of 780	65.0%	★★★☆☆
2008	67.2	251 of 740	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2007	73.7	187 of 736	74.6%	★★★★☆
2006	70.6	185 of 675	72.6%	★★★★☆
2005	70.6	162 of 602	73.1%	★★★★☆
2004	73.4	144 of 593	75.7%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Geometry93%+37 vs state

Civics90%+13 vs state

Algebra 188%+25 vs state

English Language Arts61%~ state avg

Science53%~ state avg

Math51%-8 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a citizen
Monday, June 11, 2012

LHMS is a very fine school filled with very talented teachers and a very professional administration. Most teachers come in early to help students in need and stay late for the same purpose. It is not a Title 1 school, so there are no extra funds made available for any extras so as very active Parent Teacher Student Organization sponsors most of the student activities and provides materials for teachers whenever possible.

LHMS is very proud to be an A school for many, many years.

Please call for a for an appointment and come and visit this fine public school. Volunteer and help make it even better.

Thank you,
A concerned citizen Close Quote

by a student
Saturday, January 9, 2010

Lakeland Highlands has an excellent Accelerated Program for gifted and well-performing students. The music program is a great experience, and hidden gems can be found all over campus. Students coming out are well-prepared for any high school experience in their future, be it an arts school, an International Baccalaureate program, AP and Honors classes, or a normal public high school. Close Quote

Schools Near Lakeland Highlands Middle 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 Geometry (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 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th 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 Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Lakeland Highlands Middle School	Public	6-8	740 Lake Miriam Dr	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 648-3500	1,118	61	18.3	52.4%	543 (48.6%)	170 (15.2%)	331 (29.6%)	39 (3.5%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	32 (2.9%)	48	649^th of 1216 public middle schools	46.6%		48.6	611^th of 1205 public middle schools	49.3%	38		66.0	56.0	61.0		59.0	30.0	52.0		53.0	88.0	93.0	90.0	$9,544	$1,172	$8,372
Southwest Middle School	Public	6-8	2815 Eden Pkwy	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2840	746	32	23.3	73.3%	218 (29.2%)	175 (23.5%)	317 (42.5%)	9 (1.2%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	25 (3.4%)	23.2	1000^th of 1216 public middle schools	17.8%		20.4	997^th of 1205 public middle schools	17.3%	3		46.0	49.0	45.0		40.0	36.0	35.0		38.0	79.0	85.0	90.0	$9,973	$1,386	$8,587
Crystal Lake Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	2410 Crystal Lake Dr N	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 499-2970	753	32	23.5	83.1%	213 (28.3%)	180 (23.9%)	310 (41.2%)	11 (1.5%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.7%)	34 (4.5%)	18.4	1051^st of 1216 public middle schools	13.6%		8	1129^th of 1205 public middle schools	6.3%	78		39.0	39.0	39.0		30.0	46.0	39.0		31.0	85.0	82.0	88.0	$11,361	$1,695	$9,665
Lawton Chiles Middle Academy	Public, Magnet	6-8	400 Florida Ave N	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	No	(863) 499-2742	704	34	20.7	43.8%	314 (44.6%)	156 (22.2%)	161 (22.9%)	48 (6.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (3.6%)	74.2	281^st of 1216 public middle schools	76.9%		70.3	328^th of 1205 public middle schools	72.8%	47		74.0	77.0	80.0		68.0	51.0	69.0		72.0	96.0	98.0	100.0	$9,259	$878	$8,381
Mulberry Middle School	Public	6-8	500 Dr Mlk Jr Ave SE	Mulberry	33860	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 701-1066	1,058	46	23.0	74.1%	391 (37.0%)	87 (8.2%)	545 (51.5%)	8 (0.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	26 (2.5%)	31.1	895^th of 1216 public middle schools	26.4%		29	899^th of 1205 public middle schools	25.4%	4		50.0	50.0	45.0		57.0	48.0	39.0		40.0	77.0	83.0	94.0	$9,785	$1,433	$8,353
Sleepy Hill Middle School	Public	6-8	2215 Sleepy Hill Rd	Lakeland	33810	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 815-6577	886	43	20.6	76.6%	169 (19.1%)	219 (24.7%)	459 (51.8%)	17 (1.9%)	4 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (2.0%)	11.3	1111^th of 1216 public middle schools	8.6%		8.2	1123^rd of 1205 public middle schools	6.8%	12		38.0	38.0	31.0		29.0	27.0	33.0		23.0	79.0	85.0	83.0	$10,191	$1,465	$8,726
Bartow Middle School	Public	6-8	550 Clower St E	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 534-7415	881	46	19.1	71.3%	377 (42.8%)	172 (19.5%)	293 (33.3%)	6 (0.7%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	29 (3.3%)	23.4	999^th of 1216 public middle schools	17.8%		22.4	972^nd of 1205 public middle schools	19.3%	27		47.0	51.0	41.0		42.0	39.0	32.0		36.0	72.0	95.0	94.0	$10,530	$1,385	$9,146
Compass Middle Charter School	Public, Charter	5-8	550 Clower St E	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	Yes	(863) 519-8701	168	9	18.6	86.9%	47 (28.0%)	45 (26.8%)	73 (43.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (1.8%)	4.1	1150^th of 1216 public middle schools	5.4%		3.7	1161^st of 1205 public middle schools	3.7%	11	36.0	21.0	33.0	23.0	28.0	4.0	23.0	5.0	14.0	9.0			40.0	$8,325	$1,559	$6,766
Union Academy	Public, Magnet	6-8	1795 Wabash St E	Bartow	33830	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	No	(863) 534-7435	382	20	19.1	49.0%	200 (52.4%)	81 (21.2%)	71 (18.6%)	16 (4.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.7%)	72.1	304^th of 1216 public middle schools	75.0%		72.6	295^th of 1205 public middle schools	75.5%	9		72.0	76.0	79.0		71.0	49.0	60.0		68.0	78.0	83.0	94.0	$11,630	$1,208	$10,422
Marshall Middle Magnet School	Public, Magnet	6-8	18 S Maryland Ave	Plant City	33563	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	Yes	(813) 757-9360	1,066	52	20.4	60.4%	263 (24.7%)	162 (15.2%)	581 (54.5%)	9 (0.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (4.7%)	24.2	986^th of 1216 public middle schools	18.9%		28.9	902^nd of 1205 public middle schools	25.1%	84		47.0	49.0	43.0		35.0	32.0	53.0		33.0	79.0	95.0	62.0	$9,945	$1,592	$8,352

Frequently Asked Questions about Lakeland Highlands Middle School

What district is Lakeland Highlands Middle School in?

Polk

What is the racial makeup of Lakeland Highlands Middle School?

Students at Lakeland Highlands Middle School are 49% White, 30% Hispanic, 15% African American, 3% Asian, 3% Two or more races.

Is Lakeland Highlands Middle School a good school?

Lakeland Highlands Middle School ranks 649^th of 1216 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Lakeland Highlands Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,118 students attended Lakeland Highlands Middle School.

What high school do graduates of Lakeland Highlands Middle School attend?

Students who attend Lakeland Highlands Middle School usually go on to attend George W. Jenkins Senior High

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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.