Lake Gibson Middle School

Summary:

Lake Gibson Middle School is a public middle school in Lakeland, Florida, serving 1,218 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.

While Lake Gibson Middle School has a significantly higher chronic absenteeism rate (41.5%) compared to the Polk County (33.1%) and state (35%) averages, its test scores are generally lower than the district and Florida averages across various subjects and grade levels. For example, the school's proficiency rates in FAST English Language Arts and Math were significantly below the district and state averages in the 2023-2024 school year. Additionally, Lake Gibson Middle School has a higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (56.08% in 2022-2023) compared to nearby schools, indicating a higher proportion of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

When comparing Lake Gibson Middle School to nearby schools in the same district, such as Lakeland Highlands Middle School and Berkley Accelerated Middle School, it becomes evident that the school is underperforming in several key areas. Furthermore, Lake Gibson Middle School's statewide ranking has steadily declined over the past several years, from ranking 732 out of 1,031 Florida middle schools in 2016-2017 to ranking 1,004 out of 1,196 in 2023-2024, suggesting that the school's performance has been deteriorating compared to other middle schools in the state.

Detail:

Public 6-8

6901 Socrum Loop Rd N
Lakeland, FL 33809

(863) 853-6151

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
1004^th of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,908

Students who attend Lake Gibson Middle School usually attend:

High:

Lake Gibson Senior High School

Feeder schools for Lake Gibson Middle School:

Elementary:	Edgar L. Padgett Elementary
	Wendell Watson Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio: 19.3

Number of students: 1,218

Racial breakdown:

White:

43.4%

Hispanic:

30.1%

African American:

22.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 56.1%

See top rated Florida middle schools

Compare Lake Gibson Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Lake Gibson Middle School ranks worse than 83.9% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 15^th among 26 ranked middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 19.5. (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 Lake Gibson Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (43.4%), Hispanic (30.1%), African American (22.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 56.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Lake Gibson Middle School is 19.3, which is the 13^th best among 26 middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Lake Gibson Middle School employs 63 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Lake Gibson Middle School is $8,908, which is the 12^th highest among 26 middle schools in the Polk School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

SchoolDigger ranks Lake Gibson Middle School 1004^th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Lake Gibson Middle School in the ranking list.)

Polk:

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

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Rank History for Lake Gibson Middle School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	56.86	275^th	593	53.6%
2005	48.03	343^rd	602	43.0%
2006	51.91	341^st	675	49.5%
2007	46.22	423^rd	736	42.5%
2008	44.07	449^th	740	39.3%
2009	41.04	508^th	780	34.9%
2010	38.20	565^th	839	32.7%
2011	33.77	629^th	891	29.4%
2012	32.28	623^rd	897	30.5%
2013	36.95	618^th	956	35.4%
2014	30.35	709^th	999	29.0%
2016	35.46	643^rd	997	35.5%
2017	29.70	732^nd	1031	29.0%
2018	30.07	741^st	1035	28.4%
2019	29.61	807^th	1099	26.6%
2021	32.35	774^th	1136	31.9%
2022	23.97	904^th	1148	21.3%
2023	23.13	934^th	1177	20.6%
2024	19.50	1004^th	1196	16.1%

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

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Reviews:
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Enrollment information for Lake Gibson Middle School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	892	197	6	12	1	n/a	n/a	0	1108
1989	950	213	8	13	1	n/a	n/a	0	1185
1990	1055	198	12	27	1	n/a	n/a	0	1293
1991	1125	219	9	36	1	n/a	n/a	0	1390
1992	1159	200	17	44	2	n/a	n/a	0	1422
1993	1140	348	17	49	0	n/a	n/a	0	1554
1994	857	265	14	50	0	n/a	n/a	0	1186
1995	983	238	14	61	1	n/a	n/a	0	1297
1996	983	238	14	61	1	n/a	n/a	0	1297
1997	934	268	19	67	4	n/a	n/a	0	1292
1998	914	252	23	79	4	n/a	n/a	0	1272
1999	927	229	20	82	3	n/a	n/a	0	1261
2000	806	221	15	56	2	n/a	n/a	0	1100
2001	815	204	20	64	1	n/a	n/a	0	1104
2002	803	182	12	84	3	n/a	n/a	0	1084
2003	803	182	12	84	3	n/a	n/a	0	1084
2004	813	164	10	108	4	n/a	n/a	0	1099
2005	801	198	8	106	1	n/a	n/a	0	1114
2006	816	196	12	115	1	n/a	n/a	0	1140
2007	762	188	19	153	2	n/a	n/a	23	1147
2008	787	196	12	142	3	n/a	n/a	29	1169
2009	761	171	8	152	2	n/a	n/a	35	1129
2010	688	179	11	146	2	n/a	n/a	32	1058
2011	701	206	16	240	7	0	45	0	1215
2012	664	239	17	247	7	4	47	0	1225
2013	640	221	17	247	8	4	38	0	1175
2014	602	212	21	246	7	0	38	0	1126
2015	606	211	22	246	5	0	40	0	1130
2016	601	204	18	266	2	1	33	0	1125
2017	589	209	18	295	3	2	39	0	1155
2018	612	244	23	337	4	2	34	0	1256
2019	610	257	18	361	4	2	42	0	1294
2020	592	245	15	373	3	1	46	0	1275
2021	515	232	17	348	2	1	41	0	1156
2022	546	228	22	338	5	2	28	0	1169
2023	529	275	22	367	2	2	21	0	1218

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 Lake Gibson Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1108	49.0	22.6	21
1989	1185	56.0	21.1	23.1
1990	1293	68.0	19.0	0
1991	1390	71.0	19.5	24.8
1992	1422	67.0	21.2	19.3
1993	1554	74.0	21.0	27.5
1994	1186	56.0	21.2	31.6
1995	1297	66.0	19.7	39.8
1996	1297	66.0	19.7	39.8
1997	1292	70.0	18.5	40.4
1998	1272	68.0	18.7	43.2
1999	1261	70.0	18.0	46.1
2000	1100	60.0	18.3	45
2001	1104	63.0	17.5	44.4
2002	1084	58.0	18.7	45.6
2003	1084	58.0	18.7	45.6
2004	1099	62.0	17.7	49.3
2005	1114	64.0	17.4	49
2006	1140	65.0	17.5	49.9
2007	1147	73.0	15.7	52.4
2008	1169	69.5	16.8	24.5
2009	1129	79.3	16.7	51.9
2010	1058	67.0	15.7	60.8
2011	1215	68.0	17.8	64.2
2012	1225	68.0	18.0	70.6
2013	1175	70.0	16.7	69.3
2014	1126	65.0	17.3	68.6
2015	1130	68.0	16.6	69.3
2016	1125	67.0	16.7	54.2
2017	1155	66.0	17.5	48.9
2018	1256	69.0	18.2	47.9
2019	1294	68.0	19.0	45.7
2020	1275	71.0	17.9	43.6
2021	1156	64.0	18.0	51
2022	1169	61.0	19.1	52.9
2023	1218	63.0	19.3	56.1

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 Lake Gibson Middle School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1108	49.0	22.6	21
1989	1185	56.0	21.1	23.1
1990	1293	68.0	19.0	0
1991	1390	71.0	19.5	24.8
1992	1422	67.0	21.2	19.3
1993	1554	74.0	21.0	27.5
1994	1186	56.0	21.2	31.6
1995	1297	66.0	19.7	39.8
1996	1297	66.0	19.7	39.8
1997	1292	70.0	18.5	40.4
1998	1272	68.0	18.7	43.2
1999	1261	70.0	18.0	46.1
2000	1100	60.0	18.3	45
2001	1104	63.0	17.5	44.4
2002	1084	58.0	18.7	45.6
2003	1084	58.0	18.7	45.6
2004	1099	62.0	17.7	49.3
2005	1114	64.0	17.4	49
2006	1140	65.0	17.5	49.9
2007	1147	73.0	15.7	52.4
2008	1169	69.5	16.8	24.5
2009	1129	79.3	16.7	51.9
2010	1058	67.0	15.7	60.8
2011	1215	68.0	17.8	64.2
2012	1225	68.0	18.0	70.6
2013	1175	70.0	16.7	69.3
2014	1126	65.0	17.3	68.6
2015	1130	68.0	16.6	69.3
2016	1125	67.0	16.7	54.2
2017	1155	66.0	17.5	48.9
2018	1256	69.0	18.2	47.9
2019	1294	68.0	19.0	45.7
2020	1275	71.0	17.9	43.6
2021	1156	64.0	18.0	51
2022	1169	61.0	19.1	52.9
2023	1218	63.0	19.3	56.1

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 Lake Gibson Middle School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$889 (13.0%)	$5,953 (87.0%)	$6,842
2019	$900 (12.6%)	$6,224 (87.4%)	$7,124
2020	$739 (10.0%)	$6,636 (90.0%)	$7,375
2021	$952 (12.6%)	$6,580 (87.4%)	$7,532
2022	$1,708 (20.9%)	$6,470 (79.1%)	$8,178
2023	$1,766 (19.8%)	$7,142 (80.2%)	$8,908

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Lake Gibson 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 807^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 934^th of 1177 Middle schools	5.9%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Lake Gibson Middle School)	49	36	13%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	43	5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Lake Gibson Middle School)	47	29	18%
6th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	47	37	10%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Lake Gibson Middle School)	38	33	5%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	42	38	4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Lake Gibson Middle School)	34	35	1%
7th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	39	35	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Lake Gibson Middle School)	39	34	5%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	41	7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Lake Gibson Middle School)	19	15	4%
8th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	35	32	3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Lake Gibson Middle School)	38	32	6%
8th Grade Science (Polk)	41	33	8%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Lake Gibson Middle School)	66	51	15%
End of Course Civics (Polk)	70	65	5%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Lake Gibson Middle School)	77	69	8%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Polk)	51	41	10%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Lake Gibson Middle School)	97	73	24%
End of Course Geometry (Polk)	54	37	17%
End of Course Geometry (Florida)	57	50	7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1294	1218	5.9%
African American	257	275	7%
American Indian	4	2	50%
Asian	18	22	22.2%
Hispanic	361	367	1.7%
Pacific Islander	2	2
White	610	529	13.3%
Two or More Races	42	21	50%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	45.7%	56.1%	10.4%

Schools Near Lake Gibson 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 Biology 1 (2024)	EOC US History (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 English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th 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 Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
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
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
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
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
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
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
Berkley Accelerated	Public, Charter	6-10	5316 Berkley Rd	Auburndale	33823	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 984-2400	623	31	20.0	36.1%	418 (67.1%)	35 (5.6%)	147 (23.6%)	11 (1.8%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	10 (1.6%)	76.9	240^th of 1196 public middle schools	79.9%		77.2	233^rd of 1177 public middle schools	80.2%	7	69.0	69.0	70.0	72.0	81.0	82.0	61.0	47.0	48.0	80.0	59.0	81.0	88.0	82.0	$7,277	$581	$6,695
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
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
Jere L. Stambaugh Middle	Public	6-8	226 Main St N	Auburndale	33823	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 965-5494	1,127	43	26.2	65.0%	446 (39.6%)	198 (17.6%)	444 (39.4%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.2%)	33 (2.9%)	13.8	1068^th of 1196 public middle schools	10.7%		16	1029^th of 1177 public middle schools	12.6%	39	30.0	23.0	25.0			30.0	25.0	19.0	27.0	35.0	82.0			56.0	$8,041	$1,338	$6,702

Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Gibson Middle School

Is Lake Gibson Middle School a good school?

Lake Gibson Middle School ranks in the bottom 16.1% of Florida middle schools.

What is the racial makeup of Lake Gibson Middle School?

Students at Lake Gibson Middle School are 43% White, 30% Hispanic, 23% African American, 2% Asian, 2% Two or more races.

What high school do graduates of Lake Gibson Middle School attend?

Students who attend Lake Gibson Middle School usually go on to attend Lake Gibson Senior High School

What district is Lake Gibson Middle School in?

Polk

How many students attend Lake Gibson Middle School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 1,218 students attended Lake Gibson Middle 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.