Average
#2492 of 3,777 schools in FL
Lakeland Highlands Middle School
Middle School · POLK
740 LAKE MIRIAM DR, Lakeland, FL 33813
Enrollment
1,260
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
5.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Enrollment
1,260
Student-Teacher
19.4:1
Score
5.8
Grades
6th – 8th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Lakeland
#35 of 58
public schools
Florida middle schools
#321 of 573
In district
#89 of 155
POLK
Academic performance
7.3 / 10
Strong
About Lakeland Highlands Middle School
Lakeland Highlands Middle School serves 1,260 students in grades 6-8 in Lakeland, Florida, with a student-teacher ratio of 19.4:1 and 65 full-time equivalent teachers. This regular public school operates within Polk County and holds a MySchoolScout rating of 4.8 out of 10, ranking in the 40th percentile among Florida's middle schools. Academically, the school shows room for growth, with 53% of students performing at proficient or above levels in English Language Arts and reading, while 46% achieve proficiency in mathematics.
These scores reflect opportunities for continued focus on student development and academic improvement. The school draws from a well-established community in the 33813 ZIP code, where families enjoy a median household income of $93,306 and median home values of $301,600. The area demonstrates strong educational values, with 38% of residents holding bachelor's degrees or higher, and maintains economic stability with a low poverty rate of 7.5%.
Located on Lake Miriam Drive, Lakeland Highlands Middle School sits in the heart of a mid-size city that balances suburban family life with access to Central Florida's educational and cultural opportunities.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Lakeland Highlands Middle School — Students at Lakeland Highlands Middle School score 54% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 50%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
49.1%
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
↓ DecliningAverage 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: 5.1/10.
How Lakeland Highlands Middle School Compares
See how Lakeland Highlands Middle School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 60% (2019) to 56% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 57% (2019) to 52% (2021).
Location
740 LAKE MIRIAM DR, Lakeland, FL 33813
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Lakeland Highlands Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. WONDERHERE ACADEMY (rated 7.0/10, 2.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 5.1/10, 2.6 miles away), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Lakeland, see our Lakeland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.5 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lakeland | 1.3 mi | 7.3 |
| CARLTON PALMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 1.4 mi | 5.1 |
| MEDULLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 1.3 mi | 5.5 |
| SCOTT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 1.5 mi | 8.3 |
| ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakeland | 1.5 mi | 5.6 |
| HIGHLANDS GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 1.9 mi | 7.8 |
| PARKWAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lakeland | 2.0 mi | 7.6 |
| WONDERHERE ACADEMY Lakeland | 2.5 mi | 7.0 |
| CLEVELAND COURT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.5 mi | 8.3 |
| GEORGE W. JENKINS SENIOR HIGH Lakeland | 2.3 mi | 4.6 |
| THE CYGNET SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.6 mi | 4.5 |
| SOUTHWEST MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.6 mi | 5.1 |
| SOUTHWEST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.7 mi | 8.0 |
| VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 2.9 mi | 7.4 |
| GENEVA CLASSICAL ACADEMY Lakeland | 3.3 mi | 7.0 |
| MI ESCUELA MONTESSORI Lakeland | 3.3 mi | 7.4 |
| DIXIELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland | 3.5 mi | 7.8 |
| SOUTH MCKEEL ACADEMY Lakeland | 3.3 mi | 7.7 |
| LAKELAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Lakeland | 3.6 mi | 7.2 |
| THE CAPE ACADEMY Cape Coral | 3.5 mi | 7.0 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33813 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$96,723
Median Home Value
$330,100
Median Rent
$1,637/mo
Population
38,112
College Educated
39.2%
Homeownership
77.3%
Avg Commute
24.9 min
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Median Age
39.9
Community Profile
The community surrounding Lakeland Highlands Middle School has a median household income of $96,723. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $330,100, with a median rent of $1,637/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 25 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 |
|---|---|
| BARRINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Lithia, FL | 5.8 |
| BUDDY TAYLOR MIDDLE SCHOOL Palm Coast, FL | 5.8 |
| FERRY PASS MIDDLE SCHOOL Pensacola, FL | 5.8 |
| LAKE ALFRED POLYTECH ACADEMY Lake Alfred, FL | 5.8 |
| PINE RIDGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Naples, FL | 5.8 |
| RANDALL MIDDLE SCHOOL Lithia, FL | 5.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Lakeland Highlands Middle School
What grades does Lakeland Highlands Middle School serve?
Lakeland Highlands Middle School serves students in grades 6th through 8th.
How many students attend Lakeland Highlands Middle School?
Lakeland Highlands Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,260 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Lakeland Highlands Middle School?
The student-teacher ratio at Lakeland Highlands Middle School is 19.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Lakeland Highlands Middle School rank in FL?
Lakeland Highlands Middle School is ranked #2492 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Lakeland Highlands Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?
Lakeland Highlands Middle School has a composite rating of 5.8 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 Lakeland Highlands Middle School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lakeland Highlands Middle School has 50.8% math proficiency and 53.6% reading/ELA proficiency.
Is Lakeland Highlands Middle School a charter school?
No, Lakeland Highlands Middle School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Lakeland Highlands Middle School a Title I school?
No, Lakeland Highlands Middle School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lakeland Highlands Middle School?
49.1% of students at Lakeland Highlands 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.
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
- 6th – 8th
- Enrollment
- 1,260
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 19.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 65
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 49.1%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Phone
- (863) 648-3500
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #89 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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