Excellent
#461 of 3,778 schools in FL
Top 12% in state
South Mckeel Academy
Elementary School · POLK
2222 EDGEWOOD DR S, Lakeland, FL 33803
Enrollment
1,199
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Enrollment
1,199
Student-Teacher
18.4:1
Score
8.5
Grades
Pre-K – 6th
Data vintage
2022-23
Data vintage2022-23
How this school compares
Florida schools
#461 of 3,778
In Lakeland
#5 of 58
public schools
In district
#11 of 155
POLK
Equity
9.8 / 10
Excellent
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South Mckeel Academy
Elementary School in Lakeland · grades Pre-K – 6th. Start here, then compare fit against nearby and district options.
Mi Escuela Montessori
0.3 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
Lakeland Institute for Learning, Org., Corp
0.4 mi away. Use as a geographic alternative in the same move search.
About South Mckeel Academy
South Mckeel Academy is a public elementary school in Lakeland, FL, part of POLK. South Mckeel Academy serves approximately 1,199 students, and covers grades Pre-K-6th, and has a 18.4:1 student-teacher ratio. South Mckeel Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 out of 10 and ranks #461 of 3,778 schools in FL.
Structured state assessment records for South Mckeel Academy show 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
- This school 8.5 · Excellent
- District avg 6.2
- FL avg 6.6
What Parents Should Know
South Mckeel Academy is a charter school: publicly funded, but run with more independence than a traditional district school. Many charters are built around a specific model or focus, so it's worth understanding this one's mission, how enrollment works, and how it differs from the district schools nearby.
Score Breakdown
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
South Mckeel Academy — Students at South Mckeel Academy score 80% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 51%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
48.8%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 35 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage 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: 7.8/10.
How South Mckeel Academy Compares
See how South Mckeel Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Programs & Offerings
Data as of 2021-22 · Source: CRDC via Urban Institute · Learn more
Location
2222 EDGEWOOD DR S, Lakeland, FL 33803
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering South Mckeel Academy may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. MI ESCUELA MONTESSORI (rated 8.5/10, 0.3 miles away), with a very similar rating. Another option is HIGHLANDS GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.1/10, 2.1 miles away), with a comparable rating. Additionally, OSCAR J. POPE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 6.9/10, 0.6 miles away), a more accessible option. For more schools in Lakeland, see our Lakeland schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 2.2 miNeighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 33803 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$63,180
Median Home Value
$236,200
Median Rent
$1,337/mo
Population
29,058
College Educated
33.8%
Homeownership
62.2%
Avg Commute
21.8 min
Poverty Rate
12.7%
Median Age
42.3
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BALDWIN PARK ELEMENTARY Orlando, FL | 8.5 |
| BEVIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lithia, FL | 8.5 |
| BINKS FOREST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Wellington, FL | 8.5 |
| CITRUS GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Deland, FL | 8.5 |
| FRANKLIN ACADEMY PEMBROKE PINES Pembroke Pines, FL | 8.5 |
| GATOR RUN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Weston, FL | 8.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about South Mckeel Academy
What grades does South Mckeel Academy serve?
South Mckeel Academy serves students in grades Pre-K through 6th.
How many students attend South Mckeel Academy?
South Mckeel Academy has an enrollment of approximately 1,199 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at South Mckeel Academy?
The student-teacher ratio at South Mckeel Academy is 18.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does South Mckeel Academy rank in FL?
South Mckeel Academy ranks #461 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is South Mckeel Academy's MySchoolScout rating?
South Mckeel Academy has a current MySchoolScout rating of 8.5 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 South Mckeel Academy?
Based on loaded state assessment records, South Mckeel Academy has 82% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 79% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is South Mckeel Academy a charter school?
Yes, South Mckeel Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.
Is South Mckeel Academy a Title I school?
No, South Mckeel Academy is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for South Mckeel Academy?
48.8% of students at South Mckeel 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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
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Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 6th
- Enrollment
- 1,199
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 18.4:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 65
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 48.8%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Midsize City
- County
- Polk County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 0.1%
- Phone
- (863) 510-0044
Resources & Links
District
POLK- District Enrollment
- 111,041
- Schools in District
- 167
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $11,242
- District Rank
- #11 of 155
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
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