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Kathleen Senior High School

Q: Is Kathleen Senior High School a good school?

Kathleen Senior High School ranks 613 th of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

613^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 838 Florida High Schools

Better than 27% of Florida high schools

Summary

Kathleen Senior High School in Lakeland, FL, is a large public high school serving 1,861 students in grades 9-12 within the Polk school district, where nearly 70% of students come from low-income families.

The school's biggest challenge is chronic absenteeism, with 44.7% of students missing too many days in the 2023-2024 school year—far higher than the state average of 31.4%. This directly impacts learning, especially in math: only 24% of students were proficient in Algebra 1 and Geometry, compared to 49% and 38% district-wide. In contrast, McKeel Academy of Technology, just 0.86 miles away, achieved 86% proficiency in Algebra 1 and 74% in Geometry with virtually no chronic absenteeism. Kathleen does show relative strengths in Biology 1 (65% proficient) and US History (64% proficient), matching nearby schools like Lake Gibson Senior High and Lakeland Senior High.

On a positive note, the graduation rate has improved significantly, rising from 71.9% in 2022-2023 to 86.8% in 2024-2025. However, this progress is fragile, as math scores remain critically low, suggesting some students may graduate without mastering foundational skills. The school spends $10,142 per student—more than McKeel Academy ($6,682)—indicating that funding alone isn't the issue. For parents, the key takeaway is that Kathleen's primary struggle is getting students to show up consistently, which is the foundation for all academic success.

1,861

Students ?

24.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,142

Per pupil spending ?

69.8%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1100 Red Devil Way
Lakeland, FL 33815

(863) 499-2655

District: Polk

Feeder schools for Kathleen Senior High School:

Elementary:	Dr. NE Roberts Elementary School
	Griffin Elementary School
	Jesse Keen Elementary School
	Kathleen Elementary School
	More...
	R. Clem Churchwell Elementary School
	Sleepy Hill Elementary School
Middle:	Kathleen Middle School
	Sleepy Hill Middle School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

42.1%

White:

31.8%

African American:

22.4%

See top rated Florida high schools

Compare Kathleen Senior High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 23rd percentile in 2016 → 27th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (44% vs 64% meeting standards)

!Graduation rate below the Florida average (87% vs 92%)

!High chronic absenteeism (45% vs 31% Florida)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school44%

District avg53%

Florida avg64%

613^th of 838

Florida public high schools ?

Bottom 27%▲ up 4 pts since 2016

From bottom 23% (2016) to bottom 27% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

15^th 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)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	26.9	613 of 838	26.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	27.8	607 of 844	28.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	23.3	609 of 807	24.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	21.4	591 of 792	25.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	20.9	580 of 774	25.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	19.0	566 of 746	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	22.7	543 of 734	26.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2018	27.8	492 of 716	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2017	19.2	542 of 714	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2016	20.6	533 of 693	23.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	27.7	500 of 687	27.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	28.8	470 of 648	27.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2012	22.4	460 of 606	24.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	38.0	433 of 622	30.4%	★★☆☆☆
2010	37.3	431 of 620	30.5%	★★☆☆☆
2009	31.2	429 of 587	26.9%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	32.9	404 of 577	30.0%	★★☆☆☆
2007	30.8	398 of 563	29.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2006	21.0	391 of 477	18.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2005	17.7	410 of 487	15.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	24.2	394 of 484	18.6%	★☆☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Biology 165%-9 vs state

US History64%-10 vs state

English Language Arts46%-15 vs state

Algebra 124%-39 vs state

Geometry24%-32 vs state

★

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Schools Near Kathleen Senior High 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 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
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
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
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 Kathleen Senior High School

How many students attend Kathleen Senior High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,861 students attended Kathleen Senior High School.

What schools feed into Kathleen Senior High School?

Kathleen Senior High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Dr. NE Roberts Elementary School
Elementary : Griffin Elementary School
Elementary : Jesse Keen Elementary School
Elementary : Kathleen Elementary School
Elementary : R. Clem Churchwell Elementary School
Elementary : Sleepy Hill Elementary School
Middle : Kathleen Middle School
Middle : Sleepy Hill Middle School

What district is Kathleen Senior High School in?

Polk

What is the racial makeup of Kathleen Senior High School?

Students at Kathleen Senior High School are 42% Hispanic, 32% White, 22% African American, 2% Two or more races.

Is Kathleen Senior High School a good school?

Kathleen Senior High School ranks 613^th of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

Rate Kathleen Senior High 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.