Very Good
#1259 of 3,778 schools in FL
Top 33% in state
James W. Sikes Elementary School
Elementary School · Polk · Lakeland, FL
A Polk elementary school where students score 12 points above what's typical for similar communities.
2727 SHEPHERD RD, Lakeland, FL 33811
- Math 61% vs FL 58% (2024)
- Reading 58% vs FL 54% (2024)
- 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at James W. Sikes Elementary School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
2024 FAST proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. FL average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 16-year record (2009–2024), then recovered 20 points since 2020, reaching 60% in 2024.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 57% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 56% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 33 test records from FL state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
57.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where James W. Sikes Elementary School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries.
Getting around & local context
- Walk 30Car-Dependent
- Bike 34Somewhat Bikeable
- County Safety: Average575/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · county context, not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. A newer release may be available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$85,821
Median home value
$289,800
Median rent
$1,256/mo
College educated
31.6%
Homeownership
76.6%
Poverty rate
6.5%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 33811; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brilliant Minds Early Learning AcademyPrivate · tuition | 6.5private | PK–5 | 0.3 mi | 50 | Compare → |
| Limitless Learning EduPrivate · tuition | Not rated | 1–9 | 0.9 mi | 7 | Compare → |
| Willow Oak SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 8.3 | PK–5 | 1.0 mi | 902 | Compare → |
| Berkley Elementary SchoolCharter · enrollment unverified | 8.8 | PK–5 | Not available | 696 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Public and private scores come from different models and are shown side by side, not blended into one ranking.
Polk
- Schools in district
- 167
- Rank in district
- #32 of 155
- District spending per student
- $11,242NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 17.0%Census SAIPE · 2024
James W. Sikes Elementary School is listed in POLK; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About James W. Sikes Elementary School
James W. Sikes Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lakeland, FL, part of Polk, serving approximately 551 students in grades Pre-K-5th with a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,259 of 3,778 schools in FL.
State assessment records show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about James W. Sikes Elementary School
What grades does James W. Sikes Elementary School serve?
James W. Sikes Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend James W. Sikes Elementary School?
James W. Sikes Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 551 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at James W. Sikes Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at James W. Sikes Elementary School is 14.1:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does James W. Sikes Elementary School rank in FL?
James W. Sikes Elementary School ranks #1,259 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is James W. Sikes Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
James W. Sikes Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at James W. Sikes Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, James W. Sikes Elementary School has 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is James W. Sikes Elementary School a charter school?
No, James W. Sikes Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is James W. Sikes Elementary School a Title I school?
No, James W. Sikes Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for James W. Sikes Elementary School?
57.7% of students at James W. Sikes Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 551
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.9%
- Phone
- (863) 648-3525
- Area population (ZIP 33811)
- 28,456
- Area average commute
- 26.4 min
- Area median age
- 36.7
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 FAST · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 FAST. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 FAST · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 FAST. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 33811; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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