Lakeland Highlands Middle School

Summary:

Lakeland Highlands Middle School is a public middle school in Lakeland, Florida, serving 1,265 students in grades 6-8 and part of the Polk County School District, which is ranked 57 out of 68 districts in the state.

Lakeland Highlands Middle School consistently outperforms the Polk County and Florida state averages on standardized tests, with 91% proficiency in EOC/Algebra 1 compared to 42% for Polk County and 55% for Florida. However, the school has seen a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 8.5% in 2019-2020 to 33.1% in 2022-2023, which is notably higher than the state average. The school also has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 35.54% in 2020-2021 to 40.55% in 2022-2023, suggesting a higher proportion of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

When compared to nearby schools, Union Academy, a fellow Polk County school, has consistently higher test scores and a lower chronic absenteeism rate, despite serving a similar demographic. In contrast, Bartow Middle School and Sleepy Hill Middle School, also in Polk County, have lower test scores and higher chronic absenteeism rates than Lakeland Highlands. Additionally, Lakeland Montessori Middle School, a public charter school, outperforms Lakeland Highlands in both test scores and attendance metrics, despite having a smaller student population.


Detail:

Public 6-8

 740 Lake Miriam Dr
       Lakeland, FL  33813


(863) 648-3500

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
583rd of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $7,875 Help


Students who attend Lakeland Highlands Middle School usually attend:

High:    George W. Jenkins Senior High

Feeder schools for Lakeland Highlands Middle School:

Elementary:    Highlands Grove Elementary School
    Scott Lake Elementary School
    Valleyview Elementary School

Student/teacher ratio:  19.3 Help
Number of students:  1,260

Racial breakdown:

White:
48.2%
Hispanic:
28.0%
African American:
16.2%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  49.1% Help


 See top rated Florida middle schools

 Compare Lakeland Highlands Middle School to nearby middle schools!

Performance Trends
Help
Compare Details Lakeland Highlands Middle School ranks better than 51.3% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 9th among 26 ranked middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)
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Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 50.48. (See more...)
Help
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
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Compare Details Student population at Lakeland Highlands Middle School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (48.2%), Hispanic (28%), African American (16.2%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 49.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Lakeland Highlands Middle School is 19.3, which is the 8th best among 26 middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Lakeland Highlands Middle School employs 65 full-time teachers.
Finance
Help
Compare Details The average total spent per student at Lakeland Highlands Middle School is $7,875. 19 middle schools in the Polk School District spend more per student.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Lakeland Highlands Middle School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Lakeland Highlands Middle School 583rd of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Lakeland Highlands Middle School in the ranking list.)

Polk:

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


What do you think?

Your rating for Lakeland Highlands Middle School?

Rank History for Lakeland Highlands Middle School

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 73.37 144th 593 75.7%
2005 70.62 162nd 602 73.1%
2006 70.58 185th 675 72.6%
2007 73.66 187th 736 74.6%
2008 67.18 251st 740 66.1%
2009 66.51 273rd 780 65.0%
2010 65.37 304th 839 63.8%
2011 63.86 335th 891 62.4%
2012 48.44 481st 897 46.4%
2013 51.94 463rd 956 51.6%
2014 45.12 552nd 999 44.7%
2016 54.45 436th 997 56.3%
2017 55.50 450th 1031 56.4%
2018 49.41 525th 1035 49.3%
2019 54.14 501st 1099 54.4%
2021 56.00 466th 1136 59.0%
2022 53.90 492nd 1148 57.1%
2023 45.63 626th 1177 46.8%
2024 50.48 583rd 1196 51.3%
See the entire list of Florida Middle School Rankings!

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

Lakeland Highlands Middle School Test Scores
Tests: 
  
Grades: 
  
Years: 
  
Group by: 
District Scores:
State Scores:    






Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)
100%

0%

0%

0%

0%

  

Reviews:
by a citizen
Monday, June 11, 2012

Open Quote LHMS is a very fine school filled with very talented teachers and a very professional administration. Most teachers come in early to help students in need and stay late for the same purpose. It is not a Title 1 school, so there are no extra funds made available for any extras so as very active Parent Teacher Student Organization sponsors most of the student activities and provides materials for teachers whenever possible.

LHMS is very proud to be an A school for many, many years.

Please call for a for an appointment and come and visit this fine public school. Volunteer and help make it even better.

Thank you,
A concerned citizen Close Quote


by a student
Saturday, January 9, 2010

Open Quote Lakeland Highlands has an excellent Accelerated Program for gifted and well-performing students. The music program is a great experience, and hidden gems can be found all over campus. Students coming out are well-prepared for any high school experience in their future, be it an arts school, an International Baccalaureate program, AP and Honors classes, or a normal public high school. Close Quote



Enrollment information for Lakeland Highlands Middle School

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1988 979 40 6 20 15 n/a n/a 0 1060
1989 970 37 11 27 11 n/a n/a 0 1056
1990 925 49 19 32 3 n/a n/a 0 1028
1991 944 39 18 34 0 n/a n/a 0 1035
1992 988 51 22 37 4 n/a n/a 0 1102
1993 1067 180 27 40 4 n/a n/a 0 1318
1994 808 137 29 36 1 n/a n/a 0 1011
1995 960 243 21 36 1 n/a n/a 0 1261
1996 960 243 21 36 1 n/a n/a 0 1261
1997 984 251 17 43 2 n/a n/a 0 1297
1998 920 218 24 36 2 n/a n/a 0 1200
1999 944 193 18 38 1 n/a n/a 0 1194
2000 767 178 30 36 0 n/a n/a 0 1011
2001 777 168 39 48 0 n/a n/a 0 1032
2002 816 154 33 62 2 n/a n/a 0 1067
2003 816 154 33 62 2 n/a n/a 0 1067
2004 820 154 36 69 3 n/a n/a 0 1082
2005 864 159 33 93 2 n/a n/a 0 1151
2006 859 178 40 112 2 n/a n/a 0 1191
2007 858 178 42 121 4 n/a n/a 26 1229
2008 859 211 37 141 5 n/a n/a 29 1282
2009 866 186 29 146 3 n/a n/a 47 1277
2010 874 184 30 153 2 n/a n/a 43 1286
2011 815 199 34 223 13 0 48 0 1332
2012 758 250 35 237 8 0 49 0 1337
2013 683 211 34 213 12 2 42 0 1197
2014 710 227 40 219 10 2 42 0 1250
2015 692 208 35 224 6 4 48 0 1217
2016 685 206 40 226 5 3 46 0 1211
2017 689 176 43 206 4 3 45 0 1166
2018 697 202 38 250 4 3 32 0 1226
2019 703 213 39 277 2 2 42 0 1278
2020 682 198 35 279 1 1 46 0 1242
2021 603 178 34 258 2 1 41 0 1117
2022 615 181 34 292 2 2 46 0 1172
2023 647 177 34 349 2 1 55 0 1265
2024 607 204 41 353 3 1 51 0 1260

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 Lakeland Highlands Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1060 51.0 20.7 5.9
1989 1056 52.0 20.3 5.7
1990 1028 54.0 19.0 0
1991 1035 57.0 18.1 4.9
1992 1102 54.0 20.4 6.1
1993 1318 69.0 19.1 12.7
1994 1011 48.0 21.1 13.7
1995 1261 58.0 21.7 20.2
1996 1261 58.0 21.7 20.2
1997 1297 60.0 21.6 21
1998 1200 65.0 18.5 20.8
1999 1194 58.0 20.6 24.5
2000 1011 56.0 18.1 22.5
2001 1032 59.0 17.5 23.1
2002 1067 57.0 18.7 21.5
2003 1067 57.0 18.7 21.5
2004 1082 59.0 18.3 25
2005 1151 64.0 18.0 25.6
2006 1191 69.0 17.3 28.2
2007 1229 78.0 15.8 30.6
2008 1282 77.0 16.6 29.4
2009 1277 94.0 16.0 33.2
2010 1286 78.0 16.4 39.2
2011 1332 79.0 16.8 44.3
2012 1337 81.0 16.5 47.2
2013 1197 76.0 15.7 45
2014 1250 66.0 18.9 46.8
2015 1217 66.0 18.4 46.6
2016 1211 66.0 18.3 49.1
2017 1166 66.0 17.6 44.4
2018 1226 66.0 18.5 41.2
2019 1278 68.0 18.7 35.6
2020 1242 69.0 18.0 33.1
2021 1117 71.0 15.7 35.5
2022 1172 69.0 16.9 37.7
2023 1265 64.0 19.7 40.6
2024 1260 65.0 19.3 49.1

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 Lakeland Highlands Middle School

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1988 1060 51.0 20.7 5.9
1989 1056 52.0 20.3 5.7
1990 1028 54.0 19.0 0
1991 1035 57.0 18.1 4.9
1992 1102 54.0 20.4 6.1
1993 1318 69.0 19.1 12.7
1994 1011 48.0 21.1 13.7
1995 1261 58.0 21.7 20.2
1996 1261 58.0 21.7 20.2
1997 1297 60.0 21.6 21
1998 1200 65.0 18.5 20.8
1999 1194 58.0 20.6 24.5
2000 1011 56.0 18.1 22.5
2001 1032 59.0 17.5 23.1
2002 1067 57.0 18.7 21.5
2003 1067 57.0 18.7 21.5
2004 1082 59.0 18.3 25
2005 1151 64.0 18.0 25.6
2006 1191 69.0 17.3 28.2
2007 1229 78.0 15.8 30.6
2008 1282 77.0 16.6 29.4
2009 1277 94.0 16.0 33.2
2010 1286 78.0 16.4 39.2
2011 1332 79.0 16.8 44.3
2012 1337 81.0 16.5 47.2
2013 1197 76.0 15.7 45
2014 1250 66.0 18.9 46.8
2015 1217 66.0 18.4 46.6
2016 1211 66.0 18.3 49.1
2017 1166 66.0 17.6 44.4
2018 1226 66.0 18.5 41.2
2019 1278 68.0 18.7 35.6
2020 1242 69.0 18.0 33.1
2021 1117 71.0 15.7 35.5
2022 1172 69.0 16.9 37.7
2023 1265 64.0 19.7 40.6
2024 1260 65.0 19.3 49.1

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 Lakeland Highlands Middle School

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $294 (4.5%) $6,194 (95.5%) $6,488
2019 $382 (5.7%) $6,354 (94.3%) $6,736
2020 $431 (6.1%) $6,625 (93.9%) $7,055
2021 $657 (8.7%) $6,934 (91.3%) $7,591
2022 $1,464 (17.5%) $6,884 (82.5%) $8,347
2023 $1,125 (14.3%) $6,750 (85.7%) $7,875

Data source: Florida Department of Education
Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Lakeland Highlands 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 501st of 1099 Middle schoolsRanks 626th of 1177 Middle schools
 7.6%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Lakeland Highlands Middle School)5947
 12%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)4843
 5%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5452
 2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Lakeland Highlands Middle School)4754
 7%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Polk)4737
 10%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)5549
 6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Lakeland Highlands Middle School)5348
 5%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)4238
 4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5248
 4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Lakeland Highlands Middle School)4554
 9%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Polk)3935
 4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)5446
 8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Lakeland Highlands Middle School)5950
 9%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)4841
 7%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5649
 7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Lakeland Highlands Middle School)5536
 19%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Polk)3532
 3%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)4642
 4%
8th Grade Science (Lakeland Highlands Middle School)5241
 11%
   8th Grade Science (Polk)4133
 8%
   8th Grade Science (Florida)4844
 4%
End of Course Civics (Lakeland Highlands Middle School)7978
 1%
   End of Course Civics (Polk)7065
 5%
   End of Course Civics (Florida)7166
 5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Lakeland Highlands Middle School)9997
 2%
   End of Course Algebra 1 (Polk)5141
 10%
   End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)6254
 8%
End of Course Geometry (Lakeland Highlands Middle School)10097
 3%
   End of Course Geometry (Polk)5437
 17%
   End of Course Geometry (Florida)5750
 7%

Student Body

Number of students
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
Number of students
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
Total Students12781265
 1%
African American213177
 16.9%
American Indian22
Asian3934
 12.8%
Hispanic277349
 26%
Pacific Islander21
 50%
White703647
 8%
Two or More Races4255
 31%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients35.6%40.6%
 5%


Schools Near Lakeland Highlands Middle School









Frequently Asked Questions about Lakeland Highlands Middle School

Students who attend Lakeland Highlands Middle School usually go on to attend George W. Jenkins Senior High

Students at Lakeland Highlands Middle School are 48% White, 28% Hispanic, 16% African American, 4% Two or more races, 3% Asian.

Lakeland Highlands Middle School ranks 583rd of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,260 students attended Lakeland Highlands 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.





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