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Below Average

#3375 of 3,777 schools in FL

Mulberry Middle School

Middle School · POLK

500 DR MLK JR AVE SE, Mulberry, FL 33860

Enrollment

1,176

Student-Teacher

21.8:1

Score

4.6

Grades

6th – 8th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Mulberry

#3 of 4

public schools

Florida middle schools

#525 of 573

In district

#133 of 155

POLK

About Mulberry Middle School

Mulberry Middle School serves 1,176 students in grades 6-8 in the suburban community of Mulberry, Florida. With 54 full-time equivalent teachers, the school maintains a student-teacher ratio of 21.8:1, providing a structured learning environment for its sizeable student body. Academically, Mulberry Middle School has room for growth, with 35% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and reading, and 37% showing proficiency in mathematics.

The school ranks in the 15th percentile among Florida's middle schools, indicating opportunities for continued focus on student development and academic improvement. The school draws from a diverse suburban community where the median household income is $62,429 and median home values average $189,400. About 15% of area residents hold bachelor's degrees or higher, while the poverty rate stands at 15.5%, reflecting the mixed socioeconomic landscape that characterizes many growing Florida communities.

Located on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue Southeast, Mulberry Middle School sits within Polk County's expansive suburban setting.

The surrounding ZIP code area is home to over 26,000 residents, creating a substantial community base that supports the school's mission of educating middle school students in this established Florida town.

What Parents Should Know

The student-teacher ratio at Mulberry Middle School is 21.8:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 3/3 metrics
Student Progress4.2Below Average40%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.42 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics5.5Average35%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency35%
Reading/ELA Proficiency39%
Math vs. State Avg-20.7 pts
Reading vs. State Avg-15.4 pts
Overall Proficiency37%
Expected (poverty-adj.)37%
vs. Expected-0.4 pts
Adjusted Percentile37th
Resources & Environment3.9Fair25%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio21.8:1
Per-Pupil Spending$10,952

Mulberry Middle School — Students at Mulberry Middle School score 37% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 37%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

72.5%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 39.8%
School
State
52.5%
ELA Proficiency 38.2%
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
52%
ELA
46%
2021*
Math
35%
ELA
39%
2024
Math
37.3%
ELA
35.3%

* 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: 4.2/10.

How Mulberry Middle School Compares

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

Overall Score
4.6/10
11th percentile in FL
Academic
5.5/10
5.5/10
Growth
4.2/10
Below average
Environment
3.9/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
73%
Teaching Staff
22:1 student-teacher ratio
54 teachers

Location

500 DR MLK JR AVE SE, Mulberry, FL 33860

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Mulberry Middle School may also want to explore other middle schools in the area. SCOTT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.3/10, 4.5 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), which scores notably higher. Another option is R. BRUCE WAGNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.0/10, 5.9 miles away, in nearby Lakeland), which scores notably higher. Additionally, HARVEST ACADEMY LLC (rated 7.9/10, 1.2 miles away), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Mulberry, see our Mulberry schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 7.3 mi
School Distance Rating
PURCELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Mulberry 0.6 mi 7.2
MULBERRY SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL Mulberry 0.7 mi 3.4
MULBERRY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Mulberry 0.7 mi 7.8
HARVEST ACADEMY LLC Mulberry 1.2 mi 7.9
BRILLIANT MINDS EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY Mulberry 3.7 mi 6.5
JAMES W. SIKES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 4.0 mi 7.9
WILLOW OAK SCHOOL Mulberry 4.0 mi 7.6
SCOTT LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 4.5 mi 8.3
LIMITLESS LEARNING EDU Lakeland 4.7 mi
MEDULLA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 5.3 mi 5.5
GEORGE W. JENKINS SENIOR HIGH Lakeland 5.4 mi 4.6
VALLEYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 5.5 mi 7.4
LAKELAND HIGHLANDS MIDDLE SCHOOL Lakeland 5.9 mi 5.8
R. BRUCE WAGNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 5.9 mi 8.0
ST PAUL LUTHERAN SCHOOL Lakeland 6.5 mi 5.6
HIGHLANDS GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 6.9 mi 7.8
RESURRECTION CATHOLIC SCHOOL Lakeland 7.1 mi 7.3
WORD OF LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Bartow 6.4 mi 7.6
CARLTON PALMORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lakeland 7.3 mi 5.1
PARKWAY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Lakeland 7.3 mi 7.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33860 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$62,779

Median Home Value

$221,400

Median Rent

$1,150/mo

Population

25,617

College Educated

14.8%

Homeownership

70%

Avg Commute

29 min

Poverty Rate

16.7%

Median Age

34.3

Community Profile

The community surrounding Mulberry Middle School has a median household income of $62,779. It is a community where 15% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $221,400, with a median rent of $1,150/month. The area has a poverty rate of 16.7%. The average commute for residents is 29 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
DENISON MIDDLE SCHOOL Winter Haven, FL 4.6
GRAY MIDDLE SCHOOL Groveland, FL 4.6
JERE L. STAMBAUGH MIDDLE Auburndale, FL 4.6
LEXINGTON MIDDLE SCHOOL Fort Myers, FL 4.6
SOUTHSIDE MIDDLE SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL 4.6
TOMLIN MIDDLE SCHOOL Plant City, FL 4.6

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Mulberry Middle School

What grades does Mulberry Middle School serve?

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

How many students attend Mulberry Middle School?

Mulberry Middle School has an enrollment of approximately 1,176 students.

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

The student-teacher ratio at Mulberry Middle School is 21.8:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Mulberry Middle School rank in FL?

Mulberry Middle School is ranked #3375 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Mulberry Middle School's MySchoolScout rating?

Mulberry Middle School has a composite rating of 4.6 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 Mulberry Middle School?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Mulberry Middle School has 39.8% math proficiency and 38.2% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Mulberry Middle School a charter school?

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

Is Mulberry Middle School a Title I school?

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

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

72.5% of students at Mulberry 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
30 Car-Dependent
Bike Score
45 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
1,176
Student-Teacher Ratio
21.8:1
Teachers (FTE)
54
Free/Reduced Lunch
72.5%
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
#133 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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