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Below Average

#3337 of 3,777 schools in FL

Kathleen Middle School

Middle School · POLK

3627 KATHLEEN PNES, Lakeland, FL 33810

Enrollment

835

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

4.7

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lakeland

#51 of 58

public schools

Florida middle schools

#515 of 573

In district

#129 of 155

POLK

About Kathleen Middle School

Kathleen Middle School serves grades 6 through 8 in Lakeland, located in the large suburban area of Polk County. The school enrolls 835 students with a student-teacher ratio of 18.2 to 1, supported by 46 full-time equivalent teachers. Academically, Kathleen Middle is working to improve student performance.

Currently, about 29 percent of students score at proficient levels or above in English Language Arts, while 30 percent meet proficiency standards in math. The school ranks in the lower percentile statewide, indicating there is significant room for academic growth. With this profile, families choosing Kathleen Middle should be prepared to supplement classroom instruction with additional support at home or through tutoring services.

The school serves as a traditional public middle school in an established suburban community, making it accessible to families throughout the Lakeland area.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.5Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.2 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics4.1Below Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28%
Reading/ELA Proficiency28%
Math vs. State Avg-27.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-26.4 pts
Overall Proficiency28%
Expected (poverty-adj.)35%
vs. Expected-6.8 pts
Adjusted Percentile21th
Resources & Environment5.7Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,952

Kathleen Middle School — Students at Kathleen Middle School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 35%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

77.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 30.4%
School
State
52.5%
ELA Proficiency 29.4%
School
State
51.8%

Based on 10 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
40%
ELA
38%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
28%
2024
Math
28%
ELA
27%

* 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: 4.5/10.

How Kathleen Middle School Compares

See how Kathleen Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
4.7/10
12th percentile in FL
Academic
4.1/10
4.1/10
Growth
4.5/10
Below average
Environment
5.7/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers

Location

3627 KATHLEEN PNES, Lakeland, FL 33810

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Kathleen Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. LAKE GIBSON MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.0/10, 4.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SLEEPY HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.2/10, 2.8 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lakeland, see our Lakeland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.5 mi
School Distance Rating
KATHLEEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 0.1 mi 7.3
DR. NE ROBERTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 2.0 mi 6.0
R. CLEM CHURCHWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 2.5 mi 4.5
SLEEPY HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 2.6 mi 7.0
SLEEPY HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland 2.8 mi 4.2
SOCRUM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 3.0 mi 5.6
GRIFFIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 3.2 mi 7.2
ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lakeland 3.0 mi 7.3
SPARROW ACADEMY Lakeland 3.6 mi 7.4
EDGAR L. PADGETT ELEMENTARY Lakeland 3.9 mi 5.7
LAKE GIBSON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Lakeland 4.0 mi 5.0
HEAD OF THE CLASS LEARNING CENTER Lakeland 4.3 mi 5.4
LAKE GIBSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland 4.0 mi 5.0
WINSTON ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING Lakeland 4.8 mi 7.4
KATHLEEN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Lakeland 4.9 mi 4.2
NORTH LAKELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF CHOICE Lakeland 4.6 mi 5.4
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH ACADEMY Lakeland 5.3 mi 6.2
LINCOLN AVENUE ACADEMY Lakeland 5.5 mi 7.8
MCKEEL ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY Lakeland 5.6 mi 6.0
ROCHELLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Lakeland 5.5 mi 8.1

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33810 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$69,738

Median Home Value

$245,300

Median Rent

$1,407/mo

Population

52,734

College Educated

20.4%

Homeownership

76.5%

Avg Commute

27 min

Poverty Rate

10.9%

Median Age

42.2

Community Profile

The community surrounding Kathleen Middle School has a median household income of $69,738. It is a community where 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $245,300, with a median rent of $1,407/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.9%. The average commute for residents is 27 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
ADAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL Tampa, FL 4.7
CARVER MIDDLE SCHOOL Delray Beach, FL 4.7
CRYSTAL LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland, FL 4.7
HOWARD W. BISHOP MIDDLE SCHOOL Gainesville, FL 4.7
LAKE SHORE MIDDLE SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL 4.7
MARINER MIDDLE SCHOOL Cape Coral, FL 4.7

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Kathleen Middle School

What grades does Kathleen Middle School serve?

Kathleen Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Kathleen Middle School?

Kathleen Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 835 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Kathleen Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Kathleen Middle School is 18.2:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Kathleen Middle School rank in FL?

Kathleen Middle School is ranked #3337 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Kathleen Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kathleen Middle School has a composite rating of 4.7 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 Kathleen Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Kathleen Middle School has 30.4% math proficiency and 29.4% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Kathleen Middle School a charter school?

No, Kathleen Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Kathleen Middle School a Title I school?

No, Kathleen Middle School is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Kathleen Middle School?

77.5% of students at Kathleen Middle 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.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

County Safety
Average (575/100K)

FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
835
Student-Teacher Ratio
18.2:1
Teachers (FTE)
46
Free/Reduced Lunch
77.5%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

POLK
District Enrollment
111,041
Schools in District
167
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,242
District Rank
#129 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.

Read our full methodology

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