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Average

#3153 of 3,777 schools in FL

Lake Gibson Middle School

Middle School · POLK

6901 SOCRUM LOOP RD N, Lakeland, FL 33809

Enrollment

1,118

Student-Teacher

18:1

Score

5.0

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lakeland

#45 of 58

public schools

Florida middle schools

#476 of 573

In district

#117 of 155

POLK

About Lake Gibson Middle School

Lake Gibson Middle School serves 1,118 students in grades 6-8 in Lakeland's large suburban community. With 62 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains an 18:1 student-teacher ratio, providing reasonable class sizes for middle school learners. The school faces significant academic challenges, with room for substantial growth in core subjects.

Currently, 31% of students demonstrate proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, while 27% achieve proficiency in mathematics. These results place Lake Gibson Middle among Florida's lower-performing middle schools, ranking in the 7th percentile statewide. Despite these academic hurdles, the school serves a stable suburban community where families have invested in their neighborhood.

The surrounding 33809 ZIP code reflects a working-class area with a median household income of $61,911 and median home values around $221,800. About one in four residents holds a bachelor's degree or higher, and the poverty rate remains relatively modest at 10.1%. Lake Gibson Middle School's location on Socrum Loop Road places it in the heart of Lakeland's expanding suburban landscape, where nearly 31,000 residents call this ZIP code home.

The school's sizeable enrollment reflects the area's continued residential growth and the community's commitment to neighborhood public education.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.9Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.61 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.6Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency40%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39%
Math vs. State Avg-15.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.4 pts
Overall Proficiency40%
Expected (poverty-adj.)41%
vs. Expected-1.6 pts
Adjusted Percentile38th
Resources & Environment5.9Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio18:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,952

Lake Gibson Middle School — Students at Lake Gibson Middle School score 40% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 41%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

65.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 32.6%
School
State
52.5%
ELA Proficiency 35.0%
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
42%
ELA
42%
2021*
Math
40%
ELA
39%
2024
Math
27%
ELA
31.3%

* 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: 3.9/10.

How Lake Gibson Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
5.0/10
17th percentile in FL
Academic
5.6/10
5.6/10
Growth
3.9/10
Below average
Environment
5.9/10
Above average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
66%
Teaching Staff
18:1 student-teacher ratio
62 teachers

Location

6901 SOCRUM LOOP RD N, Lakeland, FL 33809

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lake Gibson Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. KATHLEEN MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.7/10, 4.0 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, SLEEPY HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 4.2/10, 3.4 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lakeland, see our Lakeland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 5.0 mi
School Distance Rating
LAKE GIBSON SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Lakeland 0.3 mi 5.0
EDGAR L. PADGETT ELEMENTARY Lakeland 0.5 mi 5.7
ST ANTHONY CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lakeland 1.0 mi 7.3
SPARROW ACADEMY Lakeland 2.1 mi 7.4
WENDELL WATSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 1.9 mi 6.5
AVENGERS CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lakeland 2.0 mi 6.6
DR. NE ROBERTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 2.0 mi 6.0
R. CLEM CHURCHWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 2.5 mi 4.5
NORTH LAKELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OF CHOICE Lakeland 3.2 mi 5.4
SLEEPY HILL MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland 3.4 mi 4.2
SLEEPY HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 3.5 mi 7.0
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH ACADEMY Lakeland 3.9 mi 6.2
ACHIEVEMENT ACADEMY Lakeland 4.1 mi 7.3
GRIFFIN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 3.9 mi 7.2
KATHLEEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 3.9 mi 7.3
KATHLEEN MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland 4.0 mi 4.7
ROCHELLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Lakeland 4.5 mi 8.1
HEAD OF THE CLASS LEARNING CENTER Lakeland 4.5 mi 5.4
LINCOLN AVENUE ACADEMY Lakeland 4.7 mi 7.8
LAKELAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL HOUSE Lakeland 5.0 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33809 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$67,112

Median Home Value

$248,700

Median Rent

$1,492/mo

Population

30,498

College Educated

26.9%

Homeownership

63.8%

Avg Commute

27.3 min

Poverty Rate

10.1%

Median Age

42.6

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lake Gibson Middle School has a median household income of $67,112. It is an area where 27% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $248,700, with a median rent of $1,492/month. The area has a poverty rate of 10.1%. 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
HENRY H. FILER MIDDLE SCHOOL Hialeah, FL 5.0
HORIZON MIDDLE SCHOOL Kissimmee, FL 5.0
JUDSON B WALKER MIDDLE Orlando, FL 5.0
MEADOWLAWN MIDDLE SCHOOL St. Petersburg, FL 5.0
NORTH MARION MIDDLE SCHOOL Citra, FL 5.0
PAUL R. SMITH MIDDLE SCHOOL Holiday, FL 5.0

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lake Gibson Middle School

What grades does Lake Gibson Middle School serve?

Lake Gibson Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Lake Gibson Middle School?

Lake Gibson Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,118 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lake Gibson Middle School?

The student-teacher ratio at Lake Gibson Middle School is 18:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lake Gibson Middle School rank in FL?

Lake Gibson Middle School is ranked #3153 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Lake Gibson Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Lake Gibson Middle School has a composite rating of 5.0 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 Lake Gibson Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lake Gibson Middle School has 32.6% math proficiency and 35.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lake Gibson Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Lake Gibson Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

65.5% of students at Lake Gibson 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
21 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
46 Somewhat Bikeable
County Safety
Average (575/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

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

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,118
Student-Teacher Ratio
18:1
Teachers (FTE)
62
Free/Reduced Lunch
65.5%
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
#117 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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