Griffin Elementary School

Summary:

Griffin Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lakeland, Florida, serving 379 students from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade. The school is part of the Polk School District, which is ranked 57 out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Griffin Elementary School faces significant academic challenges, with consistently lower test scores compared to the district and state averages across all grade levels and subject areas. For example, the school's 3rd-grade English Language Arts proficiency rate was 37% in the 2023-2024 school year, compared to the Polk district average of 49% and the Florida state average of 55%. The school also has a much higher chronic absenteeism rate of 47.3%, well above the district and state averages. Additionally, 64.91% of Griffin Elementary students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating a higher proportion of students from low-income families.

When compared to nearby schools, such as Rochelle School of the Arts and McKeel Academy Central, Griffin Elementary School performs significantly worse on academic measures. These nearby schools have much higher test scores and lower chronic absenteeism rates. The school's performance has been declining over the years, and it currently ranks 1649 out of 2256 Florida elementary schools, with a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.


Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

 3315 Kathleen Rd
       Lakeland, FL  33810


(863) 853-6020

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
1649th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $11,521 Help


Students who attend Griffin Elementary School usually attend:

High:    Kathleen Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio:  16.4 Help
Number of students:  379

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:
37.5%
African American:
33.2%
White:
25.1%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  64.9% Help


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 Compare Griffin Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Griffin Elementary School ranks worse than 73.1% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 53rd among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 29. (See more...)
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Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.
Student Body
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Compare Details Student population at Griffin Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (37.5%), African American (33.2%), White (25.1%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 64.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Griffin Elementary School is 16.4, which is the 42nd best among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)
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Compare Griffin Elementary School employs 23 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Griffin Elementary School is $11,521, which is the 19th highest among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Griffin Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Polk:

SchoolDigger ranks Polk 57th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)


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Your rating for Griffin Elementary School?

Rank History for Griffin Elementary School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Elementary Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2006 34.86 1142nd 1688 32.3%
2007 37.47 1183rd 1786 33.8%
2008 50.06 939th 1789 47.5%
2009 32.29 1354th 1847 26.7%
2010 23.57 1557th 1919 18.9%
2011 19.08 1709th 1985 13.9%
2012 14.57 1782nd 1984 10.2%
2013 8.61 1956th 2029 3.6%
2014 22.92 1678th 2064 18.7%
2016 9.02 1981st 2087 5.1%
2017 3.63 2085th 2112 1.3%
2018 5.70 2068th 2118 2.4%
2019 7.58 2099th 2182 3.8%
2021 13.05 2048th 2247 8.9%
2022 24.17 1723rd 2219 22.4%
2023 19.99 1894th 2240 15.4%
2024 29.00 1649th 2256 26.9%
See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Griffin Elementary School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    





Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 1)
0%

0%

0%

0%

100%

  

Reviews:
by a citizen
Friday, November 18, 2016

Open Quote My special needs great nephew went here and was placed in a special needs class...from day one they did not know how to deal with him...totally unprofessional. Ihad to school them on dealing with his needs...he was delayed, borderline autism and had learning development issues. He was bullied by the other students in his class and school and always he got in trouble not the other kids. I saw this with my own eyes when I sat in class for a day. Bullying was never reported...they say they have a zero tolerance policy...not so. When things got totally messed up they suspended him...he was in kindergarten and and a special needs student and they suspended him...go figure. The vice principal was a career reject, totally vicious and cruel in nature. I finally took him out of this school. Do not believe anything they tall you during the intake staffing meeting, al hot air. All the things they said they'd do to help Mathew was a lie and I had to force them to deal with his issues. Absolutely the worst school ever and absolutely the worst staff and teachers I have ever met. They more interested in saving themselves then doing what is right..the school board was of no help either, totally useless and self serving...they do not care for the kids in their schools again only interested in keeping their jobs...I am all getting rid of the whole system and putting in a private structure that is accountable to the parents and caretakers. Close Quote


Facebook Profile Picture by a parent on FaceBook
Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Open Quote My child has ADHD and is developmentally delayed. When I attended enrollment staffing I was awed at how much they were willing to work with me and take care of his needs, such as potty training, get him a monitor, do an FBA. It all sounded so good and boy was I ever in for a rough ride. Not only did I have to fight for everything they promised, I basically gave up on most of it. And as for the bullying and abuse by staff...unfathomable. Never put your Special needs child in this school...they don't care. My child's behavior has always been an issue, but that's to be expected with ADHD, but combine that with kids teasing him, making fun of him and hitting him and kicking him, etc. Well he is a mess now thanks to this school...and instead of getting help like I asked.. the Principal decides she knows better then the doctors and one day ups and suspends him...really!? Unquestionably the worst treatment of a disabled child I have seen from anyone came from someone who is supposed to be a professional. Absolutely inexcusable!! I have had reports of the au pair manhandling him, other teacher yelling at him and a host of abuse and bullying in PE class and on the grounds. Think twice before you let your child attend this school as a special needs child, they do not to do anything more then let it slide. I have finally had enough and my little boy hates school now thanks to them, so I am pulling him out and moving him to private school. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Griffin Elementary School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 212 131 0 1 1 n/a n/a 0 345
1989 215 160 1 4 1 n/a n/a 0 381
1990 248 177 1 3 1 n/a n/a 0 430
1991 258 149 1 2 1 n/a n/a 0 411
1992 256 164 1 6 1 n/a n/a 0 428
1993 288 72 0 6 0 n/a n/a 0 366
1994 297 79 0 9 0 n/a n/a 0 385
1995 311 83 0 10 0 n/a n/a 0 404
1996 311 83 0 10 0 n/a n/a 0 404
1997 328 104 0 11 0 n/a n/a 0 443
1998 323 70 1 15 1 n/a n/a 0 410
1999 318 71 0 25 2 n/a n/a 0 416
2000 342 74 4 28 0 n/a n/a 0 448
2001 374 137 2 46 0 n/a n/a 0 559
2002 384 144 11 73 2 n/a n/a 0 614
2003 384 144 11 73 2 n/a n/a 0 614
2004 359 125 14 70 0 n/a n/a 0 568
2005 339 165 11 67 2 n/a n/a 0 584
2006 350 164 16 87 3 n/a n/a 0 620
2007 319 140 12 106 3 n/a n/a 22 602
2008 211 140 13 112 1 n/a n/a 22 499
2009 203 166 16 90 2 n/a n/a 21 498
2010 200 182 17 115 2 n/a n/a 15 531
2011 218 214 16 121 0 0 16 0 585
2012 196 192 10 114 4 0 12 0 528
2013 185 195 9 107 3 0 21 0 520
2014 175 182 6 87 1 0 17 0 468
2015 171 181 4 109 0 0 11 0 476
2016 150 183 9 131 1 0 22 0 496
2017 142 183 5 107 1 0 19 0 457
2018 94 139 12 93 0 0 11 0 349
2019 82 109 10 105 0 0 9 0 315
2020 98 106 10 109 0 0 9 0 332
2021 86 103 9 127 1 0 10 0 336
2022 108 108 8 118 2 0 10 0 354
2023 95 126 7 142 2 0 7 0 379

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Griffin Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 345 22.0 15.6 57.1
1989 381 23.0 16.5 47.2
1990 430 22.0 19.5 18.6
1991 411 23.0 17.8 74
1992 428 24.0 17.8 67.1
1993 366 25.0 14.6 44.5
1994 385 24.0 16.0 48.8
1995 404 28.0 14.4 55.2
1996 404 28.0 14.4 55.2
1997 443 23.0 19.3 59.8
1998 410 28.0 14.6 56.1
1999 416 27.0 15.4 73.1
2000 448 24.0 18.7 70.3
2001 559 31.0 18.0 74.4
2002 614 34.0 18.1 66.1
2003 614 34.0 18.1 66.1
2004 568 39.0 14.6 72.9
2005 584 38.0 15.4 77.9
2006 620 43.0 14.4 76.6
2007 602 44.0 13.7 77.6
2008 499 37.5 13.3 82.6
2009 498 42.3 13.8 79.7
2010 531 37.0 14.3 78.1
2011 585 38.0 15.3 84.8
2012 528 36.0 14.6 87.7
2013 520 35.0 14.8 86.7
2014 468 34.0 13.7 66.2
2015 476 29.0 16.4 73.5
2016 496 32.0 15.5 77
2017 457 29.0 15.7 73.3
2018 349 24.0 14.5 67.6
2019 315 24.0 13.1 71.1
2020 332 26.0 12.7 62.7
2021 336 28.0 12.0 74.4
2022 354 21.0 16.8 75.1
2023 379 23.0 16.4 64.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Griffin Elementary School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 345 22.0 15.6 57.1
1989 381 23.0 16.5 47.2
1990 430 22.0 19.5 18.6
1991 411 23.0 17.8 74
1992 428 24.0 17.8 67.1
1993 366 25.0 14.6 44.5
1994 385 24.0 16.0 48.8
1995 404 28.0 14.4 55.2
1996 404 28.0 14.4 55.2
1997 443 23.0 19.3 59.8
1998 410 28.0 14.6 56.1
1999 416 27.0 15.4 73.1
2000 448 24.0 18.7 70.3
2001 559 31.0 18.0 74.4
2002 614 34.0 18.1 66.1
2003 614 34.0 18.1 66.1
2004 568 39.0 14.6 72.9
2005 584 38.0 15.4 77.9
2006 620 43.0 14.4 76.6
2007 602 44.0 13.7 77.6
2008 499 37.5 13.3 82.6
2009 498 42.3 13.8 79.7
2010 531 37.0 14.3 78.1
2011 585 38.0 15.3 84.8
2012 528 36.0 14.6 87.7
2013 520 35.0 14.8 86.7
2014 468 34.0 13.7 66.2
2015 476 29.0 16.4 73.5
2016 496 32.0 15.5 77
2017 457 29.0 15.7 73.3
2018 349 24.0 14.5 67.6
2019 315 24.0 13.1 71.1
2020 332 26.0 12.7 62.7
2021 336 28.0 12.0 74.4
2022 354 21.0 16.8 75.1
2023 379 23.0 16.4 64.9

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.
Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Griffin Elementary School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $1,583 (15.9%) $8,384 (84.1%) $9,967
2019 $1,770 (15.8%) $9,452 (84.2%) $11,221
2020 $1,901 (16.6%) $9,541 (83.4%) $11,443
2021 $1,877 (16.2%) $9,732 (83.8%) $11,608
2022 $3,327 (27.3%) $8,837 (72.6%) $12,165
2023 $2,345 (20.4%) $9,177 (79.7%) $11,521

Data source: Florida Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Griffin Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Rank
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Ranks 2099th of 2182 Elementary schoolsRanks 1894th of 2240 Elementary schools
 11.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Griffin Elementary School)3740
 3%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk)5248
 4%
   3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5853
 5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Griffin Elementary School)2949
 20%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk)5651
 5%
   3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)6258
 4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Griffin Elementary School)2935
 6%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)4846
 2%
   4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5857
 1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Griffin Elementary School)3345
 12%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Polk)5650
 6%
   4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6461
 3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Griffin Elementary School)3040
 10%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)4744
 3%
   5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5655
 1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Griffin Elementary School)1931
 12%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Polk)5140
 11%
   5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)6052
 8%
5th Grade Science (Griffin Elementary School)2729
 2%
   5th Grade Science (Polk)4539
 6%
   5th Grade Science (Florida)5351
 2%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students315379
 20.3%
African American109126
 15.6%
American Indian02
Asian107
 30%
Hispanic105142
 35.2%
Pacific Islander00
White8295
 15.9%
Two or More Races97
 22.2%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients71.1%64.9%
 6.2%


Schools Near Griffin Elementary School









Frequently Asked Questions about Griffin Elementary School

Griffin Elementary School ranks 1649th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 1 star out of 5.

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

High : Kathleen Senior High School

In the 2022-23 school year, 379 students attended Griffin Elementary School.

Students at Griffin Elementary School are 37% Hispanic, 33% African American, 25% White, 2% 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.





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