Middle Schools in Lake

The 9 middle schools located in Lake County, Florida serve students in grades 6-8, with student populations ranging from 575 to 1,280. While the schools vary in performance, a few standouts emerge, including East Ridge Middle School and Windy Hill Middle School, which have strong test scores and relatively low chronic absenteeism rates.

Across the district, chronic absenteeism is a significant issue, with most schools reporting rates above 45%. Test scores also vary widely, with the top-performing schools like East Ridge and Windy Hill significantly outpacing the district and state averages, while others, such as Gray Middle School, Tavares Middle School, and Oak Park Middle School, struggle with proficiency rates well below the district and state. The schools also serve diverse student populations, with free/reduced lunch rates ranging from 28.76% at East Ridge to 69.74% at Oak Park.

While the data reveals stark differences in academic performance, it also suggests that factors beyond just funding, such as school leadership, teacher quality, and student engagement, play a significant role in student outcomes. Addressing chronic absenteeism and supporting the lower-performing schools could be key priorities for the Lake County school district as it works to ensure all students have access to a high-quality education.