Very Good
#621 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 16% in state
James W. Sikes Elementary School
Elementary School · POLK
2727 SHEPHERD RD, Lakeland, FL 33811
Enrollment
551
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
551
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.9
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lakeland
#10 of 58
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#571 of 2,196
In district
#20 of 155
POLK
Academic growth
9.1 / 10
Exceptional
About James W. Sikes Elementary School
James W. Sikes Elementary School serves 551 students in prekindergarten through fifth grade in Lakeland's suburban community. With 39 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 14.1:1, allowing for more individualized attention in the classroom.
Academically, James W. Sikes performs well above average, earning a 7.4 out of 10 rating and ranking in the 76th percentile statewide at #910 out of 3,816 Florida elementary schools. Students demonstrate solid academic achievement with 58% reaching proficiency or above in English Language Arts and reading, while 61% meet or exceed proficiency standards in mathematics.
The school draws families from the surrounding 33811 zip code area, where the median household income is $83,043 and median home values reach $260,900. This established community shows strong educational values, with 31% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher and maintaining a low poverty rate of just 6.1%. Located on Shepherd Road in Lakeland, James W.
Sikes Elementary sits in the heart of Polk County's large suburban landscape, serving families in a stable, middle-class neighborhood that prioritizes educational achievement and community involvement.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
Data not available for this school
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James W. Sikes Elementary School — Students at James W. Sikes Elementary School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
57.7%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 9.1/10.
How James W. Sikes Elementary School Compares
See how James W. Sikes Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 39% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 52% (2019) to 41% (2021).
Location
2727 SHEPHERD RD, Lakeland, FL 33811
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering James W. Sikes Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. SCOTT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 3.5 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is R. BRUCE WAGNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 2.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SOUTHWEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 5.7 miles away), with a very similar rating. For more schools in Lakeland, see our Lakeland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 5.7 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| BRILLIANT MINDS EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY Mulberry | 0.3 mi | 6.5 |
| LIMITLESS LEARNING EDU Lakeland | 0.9 mi | — |
| WILLOW OAK SCHOOL Mulberry | 1.0 mi | 7.6 |
| R. BRUCE WAGNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.0 mi | 8.0 |
| MEDULLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.6 mi | 5.5 |
| HARVEST ACADEMY LLC Mulberry | 2.8 mi | 7.9 |
| PURCELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mulberry | 3.4 mi | 7.2 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakeland | 3.6 mi | 5.6 |
| MULBERRY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Mulberry | 3.6 mi | 3.4 |
| SCOTT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 3.5 mi | 8.3 |
| MULBERRY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mulberry | 3.9 mi | 7.8 |
| MULBERRY MIDDLE SCHOOL Mulberry | 4.0 mi | 4.6 |
| LAKELAND HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland | 3.9 mi | 5.8 |
| RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lakeland | 4.5 mi | 7.3 |
| CARLTON PALMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 5.0 mi | 5.1 |
| SPRINGHEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Plant City | 5.0 mi | 7.4 |
| SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland | 5.5 mi | 5.1 |
| GEORGE W. JENKINS SENIOR HIGH Lakeland | 5.1 mi | 4.6 |
| SOUTHWEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 5.7 mi | 8.0 |
| THE CYGNET SCHOOL Lakeland | 5.7 mi | 4.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33811 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$85,821
Median Home Value
$289,800
Median Rent
$1,256/mo
Population
28,456
College Educated
31.6%
Homeownership
76.6%
Avg Commute
26.4 min
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Median Age
36.7
Community Profile
The community surrounding James W. Sikes Elementary School has a median household income of $85,821. It is an area where 32% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $289,800, with a median rent of $1,256/month. The local poverty rate of 6.5% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 26 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ACADEMIR CHARTER SCHOOL WEST Miami, FL | 7.9 |
| AVALON ELEMENTARY Orlando, FL | 7.9 |
| BERKLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Auburndale, FL | 7.9 |
| BROOKSHIRE ELEMENTARY Winter Park, FL | 7.9 |
| CENTRAL PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Plantation, FL | 7.9 |
| COQUINA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Titusville, FL | 7.9 |
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 is ranked #621 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is James W. Sikes Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
James W. Sikes Elementary School has a composite rating of 7.9 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at James W. Sikes Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, James W. Sikes Elementary School has 56.4% math proficiency and 53.4% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 551
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.1:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 39
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 57.7%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (863) 648-3525
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #20 of 155
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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