Summary:
Zip code 33815 in Lakeland, FL, is home to two high schools—Kathleen Senior High School and McKeel Academy Of Technology—that serve grades 9-12 and 7-12 respectively, and are part of the Polk district, which ranks in the 13th percentile statewide.
The standout school in this area is McKeel Academy Of Technology, which ranks in the 89th percentile (4-star) and boasts a near-perfect 99.2% graduation rate and a chronic absenteeism rate of just 0.1%. It outperforms state averages in every core subject, including 86% proficiency in Algebra 1 and 88% in Biology. In contrast, Kathleen Senior High School ranks in the 27th percentile (1-star) with a 86.8% graduation rate and a 44.7% chronic absenteeism rate. Kathleen struggles academically, with only 24% proficiency in Algebra 1 and Geometry, well below state averages. Notably, Kathleen spends $10,142 per student—52% more than McKeel’s $6,682—yet achieves far lower results, highlighting that funding allocation and school culture matter more than spending alone.
The most critical takeaway is the stark contrast in attendance and socioeconomic factors. McKeel’s 0.1% chronic absenteeism rate and 36.23% free/reduced lunch population indicate a highly engaged student body, while Kathleen’s 44.7% absenteeism and 69.8% free/reduced lunch rate point to significant challenges. Year-over-year trends show McKeel improving in Algebra 1 (83% to 86%) and 9th Grade ELA (71% to 77%), while Kathleen shows mixed results, with Geometry proficiency actually dropping from 30% to 24%. For parents, McKeel Academy offers a clear path to high achievement, while Kathleen Senior High faces systemic hurdles that require addressing attendance and poverty to improve outcomes.
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