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Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Lakeland Public Preschools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 32 public preschools serving 17,363 students in Lakeland, FL.
The top-ranked public preschools in Lakeland, FL are Mckeel Academy Central, South Mckeel Academy and Valleyview Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Lakeland, FL public preschools have an average math proficiency score of 52% (versus the Florida public pre school average of 56%), and reading proficiency score of 49% (versus the 54% statewide average). Pre schools in Lakeland have an average ranking of 4/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Florida public pre schools.
Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public preschool average of 67% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Preschools in Lakeland, FL (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mckeel Academy Central
Charter School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
411 Florida Ave N
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-1287
Gr: PK-6 | 610 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 42%
Rank: #22.
South Mckeel Academy
Charter School
(Math: 80% | Reading: 72%)
Rank:
10/
10
Top 10%
2222 Edgewood Dr S
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 510-0044
Gr: PK-6 | 1,200 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 40%
Rank: #33.
Valleyview Elementary School
(Math: 76% | Reading: 73%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
2900 State Rd 540a E
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 648-3535
Gr: PK-5 | 783 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 47%
Rank: #44.
Highlands Grove Elementary School
(Math: 77% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
9/
10
Top 20%
4510 Lakeland Highlands Rd
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 648-3002
Gr: PK-5 | 691 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #55.
Winston Academy Of Engineering
Magnet School
(Math: 63% | Reading: 64%)
Rank:
8/
10
Top 30%
3415 Swindell Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 499-2890
Gr: PK-5 | 536 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #66.
Scott Lake Elementary School
(Math: 59% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1140 County Road 540a E
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 648-3520
Gr: PK-5 | 735 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 49%
Rank: #77.
Rochelle School Of The Arts
Magnet School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 58%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
1501 Martin L King Jr Ave
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 499-2810
Gr: PK-8 | 762 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #88.
James W. Sikes Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2727 Shepherd Rd
Lakeland, FL 33811
(863) 648-3525
Gr: PK-5 | 502 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 54%
Rank: #99.
Southwest Elementary School
(Math: 65-69% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
2650 Southwest Ave
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2830
Gr: PK-5 | 376 students Student-teacher ratio: 12:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Rank: #1010.
Wendell Watson Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
6800 Walt Williams Rd
Lakeland, FL 33809
(863) 853-6060
Gr: PK-5 | 764 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #1111.
R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 46%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
5500 Yates Rd
Lakeland, FL 33811
(863) 701-1450
Gr: PK-5 | 899 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1212.
Sleepy Hill Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
2285 Sleepy Hill Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 815-6768
Gr: PK-5 | 711 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1313.
Carlton Palmore Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3725 Clevelnd Hts Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 648-3510
Gr: PK-5 | 402 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 57%
Rank: #1414.
R. Clem Churchwell Elementary School
(Math: 42% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
8201 Park Byrd Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 853-6011
Gr: PK-5 | 662 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 62%
Rank: #1515.
Edgar L. Padgett Elementary School
(Math: 49% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
110 Leelon Rd
Lakeland, FL 33809
(863) 853-6044
Gr: PK-5 | 531 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1616.
Medulla Elementary School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
850 Schoolhouse Rd
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 648-3515
Gr: PK-5 | 488 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1717.
Combee Academy Of Design And Engineering
Magnet School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 44%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2805 Morgan Combee Rd
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2960
Gr: PK-5 | 479 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 55%
Rank: #1818.
Mi Escuela Montessori
Charter School
(Math: 25-29% | Reading: 50-59%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
2130 E Edgewood Dr, Ste 1
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 934-2780
Gr: PK-7 | 275 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 68%
Rank: #1919.
Dr. Ne Roberts Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 40%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
6600 Green Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 815-6633
Gr: PK-5 | 697 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Rank: #2020.
Dixieland Elementary School
(Math: 50-54% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
416 Ariana St
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2930
Gr: PK-5 | 344 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #2121.
Oscar J. Pope Elementary School
(Math: 45-49% | Reading: 30-34%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
2730 Maine Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2992
Gr: PK-5 | 365 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #2222.
Griffin Elementary School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 40-44%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3315 Kathleen Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 853-6020
Gr: PK-5 | 431 students Student-teacher ratio: 23:1 Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: #2323.
Rosabelle W. Blake Academy
Magnet School
(Math: 34% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
510 Hartsell Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 499-2870
Gr: PK-8 | 562 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #2424.
Socrum Elementary School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
9400 Old Dade City Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 853-6050
Gr: PK-5 | 523 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #2525.
Kathleen Elementary School
(Math: 37% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
3515 Sheretz Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 853-6030
Gr: PK-5 | 453 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #2626.
North Lakeland Elementary School Of Choice
(Math: 31% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
410 Robson St W
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 499-2850
Gr: PK-5 | 658 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 79%
Rank: #2727.
Crystal Lake Elementary School
(Math: 30-34% | Reading: 25-29%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
700 Galvin Dr
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2966
Gr: PK-5 | 437 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 78%
Rank: #2828.
Philip O'brien Elementary School
(Math: 22% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1225 Lime St E
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2950
Gr: PK-5 | 625 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 69%
Rank: #2929.
Jesse Keen Elementary School
(Math: 23% | Reading: 21%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
815 Plateau Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 499-2880
Gr: PK-5 | 621 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 87%
Rank: #3030.
Doris A. Sanders Learning Center
Special Education School
(Math: ≤10% | Reading: 20-29%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
1201 Enchanted Dr
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2980
Gr: PK-12 | 84 students Student-teacher ratio: 6:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: n/an/a
Achievement Academy
Special Education School
Charter School
716 Bella Vista St E
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 683-6504
Gr: PK | 157 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: n/an/a
Elementary - N Lakeland
3315 Kathleen Road
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 853-6020
Gr: PK-5

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public preschools in Lakeland, FL?
The top-ranked public preschools in Lakeland, FL include Mckeel Academy Central, South Mckeel Academy and Valleyview Elementary School.
How many public preschools are located in Lakeland?
32 public preschools are located in Lakeland.
What is the racial composition of students in Lakeland?
Lakeland public preschools minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public preschools average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Which public preschools in Lakeland are often viewed compared to one another?

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