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Highlands Grove Elementary School

Q: Is Highlands Grove Elementary School a good school?

Highlands Grove Elementary School ranks 734 th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

734^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 67% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Highlands Grove Elementary School is a mid-sized elementary school in the Lakeland Highlands area of Lakeland, FL, serving 691 students in grades PK through 5, and it stands out as a strong performer within the Polk school district, which ranks in the bottom 13th percentile statewide.

Highlands Grove consistently outperforms the district average by a wide margin in nearly every subject and grade level. For example, 81% of 3rd graders were proficient in English Language Arts compared to the district's 53%, and 73% of 5th graders were proficient in Math compared to the district's 51%. The school also has lower chronic absenteeism (28.9%) than the district average (39.1%) and spends less per student ($12,216) than many nearby peers while achieving higher academic outcomes, suggesting efficient resource allocation. However, the school has experienced a notable decline in its state ranking, dropping from the 84th percentile in 2022-2023 to the 67th percentile in 2025-2026, coinciding with a rapid increase in students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, from 35.8% to 50.1% over two years.

A clear weakness is a recurring "4th grade slump," where 4th graders show a dramatic drop in proficiency (58% in ELA and 50% in Math) compared to strong 3rd and 5th grade scores. In contrast, 5th-grade Science is a consistent strength, with proficiency rates between 64% and 74% over the last four years, far exceeding district and state averages. Nearby, the magnet school South McKeel Academy achieves even higher test scores and has near-zero chronic absenteeism, creating a competitive dynamic, while schools like Medulla Elementary and Oscar J. Pope Elementary are struggling significantly, highlighting wide disparities in educational quality within the same area.

691

Students ?

15.0

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,216

Per pupil spending ?

50.1%

Free/discounted lunch ?

4510 Lakeland Highlands Rd
Lakeland, FL 33813

(863) 648-3002

District: Polk

Students who attend Highlands Grove Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Lakeland Highlands Middle School
High:	George W. Jenkins Senior High

Racial breakdown:

White:

50.9%

Hispanic:

28.1%

African American:

14.6%

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At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 86th percentile in 2016 → 67th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (68% vs 62% meeting standards)

✓Among the top-ranked schools in Polk

✓Above the Florida median (67th percentile)

Worth a look

!Ranking has slipped — down 19 percentile points since 2016

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school68%

District avg53%

Florida avg62%

734^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Top 33%▼ down 19 pts since 2016

From top 14% (2016) to top 33% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

14^th 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	65.7	734 of 2240	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2025	70.2	636 of 2258	71.8%	★★★★☆
2024	72.9	576 of 2256	74.5%	★★★★☆
2023	82.2	361 of 2240	83.9%	★★★★☆
2022	75.5	516 of 2219	76.7%	★★★★☆
2021	71.9	607 of 2247	73.0%	★★★★☆
2019	65.9	712 of 2182	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2018	83.8	322 of 2118	84.8%	★★★★☆
2017	80.0	376 of 2112	82.2%	★★★★☆
2016	84.2	288 of 2087	86.2%	★★★★☆
2014	71.7	536 of 2064	74.0%	★★★★☆
2013	60.3	789 of 2029	61.1%	★★★☆☆
2012	69.0	598 of 1984	69.9%	★★★☆☆
2011	65.9	707 of 1985	64.4%	★★★☆☆
2010	70.9	547 of 1919	71.5%	★★★★☆
2009	63.6	702 of 1847	62.0%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Science70%+10 vs state

English Language Arts69%+9 vs state

Math66%~ state avg

4.0

2 ratings · 1 written review

5★1

4★0

3★1

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Thursday, August 16, 2018

The school is nice, but they lack communication with the parents as a one on one basis. They will consistently tell you “our door is open”. They have a problem communicating and consistency. Close Quote

Schools Near Highlands Grove Elementary 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 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 Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Highlands Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4510 Lakeland Highlands Rd	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3002	691	46	15.0	50.1%	352 (50.9%)	101 (14.6%)	194 (28.1%)	20 (2.9%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (3.3%)	65.7	734^th of 2240 public elementary schools	67.2%		70.2	636^th of 2258 public elementary schools	71.8%	98	81.0	58.0	68.0				76.0	50.0	73.0				70.0				$12,216	$1,547	$10,670
Carlton Palmore Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3725 Clevelnd Hts Blvd	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3510	402	26	15.4	66.7%	173 (43.0%)	89 (22.1%)	112 (27.9%)	5 (1.2%)	4 (1.0%)	3 (0.7%)	16 (4.0%)	34.7	1536^th of 2240 public elementary schools	31.4%		34.2	1520^th of 2258 public elementary schools	32.7%	16	55.0	68.0	44.0				59.0	55.0	44.0				31.0				$12,914	$1,902	$11,011
South McKeel Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-6	2222 Edgewood Dr S	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 510-0044	1,200	69	17.3	56.3%	719 (59.9%)	103 (8.6%)	252 (21.0%)	66 (5.5%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	59 (4.9%)	89.4	145^th of 2240 public elementary schools	93.5%		89.3	188^th of 2258 public elementary schools	91.7%	43	88.0	82.0	74.0	84.0			89.0	92.0	82.0	85.0		100.0	82.0				$9,708	$467	$9,240
Mi Escuela Montessori	Public, Charter	PK, KG-7	2130 E Edgewood Dr	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 934-2780	275	22	12.6	48.4%	89 (32.4%)	9 (3.3%)	160 (58.2%)	5 (1.8%)	1 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (4.0%)	33	1587^th of 2240 public elementary schools	29.2%		28.1	1700^th of 2258 public elementary schools	24.7%	113	48.0	66.0	61.0	66.0	69.0	77.0	40.0	50.0	32.0	59.0	47.0		32.0	67.0	100.0	56.0	$10,345	$471	$9,874
Valleyview Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2900 State Rd 540a E	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 648-3535	783	52	15.0	41.4%	412 (52.6%)	117 (14.9%)	184 (23.5%)	43 (5.5%)	5 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (2.8%)	74.7	511^th of 2240 public elementary schools	77.2%		79.4	416^th of 2258 public elementary schools	81.6%	95	73.0	71.0	69.0				73.0	70.0	82.0				69.0				$11,059	$1,070	$9,989
Oscar J. Pope Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2730 Maine Ave	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2992	365	19	19.2	80.8%	102 (27.9%)	74 (20.3%)	173 (47.4%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	14 (3.8%)	11.2	2121^st of 2240 public elementary schools	5.3%		17.7	1977^th of 2258 public elementary schools	12.4%	144	31.0	34.0	37.0				38.0	37.0	58.0				26.0				$12,313	$1,606	$10,707
Scott Lake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1140 County Road 540a E	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3520	735	47	15.6	55.0%	374 (50.9%)	112 (15.2%)	200 (27.2%)	20 (2.7%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	27 (3.7%)	56.7	966^th of 2240 public elementary schools	56.9%		57.7	930^th of 2258 public elementary schools	58.8%	36	58.0	72.0	65.0				57.0	71.0	66.0				55.0				$11,561	$1,488	$10,074
Highland City Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	5355 9th Street SE	Highland City	33846	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3540	414	28	14.7	63.5%	197 (47.6%)	41 (9.9%)	139 (33.6%)	6 (1.4%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	29 (7.0%)	47.9	1195^th of 2240 public elementary schools	46.7%		47.7	1166^th of 2258 public elementary schools	48.4%	29	54.0	44.0	62.0				69.0	48.0	72.0				66.0				$13,608	$1,784	$11,823
Cleveland Court Elementary School	Public	K-5	328 Edgewood Dr E	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2929	374	27	13.8	54.0%	153 (40.9%)	90 (24.1%)	109 (29.1%)	12 (3.2%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.4%)	82.6	320^th of 2240 public elementary schools	85.7%		76	495^th of 2258 public elementary schools	78.1%	175	71.0	86.0	75.0				74.0	78.0	83.0				75.0				$13,187	$1,655	$11,533
Southwest Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2650 Southwest Ave	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2830	376	31	12.1	77.7%	123 (32.7%)	79 (21.0%)	146 (38.8%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (6.6%)	34.4	1547^th of 2240 public elementary schools	30.9%		43.7	1255^th of 2258 public elementary schools	44.4%	292	52.0	54.0	52.0				42.0	47.0	59.0				62.0				$14,321	$2,064	$12,257

Frequently Asked Questions about Highlands Grove Elementary School

Is Highlands Grove Elementary School a good school?

Highlands Grove Elementary School ranks 734^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Highlands Grove Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 691 students attended Highlands Grove Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Highlands Grove Elementary School?

Students at Highlands Grove Elementary School are 51% White, 28% Hispanic, 15% African American, 3% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

What schools do graduates of Highlands Grove Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Highlands Grove Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Lakeland Highlands Middle School
High : George W. Jenkins Senior High

What district is Highlands Grove Elementary 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.