Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

Q: Is Lawton Chiles Middle Academy a good school?

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

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:
245^th of 1,196 Florida Middle Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $9,583

Student/teacher ratio: 19.0

Number of students: 649

Racial breakdown:

White:

45.9%

African American:

22.0%

Hispanic:

20.8%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 32.7%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Lawton Chiles Middle Academy ranks better than 79.5% of middle schools in Florida. It also ranks 3^rd among 26 ranked middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 76.37. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a high 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 Lawton Chiles Middle Academy is diverse. Racial makeup is: White (45.9%), African American (22%), Hispanic (20.8%). (See more...)

Compare Details 32.7% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Lawton Chiles Middle Academy is 19, which is the 10^th best among 26 middle schools in the Polk School District. (See more...)

Compare Lawton Chiles Middle Academy employs 34 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Lawton Chiles Middle Academy is $9,583, which is the 7^th 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 245^th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Lawton Chiles Middle Academy in the ranking list.)

Polk:

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

Average Parent Rating:

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Rank History for Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

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

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

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

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Enrollment information for Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

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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

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

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

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total 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 154^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 340^th 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)	71	69	2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	43	5%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)	77	67	10%
6th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	47	37	10%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)	73	70	3%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	42	38	4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)	74	64	10%
7th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	39	35	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)	82	73	9%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Polk)	48	41	7%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)	53	22	31%
8th Grade Mathematics (Polk)	35	32	3%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)	72	61	11%
8th Grade Science (Polk)	41	33	8%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
End of Course Civics (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)	90	83	7%
End of Course Civics (Polk)	70	65	5%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)	98	86	12%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Polk)	51	41	10%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Lawton Chiles Middle Academy)	100	90	10%
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	649	649
African American	126	143	13.5%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	52	47	9.6%
Hispanic	142	135	4.9%
Pacific Islander	0	0
White	312	298	4.5%
Two or More Races	17	25	47.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	26%	32.7%	6.6%

Schools Near Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

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 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 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 Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Marshall Middle Magnet School	Public, Magnet	6-8	18 S Maryland Ave	Plant City	33563	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	Yes	No	Yes	(813) 757-9360	1,089	52	21.1	69.1%	324 (29.8%)	134 (12.3%)	584 (53.6%)	9 (0.8%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	37 (3.4%)	32.9	824^th of 1196 public middle schools	31.1%		29.1	854^th of 1177 public middle schools	27.4%	30	50.0	39.0	38.0	38.0	18.0	55.0	29.0	74.0		51.0	$8,224	$1,854	$6,370
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 Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

What is the racial makeup of Lawton Chiles Middle Academy?

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

What district is Lawton Chiles Middle Academy in?

Polk

How many students attend Lawton Chiles Middle Academy?

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

Is Lawton Chiles Middle Academy a good school?

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

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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.