Summary:
In zip code 33813, there is one middle school, Lakeland Highlands Middle School, serving grades 6 through 8 with a substantial enrollment of 1,118 students in the Lakeland area.
Lakeland Highlands Middle School is a standout for its exceptional performance in advanced coursework, with 93% of students proficient in Geometry and 88% in Algebra 1—far exceeding both the Polk district and state averages. The school also shines in Civics, achieving 90% proficiency. However, it presents a mixed picture in math: while advanced students thrive, grade-level math proficiency is a concern, with only 30% of 7th graders meeting standards, well below the state average of 53%. The school's chronic absenteeism rate of 33.1% is better than the district's 39.1% but slightly worse than the state's 31.4%. With a student-teacher ratio of 18.3:1 and spending of $9,544 per student, the school serves a majority low-income population, with 52.42% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch.
Despite being in a 1-star district, Lakeland Highlands Middle School consistently outperforms the Polk district in nearly every subject, making it a bright spot locally. Its state ranking has declined slightly from the 51st percentile (3 stars) in 2023-2024 to the 47th percentile (2 stars) in 2025-2026, likely due to weaker grade-level math and some ELA scores. The school's ability to achieve high proficiency in advanced subjects and Civics despite economic challenges suggests effective programs in those areas, while general math and ELA may need more support.
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