Very Good
#1259 of 3,778 schools in FL
Top 33% in state
James W. Sikes Elementary School
Elementary School · POLK
2727 SHEPHERD RD, Lakeland, FL 33811
Enrollment
551
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
551
Student-Teacher
14.1:1
Score
7.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#1,259 of 3,778
In Lakeland
#15 of 58
public schools
In district
#32 of 155
POLK
School environment
8.4 / 10
Excellent
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James W. Sikes Elementary School
Elementary School in Lakeland · grades Pre-K – 5th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Brilliant Minds Early Learning Academy
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Limitless Learning Edu
0.9 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About James W. Sikes Elementary School
James W. Sikes Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lakeland, FL, part of POLK. James W.
Sikes Elementary School serves approximately 551 students, and covers grades Pre-K-5th, and has a 14.1:1 student-teacher ratio. James W. Sikes Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.2 out of 10 and ranks #1,259 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for James W. Sikes Elementary School show 57% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 56% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 7.2 · Very Good
- District avg 6.2
- FL avg 6.6
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
James W. Sikes Elementary School — Students at James W. Sikes Elementary School score 60% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 48%).
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 33 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: 6.2/10.
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
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
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. WILLOW OAK SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 1.0 miles away, in nearby Mulberry), which scores notably higher. Another option is SPRINGHEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 7.9/10, 5.0 miles away, in nearby Plant City), which scores slightly higher. Additionally, RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL (rated 7.3/10, 4.5 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 | 8.3 |
| R. BRUCE WAGNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.0 mi | 6.9 |
| MEDULLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.6 mi | 5.8 |
| HARVEST ACADEMY LLC Mulberry | 2.8 mi | 7.9 |
| PURCELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mulberry | 3.4 mi | 4.2 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakeland | 3.6 mi | 5.6 |
| MULBERRY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Mulberry | 3.6 mi | 5.0 |
| SCOTT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 3.5 mi | 7.0 |
| MULBERRY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mulberry | 3.9 mi | 7.8 |
| MULBERRY MIDDLE SCHOOL Mulberry | 4.0 mi | 5.0 |
| LAKELAND HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland | 3.9 mi | 6.2 |
| RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lakeland | 4.5 mi | 7.3 |
| CARLTON PALMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 5.0 mi | 6.1 |
| SPRINGHEAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Plant City | 5.0 mi | 7.9 |
| SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland | 5.5 mi | 3.3 |
| GEORGE W. JENKINS SENIOR HIGH Lakeland | 5.1 mi | 5.6 |
| SOUTHWEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 5.7 mi | 6.5 |
| 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
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| ADDIE R. LEWIS SCHOOL Valparaiso, FL | 7.2 |
| ALLAMANDA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Palm Beach Gardens, FL | 7.2 |
| AMELIA EARHART ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Hialeah, FL | 7.2 |
| BRIDGEPREP ACADEMY OF NORTH MIAMI BEACH North Miami Beach, FL | 7.2 |
| BRYAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Plant City, FL | 7.2 |
| CHAPEL TRAIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Pembroke Pines, FL | 7.2 |
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.
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Neighborhood Context
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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
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 28.9%
- Phone
- (863) 648-3525
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #32 of 155
How we rate schools
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