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Average

#2404 of 3,777 schools in FL

Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

Middle School · POLK

400 FLORIDA AVE N, Lakeland, FL 33801

Enrollment

671

Student-Teacher

19.7:1

Score

5.9

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Lakeland

#33 of 58

public schools

Florida middle schools

#303 of 573

In district

#84 of 155

POLK

Equity

9.4 / 10

Exceptional

About Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

LAWTON CHILES MIDDLE ACADEMY is a regular public middle school located in Lakeland, Florida. The school serves students from sixth to eighth grade and has an enrollment of 671 students with a student-teacher ratio of 19.7:1. LAWTON CHILES MIDDLE ACADEMY is staffed by 34 full-time equivalent teachers who work diligently to support the academic and social development of their middle schoolers.

The school's MySchoolScout rating is 6.9 out of 10, placing it at #995 among all Florida schools, which is in the 74th percentile. The academic score stands at 9.0 out of 10, reflecting solid performance. Students perform well in ELA and reading with 71% achieving proficiency or above, while 64% meet or exceed standards in math.

LAWTON CHILES MIDDLE ACADEMY is situated in a mid-size city, providing students with the benefits of urban resources and community engagement. The school's setting offers opportunities for cultural and extracurricular activities that enhance the overall educational experience.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress3.5Fair40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.93 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics9.3Exceptional35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency73%
Reading/ELA Proficiency73%
Math vs. State Avg+17.3 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+18.6 pts
Overall Proficiency73%
Expected (poverty-adj.)54%
vs. Expected+18.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile90th
Resources & Environment4.8Below Average25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio19.7:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,952

Lawton Chiles Middle Academy — Students at Lawton Chiles Middle Academy score 73% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 54%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

40.1%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 64.0%
School
State
52.5%
ELA Proficiency 71.0%
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
79%
ELA
75%
2021*
Math
73%
ELA
73%
2024
Math
56%
ELA
69%

* 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: 3.5/10.

How Lawton Chiles Middle Academy Compares

See how Lawton Chiles Middle Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
5.9/10
36th percentile in FL
Academic
9.3/10
9.3/10
Growth
3.5/10
Below average
Environment
4.8/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
40%
Teaching Staff
20:1 student-teacher ratio
34 teachers

Location

400 FLORIDA AVE N, Lakeland, FL 33801

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Lawton Chiles Middle Academy may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. ACADEMY PREP CENTER OF LAKELAND (rated 8.5/10, 0.6 miles away), which scores notably higher. Another option is LAKELAND MONTESSORI MIDDLE SCHOOL (rated 7.8/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. Additionally, ROBERTS ACADEMY AT FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE (rated 7.6/10, 1.5 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Lakeland, see our Lakeland schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 1.7 mi
School Distance Rating
MCKEEL ACADEMY CENTRAL Lakeland 0.1 mi 8.3
POLK PRE-COLLEGIATE ACADEMY Lakeland 0.3 mi 6.5
HADLEYS EARLY EDUCATION DBA INSPIRE ACADEM Lakeland 0.5 mi
ACADEMY PREP CENTER OF LAKELAND Lakeland 0.6 mi 8.5
ROSABELLE W. BLAKE ACADEMY Lakeland 0.8 mi 4.8
LINCOLN AVENUE ACADEMY Lakeland 1.1 mi 7.8
ROCHELLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS Lakeland 1.1 mi 8.1
PREPARING THE WAY ACADEMY Lakeland 1.0 mi
POLK VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM Lakeland 1.2 mi
POLK FULL TIME ESCHOOL Lakeland 1.2 mi 4.9
PACE CENTER FOR GIRLS Lakeland 1.2 mi 5.9
LAKELAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL HOUSE Lakeland 1.2 mi 7.6
LAKELAND MONTESSORI MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland 1.2 mi 7.8
PHILIP O'BRIEN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 1.3 mi 5.1
MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY Lakeland 1.3 mi 8.3
LAKELAND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Lakeland 1.4 mi 5.2
ROBERTS ACADEMY AT FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE Lakeland 1.5 mi 7.6
DIXIELAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 1.6 mi 7.8
ACHIEVEMENT ACADEMY Lakeland 1.6 mi 7.3
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH ACADEMY Lakeland 1.7 mi 6.2

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33801 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$49,210

Median Home Value

$138,700

Median Rent

$1,100/mo

Population

33,460

College Educated

15.8%

Homeownership

50.2%

Avg Commute

25.6 min

Poverty Rate

22.8%

Median Age

33.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Lawton Chiles Middle Academy has a median household income of $49,210. It is a community where 16% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $138,700, with a median rent of $1,100/month. The area has a poverty rate of 22.8%, indicating some economic challenges in the community. The average commute for residents is 26 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
ANDOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL Miami, FL 5.9
BROWN BARGE MIDDLE SCHOOL Pensacola, FL 5.9
CYPRESS LAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Myers, FL 5.9
JOSEPH STILWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL 5.9
LOCKHART MIDDLE Orlando, FL 5.9
MCLAUGHLIN ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE Lake Wales, FL 5.9

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Lawton Chiles Middle Academy

What grades does Lawton Chiles Middle Academy serve?

Lawton Chiles Middle Academy serves students in grades 6th through 8th.

How many students attend Lawton Chiles Middle Academy?

Lawton Chiles Middle Academy has an enrollment of approximately 671 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Lawton Chiles Middle Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Lawton Chiles Middle Academy is 19.7:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Lawton Chiles Middle Academy rank in FL?

Lawton Chiles Middle Academy is ranked #2404 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Lawton Chiles Middle Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Lawton Chiles Middle Academy has a composite rating of 5.9 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 Lawton Chiles Middle Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Lawton Chiles Middle Academy has 64.0% math proficiency and 71.0% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Lawton Chiles Middle Academy a charter school?

No, Lawton Chiles Middle Academy is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.

Is Lawton Chiles Middle Academy a Title I school?

No, Lawton Chiles Middle Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Lawton Chiles Middle Academy?

40.1% of students at Lawton Chiles Middle Academy 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
671
Student-Teacher Ratio
19.7:1
Teachers (FTE)
34
Free/Reduced Lunch
40.1%
Type
regular
Setting
Midsize City
County
Polk County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

POLK
District Enrollment
111,041
Schools in District
167
Per-Pupil Spending
$11,242
District Rank
#84 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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