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Below Average

#3176 of 3,778 schools in FL

Kathleen Middle School

Middle School · POLK

3627 KATHLEEN PNES, Lakeland, FL 33810

Enrollment

835

Student-Teacher

18.2:1

Score

4.5

Grades

6th – 8th

Data vintage2022-23

How this school compares

Florida schools

#3,176 of 3,778

In Lakeland

#44 of 58

public schools

In district

#110 of 155

POLK

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Kathleen Middle School

4.5/10

Middle School in Lakeland · grades 6th – 8th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.

Kathleen Elementary School

5.6/10

0.1 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

Dr. Ne Roberts Elementary School

4.9/10

2.0 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.

About Kathleen Middle School

Kathleen Middle School is a public middle school in Lakeland, FL, part of POLK. Kathleen Middle School serves approximately 835 students, and covers grades 6th-8th, and has a 18.2:1 student-teacher ratio. Kathleen Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 out of 10 and ranks #3,176 of 3,778 schools in FL.

Structured state assessment records for Kathleen Middle School show 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

How it compares0.4 pts below district
  • This school 4.5 · Below Average
  • District avg 4.9
  • FL avg 5.9

What Parents Should Know

48% of students at Kathleen Middle School were chronically absent in the 2022-23 school year, above the national average. Chronic absenteeism means missing 15 or more school days, and at high rates it drags on classroom pacing for everyone. Ask what the school does to help families get kids to class consistently.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress5.4Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data15
Annual Change-1.07 pts/yr
Data Period2009–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics3.4Needs Improvement35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency28% (2024 FAST)
Reading/ELA Proficiency27% (2024 FAST)
Math vs. State Avg-27.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-27.4 pts
Overall Proficiency28% (2024 FAST, Math+ELA)
Expected (poverty-adj.)40% (model expectation from 2024 FAST)
vs. Expected-12.2 pts
Adjusted Percentile15th
Resources & Environment4.4Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18.2:1
Per-Pupil Spending$11,242
Chronic Absenteeism48.3%

Kathleen Middle School — Students at Kathleen Middle School score 28% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 40%).

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 32.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
52.5% (2024 FAST)
ELA Proficiency 35.8% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
School
State
51.8% (2024 FAST)

Based on 33 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

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

2009
Math
44%
ELA
51%
2010
Math
46%
ELA
51%
2011
Math
31%
ELA
44%
2012
Math
36%
ELA
49%
2013
ELA
41%
2014
Math
24%
ELA
30%
2015
Math
29%
ELA
33%
2016
Math
27%
ELA
32%
2017
Math
34%
ELA
36%
2018
Math
40%
ELA
38%
2019
Math
40%
ELA
38%
2020*
Math
28%
ELA
28%
2021*
Math
28%
ELA
28%
2022
Math
33.8%
ELA
28.6%
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: 5.4/10.

How Kathleen Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.5/10
16th percentile in FL
Academic
3.4/10
Needs Improvement
Growth
5.4/10
Average
Environment
4.4/10
Below Average
Gifted & Talented
Yes
Program available

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
78%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
46 teachers
Chronic Absenteeism
Students missing 15+ days per year (SY 2022-23)
48.3%

Programs & Offerings

Gifted & Talented Program Available
This school offers a gifted and talented program for qualifying students. · CRDC 2021-22

Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more

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 4.3/10, 4.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SLEEPY HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.2/10, 2.8 miles away), with a very similar 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 5.6
DR. NE ROBERTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 2.0 mi 4.9
R. CLEM CHURCHWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 2.5 mi 6.0
SLEEPY HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 2.6 mi 7.1
SLEEPY HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland 2.8 mi 4.2
SOCRUM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 3.0 mi 5.4
GRIFFIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 3.2 mi 5.6
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 6.2
LAKE GIBSON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Lakeland 4.0 mi 4.0
HEAD OF THE CLASS LEARNING CENTER Lakeland 4.3 mi 5.4
LAKE GIBSON MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland 4.0 mi 4.3
WINSTON ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING Lakeland 4.8 mi 9.3
KATHLEEN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Lakeland 4.9 mi 4.1
NORTH LAKELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF CHOICE Lakeland 4.6 mi 4.0
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH ACADEMY Lakeland 5.3 mi 6.2
LINCOLN AVENUE ACADEMY Lakeland 5.5 mi 8.0
MCKEEL ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY Lakeland 5.6 mi 8.2
ROCHELLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Lakeland 5.5 mi 8.0

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

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
CHARGER ACADEMY Jacksonville, FL 4.5
ELIZABETH COBB MIDDLE SCHOOL Tallahassee, FL 4.5
HOBBS MIDDLE SCHOOL Milton, FL 4.5
LEGACY MIDDLE Orlando, FL 4.5
PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Myers, FL 4.5
RAYMOND B. STEWART MIDDLE SCHOOL Zephyrhills, FL 4.5

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 ranks #3,176 of 3,778 schools in FL.

What is Kathleen Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Kathleen Middle School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 4.5 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 Kathleen Middle School?

Based on loaded state assessment records, Kathleen Middle School has 33% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 36% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).

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

Walk Score
27 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
37 Somewhat Bikeable

Powered by Walk Score

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
Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
48.3%

District

POLK
District Enrollment
111,041
Schools in District
167
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,242
District Rank
#110 of 155

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