Kathleen Middle School

Summary:

Kathleen Middle School is a public middle school in Lakeland, Florida, serving 821 students in grades 6-8. The school is part of the Polk County School District, which is ranked 57th out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger. Unfortunately, Kathleen Middle School has consistently ranked in the bottom quarter of Florida middle schools, also receiving a 1-star rating.

One of the school's major challenges is its high chronic absenteeism rate, which was 42.4% in the 2022-2023 school year, significantly higher than the Polk County average of 33.1% and the Florida state average of 14.5%. Additionally, Kathleen Middle School's test scores are consistently lower than the Polk County and Florida state averages across all subject areas and grade levels. For example, the school's English Language Arts proficiency rates ranged from 26-28%, compared to the Polk County average of 39-43% and the Florida state average of 50-54%. The school also has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, at 67.84%, which is significantly higher than the state average.

When comparing Kathleen Middle School to nearby schools within the Polk County district, it becomes clear that the school is underperforming compared to its peers. For example, Berkley Accelerated Middle School has significantly higher test scores, a lower chronic absenteeism rate, and a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch. Additionally, Kathleen Middle School's per-student spending has decreased over the past few years, from $11,834 in the 2020-2021 school year to $9,292 in the 2022-2023 school year, which may be contributing to the school's challenges in improving academic outcomes.

Detail:

Public 6-8

3627 Kathleen Pnes
Lakeland, FL 33810

(863) 853-6040

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
1061^st of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,292

Students who attend Kathleen Middle School usually attend:

High:

Kathleen Senior High School

Feeder schools for Kathleen Middle School:

Elementary:	Dr. NE Roberts Elementary School
	Kathleen Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 18.6

Number of students: 821

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

40.6%

White:

38.2%

African American:

18.0%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 67.8%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Kathleen Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Kathleen Middle School ranks worse than 88.7% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 19^th among 26 ranked middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 14.3. (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 Kathleen Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (40.6%), White (38.2%), African American (18%). (See more...)

Compare Details 67.8% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Kathleen Middle School is 18.6, which is the 6^th best among 26 middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Kathleen Middle School employs 44 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Kathleen Middle School is $9,292, which is the 9^th highest among 26 middle schools in the Polk School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Kathleen Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Kathleen Middle School 1061^st of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Kathleen Middle School in the ranking list.)

Polk:

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

Average Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Kathleen Middle School.

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Rank History for Kathleen Middle School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	28.60	452^nd	593	23.8%
2005	28.46	464^th	602	22.9%
2006	31.83	482^nd	675	28.6%
2007	28.39	549^th	736	25.4%
2008	29.89	550^th	740	25.7%
2009	32.81	559^th	780	28.3%
2010	27.75	634^th	839	24.4%
2011	28.94	666^th	891	25.3%
2012	21.30	721^st	897	19.6%
2013	28.98	691^st	956	27.7%
2014	21.30	812^th	999	18.7%
2016	19.29	826^th	997	17.2%
2017	16.20	885^th	1031	14.2%
2018	22.21	828^th	1035	20.0%
2019	25.68	851^st	1099	22.6%
2021	16.60	978^th	1136	13.9%
2022	20.11	964^th	1148	16.0%
2023	15.03	1040^th	1177	11.6%
2024	14.30	1061^st	1196	11.3%

See the entire list of Florida Middle 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: 5)

100%

Reviews:

by a student
Saturday, November 5, 2016

I love my school it is amazing the teacher and staff are amazing when i was having a hard time my teachers were there for me when i was having trouble the staff was ther kathleen middle school is amazing. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Kathleen Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	848	117	11	11	4	n/a	n/a	0	991
1989	865	137	12	12	3	n/a	n/a	0	1029
1990	831	131	8	18	3	n/a	n/a	0	991
1991	792	148	9	19	0	n/a	n/a	0	968
1992	825	163	6	27	1	n/a	n/a	0	1022
1993	1024	195	12	40	0	n/a	n/a	0	1271
1994	829	131	13	22	0	n/a	n/a	0	995
1995	770	173	1	42	0	n/a	n/a	0	986
1996	770	173	1	42	0	n/a	n/a	0	986
1997	819	176	2	39	0	n/a	n/a	0	1036
1998	819	187	3	43	0	n/a	n/a	0	1052
1999	786	205	4	39	1	n/a	n/a	0	1035
2000	580	139	7	35	1	n/a	n/a	0	762
2001	576	160	4	59	0	n/a	n/a	0	799
2002	559	155	4	98	0	n/a	n/a	0	816
2003	559	155	4	98	0	n/a	n/a	0	816
2004	548	156	5	78	2	n/a	n/a	0	789
2005	560	162	11	96	6	n/a	n/a	0	835
2006	513	150	11	121	3	n/a	n/a	0	798
2007	496	165	13	135	3	n/a	n/a	14	826
2008	466	142	6	127	2	n/a	n/a	21	764
2009	422	132	4	127	3	n/a	n/a	19	707
2010	396	142	3	120	2	n/a	n/a	17	680
2011	395	155	6	183	6	1	31	0	777
2012	436	156	2	176	6	1	30	0	807
2013	456	185	4	158	5	2	32	0	842
2014	407	177	4	183	8	1	27	0	807
2015	382	163	6	179	10	1	23	0	764
2016	343	153	5	187	6	0	20	0	714
2017	294	134	2	174	5	0	18	0	627
2018	284	125	1	166	1	0	18	0	595
2019	281	156	2	194	1	1	10	0	645
2020	292	182	3	258	0	1	16	0	752
2021	272	200	4	262	0	1	19	0	758
2022	300	156	3	282	3	0	18	0	762
2023	314	148	3	333	0	0	23	0	821

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 Kathleen Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	991	48.0	20.6	25.5
1989	1029	48.0	21.4	27.1
1990	991	46.0	21.5	0
1991	968	48.0	20.1	33.3
1992	1022	47.0	21.7	29.8
1993	1271	59.0	21.5	34.1
1994	995	45.0	22.1	36.1
1995	986	50.0	19.7	44.6
1996	986	50.0	19.7	44.6
1997	1036	51.0	20.3	46.9
1998	1052	56.0	18.8	44.6
1999	1035	56.0	18.5	57.4
2000	762	45.0	16.9	58.3
2001	799	52.0	15.4	58.3
2002	816	48.0	17.0	65.2
2003	816	48.0	17.0	65.2
2004	789	48.0	16.4	67.4
2005	835	52.0	16.1	65.1
2006	798	57.0	14.0	66.4
2007	826	60.0	13.8	68.8
2008	764	57.5	13.3	68.6
2009	707	58.2	14.3	72.2
2010	680	48.0	14.1	74.7
2011	777	51.0	15.2	77
2012	807	49.0	16.4	81.8
2013	842	50.0	16.8	79.3
2014	807	45.0	17.9	79.4
2015	764	42.0	18.1	61.9
2016	714	45.0	15.8	64.6
2017	627	45.0	13.9	64
2018	595	44.0	13.5	64
2019	645	44.0	14.6	64.2
2020	752	44.0	17.0	60
2021	758	45.0	16.8	66
2022	762	43.0	17.7	69.8
2023	821	44.0	18.6	67.8

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 Kathleen Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	991	48.0	20.6	25.5
1989	1029	48.0	21.4	27.1
1990	991	46.0	21.5	0
1991	968	48.0	20.1	33.3
1992	1022	47.0	21.7	29.8
1993	1271	59.0	21.5	34.1
1994	995	45.0	22.1	36.1
1995	986	50.0	19.7	44.6
1996	986	50.0	19.7	44.6
1997	1036	51.0	20.3	46.9
1998	1052	56.0	18.8	44.6
1999	1035	56.0	18.5	57.4
2000	762	45.0	16.9	58.3
2001	799	52.0	15.4	58.3
2002	816	48.0	17.0	65.2
2003	816	48.0	17.0	65.2
2004	789	48.0	16.4	67.4
2005	835	52.0	16.1	65.1
2006	798	57.0	14.0	66.4
2007	826	60.0	13.8	68.8
2008	764	57.5	13.3	68.6
2009	707	58.2	14.3	72.2
2010	680	48.0	14.1	74.7
2011	777	51.0	15.2	77
2012	807	49.0	16.4	81.8
2013	842	50.0	16.8	79.3
2014	807	45.0	17.9	79.4
2015	764	42.0	18.1	61.9
2016	714	45.0	15.8	64.6
2017	627	45.0	13.9	64
2018	595	44.0	13.5	64
2019	645	44.0	14.6	64.2
2020	752	44.0	17.0	60
2021	758	45.0	16.8	66
2022	762	43.0	17.7	69.8
2023	821	44.0	18.6	67.8

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 Kathleen Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,228 (11.5%)	$9,405 (88.5%)	$10,633
2019	$1,360 (14.4%)	$8,078 (85.6%)	$9,438
2020	$902 (7.7%)	$10,888 (92.3%)	$11,790
2021	$1,103 (9.3%)	$10,732 (90.7%)	$11,834
2022	$2,117 (21.3%)	$7,838 (78.7%)	$9,955
2023	$1,623 (17.5%)	$7,669 (82.5%)	$9,292

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Kathleen Middle 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 851^st of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 1040^th of 1177 Middle schools	10.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Kathleen Middle School)	37	33	4%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	43	5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Kathleen Middle School)	36	23	13%
6th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	47	37	10%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Kathleen Middle School)	29	26	3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	42	38	4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Kathleen Middle School)	38	27	11%
7th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	39	35	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Kathleen Middle School)	45	28	17%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	41	7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Kathleen Middle School)	28	32	4%
8th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	35	32	3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Kathleen Middle School)	40	23	17%
8th Grade Science (Polk)	41	33	8%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Kathleen Middle School)	64	54	10%
End of Course Civics (Polk)	70	65	5%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Kathleen Middle School)	77	71	6%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Polk)	51	41	10%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	645	821	27.3%
African American	156	148	5.1%
American Indian	1	0	100%
Asian	2	3	50%
Hispanic	194	333	71.6%
Pacific Islander	1	0	100%
White	281	314	11.7%
Two or More Races	10	23	130%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	64.2%	67.8%	3.7%

Schools Near Kathleen Middle 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 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th 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
Kathleen Middle School	Public	6-8	3627 Kathleen Pnes	Lakeland	33810	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 853-6040	821	44	18.6	67.8%	314 (38.2%)	148 (18.0%)	333 (40.6%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (2.8%)	14.3	1061^st of 1196 public middle schools	11.3%		15	1040^th of 1177 public middle schools	11.6%	21	28.0	26.0	27.0	27.0	20.0	37.0	21.0	83.0		73.0	$9,292	$1,623	$7,669
Sleepy Hill Middle School	Public	6-8	2215 Sleepy Hill Rd	Lakeland	33810	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 815-6577	1,090	55	19.8	66.5%	260 (23.9%)	285 (26.1%)	487 (44.7%)	20 (1.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (3.4%)	14.8	1056^th of 1196 public middle schools	11.7%		14.6	1043^rd of 1177 public middle schools	11.4%	13	27.0	25.0	33.0	23.0	16.0	34.0	25.0	64.0	83.0	74.0	$8,552	$1,329	$7,222
Lake Gibson Middle School	Public	6-8	6901 Socrum Loop Rd N	Lakeland	33809	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 853-6151	1,218	63	19.3	56.1%	529 (43.4%)	275 (22.6%)	367 (30.1%)	22 (1.8%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	21 (1.7%)	19.5	1004^th of 1196 public middle schools	16.1%		23.1	934^th of 1177 public middle schools	20.6%	70	28.0	32.0	34.0	23.0	24.0	34.0	33.0	70.0	51.0	84.0	$8,908	$1,766	$7,142
Lawton Chiles Middle Academy	Public, Magnet	6-8	400 Florida Ave N	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	No	(863) 499-2742	649	34	19.0	32.7%	298 (45.9%)	143 (22.0%)	135 (20.8%)	47 (7.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (3.9%)	76.4	245^th of 1196 public middle schools	79.5%		68.6	340^th of 1177 public middle schools	71.1%	95	70.0	66.0	71.0	69.0	59.0	40.0	70.0	71.0	99.0	100.0	$9,583	$1,426	$8,155
Lakeland Montessori Middle School	Public, Charter	6-8	1124 N. Lake Parker Ave	Lakeland	33805	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 413-0003	30	2	15.0	10.0%	17 (56.7%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (23.3%)	2 (6.7%)	2 (6.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (6.7%)	91.6	66^th of 1196 public middle schools	94.5%		97.6	9^th of 1177 public middle schools	99.2%	57		73.0	100.0		80.0		67.0	93.0		100.0	$6,794	$1,002	$5,791
Southwest Middle School	Public	6-8	2815 Eden Pkwy	Lakeland	33803	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2840	801	46	17.4	62.9%	243 (30.3%)	210 (26.2%)	304 (38.0%)	8 (1.0%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	32 (4.0%)	17.8	1028^th of 1196 public middle schools	14.0%		15.3	1037^th of 1177 public middle schools	11.9%	9	24.0	34.0	34.0	26.0	22.0	27.0	32.0	75.0	74.0	67.0	$9,917	$1,863	$8,054
Marshall Middle Magnet School	Public, Magnet	6-8	18 S Maryland Ave	Plant City	33563	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	Yes	(813) 757-9360	1,089	52	21.1	69.1%	324 (29.8%)	134 (12.3%)	584 (53.6%)	9 (0.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (3.4%)	32.9	824^th of 1196 public middle schools	31.1%		29.1	854^th of 1177 public middle schools	27.4%	30	50.0	39.0	38.0	38.0	18.0	55.0	29.0	74.0		51.0	$8,224	$1,854	$6,370
Crystal Lake Middle School	Public, Magnet	6-8	2410 Crystal Lake Dr N	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 499-2970	949	51	18.6	70.9%	278 (29.3%)	184 (19.4%)	434 (45.7%)	9 (0.9%)	3 (0.3%)	3 (0.3%)	38 (4.0%)	14.5	1057^th of 1196 public middle schools	11.6%		17.4	1010^th of 1177 public middle schools	14.2%	47	32.0	28.0	30.0	24.0	10.0	24.0	29.0	57.0	86.0	52.0	$9,469	$1,546	$7,922
Tomlin Middle School	Public	6-8	501 N Woodrow Wilson St	Plant City	33563	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 757-9400	1,499	74	20.2	63.7%	521 (34.8%)	103 (6.9%)	816 (54.4%)	12 (0.8%)	2 (0.1%)	4 (0.3%)	41 (2.7%)	31.5	847^th of 1196 public middle schools	29.2%		41.4	684^th of 1177 public middle schools	41.9%	163	40.0	36.0	33.0	44.0	19.0	54.0	36.0	77.0	90.0	60.0	$7,546	$1,589	$5,957
Lakeland Highlands Middle School	Public	6-8	740 Lake Miriam Dr	Lakeland	33813	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 648-3500	1,265	64	19.7	40.6%	647 (51.1%)	177 (14.0%)	349 (27.6%)	34 (2.7%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	55 (4.3%)	50.5	583^rd of 1196 public middle schools	51.3%		45.6	626^th of 1177 public middle schools	46.8%	43	54.0	52.0	53.0	48.0	35.0	55.0	47.0	91.0	96.0	84.0	$7,875	$1,125	$6,750

Frequently Asked Questions about Kathleen Middle School

Is Kathleen Middle School a good school?

Kathleen Middle School ranks in the bottom 11.3% of Florida middle schools.

What high school do graduates of Kathleen Middle School attend?

Students who attend Kathleen Middle School usually go on to attend Kathleen Senior High School

How many students attend Kathleen Middle School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 821 students attended Kathleen Middle School.

What district is Kathleen Middle School in?

Polk

What is the racial makeup of Kathleen Middle School?

Students at Kathleen Middle School are 41% Hispanic, 38% White, 18% African American, 3% Two or more races.

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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.