Lake Gibson Senior High School

Q: Is Lake Gibson Senior High School a good school?

Lake Gibson Senior High School ranks 544 th of 807 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Lake Gibson Senior High School is a public high school located in Lakeland, Florida, serving around 2,080 students in grades 9-12 and part of the Polk School District, which is ranked 57 out of 68 districts in the state.

While the school has seen a decline in its four-year graduation rates, dropping from 97.7% in 2019-2020 to 86.0% in 2022-2023, which is lower than the state and district averages, it has also experienced a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 13.7% to 51.6% over the same period. Additionally, Lake Gibson Senior High School consistently underperforms compared to the Polk district and the state of Florida in various standardized tests, including EOC (End of Course) exams and FAST (Florida Assessment of Student Thinking) assessments, with proficiency rates in Algebra 1 (16%), Geometry (37%), and 10th grade English Language Arts (40%) significantly lower than the state and district averages. The school also has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 46.15% to 49.38% over the past three school years, which is higher than the state and district averages.

When comparing Lake Gibson Senior High School to other nearby high schools in the Polk district, such as Lakeland Senior High School and McKeel Academy of Technology, both within a 7-mile radius, it becomes evident that the school is underperforming in several key areas. The analysis of Lake Gibson Senior High School's performance over the past several years also reveals a concerning trend of declining academic achievement and student engagement, with the school's statewide ranking dropping from 438 out of 716 Florida high schools in 2017-2018 to 544 out of 807 in 2023-2024, with a consistent 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Detail:

Public 9-12

7007 Socrum Loop Rd N
Lakeland, FL 33809

(863) 853-6100

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
544^th of 807 Florida High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,393

Feeder schools for Lake Gibson Senior High School:

Elementary:	Edgar L. Padgett Elementary
	North Lakeland Elementary School Of Choice
	Socrum Elementary School
	Wendell Watson Elementary School
Middle:	Lake Gibson Middle School

Student/teacher ratio: 22.8

Number of students: 2,080

Racial breakdown:

White:

40.6%

Hispanic:

31.4%

African American:

23.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 49.4%

See top rated Florida high schools

Compare Lake Gibson Senior High School to nearby high schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Lake Gibson Senior High School ranks worse than 67.4% of high schools in Florida. It also ranks 11^th among 26 ranked high schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 29.93. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Lake Gibson Senior High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

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 Senior High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (40.6%), Hispanic (31.4%), African American (23.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 49.4% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Lake Gibson Senior High School is 22.8. 22 high schools in the Polk School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Lake Gibson Senior High School employs 91 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Lake Gibson Senior High School is $8,393. 19 high schools in the Polk School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

SchoolDigger ranks Lake Gibson Senior High School 544^th of 807 Florida public high schools. (See Lake Gibson Senior High 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 Lake Gibson Senior High School.

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Rank History for Lake Gibson Senior High School

Compare

Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	42.27	310^th	484	36.0%
2005	54.28	237^th	487	51.3%
2006	41.87	299^th	477	37.3%
2007	54.50	261^st	563	53.6%
2008	54.54	274^th	577	52.5%
2009	55.49	283^rd	587	51.8%
2010	51.85	335^th	620	46.0%
2011	43.04	391^st	622	37.1%
2012	26.96	433^rd	606	28.5%
2013	36.11	410^th	648	36.7%
2014	29.44	488^th	687	29.0%
2016	23.24	513^th	693	26.0%
2017	25.95	484^th	714	32.2%
2018	33.38	438^th	716	38.8%
2019	27.76	504^th	734	31.3%
2021	27.90	486^th	746	34.9%
2022	28.47	514^th	774	33.6%
2023	24.95	552^nd	792	30.3%
2024	29.93	544^th	807	32.6%

See the entire list of Florida High 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: 4)

100%

Reviews:

by a student
Tuesday, June 7, 2011

The school is great. There are many clubs and after school activities available to all students. The teachers stay long after school is out to help kids study or make up work. Also, there are a myriad of classes available ranging from Business and Comm Tech to Agriculture and Culinary. Although Lake Gibson does not have the best reputation I love and am proud to go to this school. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Lake Gibson Senior High School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1988	1218	188	5	13	2	n/a	n/a	0	1426
1989	1242	184	15	16	1	n/a	n/a	0	1458
1990	1304	172	15	29	4	n/a	n/a	0	1524
1991	1291	190	24	37	5	n/a	n/a	0	1547
1992	1278	209	24	51	6	n/a	n/a	0	1568
1993	1284	207	22	56	4	n/a	n/a	0	1573
1994	1370	284	27	77	2	n/a	n/a	0	1760
1995	1244	299	28	95	3	n/a	n/a	0	1669
1996	1244	299	28	95	3	n/a	n/a	0	1669
1997	1189	299	31	87	2	n/a	n/a	0	1608
1998	1249	291	23	76	1	n/a	n/a	0	1640
1999	1217	298	25	88	1	n/a	n/a	0	1629
2000	1215	267	25	90	3	n/a	n/a	0	1600
2001	1222	280	29	102	3	n/a	n/a	0	1636
2002	1230	260	33	140	4	n/a	n/a	0	1667
2003	1230	260	33	140	4	n/a	n/a	0	1667
2004	1239	281	33	153	4	n/a	n/a	0	1710
2005	1329	306	28	182	5	n/a	n/a	0	1850
2006	1452	389	39	230	7	n/a	n/a	0	2117
2007	1395	361	25	262	7	n/a	n/a	31	2081
2008	1423	398	26	320	7	n/a	n/a	45	2219
2009	1263	372	28	277	8	n/a	n/a	42	1990
2010	1194	362	31	265	7	n/a	n/a	50	1909
2011	1088	347	31	313	10	1	62	0	1852
2012	1025	355	30	338	8	2	52	0	1810
2013	999	346	30	362	8	1	57	0	1803
2014	989	345	25	372	4	2	58	0	1795
2015	943	398	23	393	6	2	69	0	1834
2016	884	430	34	440	10	3	65	0	1866
2017	882	407	31	448	11	0	52	0	1831
2018	856	401	36	458	12	1	52	0	1816
2019	827	397	35	506	8	1	44	0	1818
2020	805	427	33	536	9	2	53	0	1865
2021	848	451	32	575	7	1	60	0	1974
2022	875	451	31	628	4	1	60	0	2050
2023	844	487	29	653	10	1	56	0	2080

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 Senior High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1426	83.0	17.1	11.4
1989	1458	93.0	15.6	13.1
1990	1524	90.0	16.9	0
1991	1547	93.0	16.6	14.5
1992	1568	94.0	16.6	14.3
1993	1573	89.0	17.7	15.4
1994	1760	93.0	18.9	17.2
1995	1669	83.0	20.1	22.3
1996	1669	83.0	20.1	22.3
1997	1608	87.0	18.5	22.3
1998	1640	88.0	18.6	22
1999	1629	87.0	18.7	23
2000	1600	91.0	17.6	24.9
2001	1636	94.0	17.4	22.4
2002	1667	83.0	20.1	30.2
2003	1667	83.0	20.1	30.2
2004	1710	84.0	20.4	31.3
2005	1850	90.0	20.6	28
2006	2117	113.0	18.7	37.7
2007	2081	113.0	18.4	41.5
2008	2219	119.0	18.6	19.5
2009	1990	126.3	18.5	41.8
2010	1909	105.0	18.1	47.7
2011	1852	108.0	17.1	51.2
2012	1810	104.0	17.4	54.1
2013	1803	100.0	18.0	51.2
2014	1795	97.0	18.5	55.4
2015	1834	92.0	19.9	55.5
2016	1866	94.0	19.8	57.4
2017	1831	92.0	19.9	40.4
2018	1816	89.0	20.4	37.6
2019	1818	87.0	20.8	37.6
2020	1865	86.0	21.6	39.3
2021	1974	83.0	23.7	46.1
2022	2050	91.0	22.5	47.3
2023	2080	91.0	22.8	49.4

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 Senior High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1988	1426	83.0	17.1	11.4
1989	1458	93.0	15.6	13.1
1990	1524	90.0	16.9	0
1991	1547	93.0	16.6	14.5
1992	1568	94.0	16.6	14.3
1993	1573	89.0	17.7	15.4
1994	1760	93.0	18.9	17.2
1995	1669	83.0	20.1	22.3
1996	1669	83.0	20.1	22.3
1997	1608	87.0	18.5	22.3
1998	1640	88.0	18.6	22
1999	1629	87.0	18.7	23
2000	1600	91.0	17.6	24.9
2001	1636	94.0	17.4	22.4
2002	1667	83.0	20.1	30.2
2003	1667	83.0	20.1	30.2
2004	1710	84.0	20.4	31.3
2005	1850	90.0	20.6	28
2006	2117	113.0	18.7	37.7
2007	2081	113.0	18.4	41.5
2008	2219	119.0	18.6	19.5
2009	1990	126.3	18.5	41.8
2010	1909	105.0	18.1	47.7
2011	1852	108.0	17.1	51.2
2012	1810	104.0	17.4	54.1
2013	1803	100.0	18.0	51.2
2014	1795	97.0	18.5	55.4
2015	1834	92.0	19.9	55.5
2016	1866	94.0	19.8	57.4
2017	1831	92.0	19.9	40.4
2018	1816	89.0	20.4	37.6
2019	1818	87.0	20.8	37.6
2020	1865	86.0	21.6	39.3
2021	1974	83.0	23.7	46.1
2022	2050	91.0	22.5	47.3
2023	2080	91.0	22.8	49.4

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 Senior High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$265 (4.1%)	$6,176 (95.9%)	$6,441
2019	$403 (6.0%)	$6,265 (94.0%)	$6,668
2020	$379 (5.4%)	$6,650 (94.6%)	$7,028
2021	$492 (7.5%)	$6,071 (92.5%)	$6,563
2022	$1,392 (17.6%)	$6,513 (82.4%)	$7,905
2023	$1,286 (15.3%)	$7,107 (84.7%)	$8,393

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Lake Gibson Senior High 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 504^th of 734 High schools	Ranks 552^nd of 792 High schools	1%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
9th Grade English Language Arts (Lake Gibson Senior High School)	40	40
9th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	45	44	1%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	55	51	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Lake Gibson Senior High School)	37	37
10th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	42	38	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	53	49	4%
End of Course Biology 1 (Lake Gibson Senior High School)	57	49	8%
End of Course Biology 1 (Polk)	54	50	4%
End of Course Biology 1 (Florida)	67	63	4%
End of Course US History (Lake Gibson Senior High School)	58	47	11%
End of Course US History (Polk)	58	50	8%
End of Course US History (Florida)	70	63	7%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Lake Gibson Senior High School)	21	17	4%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Polk)	51	41	10%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Lake Gibson Senior High School)	27	25	2%
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	1818	2080	14.4%
African American	397	487	22.7%
American Indian	8	10	25%
Asian	35	29	17.1%
Hispanic	506	653	29.1%
Pacific Islander	1	1
White	827	844	2.1%
Two or More Races	44	56	27.3%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	37.6%	49.4%	11.8%

Schools Near Lake Gibson Senior High 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 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th 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 Senior High School	Public	9-12	7007 Socrum Loop Rd N	Lakeland	33809	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 853-6100	2,080	91	22.8	49.4%	844 (40.6%)	487 (23.4%)	653 (31.4%)	29 (1.4%)	10 (0.5%)	1 (0.0%)	56 (2.7%)	29.9	544^th of 807 public high schools	32.6%		25	552^nd of 792 public high schools	30.3%	8			37.0	40.0				16.0	37.0	69.0	55.0		$8,393	$1,286	$7,107
Kathleen Senior High School	Public	9-12	1100 Red Devil Way	Lakeland	33815	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 499-2655	2,051	92	22.2	58.8%	639 (31.2%)	485 (23.6%)	848 (41.3%)	20 (1.0%)	8 (0.4%)	2 (0.1%)	49 (2.4%)	23.3	609^th of 807 public high schools	24.5%		21.4	591^st of 792 public high schools	25.4%	18			34.0	39.0				13.0	22.0	50.0	54.0		$9,249	$1,606	$7,643
Eckerd Connects Strive Academy	Public	6-12	1140 N Combree Rd	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(863) 413-2948	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
McKeel Academy Of Technology	Public, Charter	7-12	1810 Parker St W	Lakeland	33815	Polk County	Polk	Yes	No	No	No	(863) 499-2818	1,727	77	22.4	35.0%	1,136 (65.8%)	132 (7.6%)	364 (21.1%)	58 (3.4%)	4 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	32 (1.9%)	80.8	64^th of 807 public high schools	92.1%		80.3	69^th of 792 public high schools	91.3%	5	78.0	70.0	68.0	80.0	84.0	84.0	63.0	73.0	86.0	92.0	82.0	94.0	$6,634	$1,152	$5,482
Pace Center For Girls	Public	6-12	213 Tyler Ave	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 688-5596	49	6	8.1	71.4%	26 (53.1%)	14 (28.6%)	9 (18.4%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)								(n/a)
Lakeland Senior High School	Public	9-12	726 Hollingsworth Rd	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 499-2900	2,043	102	20.0	44.5%	877 (42.9%)	483 (23.6%)	555 (27.2%)	40 (2.0%)	8 (0.4%)	3 (0.1%)	77 (3.8%)	45.2	360^th of 807 public high schools	55.4%		40.7	381^st of 792 public high schools	51.9%	21			55.0	54.0				17.0	40.0	60.0	71.0		$8,113	$1,251	$6,862
Tenoroc High School	Public	9-12	4905 Saddle Creek Rd	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 614-9183	1,127	51	22.0	63.2%	444 (39.4%)	198 (17.6%)	445 (39.5%)	3 (0.3%)	2 (0.2%)	2 (0.2%)	33 (2.9%)	21.3	631^st of 807 public high schools	21.8%		20.4	597^th of 792 public high schools	24.6%	34			35.0	29.0				16.0	19.0	45.0	59.0		$9,773	$1,621	$8,152
Polk Grad Academy	Public	9-12	910 Lowry Ave	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 413-2948	34	0		61.8%	12 (35.3%)	9 (26.5%)	8 (23.5%)	1 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (11.8%)								(n/a)
Polk Virtual Franchise	Public, Virtual	6-12	604 S. Central Ave	Lakeland	33815	Polk County	Polk	No	No	Yes	No	(863) 354-3999	0	17	.0		0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Fresh Start Community School	Public	10-12	910 Lowry Ave	Lakeland	33801	Polk County	Polk	No	No	No	No	(863) 419-3486	154	5	30.8	54.5%	29 (18.8%)	32 (20.8%)	82 (53.2%)	4 (2.6%)	1 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	6 (3.9%)								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Lake Gibson Senior High School

Lake Gibson Senior High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Edgar L. Padgett Elementary
Elementary : North Lakeland Elementary School Of Choice
Elementary : Socrum Elementary School
Elementary : Wendell Watson Elementary School
Middle : Lake Gibson Middle School

Lake Gibson Senior High School

Polk:

Average Rating:

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Rank History for Lake Gibson Senior High School

Review counts

Enrollment information for Lake Gibson Senior High School

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Lake Gibson Senior High School

Student/Teacher Ratio Lake Gibson Senior High School

Per Pupil Expenditures for Lake Gibson Senior High School

Impact of COVID-19 on Lake Gibson Senior High School

Rankings

Test Scores

Student Body

Schools Near Lake Gibson Senior High School

Lake Gibson Senior High School

Kathleen Senior High School

Eckerd Connects Strive Academy

McKeel Academy Of Technology

Pace Center For Girls

Lakeland Senior High School

Tenoroc High School

Polk Grad Academy

Polk Virtual Franchise

Fresh Start Community School

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