Carlton Palmore Elementary School

Summary:

Carlton Palmore Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lakeland, Florida, serving 465 students from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade. The school faces several challenges, including a significantly higher chronic absenteeism rate, lower test scores compared to state and district averages, and declining performance over the years.

Carlton Palmore Elementary School has a 40.4% chronic absenteeism rate, much higher than the state and district averages. Its test scores are also generally lower, with only 35% of 3rd-grade students proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 55% statewide and 49% in the Polk district. The school also has a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at 51.83%, and a higher spending per student, at $12,393, compared to nearby schools.

When compared to nearby schools, such as Highlands Grove Elementary and South McKeel Academy, Carlton Palmore Elementary School generally performs worse on key metrics, including test scores and chronic absenteeism. The school's diverse student population and higher spending per student suggest that addressing the underlying factors contributing to these issues may be crucial for improving the school's overall performance and outcomes.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

3725 Clevelnd Hts Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33803

(863) 648-3510

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
1720^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $12,393

Students who attend Carlton Palmore Elementary School usually attend:

High:

Lakeland Senior High School

Student/teacher ratio: 12.9

Number of students: 465

Racial breakdown:

White:

47.3%

African American:

25.4%

Hispanic:

21.5%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 51.8%

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Compare Carlton Palmore Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Carlton Palmore Elementary School ranks worse than 76.2% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 62^nd among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 26.67. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Carlton Palmore Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (47.3%), African American (25.4%), Hispanic (21.5%). (See more...)

Compare Details 51.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Carlton Palmore Elementary School is 12.9, which is the 2^nd best among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Carlton Palmore Elementary School employs 36 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Carlton Palmore Elementary School is $12,393, which is the 5^th highest among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Carlton Palmore Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Polk:

SchoolDigger ranks Polk 57^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Carlton Palmore Elementary School.

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Rank History for Carlton Palmore Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	43.63	996^th	1688	41.0%
2007	43.98	1058^th	1786	40.8%
2008	52.36	898^th	1789	49.8%
2009	44.65	1087^th	1847	41.1%
2010	28.88	1457^th	1919	24.1%
2011	32.24	1435^th	1985	27.7%
2012	33.61	1346^th	1984	32.2%
2013	40.65	1213^th	2029	40.2%
2014	32.30	1459^th	2064	29.3%
2016	49.06	1063^rd	2087	49.1%
2017	48.31	1097^th	2112	48.1%
2018	50.06	1056^th	2118	50.1%
2019	54.03	992^nd	2182	54.5%
2021	41.44	1280^th	2247	43.0%
2022	34.93	1447^th	2219	34.8%
2023	36.71	1423^rd	2240	36.5%
2024	26.67	1720^th	2256	23.8%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2.3)

33%

67%

Reviews:

by a parent
Saturday, May 26, 2018

School is terrible for students with disabilities. They offer zero support and only care about what is written oppose to actually supporting the students in class. Beware. The school isn't great. Close Quote

by a parent
Saturday, June 10, 2017

This is an excellent school! I always wonder when a bad review is added, what the other side of the story is? I recommend visiting this school, as they have so many positive things in place! The new administration is fabulous. Close Quote

by a parent
Friday, May 5, 2017

Theirs a reason why this school is on the very low end of the state / county rating spectrum.... From my experience, It should be the "POSTER CHILD" of What's mostly wrong w/ the Florida State Education System, & Why it has such a "BAD" reputation compare to majority of other states! Close Quote

Enrollment information for Carlton Palmore Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	718	15	20	35	0	n/a	n/a	0	788
1989	756	17	25	44	0	n/a	n/a	0	842
1990	754	29	20	54	0	n/a	n/a	0	857
1991	762	37	17	60	1	n/a	n/a	0	877
1992	620	29	21	41	2	n/a	n/a	0	713
1993	478	171	8	30	0	n/a	n/a	0	687
1994	433	172	5	23	0	n/a	n/a	0	633
1995	400	131	5	29	0	n/a	n/a	0	565
1996	400	131	5	29	0	n/a	n/a	0	565
1997	370	122	11	28	1	n/a	n/a	0	532
1998	316	154	9	29	3	n/a	n/a	0	511
1999	357	144	12	31	2	n/a	n/a	0	546
2000	319	114	11	24	2	n/a	n/a	0	470
2001	353	107	7	28	2	n/a	n/a	0	497
2002	413	133	9	49	6	n/a	n/a	0	610
2003	413	133	9	49	6	n/a	n/a	0	610
2004	403	150	7	56	2	n/a	n/a	0	618
2005	414	167	6	89	1	n/a	n/a	0	677
2006	464	142	7	88	0	n/a	n/a	0	701
2007	437	140	8	110	0	n/a	n/a	40	735
2008	329	138	7	92	0	n/a	n/a	28	594
2009	339	174	5	79	0	n/a	n/a	32	629
2010	305	147	6	85	0	n/a	n/a	26	569
2011	299	132	10	97	3	0	22	0	563
2012	294	128	9	103	1	0	18	0	553
2013	297	151	7	121	0	0	11	0	587
2014	278	118	5	110	3	1	12	0	527
2015	271	133	7	104	1	1	11	0	528
2016	221	147	3	83	2	0	8	0	464
2017	200	129	6	106	2	0	9	0	452
2018	192	135	3	100	1	3	12	0	446
2019	199	117	6	96	1	2	12	0	433
2020	200	109	5	105	2	3	15	0	439
2021	185	104	2	90	1	1	18	0	401
2022	203	132	1	99	1	2	19	0	457
2023	220	118	6	100	2	2	17	0	465

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Carlton Palmore Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	788	44.0	17.9	7.4
1989	842	45.0	18.7	7.2
1990	857	48.0	17.8	0
1991	877	47.0	18.6	12.2
1992	713	39.0	18.2	8.6
1993	687	36.0	19.1	27.8
1994	633	35.0	18.1	33.3
1995	565	32.0	17.7	33.8
1996	565	32.0	17.7	33.8
1997	532	27.0	19.7	34.2
1998	511	28.0	18.3	37.6
1999	546	29.0	18.8	50.2
2000	470	33.0	14.2	43.2
2001	497	31.0	16.0	47.1
2002	610	37.0	16.5	48.2
2003	610	37.0	16.5	48.2
2004	618	43.0	14.4	53.6
2005	677	46.0	14.7	49
2006	701	52.0	13.5	47.6
2007	735	52.0	14.1	51.4
2008	594	46.0	12.9	51.4
2009	629	54.0	13.7	58.1
2010	569	43.0	13.2	63.9
2011	563	43.0	13.0	60.7
2012	553	41.0	13.4	59.9
2013	587	41.0	14.3	64.4
2014	527	38.0	13.8	63.6
2015	528	36.0	14.6	64.8
2016	464	35.0	13.2	64
2017	452	33.0	13.6	65.5
2018	446	30.0	14.8	55.2
2019	433	30.0	14.4	58.2
2020	439	31.0	14.1	53.1
2021	401	31.0	12.9	57.6
2022	457	31.0	14.7	65.2
2023	465	36.0	12.9	51.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Carlton Palmore Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	788	44.0	17.9	7.4
1989	842	45.0	18.7	7.2
1990	857	48.0	17.8	0
1991	877	47.0	18.6	12.2
1992	713	39.0	18.2	8.6
1993	687	36.0	19.1	27.8
1994	633	35.0	18.1	33.3
1995	565	32.0	17.7	33.8
1996	565	32.0	17.7	33.8
1997	532	27.0	19.7	34.2
1998	511	28.0	18.3	37.6
1999	546	29.0	18.8	50.2
2000	470	33.0	14.2	43.2
2001	497	31.0	16.0	47.1
2002	610	37.0	16.5	48.2
2003	610	37.0	16.5	48.2
2004	618	43.0	14.4	53.6
2005	677	46.0	14.7	49
2006	701	52.0	13.5	47.6
2007	735	52.0	14.1	51.4
2008	594	46.0	12.9	51.4
2009	629	54.0	13.7	58.1
2010	569	43.0	13.2	63.9
2011	563	43.0	13.0	60.7
2012	553	41.0	13.4	59.9
2013	587	41.0	14.3	64.4
2014	527	38.0	13.8	63.6
2015	528	36.0	14.6	64.8
2016	464	35.0	13.2	64
2017	452	33.0	13.6	65.5
2018	446	30.0	14.8	55.2
2019	433	30.0	14.4	58.2
2020	439	31.0	14.1	53.1
2021	401	31.0	12.9	57.6
2022	457	31.0	14.7	65.2
2023	465	36.0	12.9	51.8

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Carlton Palmore Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$786 (8.4%)	$8,517 (91.6%)	$9,303
2019	$799 (8.0%)	$9,228 (92.0%)	$10,027
2020	$1,097 (10.7%)	$9,108 (89.2%)	$10,207
2021	$1,533 (14.1%)	$9,343 (85.9%)	$10,876
2022	$2,323 (21.1%)	$8,699 (78.9%)	$11,022
2023	$1,706 (13.8%)	$10,687 (86.2%)	$12,393

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Carlton Palmore Elementary School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 992^nd of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1423^rd of 2240 Elementary schools	18.1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Carlton Palmore Elementary School)	56	28	28%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	52	48	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Carlton Palmore Elementary School)	68	42	26%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	51	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Carlton Palmore Elementary School)	75	51	24%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	46	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Carlton Palmore Elementary School)	73	55	18%
4th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	50	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Carlton Palmore Elementary School)	47	46	1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	47	44	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Carlton Palmore Elementary School)	50	47	3%
5th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	51	40	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Carlton Palmore Elementary School)	49	50	1%
5th Grade Science (Polk)	45	39	6%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	433	465	7.4%
African American	117	118	0.9%
American Indian	1	2	100%
Asian	6	6
Hispanic	96	100	4.2%
Pacific Islander	2	2
White	199	220	10.6%
Two or More Races	12	17	41.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	58.2%	51.8%	6.4%

Schools Near Carlton Palmore Elementary School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)						FAST Math (2024)					Statewide Science Science (2024)		EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Carlton Palmore Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3725 Clevelnd Hts Blvd	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3510	465	36	12.9	51.8%	220 (47.3%)	118 (25.4%)	100 (21.5%)	6 (1.3%)	2 (0.4%)	2 (0.4%)	17 (3.7%)	26.7	1720^th of 2256 public elementary schools	23.8%		36.7	1423^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	36.5%	297	35.0	40.0	45.0				18.0	33.0	61.0			53.0			$12,393	$1,706	$10,687
Cleveland Court Elementary School	Public	K-5	328 Edgewood Dr E	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2929	393	28	14.0	42.7%	192 (48.9%)	71 (18.1%)	110 (28.0%)	16 (4.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (1.0%)	77.1	477^th of 2256 public elementary schools	78.9%		84.6	297^th of 2240 public elementary schools	86.7%	180	66.0	74.0	67.0				68.0	71.0	67.0			62.0			$11,532	$1,571	$9,961
Southwest Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2650 Southwest Ave	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2830	382	29	13.1	60.5%	144 (37.7%)	77 (20.2%)	133 (34.8%)	4 (1.0%)	1 (0.3%)	1 (0.3%)	22 (5.8%)	47.4	1161^st of 2256 public elementary schools	48.5%		55	969^th of 2240 public elementary schools	56.7%	192	39.0	47.0	49.0				54.0	58.0	75.0			55.0			$13,291	$2,033	$11,259
Highlands Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4510 Lakeland Highlands Rd	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3002	731	46	15.8	35.8%	407 (55.7%)	92 (12.6%)	183 (25.0%)	23 (3.1%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (3.3%)	72.9	576^th of 2256 public elementary schools	74.5%		82.2	361^st of 2240 public elementary schools	83.9%	215	67.0	53.0	59.0				73.0	57.0	82.0			74.0			$10,707	$1,431	$9,277
Magnolia Montessori Academy	Public, Charter	K-8	815 S. Central Ave	Lakeland	33815	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 797-4991	171	13	13.1	7.0%	101 (59.1%)	11 (6.4%)	40 (23.4%)	5 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.6%)	13 (7.6%)	89.7	188^th of 2256 public elementary schools	91.7%		85.9	270^th of 2240 public elementary schools	87.9%	82	63.0	75.0	88.0	100.0	62.0	85.0	74.0	88.0	82.0	87.0	85.0	82.0	62.0	79.0	$10,843	$368	$10,475
Dixieland Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	416 Ariana St	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2930	330	20	16.5	64.8%	92 (27.9%)	72 (21.8%)	141 (42.7%)	2 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (7.0%)	28.4	1665^th of 2256 public elementary schools	26.2%		26	1719^th of 2240 public elementary schools	23.3%	54	42.0	28.0	33.0				56.0	57.0	46.0			33.0			$11,484	$2,192	$9,292
Medulla Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	850 Schoolhouse Rd	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3515	515	35	14.7	59.0%	167 (32.4%)	111 (21.6%)	208 (40.4%)	5 (1.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (4.7%)	31.3	1584^th of 2256 public elementary schools	29.8%		31	1585^th of 2240 public elementary schools	29.2%	1	57.0	39.0	45.0				38.0	42.0	41.0			47.0			$11,939	$1,735	$10,204
South McKeel Academy	Public, Charter	PK, KG-6	2222 Edgewood Dr S	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 510-0044	1,200	68	17.6	33.8%	744 (62.0%)	108 (9.0%)	223 (18.6%)	72 (6.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	53 (4.4%)	89.6	190^th of 2256 public elementary schools	91.6%		89.5	179^th of 2240 public elementary schools	92.0%	11	86.0	73.0	73.0	80.0			83.0	84.0	72.0	88.0		72.0			$10,515	$1,785	$8,731
Scott Lake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1140 County Road 540a E	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 648-3520	727	48	15.1	36.2%	433 (59.6%)	78 (10.7%)	173 (23.8%)	18 (2.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (3.4%)	68.5	676^th of 2256 public elementary schools	70.0%		62.6	782^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	65.1%	106	65.0	59.0	58.0				76.0	66.0	59.0			55.0			$10,771	$1,706	$9,066
Oscar J. Pope Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2730 Maine Ave	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2992	410	31	13.2	64.9%	103 (25.1%)	66 (16.1%)	229 (55.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	11 (2.7%)	54.2	988^th of 2256 public elementary schools	56.2%		31.5	1565^th of 2240 public elementary schools	30.1%	577	47.0	48.0	64.0				64.0	55.0	64.0			56.0			$15,455	$3,339	$12,117

Frequently Asked Questions about Carlton Palmore Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Carlton Palmore Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Carlton Palmore Elementary School usually go on to attend:

High : Lakeland Senior High School

Is Carlton Palmore Elementary School a good school?

Carlton Palmore Elementary School ranks in the bottom 23.8% of Florida elementary schools.

What is the racial makeup of Carlton Palmore Elementary School?

Students at Carlton Palmore Elementary School are 47% White, 25% African American, 22% Hispanic, 4% Two or more races, 1% Asian.

How many students attend Carlton Palmore Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 465 students attended Carlton Palmore Elementary School.

What district is Carlton Palmore Elementary School in?

Polk

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.