Beta You're viewing our redesigned school page. Prefer the classic layout?

Lakeland Highlands Middle School

Q: Is Lakeland Highlands Middle School a good school?

Lakeland Highlands Middle School ranks 611 th of 1205 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 6-8

611^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 1,205 Florida Middle Schools

Better than 49% of Florida middle schools

Summary

Lakeland Highlands Middle School is a public middle school in Lakeland, Florida, serving 1,260 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Polk County School District, which is ranked 61 out of 67 districts in the state.

Lakeland Highlands Middle School consistently outperforms the Polk County and Florida state averages on standardized tests, including EOC/Algebra 1, EOC/Geometry, EOC/Civics, and Statewide Science/Science for 8th grade. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, the school had 78% proficiency in EOC/Algebra 1, compared to 39% for Polk County and 60% for Florida. However, the school has a relatively high chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 30.9% to 39.1% over the past few years, which is higher than the state average. Additionally, the school has seen an increase in the percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, from 37.71% in 2021-2022 to 49.13% in 2023-2024, indicating a growing population of economically disadvantaged students.

Compared to nearby schools, Lakeland Highlands Middle School performs better academically than Bartow Middle School and Sleepy Hill Middle School, which have lower test scores and lower statewide rankings. However, it lags behind higher-performing schools like Union Academy, Lawton Chiles Middle Academy, and Lakeland Montessori Middle School in terms of test scores and statewide rankings. The school's per-student spending has also increased, from $7,591 in 2020-2021 to $8,445 in 2023-2024, which is higher than the state average.

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: Holding steady — 45th percentile in 2014 → 49th in 2025

Worth a look

!Math scores 13 pts below the Florida average

Students meeting standards (2024-2025) ?

This school60%

District avg43%

Florida avg58%

611^th of 1,205

Florida public middle schools ?

Bottom 49%▼ down 7 pts since 2016

From top 44% (2016) to bottom 49% (2025)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Middle Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

7^th of 24Middle Schools in the Polk

61^st of 67Polk 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
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 (2024-2025) ?

Civics95%+24 vs state

Geometry93%+38 vs state

Algebra 178%+18 vs state

English Language Arts59%~ state avg

Science54%+5 vs state

Math43%-13 vs state

5.0

2 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

Rate Lakeland Highlands Middle School

Have first-hand experience? A quick rating - and a sentence or two about what stands out (teachers, academics, safety, communication) - helps other families know what to expect.

Takes about a minute. We email you a link to verify your review - your address is never shown publicly.

Tap a star to rate

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 (2025)				Ranking (2024)				FAST English Language Arts (2025)				FAST Math (2025)				Statewide Science Science (2025)		EOC Algebra 1 (2025)	EOC Geometry (2025)	EOC Civics (2025)	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 (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	SchoolDigger Rating (2025)	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	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%)	48.6	611^th of 1205 public middle schools	49.3%		50.5	583^rd of 1196 public middle schools	51.3%	28		59.0	57.0	60.0		51.0	37.0	36.0		54.0	78.0	93.0	95.0	$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%)	20.4	997^th of 1205 public middle schools	17.3%		17.8	1028^th of 1196 public middle schools	14.0%	31		46.0	39.0	44.0		43.0	17.0	20.0		29.0	68.0	75.0	87.0	$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%)	8	1129^th of 1205 public middle schools	6.3%		14.5	1057^th of 1196 public middle schools	11.6%	72		27.0	32.0	26.0		23.0	16.0	14.0		18.0	56.0	53.0	72.0	$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%)	70.3	328^th of 1205 public middle schools	72.8%		76.4	245^th of 1196 public middle schools	79.5%	83		73.0	73.0	76.0		67.0	34.0	56.0		63.0	89.0	92.0	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%)	29	899^th of 1205 public middle schools	25.4%		26.8	904^th of 1196 public middle schools	24.4%	5		52.0	37.0	45.0		51.0	35.0	30.0		38.0	55.0	84.0	88.0	$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%)	8.2	1123^rd of 1205 public middle schools	6.8%		14.8	1056^th of 1196 public middle schools	11.7%	67		33.0	24.0	24.0		22.0	17.0	21.0		20.0	54.0	89.0	76.0	$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%)	22.4	972^nd of 1205 public middle schools	19.3%		24.3	935^th of 1196 public middle schools	21.8%	37		52.0	42.0	35.0		46.0	25.0	29.0		28.0	77.0	98.0	79.0	$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%)	3.7	1161^st of 1205 public middle schools	3.7%		4.5	1144^th of 1196 public middle schools	4.3%	17	24.0	29.0	20.0	13.0	21.0	16.0	10.0	4.0	8.0	4.0			25.0	$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%)	72.6	295^th of 1205 public middle schools	75.5%		73.5	289^th of 1196 public middle schools	75.8%	6		66.0	73.0	83.0		69.0	39.0	51.0		81.0	76.0	92.0	100.0	$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%)	28.9	902^nd of 1205 public middle schools	25.1%		32.9	824^th of 1196 public middle schools	31.1%	78		50.0	44.0	40.0		32.0	24.0	55.0		32.0	78.0	89.0	47.0	$9,945	$1,592	$8,352

Frequently Asked Questions about Lakeland Highlands Middle School

What district is Lakeland Highlands Middle School in?

Polk

What 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

How many students attend Lakeland Highlands Middle School?

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

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 611^th of 1205 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Rate Lakeland Highlands Middle School!

Other helpful SchoolDigger resources...

Compare to nearby schools

FLFlorida Middle School Rankings

FLFlorida District Rankings

Schools in Lakeland, FL

Sign up for updates!

Be the first to know when there is an update for Lakeland Highlands Middle School!

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.