Middle Schools in Polk

The Polk school district in Florida is home to 26 middle schools serving students in grades 6-8. These schools vary significantly in their academic performance, student demographics, and other key metrics. While some schools, like Lakeland Montessori Middle School, Union Academy, and Lawton Chiles Middle Academy, stand out with exceptional test scores, low chronic absenteeism, and relatively low rates of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, many other schools in the Polk district struggle with lower academic performance and higher rates of economic disadvantage.

The data reveals a clear divide in educational quality and outcomes, with the highest-performing schools often serving more affluent student populations. For example, Lakeland Montessori Middle School has an exceptional 3% chronic absenteeism rate and just 10% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, while other schools in the district have chronic absenteeism rates over 60% and free/reduced lunch rates as high as 79%. This suggests that socioeconomic factors play a significant role in student success, and the district must work to address these inequities.

Interestingly, the public charter schools in the data, such as Lakeland Montessori Middle School, Berkley Accelerated Middle School, and Bok Academy, generally outperform the traditional public middle schools, hinting at the potential benefits of school choice and alternative educational models. Overall, the data highlights the need for the Polk school district to closely examine the factors contributing to these disparities and implement strategies to ensure all students have access to a high-quality education.