Oscar J. Pope Elementary School

Q: Is Oscar J. Pope Elementary School a good school?

Oscar J. Pope Elementary School ranks 988 th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Oscar J. Pope Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lakeland, Florida, serving 410 students from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade. The school is part of the Polk School District, which is ranked 57th out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 1-star rating from SchoolDigger.

While Oscar J. Pope Elementary School has a significantly higher percentage of Hispanic students (55.85%) compared to nearby schools, it also faces challenges such as consistently high chronic absenteeism rates (ranging from 46% to 56.5%) and lower test scores than the Philip O'Brien Elementary School, Carlton Palmore Elementary School, and the Crystal Lake Elementary School. The school's proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades were below the Polk County and Florida averages.

Additionally, Oscar J. Pope Elementary School has a high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (ranging from 64.88% to 77.7%), which is higher than the nearby schools. The school also has a higher spending per student, ranging from $15,455 to $17,636 over the past few years, compared to the nearby schools. One bright spot is Magnolia Montessori Academy, a high-performing charter school in the area with significantly higher test scores and a 5-star rating from SchoolDigger, suggesting that alternative educational models may be effective in improving student outcomes.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

2730 Maine Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801

(863) 499-2992

District: Polk

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

Per Pupil Expenditures: $15,455

Students who attend Oscar J. Pope Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Crystal Lake Middle School
High:	George W. Jenkins Senior High

Student/teacher ratio: 13.2

Number of students: 410

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

55.9%

White:

25.1%

African American:

16.1%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 64.9%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Oscar J. Pope Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Oscar J. Pope Elementary School ranks better than 56.2% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 24^th among 85 ranked elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 54.22. (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 Oscar J. Pope Elementary School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (55.9%), White (25.1%), African American (16.1%). (See more...)

Compare Details 64.9% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Oscar J. Pope Elementary School is 13.2, which is the 6^th best among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Oscar J. Pope Elementary School employs 31 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Oscar J. Pope Elementary School is $15,455, which is the 2^nd highest among 85 elementary schools in the Polk School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Oscar J. Pope 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 Oscar J. Pope Elementary School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	14.80	1485^th	1688	12.0%
2007	27.38	1365^th	1786	23.6%
2008	15.75	1594^th	1789	10.9%
2009	6.70	1779^th	1847	3.7%
2010	12.71	1762^nd	1919	8.2%
2011	23.70	1611^th	1985	18.8%
2012	31.06	1414^th	1984	28.7%
2013	23.90	1638^th	2029	19.3%
2014	13.95	1885^th	2064	8.7%
2016	24.20	1639^th	2087	21.5%
2017	17.97	1836^th	2112	13.1%
2018	17.52	1840^th	2118	13.1%
2019	7.04	2108^th	2182	3.4%
2021	15.90	1956^th	2247	13.0%
2022	14.79	2006^th	2219	9.6%
2023	31.53	1565^th	2240	30.1%
2024	54.22	988^th	2256	56.2%

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 Oscar J. Pope Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	427	47	1	7	1	n/a	n/a	0	483
1989	440	43	3	9	0	n/a	n/a	0	495
1990	474	54	3	11	0	n/a	n/a	0	542
1991	483	78	3	13	0	n/a	n/a	0	577
1992	493	98	1	15	1	n/a	n/a	0	608
1993	382	85	4	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	482
1994	387	91	3	10	1	n/a	n/a	0	492
1995	356	119	5	21	1	n/a	n/a	0	502
1996	356	119	5	21	1	n/a	n/a	0	502
1997	353	106	8	21	1	n/a	n/a	0	489
1998	365	107	4	20	1	n/a	n/a	0	497
1999	308	95	1	21	2	n/a	n/a	0	427
2000	308	103	2	29	2	n/a	n/a	0	444
2001	300	101	3	38	1	n/a	n/a	0	443
2002	265	106	3	35	0	n/a	n/a	0	409
2003	265	106	3	35	0	n/a	n/a	0	409
2004	244	104	4	35	0	n/a	n/a	0	387
2005	233	109	4	38	0	n/a	n/a	0	384
2006	243	113	3	52	0	n/a	n/a	0	411
2007	219	93	5	63	0	n/a	n/a	12	392
2008	226	85	5	96	0	n/a	n/a	13	425
2009	204	103	3	98	0	n/a	n/a	24	432
2010	187	88	4	110	0	n/a	n/a	24	413
2011	164	84	1	136	3	9	18	0	415
2012	184	85	0	128	2	0	17	0	416
2013	184	98	0	151	0	0	9	0	442
2014	193	102	0	170	1	0	16	0	482
2015	196	90	0	181	1	0	19	0	487
2016	195	97	0	202	1	0	10	0	505
2017	153	105	1	218	1	2	15	0	495
2018	144	118	0	219	0	2	11	0	494
2019	131	84	2	237	0	1	20	0	475
2020	144	89	1	232	0	1	18	0	485
2021	123	76	1	211	0	2	13	0	426
2022	119	79	1	219	0	1	10	0	429
2023	103	66	0	229	0	1	11	0	410

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 Oscar J. Pope Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	483	51.0	9.4	37.1
1989	495	51.0	9.7	40
1990	542	51.0	10.6	14.8
1991	577	53.0	10.8	53.6
1992	608	55.0	11.0	46.5
1993	482	53.0	9.1	49.6
1994	492	56.0	8.8	56.5
1995	502	49.0	10.2	68.3
1996	502	49.0	10.2	68.3
1997	489	52.0	9.4	68.9
1998	497	49.0	10.1	65.4
1999	427	44.0	9.7	76.1
2000	444	45.0	9.9	73.6
2001	443	49.0	9.0	74.5
2002	409	46.0	8.9	81.4
2003	409	46.0	8.9	81.4
2004	387	44.0	8.8	79.6
2005	384	47.0	8.2	71.6
2006	411	43.0	9.6	81.8
2007	392	41.0	9.6	84.7
2008	425	42.0	10.1	73.3
2009	432	47.0	10.8	84.1
2010	413	39.0	10.5	87.4
2011	415	41.0	10.1	89.4
2012	416	42.0	9.9	91.6
2013	442	42.0	10.5	89.8
2014	482	41.0	11.7	62.2
2015	487	43.0	11.3	68.4
2016	505	42.0	12.0	77.6
2017	495	43.0	11.5	77.4
2018	494	40.0	12.3	77.9
2019	475	39.0	12.1	78.7
2020	485	39.0	12.4	74.4
2021	426	40.0	10.6	77.7
2022	429	35.0	12.2	77.2
2023	410	31.0	13.2	64.9

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 Oscar J. Pope Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	483	51.0	9.4	37.1
1989	495	51.0	9.7	40
1990	542	51.0	10.6	14.8
1991	577	53.0	10.8	53.6
1992	608	55.0	11.0	46.5
1993	482	53.0	9.1	49.6
1994	492	56.0	8.8	56.5
1995	502	49.0	10.2	68.3
1996	502	49.0	10.2	68.3
1997	489	52.0	9.4	68.9
1998	497	49.0	10.1	65.4
1999	427	44.0	9.7	76.1
2000	444	45.0	9.9	73.6
2001	443	49.0	9.0	74.5
2002	409	46.0	8.9	81.4
2003	409	46.0	8.9	81.4
2004	387	44.0	8.8	79.6
2005	384	47.0	8.2	71.6
2006	411	43.0	9.6	81.8
2007	392	41.0	9.6	84.7
2008	425	42.0	10.1	73.3
2009	432	47.0	10.8	84.1
2010	413	39.0	10.5	87.4
2011	415	41.0	10.1	89.4
2012	416	42.0	9.9	91.6
2013	442	42.0	10.5	89.8
2014	482	41.0	11.7	62.2
2015	487	43.0	11.3	68.4
2016	505	42.0	12.0	77.6
2017	495	43.0	11.5	77.4
2018	494	40.0	12.3	77.9
2019	475	39.0	12.1	78.7
2020	485	39.0	12.4	74.4
2021	426	40.0	10.6	77.7
2022	429	35.0	12.2	77.2
2023	410	31.0	13.2	64.9

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 Oscar J. Pope Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$1,975 (17.3%)	$9,453 (82.7%)	$11,428
2019	$1,726 (15.3%)	$9,533 (84.7%)	$11,257
2020	$2,652 (20.6%)	$10,198 (79.4%)	$12,850
2021	$2,724 (15.4%)	$14,911 (84.5%)	$17,636
2022	$4,095 (25.2%)	$12,188 (74.9%)	$16,282
2023	$3,339 (21.6%)	$12,117 (78.4%)	$15,455

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Oscar J. Pope 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 2108^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1565^th of 2240 Elementary schools	26.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Oscar J. Pope Elementary School)	33	35	2%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	52	48	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Oscar J. Pope Elementary School)	35	32	3%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	51	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Oscar J. Pope Elementary School)	31	24	7%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	46	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Oscar J. Pope Elementary School)	34	21	13%
4th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	56	50	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Oscar J. Pope Elementary School)	24	33	9%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	47	44	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Oscar J. Pope Elementary School)	33	38	5%
5th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	51	40	11%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Oscar J. Pope Elementary School)	10	35	25%
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	475	410	13.7%
African American	84	66	21.4%
American Indian	0	0
Asian	2	0	100%
Hispanic	237	229	3.4%
Pacific Islander	1	1
White	131	103	21.4%
Two or More Races	20	11	45%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	78.7%	64.9%	13.9%

Schools Near Oscar J. Pope 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Combee Academy Of Design And Engineering	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	2805 Morgan Combee Rd	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	Yes	No	Yes	(863) 499-2960	551	42	13.1	59.9%	253 (45.9%)	71 (12.9%)	205 (37.2%)	6 (1.1%)	4 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	11 (2.0%)	50.2	1088^th of 2256 public elementary schools	51.8%		38	1385^th of 2240 public elementary schools	38.2%	297	58.0	50.0	53.0				55.0	41.0	68.0			60.0			$11,979	$1,916	$10,064

Frequently Asked Questions about Oscar J. Pope Elementary School

Is Oscar J. Pope Elementary School a good school?

Oscar J. Pope Elementary School ranks 988^th of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What schools do graduates of Oscar J. Pope Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Oscar J. Pope Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Crystal Lake Middle School
High : George W. Jenkins Senior High

How many students attend Oscar J. Pope Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 410 students attended Oscar J. Pope Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Oscar J. Pope Elementary School?

Students at Oscar J. Pope Elementary School are 56% Hispanic, 25% White, 16% African American, 3% Two or more races.

What district is Oscar J. Pope 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.