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McKeel Academy Central

Public, Charter Grades PK, KG-6

87^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 96% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

McKeel Academy Central in Lakeland, FL, is a public elementary school serving 610 students from Pre-K through 6th grade, and it stands out as a top-performing school in the Polk district, which overall ranks in the bottom 20% of Florida districts.

McKeel Academy Central consistently earns a 5-star rating and ranks in the 96th percentile statewide, placing it among the top 4% of all Florida elementary schools. Its academic performance dramatically outpaces nearby schools: for example, 5th graders achieve 93% proficiency in math, compared to just 43% at Dixieland Elementary School and 23% at Philip O'Brien Elementary School. Similarly, 3rd graders score 92% proficiency in English Language Arts, while nearby Jesse Keen Elementary School and Philip O'Brien Elementary both sit at 35%. The school also boasts an exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of just 0.3%, a stark contrast to the district average of 39.1% and neighboring schools like Philip O'Brien Elementary (59.9%) and Jesse Keen Elementary (55.2%).

Interestingly, McKeel achieves these results with a relatively modest spending of $10,138 per student—less than several lower-performing neighbors, such as Southwest Elementary School ($14,321 per student) and Rochelle School Of The Arts ($12,785 per student). It is part of a small cluster of high-achieving schools in the area, including Lincoln Avenue Academy (5-star, 95th percentile) and Magnolia Montessori Academy (5-star, 94th percentile), all of which have relatively low rates of students eligible for free or reduced lunch. This suggests that McKeel Academy Central is a highly efficient school that delivers exceptional outcomes, making it a standout choice for families seeking a strong academic foundation in the Lakeland area.

610

Students ?

16.4

Student/teacher ratio ?

$10,138

Per pupil spending ?

36.4%

Free/discounted lunch ?

411 Florida Ave N
Lakeland, FL 33801

(863) 499-1287

District: Polk

Racial breakdown:

White:

58.0%

Hispanic:

21.1%

African American:

13.8%

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At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 93rd percentile in 2016 → 96th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (88% vs 62% meeting standards)

✓Ranks in the top 4% of Florida elementary schools

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Polk

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school88%

District avg52%

Florida avg62%

87^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Top 4%▲ up 3 pts since 2016

From top 7% (2016) to top 4% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

1^st of 86Elementary 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	92.3	87 of 2240	96.1%	★★★★★
2025	90.7	150 of 2258	93.4%	★★★★★
2024	91.4	129 of 2256	94.3%	★★★★★
2023	91.7	121 of 2240	94.6%	★★★★★
2022	92.3	119 of 2219	94.6%	★★★★★
2021	90.3	177 of 2247	92.1%	★★★★★
2019	89.3	171 of 2182	92.2%	★★★★★
2018	90.0	151 of 2118	92.9%	★★★★★
2017	89.6	159 of 2112	92.5%	★★★★★
2016	89.8	150 of 2087	92.8%	★★★★★
2014	84.0	288 of 2064	86.0%	★★★★☆
2013	83.0	289 of 2029	85.8%	★★★★☆
2012	90.7	122 of 1984	93.9%	★★★★★
2011	91.1	86 of 1985	95.7%	★★★★★
2010	81.9	281 of 1919	85.4%	★★★★☆
2009	81.8	287 of 1847	84.5%	★★★★☆
2008	77.0	370 of 1789	79.3%	★★★★☆
2007	81.2	300 of 1786	83.2%	★★★★☆
2006	66.7	565 of 1688	66.5%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Math92%+29 vs state

Science86%+26 vs state

English Language Arts83%+23 vs state

5.0

1 rating · 1 written review

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What people are saying

by a parent
Saturday, March 11, 2023

Excellent teachers, staff, and even bus drivers! They take such good care of my kindergartner and make sure he's always safe and cared for. They are always so hands on with his learning and constantly have something going on at the school for the kids! I never have to worry about my son and he actually enjoys going to school! Zero complaints really. Close Quote

Schools Near McKeel Academy Central

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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 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	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 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th 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
McKeel Academy Central	Public, Charter	PK, KG-6	411 Florida Ave N	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 499-1287	610	37	16.4	36.4%	354 (58.0%)	84 (13.8%)	129 (21.1%)	14 (2.3%)	1 (0.2%)	2 (0.3%)	26 (4.3%)	92.3	87^th of 2240 public elementary schools	96.1%		90.7	150^th of 2258 public elementary schools	93.4%	63	92.0	78.0	78.0	85.0			93.0	93.0	93.0	90.0			86.0					$10,138	$649	$9,489
Rosabelle W. Blake Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	510 Hartsell Ave	Lakeland	33815	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 499-2870	562	31	18.1	74.9%	141 (25.1%)	229 (40.7%)	161 (28.6%)	3 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (4.8%)	31.8	1624^th of 2240 public elementary schools	27.5%		29.3	1668^th of 2258 public elementary schools	26.1%	44	51.0	54.0	40.0	59.0	60.0	65.0	62.0	64.0	28.0	51.0	42.0	57.0	33.0	40.0	73.0		100.0	$11,299	$2,174	$9,125
Lincoln Avenue Academy	Public, Magnet	K-5	1330 Lincoln Ave N	Lakeland	33805	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	No	(863) 499-2955	512	35	14.6	37.7%	205 (40.0%)	141 (27.5%)	103 (20.1%)	30 (5.9%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (6.1%)	91.1	109^th of 2240 public elementary schools	95.1%		92.7	85^th of 2258 public elementary schools	96.2%	24	84.0	88.0	83.0				80.0	94.0	83.0				80.0					$11,620	$1,182	$10,438
Rochelle School Of The Arts	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	1501 Martin L King Jr Ave	Lakeland	33805	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 499-2810	762	51	14.9	59.6%	270 (35.4%)	255 (33.5%)	193 (25.3%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	40 (5.2%)	50	1141^st of 2240 public elementary schools	49.1%		45.8	1209^th of 2258 public elementary schools	46.5%	68	64.0	57.0	63.0	66.0	72.0	75.0	53.0	57.0	75.0	50.0	71.0	61.0	58.0	72.0	93.0	96.0	100.0	$12,785	$1,466	$11,319
Lakeland Montessori School House	Public, Charter	K-8	1124 Lake Parker Ave N	Lakeland	33805	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 413-0003	129	10	13.5	5.4%	78 (60.5%)	3 (2.3%)	41 (31.8%)	4 (3.1%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.8%)	2 (1.6%)	67.6	690^th of 2240 public elementary schools	69.2%		84.8	296^th of 2258 public elementary schools	86.9%	394	100.0	80.0	73.0		92.0		100.0	60.0	55.0		100.0		45.0					$13,957	$329	$13,629
Philip O'Brien Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1225 Lime St E	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2950	625	31	20.1	80.3%	193 (30.9%)	165 (26.4%)	233 (37.3%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.5%)	29 (4.6%)	7.7	2176^th of 2240 public elementary schools	2.9%		9	2166^th of 2258 public elementary schools	4.1%	10	35.0	37.0	43.0				34.0	38.0	23.0				33.0					$11,604	$1,709	$9,895
Magnolia Montessori Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	815 S Central Ave	Lakeland	33815	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 797-4991	182	16	11.3	7.1%	121 (66.5%)	11 (6.0%)	34 (18.7%)	4 (2.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.5%)	11 (6.0%)	90.1	134^th of 2240 public elementary schools	94.0%		93.5	71^st of 2258 public elementary schools	96.9%	63	75.0	88.0	85.0	91.0	100.0	100.0	90.0	88.0	74.0	100.0	100.0		75.0	87.0			100.0	$10,753	$222	$10,531
Dixieland Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	416 Ariana St	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2930	344	20	17.2	81.7%	85 (24.7%)	91 (26.5%)	148 (43.0%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (5.2%)	20.4	1917^th of 2240 public elementary schools	14.4%		13.8	2063^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	8.6%	146	56.0	49.0	45.0				47.0	43.0	43.0				29.0					$11,420	$1,627	$9,792
Idea Lakeland	Public, Charter	K-6	1775 Interstate Dr	Lakeland	33805	Polk County	Idea Public Schools	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(904) 993-1520	452	24	18.8	81.9%	84 (18.6%)	133 (29.4%)	226 (50.0%)	6 (1.3%)	3 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	12.3	2093^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	6.6%					(n/a)	41.0	42.0	44.0	38.0	52.0		29.0	31.0	31.0	30.0	49.0		51.0				81.0
Jesse Keen Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	815 Plateau Ave	Lakeland	33815	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2880	621	29	21.4	81.8%	78 (12.6%)	101 (16.3%)	432 (69.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.3%)	20.1	1921^st of 2240 public elementary schools	14.2%		14.1	2060^th of 2258 public elementary schools	8.8%	139	35.0	42.0	44.0				62.0	56.0	40.0				32.0					$10,337	$1,403	$8,934

Frequently Asked Questions about McKeel Academy Central

What is the racial makeup of McKeel Academy Central?

Students at McKeel Academy Central are 58% White, 21% Hispanic, 14% African American, 4% Two or more races, 2% Asian.

What district is McKeel Academy Central in?

Polk

How many students attend McKeel Academy Central?

In the 2024-25 school year, 610 students attended McKeel Academy Central.

Is McKeel Academy Central a good school?

Yes! McKeel Academy Central is one of the best elementary schools in the state. It ranks 87^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools.

Rate McKeel Academy Central!

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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.