Best Public Schools in Zip Code 33803

The 33803 zip code area of Lakeland, Florida is home to 11 schools, including 6 elementary schools, 1 middle school, and 4 high schools. This diverse set of institutions serves a wide range of students, with varying levels of academic performance and resources. While some schools, such as South McKeel Academy and Magnolia Montessori Academy, consistently rank among the top schools in the state, others, like Southwest Middle School and Dixieland Elementary School, struggle with lower proficiency rates and higher chronic absenteeism.

The top-performing schools in the area, such as South McKeel Academy and Magnolia Montessori Academy, consistently outperform the Polk district and state averages in English Language Arts and Math proficiency. These high-achieving schools also boast impressive graduation rates, with Magnolia Montessori Academy achieving a 95.1% four-year graduation rate. In contrast, the lower-performing schools, such as Bill Duncan Opportunity Center, struggle with proficiency rates well below the district and state levels, as well as alarmingly high chronic absenteeism rates.

The data also reveals disparities in funding and resources among the schools, with the highest spending per student at Southwest Elementary School ($13,291) and the lowest at Polk State College Collegiate High School ($7,309). These differences in funding and resources likely contribute to the varying levels of academic performance observed across the schools in the 33803 zip code area.