Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

Summary:

Lawton Chiles Middle Academy is a public middle school in Lakeland, Florida, serving 649 students in grades 6-8. This school consistently outperforms the Polk County and Florida state averages on standardized tests, including a 71% proficiency rate in Algebra 1 EOC, 99% in Geometry EOC, and 100% in Civics EOC, compared to 42% and 55% for the district and state, respectively.

Lawton Chiles Middle Academy stands out with its low chronic absenteeism rate, ranging from 2.1% to 14.9% over the past few years, and a lower percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, between 27.36% and 32.67%, compared to nearby schools. The school also has higher per-student spending, ranging from $7,884 to $9,583 over the past four years, which contributes to its strong academic performance.

While Polk County is ranked 57th out of 68 districts in Florida, Lawton Chiles Middle Academy is a standout, consistently ranking among the top 25% of Florida middle schools with a 4-star rating from SchoolDigger. The school's diverse student population, with a mix of White, African American, Hispanic, and Asian students, further highlights its inclusive and well-rounded educational environment. Notably, the nearby Lakeland Montessori Middle School is an exceptional performer, ranking among the top 5% of Florida middle schools with a 5-star rating.


Detail:

Public, Magnet 6-8

 400 Florida Ave N
       Lakeland, FL  33801


(863) 499-2742

District: Polk

SchoolDigger Rank:
245th of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures:  $9,583 Help


Student/teacher ratio:  19.0 Help
Number of students:  649

Racial breakdown:

White:
45.9%
African American:
22.0%
Hispanic:
20.8%
more

Free/discounted lunch recipients:  32.7% Help


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Performance Trends
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Compare Details Lawton Chiles Middle Academy ranks better than 79.5% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 3rd 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 76.37. (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 Lawton Chiles Middle Academy is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (45.9%), African American (22%), Hispanic (20.8%). (See more...)
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Compare Details 32.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)
Teachers
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Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Lawton Chiles Middle Academy is 19, which is the 10th best among 26 middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)
Help
Compare Lawton Chiles Middle Academy employs 34 full-time teachers.
Finance
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Compare Details The average total spent per student at Lawton Chiles Middle Academy is $9,583, which is the 7th highest among 26 middle schools in the Polk School District.
Schooldigger Rankings:

Lawton Chiles Middle Academy was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.
SchoolDigger ranks Lawton Chiles Middle Academy 245th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Lawton Chiles Middle Academy in the ranking list.)

Polk:

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


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Rank History for Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

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Compare
Year Avg Standard Score Statewide Rank Total # Ranked Middle Schools FL State Percentile SchoolDigger Rating
2004 95.25 14th 593 97.6%
2005 93.23 21st 602 96.5%
2006 92.12 33rd 675 95.1%
2007 93.40 28th 736 96.2%
2008 93.44 21st 740 97.2%
2009 92.97 27th 780 96.5%
2010 92.86 25th 839 97.0%
2011 92.01 33rd 891 96.3%
2012 93.53 31st 897 96.5%
2013 91.95 42nd 956 95.6%
2014 91.51 53rd 999 94.7%
2016 93.61 42nd 997 95.8%
2017 91.90 69th 1031 93.3%
2018 89.53 95th 1035 90.8%
2019 84.09 154th 1099 86.0%
2021 85.42 127th 1136 88.8%
2022 80.23 200th 1148 82.6%
2023 68.56 340th 1177 71.1%
2024 76.37 245th 1196 79.5%
See the entire list of Florida Middle School Rankings!

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

Lawton Chiles Middle Academy 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:
No reviews have been submitted!


Enrollment information for Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

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Compare
Year White African American Asian Hispanic American Indian Pacific Islander Two or More Races Not Specified Total
1995 370 140 13 12 0 n/a n/a 0 535
1996 370 140 13 12 0 n/a n/a 0 535
1997 363 155 19 11 0 n/a n/a 0 548
1998 372 157 17 8 1 n/a n/a 0 555
1999 380 151 15 5 2 n/a n/a 0 553
2000 390 154 7 4 1 n/a n/a 0 556
2001 373 153 7 5 1 n/a n/a 0 539
2002 375 172 11 7 0 n/a n/a 0 565
2003 375 172 11 7 0 n/a n/a 0 565
2004 391 144 18 11 0 n/a n/a 0 564
2005 382 143 30 11 0 n/a n/a 0 566
2006 365 154 32 20 1 n/a n/a 0 572
2007 370 154 32 17 1 n/a n/a 10 584
2008 352 161 39 20 1 n/a n/a 19 592
2009 403 140 47 36 1 n/a n/a 22 649
2010 402 133 55 40 1 n/a n/a 28 659
2011 371 109 54 94 0 0 27 0 655
2012 377 100 57 88 2 0 28 0 652
2013 371 105 54 87 2 0 30 0 649
2014 379 103 59 76 2 1 30 0 650
2015 377 104 60 90 0 1 28 0 660
2016 372 97 58 107 1 0 20 0 655
2017 328 103 63 132 2 0 20 0 648
2018 321 110 58 143 1 0 18 0 651
2019 312 126 52 142 0 0 17 0 649
2020 307 131 54 141 3 0 15 0 651
2021 321 132 51 134 3 0 9 0 650
2022 295 144 49 127 3 0 18 0 636
2023 298 143 47 135 1 0 25 0 649

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 Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 535 32.0 16.7 18.5
1996 535 32.0 16.7 18.5
1997 548 34.0 16.1 15.9
1998 555 33.0 16.8 15.1
1999 553 32.0 17.3 19.3
2000 556 34.0 16.4 18.2
2001 539 32.0 16.8 19.5
2002 565 30.0 18.8 22.5
2003 565 30.0 18.8 22.5
2004 564 29.0 19.4 20.2
2005 566 32.0 17.7 18.7
2006 572 37.0 15.5 18.9
2007 584 39.0 15.0 15.9
2008 592 38.0 15.6 20.8
2009 649 42.3 18.0 21.4
2010 659 37.0 17.8 22.2
2011 655 38.0 17.2 22.7
2012 652 38.0 17.1 24.7
2013 649 39.0 16.6 23.7
2014 650 37.0 17.5 24.3
2015 660 38.0 17.3 23.5
2016 655 36.0 18.1 30.4
2017 648 36.0 18.0 29.8
2018 651 37.0 17.5 29.2
2019 649 38.0 17.0 26
2020 651 36.0 18.0 24.6
2021 650 37.0 17.5 27.7
2022 636 39.0 16.3 27.4
2023 649 34.0 19.0 32.7

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 Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

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Compare
Year # Students Full-time Teachers Student/Teacher ratio % Free/Discounted Lunch
1995 535 32.0 16.7 18.5
1996 535 32.0 16.7 18.5
1997 548 34.0 16.1 15.9
1998 555 33.0 16.8 15.1
1999 553 32.0 17.3 19.3
2000 556 34.0 16.4 18.2
2001 539 32.0 16.8 19.5
2002 565 30.0 18.8 22.5
2003 565 30.0 18.8 22.5
2004 564 29.0 19.4 20.2
2005 566 32.0 17.7 18.7
2006 572 37.0 15.5 18.9
2007 584 39.0 15.0 15.9
2008 592 38.0 15.6 20.8
2009 649 42.3 18.0 21.4
2010 659 37.0 17.8 22.2
2011 655 38.0 17.2 22.7
2012 652 38.0 17.1 24.7
2013 649 39.0 16.6 23.7
2014 650 37.0 17.5 24.3
2015 660 38.0 17.3 23.5
2016 655 36.0 18.1 30.4
2017 648 36.0 18.0 29.8
2018 651 37.0 17.5 29.2
2019 649 38.0 17.0 26
2020 651 36.0 18.0 24.6
2021 650 37.0 17.5 27.7
2022 636 39.0 16.3 27.4
2023 649 34.0 19.0 32.7

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 Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

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YearExpenditures from Federal FundsExpenditures from State and Local FundsTotal Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018 $327 (4.2%) $7,424 (95.8%) $7,751
2019 $399 (5.0%) $7,553 (95.0%) $7,952
2020 $330 (4.1%) $7,691 (95.9%) $8,021
2021 $556 (7.1%) $7,329 (93.0%) $7,884
2022 $1,465 (15.4%) $8,025 (84.6%) $9,491
2023 $1,426 (14.9%) $8,155 (85.1%) $9,583

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

Impact of COVID-19 on Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

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 154th of 1099 Middle schoolsRanks 340th of 1177 Middle schools
 14.9%

Test Scores

% proficient
Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)
% proficient
Post pandemic (2022-2023)
Change (%)
6th Grade English Language Arts (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)7169
 2%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)4843
 5%
   6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5452
 2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)7767
 10%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Polk)4737
 10%
   6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)5549
 6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)7370
 3%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)4238
 4%
   7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5248
 4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)7464
 10%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Polk)3935
 4%
   7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)5446
 8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)8273
 9%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)4841
 7%
   8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)5649
 7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)5322
 31%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Polk)3532
 3%
   8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)4642
 4%
8th Grade Science (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)7261
 11%
   8th Grade Science (Polk)4133
 8%
   8th Grade Science (Florida)4844
 4%
End of Course Civics (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)9083
 7%
   End of Course Civics (Polk)7065
 5%
   End of Course Civics (Florida)7166
 5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)9886
 12%
   End of Course Algebra 1 (Polk)5141
 10%
   End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)6254
 8%
End of Course Geometry (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)10090
 10%
   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 Students649649
African American126143
 13.5%
American Indian01
Asian5247
 9.6%
Hispanic142135
 4.9%
Pacific Islander00
White312298
 4.5%
Two or More Races1725
 47.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients26%32.7%
 6.6%


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Frequently Asked Questions about Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

In the 2022-23 school year, 649 students attended Lawton Chiles Middle Academy.

Lawton Chiles Middle Academy ranks 245th of 1196 Florida middle schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Students at Lawton Chiles Middle Academy are 46% White, 22% African American, 21% Hispanic, 7% Asian, 4% 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.





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