Philip O'Brien Elementary School

Summary:

Philip O'Brien Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lakeland, Florida, serving 627 students in grades PK-5 as part of the Polk County School District. Despite higher spending per student, the school consistently underperforms compared to nearby schools and state averages, with low test scores, high chronic absenteeism, and a high percentage of students from low-income families.

Compared to nearby schools like Rosabelle W. Blake Academy, Dixieland Elementary School, and Cleveland Court Elementary School, Philip O'Brien Elementary has significantly lower test scores, ranging from 25% to 32% proficiency in 2023-2024, while the nearby schools and Polk County and Florida state averages were 44% to 60%. The school also has consistently high chronic absenteeism rates, from 34.3% to 59.0%, compared to 12.7% to 52.4% at nearby schools.

Additionally, Philip O'Brien Elementary has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 61.08% to 73.58%, which is higher than the nearby schools' rates of 23.57% to 64.85%. Despite the higher spending per student at Philip O'Brien, ranging from $9,291 to $11,314, the school's academic performance remains poor, ranking in the bottom 10-15% of Florida elementary schools. These factors suggest that the school is struggling to provide a quality education to its diverse student population and may require targeted interventions and support to improve student outcomes.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

1225 Lime St E
Lakeland, FL 33801

(863) 499-2950

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
2171^st of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $11,314

Students who attend Philip O'Brien Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Crystal Lake Middle School
High:	Tenoroc High School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.9

Number of students: 627

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

35.1%

White:

30.5%

African American:

26.3%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 61.1%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Philip O'Brien Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Philip O'Brien Elementary School ranks worse than 96.2% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 84^th among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 9.09. (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 Philip O'Brien Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (35.1%), White (30.5%), African American (26.3%). (See more...)

Compare Details 61.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Philip O'Brien Elementary School is 16.9. 55 elementary schools in the Polk School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Philip O'Brien Elementary School employs 37 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Philip O'Brien Elementary School is $11,314, which is the 22^nd highest among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Philip O'Brien 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.)

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Rank History for Philip O'Brien Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	47.19	916^th	1688	45.7%
2007	56.15	824^th	1786	53.9%
2008	54.02	868^th	1789	51.5%
2009	47.56	1041^st	1847	43.6%
2010	43.41	1177^th	1919	38.7%
2011	41.92	1226^th	1985	38.2%
2012	29.71	1454^th	1984	26.7%
2013	28.32	1526^th	2029	24.8%
2014	20.35	1743^rd	2064	15.6%
2016	37.70	1319^th	2087	36.8%
2017	40.47	1275^th	2112	39.6%
2018	22.56	1723^rd	2118	18.6%
2019	13.60	1985^th	2182	9.0%
2021	17.12	1924^th	2247	14.4%
2022	14.51	2014^th	2219	9.2%
2023	7.96	2174^th	2240	2.9%
2024	9.09	2171^st	2256	3.8%

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

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Enrollment information for Philip O'Brien Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	548	44	2	13	0	n/a	n/a	0	607
1989	535	39	2	16	2	n/a	n/a	0	594
1990	554	42	5	25	0	n/a	n/a	0	626
1991	527	41	3	22	0	n/a	n/a	0	593
1992	501	53	6	12	0	n/a	n/a	0	572
1993	350	107	7	20	0	n/a	n/a	0	484
1994	322	123	11	17	0	n/a	n/a	0	473
1995	306	100	12	22	0	n/a	n/a	0	440
1996	306	100	12	22	0	n/a	n/a	0	440
1997	315	108	15	20	0	n/a	n/a	0	458
1998	356	116	11	29	0	n/a	n/a	0	512
1999	342	119	5	31	1	n/a	n/a	0	498
2000	341	125	6	33	0	n/a	n/a	0	505
2001	322	102	4	32	2	n/a	n/a	0	462
2002	345	168	5	56	3	n/a	n/a	0	577
2003	345	168	5	56	3	n/a	n/a	0	577
2004	334	154	3	54	2	n/a	n/a	0	547
2005	353	153	11	65	4	n/a	n/a	0	586
2006	348	148	8	76	3	n/a	n/a	0	583
2007	355	135	7	76	3	n/a	n/a	35	611
2008	378	132	9	84	2	n/a	n/a	45	650
2009	359	140	16	111	1	n/a	n/a	56	683
2010	317	160	9	97	1	n/a	n/a	39	623
2011	268	152	10	146	1	0	38	0	615
2012	257	142	8	153	5	1	31	0	597
2013	268	172	3	155	3	1	34	0	636
2014	240	170	4	135	4	1	37	0	591
2015	235	179	5	131	1	1	31	0	583
2016	220	184	7	146	2	2	29	0	590
2017	188	165	7	147	0	1	31	0	539
2018	243	181	7	196	0	1	39	0	667
2019	227	205	5	209	1	1	47	0	695
2020	221	207	5	201	1	2	40	0	677
2021	191	177	1	153	0	2	25	0	549
2022	199	180	1	196	0	3	38	0	617
2023	191	165	2	220	0	3	46	0	627

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 Philip O'Brien Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	607	29.0	20.9	36.2
1989	594	32.0	18.5	36.2
1990	626	31.0	20.1	12.8
1991	593	30.0	19.7	38.8
1992	572	28.0	20.4	33.7
1993	484	26.0	18.6	44
1994	473	26.0	18.2	48.2
1995	440	23.0	19.1	43
1996	440	23.0	19.1	43
1997	458	25.0	18.3	43
1998	512	24.0	21.3	51
1999	498	25.0	19.9	61
2000	505	26.0	19.4	61
2001	462	31.0	14.9	66.7
2002	577	36.0	16.0	74.4
2003	577	36.0	16.0	74.4
2004	547	38.0	14.4	75.7
2005	586	41.0	14.3	70.5
2006	583	43.0	13.6	69.1
2007	611	46.0	13.3	75.2
2008	650	48.5	13.4	73.4
2009	683	56.4	14.2	73.5
2010	623	48.0	12.9	81.2
2011	615	47.0	13.0	79.8
2012	597	44.0	13.5	85.3
2013	636	46.0	13.8	86.9
2014	591	41.0	14.4	59.1
2015	583	43.0	13.5	64.7
2016	590	42.0	14.0	72
2017	539	39.0	13.8	69
2018	667	41.0	16.2	67.2
2019	695	41.0	16.9	70.2
2020	677	42.0	16.1	66.5
2021	549	40.0	13.7	73
2022	617	37.0	16.6	73.6
2023	627	37.0	16.9	61.1

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 Philip O'Brien Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	607	29.0	20.9	36.2
1989	594	32.0	18.5	36.2
1990	626	31.0	20.1	12.8
1991	593	30.0	19.7	38.8
1992	572	28.0	20.4	33.7
1993	484	26.0	18.6	44
1994	473	26.0	18.2	48.2
1995	440	23.0	19.1	43
1996	440	23.0	19.1	43
1997	458	25.0	18.3	43
1998	512	24.0	21.3	51
1999	498	25.0	19.9	61
2000	505	26.0	19.4	61
2001	462	31.0	14.9	66.7
2002	577	36.0	16.0	74.4
2003	577	36.0	16.0	74.4
2004	547	38.0	14.4	75.7
2005	586	41.0	14.3	70.5
2006	583	43.0	13.6	69.1
2007	611	46.0	13.3	75.2
2008	650	48.5	13.4	73.4
2009	683	56.4	14.2	73.5
2010	623	48.0	12.9	81.2
2011	615	47.0	13.0	79.8
2012	597	44.0	13.5	85.3
2013	636	46.0	13.8	86.9
2014	591	41.0	14.4	59.1
2015	583	43.0	13.5	64.7
2016	590	42.0	14.0	72
2017	539	39.0	13.8	69
2018	667	41.0	16.2	67.2
2019	695	41.0	16.9	70.2
2020	677	42.0	16.1	66.5
2021	549	40.0	13.7	73
2022	617	37.0	16.6	73.6
2023	627	37.0	16.9	61.1

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 Philip O'Brien Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,206 (14.9%)	$6,871 (85.1%)	$8,077
2019	$1,188 (14.2%)	$7,175 (85.8%)	$8,363
2020	$1,679 (18.1%)	$7,613 (81.9%)	$9,291
2021	$2,017 (19.6%)	$8,282 (80.4%)	$10,298
2022	$3,048 (27.5%)	$8,019 (72.5%)	$11,067
2023	$2,371 (21.0%)	$8,944 (79.1%)	$11,314

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Philip O'Brien 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 1985^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 2174^th of 2240 Elementary schools	6.1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Philip O'Brien Elementary School)	44	26	18%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	52	48	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Philip O'Brien Elementary School)	37	42	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	51	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Philip O'Brien Elementary School)	35	37	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	46	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Philip O'Brien Elementary School)	33	31	2%
4th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	50	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Philip O'Brien Elementary School)	36	30	6%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	47	44	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Philip O'Brien Elementary School)	32	38	6%
5th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	51	40	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Philip O'Brien Elementary School)	33	25	8%
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	695	627	9.8%
African American	205	165	19.5%
American Indian	1	0	100%
Asian	5	2	60%
Hispanic	209	220	5.3%
Pacific Islander	1	3	200%
White	227	191	15.9%
Two or More Races	47	46	2.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	70.2%	61.1%	9.1%

Schools Near Philip O'Brien 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 Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (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	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Philip O'Brien Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1225 Lime St E	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2950	627	37	16.9	61.1%	191 (30.5%)	165 (26.3%)	220 (35.1%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (0.5%)	46 (7.3%)	9.1	2171^st of 2256 public elementary schools	3.8%		8	2174^th of 2240 public elementary schools	2.9%	3	30.0	25.0	32.0				28.0	27.0	31.0				32.0					$11,314	$2,371	$8,944
McKeel Academy Central	Public, Charter	PK, KG-6	411 Florida Ave N	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 499-1287	610	35	17.4	38.7%	385 (63.1%)	63 (10.3%)	124 (20.3%)	13 (2.1%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.3%)	23 (3.8%)	91.4	129^th of 2256 public elementary schools	94.3%		91.7	121^st of 2240 public elementary schools	94.6%	8	83.0	67.0	75.0	83.0			85.0	86.0	88.0	85.0			80.0					$10,790	$1,874	$8,916
Lakeland Montessori School House	Public, Charter	K-6	1124 Lake Parker Ave N	Lakeland	33805	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 413-0003	110	8	13.7	3.6%	74 (67.3%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (24.5%)	5 (4.5%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (3.6%)	82.9	342^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	84.8%		94.2	58^th of 2240 public elementary schools	97.4%	284	81.0	85.0		83.0			63.0	69.0		83.0								$11,131	$1,420	$9,712
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
Rosabelle W. Blake Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	510 Hartsell Ave	Lakeland	33815	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 499-2870	642	37	17.3	62.8%	175 (27.3%)	296 (46.1%)	137 (21.3%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	31 (4.8%)	19.3	1927^th of 2256 public elementary schools	14.6%		25.3	1738^th of 2240 public elementary schools	22.4%	189	32.0	38.0	40.0	33.0	38.0	48.0	27.0	62.0	38.0	17.0	23.0	35.0	35.0	39.0	37.0	55.0	75.0	$9,800	$1,430	$8,370
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
Crystal Lake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	700 Galvin Dr	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2966	409	28	14.6	60.1%	96 (23.5%)	119 (29.1%)	173 (42.3%)	2 (0.5%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	18 (4.4%)	6.9	2203^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	2.3%		7.6	2177^th of 2240 public elementary schools	2.8%	26	26.0	33.0	18.0				29.0	35.0	16.0				19.0					$12,259	$2,663	$9,596
Rochelle School Of The Arts	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	1501 Martin L King Jr Ave	Lakeland	33805	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 499-2810	803	51	15.7	45.2%	276 (34.4%)	300 (37.4%)	186 (23.2%)	5 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	34 (4.2%)	50.4	1083^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	52.0%		45.3	1204^th of 2240 public elementary schools	46.3%	121	57.0	56.0	45.0	71.0	70.0	71.0	58.0	60.0	45.0	61.0	61.0	65.0	35.0	51.0	100.0	94.0	90.0	$11,296	$1,484	$9,813
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

Frequently Asked Questions about Philip O'Brien Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Philip O'Brien Elementary School?

Students at Philip O'Brien Elementary School are 35% Hispanic, 30% White, 26% African American, 7% Two or more races.

What district is Philip O'Brien Elementary School in?

Polk

Is Philip O'Brien Elementary School a good school?

Philip O'Brien Elementary School ranks in the bottom 3.8% of Florida elementary schools.

What schools do graduates of Philip O'Brien Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Philip O'Brien Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Crystal Lake Middle School
High : Tenoroc High School

How many students attend Philip O'Brien Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 627 students attended Philip O'Brien Elementary School.

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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.