Lakeland Montessori School House

Lakeland Montessori School House is a small, public Montessori school in Lakeland, FL, serving 129 students in grades K-8 within the Polk district.

This school stands out for its exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of just 0.9%, compared to the district average of 39.1% and nearby schools like Philip O'Brien Elementary School (59.9%) and Crystal Lake Elementary School (55.7%). With a student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1 and per-student spending of $13,957, the school provides an intimate learning environment. Historically, it has achieved strong academic results, with 100% of 5th graders proficient in ELA and 100% of 7th graders proficient in Math in 2024-2025. However, its state ranking dropped from 5 stars (97th percentile) in 2022-2023 to 3 stars (69th percentile) in 2025-2026, with notable declines in 5th Grade Math (from 93% to 55% proficiency) and 5th Grade Science (from 60% to 45% proficiency). This dip may be partly due to the school's small size, where a few students' scores can significantly impact percentages.

Compared to nearby high-performing schools, Lakeland Montessori's results are amplified by its unique demographics. For instance, McKeel Academy Central, located just 1.16 miles away, serves a larger and more diverse student body (610 students) with a higher poverty rate yet achieves similar or better test scores, such as 93% proficiency in 5th Grade Math versus Lakeland Montessori's 55%. Similarly, Lincoln Avenue Academy is a 5-star school with strong scores despite a higher poverty rate. While Lakeland Montessori's Montessori model and low poverty rate contribute to its success, the recent performance decline and comparisons to schools like McKeel Academy suggest that families should monitor trends closely and consider other excellent options in the area.