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Dixieland Elementary School

Public Grades PK, KG-5

1917^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 14% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Dixieland Elementary School in Lakeland, FL, is a public school serving 344 students from Pre-K through 5th grade within the Polk district, where over 80% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school has faced persistent academic challenges, consistently ranking in the bottom 25% of Florida elementary schools, with a 14th percentile rank in the 2025-2026 school year. This is a stark contrast to nearby high-performing options like McKeel Academy Central (96th percentile) and Lincoln Avenue Academy (95th percentile), which are both 5-star schools within a 2.5-mile radius.

The most critical issue at Dixieland is an extremely high chronic absenteeism rate of 41.5% in the 2023-2024 school year, far exceeding the state average of 31.4% and dramatically higher than nearby schools like McKeel Academy Central (0.3%) and Lakeland Montessori School House (0.9%). This attendance crisis likely drives the school's low test scores, as students cannot benefit from instruction if they are not in class. For example, only 21% of 5th graders were proficient in Science and 25% in Math in the 2024-2025 school year. However, there is a glimmer of hope: in 2023-2024, 3rd-grade Math proficiency reached 56%, above the district average of 52%, showing the school can achieve competitive results when students attend regularly.

Notably, spending is not the root cause of Dixieland's struggles. The school spends $11,420 per student, which is more than high-performing McKeel Academy Central ($10,138) and comparable to other low-performing schools like Philip O'Brien Elementary School ($11,604). This suggests the challenges stem from severe attendance and socioeconomic factors rather than funding. Families in the area face a "tale of two cities" dynamic, with options ranging from Dixieland's 14th percentile to Cleveland Court Elementary School (86th percentile, 1.01 miles away) or Magnolia Montessori Academy (94th percentile), highlighting the critical role of school choice in this neighborhood.

344

Students ?

17.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,420

Per pupil spending ?

81.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

416 Ariana St
Lakeland, FL 33803

(863) 499-2930

District: Polk

Students who attend Dixieland Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Lakeland Senior High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

43.0%

African American:

26.5%

White:

24.7%

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At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 38th percentile in 2016 → 14th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (45% vs 62% meeting standards)

!In the lower quartile statewide (14th percentile)

!High chronic absenteeism (42% vs 31% Florida)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school45%

District avg53%

Florida avg62%

1,917^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Bottom 14%▼ down 23 pts since 2016

From bottom 38% (2016) to bottom 14% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

61^st 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	20.4	1917 of 2240	14.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	13.8	2063 of 2258	8.6%	☆☆☆☆☆
2024	28.4	1665 of 2256	26.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	26.0	1719 of 2240	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	22.7	1771 of 2219	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	24.6	1712 of 2247	23.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	25.2	1710 of 2182	21.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	32.6	1459 of 2118	31.1%	★★☆☆☆
2017	28.3	1547 of 2112	26.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	38.8	1296 of 2087	37.9%	★★☆☆☆
2014	65.3	693 of 2064	66.4%	★★★☆☆
2013	80.6	344 of 2029	83.0%	★★★★☆
2012	73.4	501 of 1984	74.7%	★★★★☆
2011	65.0	730 of 1985	63.2%	★★★☆☆
2010	57.3	880 of 1919	54.1%	★★★☆☆
2009	63.0	711 of 1847	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2008	36.7	1210 of 1789	32.4%	★★☆☆☆
2007	44.5	1049 of 1786	41.3%	★★☆☆☆
2006	26.9	1270 of 1688	24.8%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts50%-10 vs state

Math44%-20 vs state

Science29%-31 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
Friday, April 14, 2017

I wish there was an option to give zero stars. I've dealt with this school for a few years now my kids have had issues at PE and with other kids. No one at this school seems to care. They like to avoid the issues instead of resolve them. Teachers never send things home. There is no communication, no accountability, no progress and no future. This school is just getting worse and worse and no one on staff seems to care. No more bullying!!!!! No more unpunished hitting other kids!!!! No more bleeding at PE and a band-aid being slapped on open wounds that need attention. No more kicking! No more hitting! No more ignoring parents! No more ignoring safety!!! Fence the school!! Keep kids safe!!! PE in an open park is not safe. It's a target!!! Gangs are bringing guns into schools in this area!!!! Our children are not safe!!!! Kids are learning to hit other kids is ok because they aren't punished for it. Kids are learning nothing in class because of behavior problems and constant disruption. Then those disruptions are ignored and even catered to!!!!!! No wonder the school grade is dropping!!!!! No one at the school cares!!!!! Stay away!!!! Do everything you can to take your kids away from this school!!!! Close Quote

by a parent
Sunday, January 10, 2010

I love Dixieland Elementary School! The Principal to the cafeteria workers and all in between are there for the students! I attended Dixieland as a child and when I started a family I moved back into the Dixieland's school zone just so my 3 children could have a wonderful, loving, educational,encouraged elementary school experience strong foundation volunteer at the school a couple times a month and can't imagine being anywhere else.
The school is an A school! The staff is an A staff! The students are A students! Close Quote

Schools Near Dixieland Elementary School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

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
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
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
Rosabelle W. Blake Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	510 Hartsell Ave	Lakeland	33815	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 499-2870	562	31	18.1	74.9%	141 (25.1%)	229 (40.7%)	161 (28.6%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (4.8%)	31.8	1624^th of 2240 public elementary schools	27.5%		29.3	1668^th of 2258 public elementary schools	26.1%	44	51.0	54.0	40.0	59.0	60.0	65.0	62.0	64.0	28.0	51.0	42.0	57.0	33.0	40.0	73.0	100.0	$11,299	$2,174	$9,125
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
Magnolia Montessori Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	815 S Central Ave	Lakeland	33815	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 797-4991	182	16	11.3	7.1%	121 (66.5%)	11 (6.0%)	34 (18.7%)	4 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	11 (6.0%)	90.1	134^th of 2240 public elementary schools	94.0%		93.5	71^st of 2258 public elementary schools	96.9%	63	75.0	88.0	85.0	91.0	100.0	100.0	90.0	88.0	74.0	100.0	100.0		75.0	87.0		100.0	$10,753	$222	$10,531
McKeel Academy Central	Public, Charter	PK, KG-6	411 Florida Ave N	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 499-1287	610	37	16.4	36.4%	354 (58.0%)	84 (13.8%)	129 (21.1%)	14 (2.3%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.3%)	26 (4.3%)	92.3	87^th of 2240 public elementary schools	96.1%		90.7	150^th of 2258 public elementary schools	93.4%	63	92.0	78.0	78.0	85.0			93.0	93.0	93.0	90.0			86.0				$10,138	$649	$9,489
Philip O'Brien Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1225 Lime St E	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2950	625	31	20.1	80.3%	193 (30.9%)	165 (26.4%)	233 (37.3%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.5%)	29 (4.6%)	7.7	2176^th of 2240 public elementary schools	2.9%		9	2166^th of 2258 public elementary schools	4.1%	10	35.0	37.0	43.0				34.0	38.0	23.0				33.0				$11,604	$1,709	$9,895
Jesse Keen Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	815 Plateau Ave	Lakeland	33815	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2880	621	29	21.4	81.8%	78 (12.6%)	101 (16.3%)	432 (69.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.3%)	20.1	1921^st of 2240 public elementary schools	14.2%		14.1	2060^th of 2258 public elementary schools	8.8%	139	35.0	42.0	44.0				62.0	56.0	40.0				32.0				$10,337	$1,403	$8,934
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
Lincoln Avenue Academy	Public, Magnet	K-5	1330 Lincoln Ave N	Lakeland	33805	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	No	(863) 499-2955	512	35	14.6	37.7%	205 (40.0%)	141 (27.5%)	103 (20.1%)	30 (5.9%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (6.1%)	91.1	109^th of 2240 public elementary schools	95.1%		92.7	85^th of 2258 public elementary schools	96.2%	24	84.0	88.0	83.0				80.0	94.0	83.0				80.0				$11,620	$1,182	$10,438

Frequently Asked Questions about Dixieland Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Dixieland Elementary School?

Students at Dixieland Elementary School are 43% Hispanic, 26% African American, 25% White, 5% Two or more races.

What district is Dixieland Elementary School in?

Polk

How many students attend Dixieland Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 344 students attended Dixieland Elementary School.

Is Dixieland Elementary School a good school?

Dixieland Elementary School ranks in the bottom 14.4% of Florida elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Dixieland Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Dixieland Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Lakeland Senior High School

Rate Dixieland Elementary School!

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Latest Florida data All new data »

2025–26 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataMar 20, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

2024–25 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2025

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.