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Lake Gibson Senior High School

Q: Is Lake Gibson Senior High School a good school?

Lake Gibson Senior High School ranks 583 rd of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

583^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 838 Florida High Schools

Better than 30% of Florida high schools

Summary

Lake Gibson Senior High School is a large public high school in Lakeland, FL, serving 1,973 students in grades 9-12 as part of the Polk school district, which faces significant district-wide challenges. The school has a history of modest performance, typically earning a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger, with its most recent ranking placing it in the 30th percentile statewide. A key strength is science: 70% of students were proficient in Biology 1 EOC exams, outperforming the district (64%) and matching Lakeland Senior High School, while far exceeding Tenoroc High School (47%). However, math is a critical weakness, with only 25% proficient in Algebra 1—a 45-point gap compared to Biology that is the largest among nearby comprehensive high schools.

Graduation rates show a positive trend, rising from 86.0% in 2022-2023 to 91.3% in 2024-2025, above the district average (87.7%) and better than Kathleen Senior High School (86.8%). In English Language Arts and Geometry, Lake Gibson sits in the middle of local peers—for example, 48% proficient in 10th-grade ELA, ahead of Tenoroc (42%) but behind Lakeland Senior (63%). The most alarming issue is chronic absenteeism: 46.3% of students miss 10% or more of the school year, the highest among nearby comprehensive high schools and well above the state average (31.4%). This likely drags down overall performance.

Spending per student ($9,858) and student-teacher ratio (21.2:1) are similar to other Polk County high schools, suggesting funding isn't the main issue. A stark contrast is McKeel Academy of Technology, a nearby charter school with elite rankings, a 99.2% graduation rate, and near-zero chronic absenteeism (0.1%). This highlights how school choice and socioeconomic factors—McKeel has a 36.2% free/reduced lunch rate versus Lake Gibson's 62.3%—can dramatically shape outcomes. For parents, Lake Gibson offers strong science instruction and improving graduation rates, but math support and addressing absenteeism are key areas to watch.

1,973

Students ?

21.2

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,858

Per pupil spending ?

62.3%

Free/discounted lunch ?

7007 Socrum Loop Rd N
Lakeland, FL 33809

(863) 853-6100

District: Polk

Feeder schools for Lake Gibson Senior High School:

Elementary:	Edgar L. Padgett Elementary
	North Lakeland Elementary School Of Choice
	Socrum Elementary School
	Wendell Watson Elementary School
Middle:	Lake Gibson Middle School

Racial breakdown:

White:

40.3%

Hispanic:

33.5%

African American:

22.1%

See top rated Florida high schools

Compare Lake Gibson Senior High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 26th percentile in 2016 → 30th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (47% vs 64% meeting standards)

!High chronic absenteeism (46% vs 31% Florida)

!Algebra 1 scores 38 pts below the Florida average

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school47%

District avg53%

Florida avg64%

583^rd of 838

Florida public high schools ?

Bottom 30%▲ up 4 pts since 2016

From bottom 26% (2016) to bottom 30% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

11^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	30.1	583 of 838	30.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	27.1	615 of 844	27.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	29.9	544 of 807	32.6%	★★☆☆☆
2023	25.0	552 of 792	30.3%	★★☆☆☆
2022	28.5	514 of 774	33.6%	★★☆☆☆
2021	27.9	486 of 746	34.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	27.8	504 of 734	31.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	33.4	438 of 716	38.8%	★★☆☆☆
2017	25.9	484 of 714	32.2%	★★☆☆☆
2016	23.2	513 of 693	26.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2014	29.4	488 of 687	29.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2013	36.1	410 of 648	36.7%	★★☆☆☆
2012	27.0	433 of 606	28.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2011	43.0	391 of 622	37.1%	★★☆☆☆
2010	51.9	335 of 620	46.0%	★★☆☆☆
2009	55.5	283 of 587	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2008	54.5	274 of 577	52.5%	★★★☆☆
2007	54.5	261 of 563	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2006	41.9	299 of 477	37.3%	★★☆☆☆
2005	54.3	237 of 487	51.3%	★★★☆☆
2004	42.3	310 of 484	36.0%	★★☆☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Biology 170%-4 vs state

US History68%-6 vs state

English Language Arts45%-16 vs state

Geometry27%-29 vs state

Algebra 125%-38 vs state

4.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a student
Tuesday, June 7, 2011

The school is great. There are many clubs and after school activities available to all students. The teachers stay long after school is out to help kids study or make up work. Also, there are a myriad of classes available ranging from Business and Comm Tech to Agriculture and Culinary. Although Lake Gibson does not have the best reputation I love and am proud to go to this school. Close Quote

Schools Near Lake Gibson 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 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th 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
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
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
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
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)
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
Tenoroc High School	Public	9-12	4905 Saddle Creek Rd	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 614-9183	1,141	48	23.7	72.7%	403 (35.3%)	214 (18.8%)	478 (41.9%)	10 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	5 (0.4%)	31 (2.7%)	20.5	663^rd of 838 public high schools	20.9%		22	652^nd of 844 public high schools	22.7%	11			37.0	42.0				20.0	21.0	47.0	68.0		$10,140	$1,312	$8,828
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)
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

Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Gibson Senior High School

What is the racial makeup of Lake Gibson Senior High School?

Students at Lake Gibson Senior High School are 40% White, 34% Hispanic, 22% African American, 2% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

What schools feed into Lake Gibson Senior High School?

Lake Gibson Senior High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Edgar L. Padgett Elementary
Elementary : North Lakeland Elementary School Of Choice
Elementary : Socrum Elementary School
Elementary : Wendell Watson Elementary School
Middle : Lake Gibson Middle School

Is Lake Gibson Senior High School a good school?

Lake Gibson Senior High School ranks 583^rd of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Lake Gibson Senior High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,973 students attended Lake Gibson Senior High School.

What district is Lake Gibson Senior High School in?

Polk

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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.