For the 2026 school year, there are 21 public middle schools serving 10,800 students in Lakeland, FL.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Lakeland, FL are Magnolia Montessori Academy, Lakeland Montessori School House and Mckeel Academy Of Technology. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lakeland, FL public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 43% (versus the Florida public middle school average of 55%), and reading proficiency score of 45% (versus the 52% statewide average). Middle schools in Lakeland have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Florida public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public middle school average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Lakeland, FL (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Magnolia Montessori Academy
Charter School
(Math: 80-84% | Reading: 85-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
815 S Central Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 797-4991
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 797-4991
Gr: K-8 | 182 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Rank: #22.
Lakeland Montessori School House
Charter School
(Math: 80-89% | Reading: 80-89%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 5%10
1124 Lake Parker Ave N
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 413-0003
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 413-0003
Gr: K-8 | 129 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #33.
Mckeel Academy Of Technology
Charter School
(Math: 81% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
1810 Parker St W
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 499-2818
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 499-2818
Gr: 7-12 | 1,750 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #44.
Lawton Chiles Middle Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 71%)
Rank:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
400 Florida Ave N
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2742
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2742
Gr: 6-8 | 704 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #55.
Rochelle School Of The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1501 Martin L King Jr Ave
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 499-2810
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 499-2810
Gr: PK-8 | 762 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #66.
Lakeland Highlands Middle School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
740 Lake Miriam Dr
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 648-3500
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 648-3500
Gr: 6-8 | 1,118 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #77.
Polk Full Time Eschool
(Math: 33% | Reading: 53%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
604 S Central Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 354-3999
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 354-3999
Gr: K-12 | 429 students Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #88.
Mi Escuela Montessori
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2130 E Edgewood Dr, Ste 1
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 934-2780
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 934-2780
Gr: PK-7 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #99.
Rosabelle W. Blake Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
510 Hartsell Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 499-2870
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 499-2870
Gr: PK-8 | 562 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1010.
Maynard A Traviss Technical Academy
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3225 Winter Lake Rd
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2700
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2700
Gr: 6-12 | 151 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 50%
Rank: #1111.
Polk Virtual Instruction Program
(Math: 21-39% | Reading: 40-49%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
604 S Central Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 354-3999
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 354-3999
Gr: K-12 | 17 students Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1212.
Lake Gibson Middle School
(Math: 33% | Reading: 36%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
6901 Socrum Loop Rd N
Lakeland, FL 33809
(863) 853-6151
Lakeland, FL 33809
(863) 853-6151
Gr: 6-8 | 1,149 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #1313.
Southwest Middle School
(Math: 25% | Reading: 34%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
2815 Eden Pkwy
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2840
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2840
Gr: 6-8 | 746 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #1414.
Sleepy Hill Middle School
(Math: 29% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2215 Sleepy Hill Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 815-6577
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 815-6577
Gr: 6-8 | 886 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #1515.
Crystal Lake Middle School
Magnet School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
2410 Crystal Lake Dr N
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2970
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2970
Gr: 6-8 | 753 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1616.
Kathleen Middle School
(Math: 28% | Reading: 30%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3627 Kathleen Pnes
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 853-6040
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 853-6040
Gr: 6-8 | 742 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 66%
Rank: #1717.
Pace Center For Girls
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤20%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
213 Tyler Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 688-5596
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 688-5596
Gr: 6-12 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1818.
Doris A. Sanders Learning Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1201 Enchanted Dr
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2980
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2980
Gr: PK-12 | 84 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1919.
Bill Duncan Opportunity Center
Alternative School
(Math: ≤20% | Reading: ≤10% )
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
3333 Winter Lake Rd
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2860
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2860
Gr: 6-12 | 87 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #2020.
Real Academy (Reaching Every Adolescent Learner)
Alternative School
(Math: 6-9% | Reading: 6-9%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
951 Mount Airy Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 534-0500
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 534-0500
Gr: 4-12 | 215 students Student-teacher ratio: 10:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Lakeland, FL?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Lakeland, FL include Magnolia Montessori Academy, Lakeland Montessori School House and Mckeel Academy Of Technology.
How many public middle schools are located in Lakeland?
21 public middle schools are located in Lakeland.
What is the racial composition of students in Lakeland?
Lakeland public middle schools minority enrollment is 59% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public middle schools average of 66% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Lakeland are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Lakeland include: Sleepy Hill Middle School vs. Kathleen Middle School, Kathleen Middle School vs. Sleepy Hill Middle School, Southwest Middle School vs. Lakeland Highlands Middle School
Recent Articles
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.
