Summary:
In zip code 33801 of Lakeland, Florida, there are five elementary schools serving grades PK-5, all part of the Polk school district, and they present a stark contrast in performance, with one standout charter school and four traditional public schools facing significant challenges.
McKeel Academy Central is the clear leader, earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the top 5% of Florida elementary schools. It boasts exceptional test scores, with 93% of 3rd graders proficient in Math and 86% of 5th graders proficient in Science, far exceeding state averages. Its chronic absenteeism rate is an astonishingly low 0.3%, and only 36% of its students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. In contrast, the other four schools—Philip O'Brien Elementary School, Combee Academy Of Design And Engineering, Crystal Lake Elementary School, and Oscar J. Pope Elementary School—all rank in the bottom 12% of the state, with 0-star ratings for three of them. These schools have chronic absenteeism rates above 38%, with Philip O'Brien reaching nearly 60%, and around 80% of their students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. Test scores are low, with Crystal Lake having only 23% of 3rd graders proficient in English Language Arts.
A key finding is that higher spending does not guarantee better results: Crystal Lake and Philip O'Brien spend the most per student ($14,049 and $11,604, respectively) yet perform the worst, while McKeel Academy Central spends the least ($10,138) and excels. This suggests factors like school culture and attendance are more critical. Additionally, Oscar J. Pope has experienced a dramatic decline, dropping from a 3-star rating in 2023-2024 to a 0-star rating in 2025-2026, warranting concern. Overall, families in this zip code face a clear choice between the high-performing charter school and a cluster of struggling traditional public schools that share systemic challenges related to attendance and socioeconomic factors.
Thank you for your feedback!