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Mulberry Middle School

Q: Is Mulberry Middle School a good school?

Mulberry Middle School ranks 895 th of 1216 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

895^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,216 Florida Middle Schools

Better than 26% of Florida middle schools

Summary

Mulberry Middle School in Mulberry, FL, serves 1,058 students in grades 6-8 within the Polk district, where a significant majority of families qualify for free or reduced lunch. This school presents a fascinating "two-tiered" academic profile: while its general student body struggles in standard subjects like 8th-grade English Language Arts (45% proficient vs. 60% statewide) and math (39% vs. 61% statewide), its advanced students taking End-of-Course exams achieve exceptional results. For instance, in 2025-2026, Algebra 1 proficiency reached 77% (far above the state's 63%), Geometry hit 83% (vs. 56% statewide), and Civics soared to 94% (vs. 77% statewide). This suggests a highly effective advanced program that stands out dramatically from the school's overall performance.

Compared to nearby Polk peers, Mulberry is a middle-of-the-pack performer. It outperforms schools like Sleepy Hill Middle School and Crystal Lake Middle School in most standard assessments—for example, 6th-grade ELA at Mulberry (50%) is well ahead of Crystal Lake (39%). However, it is significantly outperformed by magnet schools like Lawton Chiles Middle Academy (74% in 6th-grade ELA). Notably, Mulberry has a lower chronic absenteeism rate (35.0% in 2023-2024) than many comparable schools, including Sleepy Hill (50.4%) and Southwest Middle School (52.1%), which is unusual for a lower-performing school in a struggling district.

The most encouraging finding is a clear upward trend in core subject scores over the last four years. For example, 6th-grade ELA improved from 29% proficiency in 2022-2023 to 50% in 2025-2026, and 6th-grade math rose from 37% to 57% over the same period. This consistent progress suggests recent instructional strategies are beginning to yield results for the broader student body. While the school's lower per-student spending ($9,785) and higher student-teacher ratio (23:1) may contribute to general education challenges, the exceptional advanced program and positive trajectory make Mulberry a school worth watching for families seeking a middle school with strong opportunities for high-achieving students and signs of overall improvement.

1,058

Students ?

23.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,785

Per pupil spending ?

74.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

500 Dr Mlk Jr Ave SE
Mulberry, FL 33860

(863) 701-1066

District: Polk

Students who attend Mulberry Middle School usually attend:

High:

Mulberry Senior High School

Feeder schools for Mulberry Middle School:

Elementary:	James W. Sikes Elementary School
	Purcell Elementary School
	Willow Oak School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

51.5%

White:

37.0%

African American:

8.2%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Mulberry Middle School to nearby middle schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 31st percentile in 2016 → 26th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (52% vs 61% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 5 percentile points since 2016

!English Language Arts scores 13 pts below the Florida average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school52%

District avg48%

Florida avg61%

895^th of 1,216

Florida public middle schools ?

Bottom 26%▼ down 5 pts since 2016

From bottom 31% (2016) to bottom 26% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

12^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	31.1	895 of 1216	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	29.0	899 of 1205	25.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	26.8	904 of 1196	24.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	25.4	902 of 1177	23.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	28.2	841 of 1148	26.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	29.8	804 of 1136	29.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	39.4	682 of 1099	37.9%	★★☆☆☆
2018	37.4	655 of 1035	36.7%	★★☆☆☆
2017	37.1	645 of 1031	37.4%	★★☆☆☆
2016	31.8	684 of 997	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2014	30.5	705 of 999	29.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	40.2	592 of 956	38.1%	★★☆☆☆
2012	35.2	599 of 897	33.2%	★★☆☆☆
2011	35.4	619 of 891	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2010	40.0	553 of 839	34.1%	★★☆☆☆
2009	38.8	519 of 780	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2008	44.1	448 of 740	39.5%	★★☆☆☆
2007	43.4	452 of 736	38.6%	★★☆☆☆
2006	25.0	520 of 675	23.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	36.5	418 of 602	30.6%	★★☆☆☆
2004	24.7	472 of 593	20.4%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Civics94%+17 vs state

Geometry83%+27 vs state

Algebra 177%+14 vs state

Math50%-9 vs state

English Language Arts48%-13 vs state

Science40%-12 vs state

★

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Schools Near Mulberry Middle 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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Turkey Creek Middle School	Public	6-8	5005 S Turkey Creek Rd	Plant City	33567	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 757-9442	1,000	42	23.8	66.7%	246 (24.6%)	51 (5.1%)	674 (67.4%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (2.5%)	19.4	1040^th of 1216 public middle schools	14.5%		16.9	1048^th of 1205 public middle schools	13.0%	8		39.0	38.0	30.0		52.0	20.0	51.0		26.0	84.0		52.0	$9,396	$1,507	$7,888

Frequently Asked Questions about Mulberry Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Mulberry Middle School?

Students at Mulberry Middle School are 52% Hispanic, 37% White, 8% African American, 2% Two or more races.

What high school do graduates of Mulberry Middle School attend?

Students who attend Mulberry Middle School usually go on to attend Mulberry Senior High School

What district is Mulberry Middle School in?

Polk

How many students attend Mulberry Middle School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,058 students attended Mulberry Middle School.

Is Mulberry Middle School a good school?

Mulberry Middle School ranks 895^th of 1216 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Rate Mulberry Middle 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.