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)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Mckeel Academy Central
Charter School
(Math: 82% | Reading: 78%)
Rank:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
411 Florida Ave N
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-1287
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:
Rank:
10/
Top 10%10
2222 Edgewood Dr S
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 510-0044
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:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
2900 State Rd 540a E
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 648-3535
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:
Rank:
9/
Top 20%10
4510 Lakeland Highlands Rd
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 648-3002
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:
Rank:
8/
Top 30%10
3415 Swindell Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 499-2890
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:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1140 County Road 540a E
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 648-3520
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:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
1501 Martin L King Jr Ave
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 499-2810
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:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2727 Shepherd Rd
Lakeland, FL 33811
(863) 648-3525
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:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
2650 Southwest Ave
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2830
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:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
6800 Walt Williams Rd
Lakeland, FL 33809
(863) 853-6060
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:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
5500 Yates Rd
Lakeland, FL 33811
(863) 701-1450
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:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
2285 Sleepy Hill Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 815-6768
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:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3725 Clevelnd Hts Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 648-3510
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:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
8201 Park Byrd Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 853-6011
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:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
110 Leelon Rd
Lakeland, FL 33809
(863) 853-6044
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:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
850 Schoolhouse Rd
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 648-3515
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:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2805 Morgan Combee Rd
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2960
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:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
2130 E Edgewood Dr, Ste 1
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 934-2780
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:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
6600 Green Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 815-6633
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:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
416 Ariana St
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2930
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:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
2730 Maine Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2992
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:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3315 Kathleen Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 853-6020
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:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
510 Hartsell Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 499-2870
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:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
9400 Old Dade City Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 853-6050
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:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
3515 Sheretz Rd
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 853-6030
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:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
410 Robson St W
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 499-2850
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:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
700 Galvin Dr
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2966
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:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1225 Lime St E
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2950
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:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
815 Plateau Ave
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 499-2880
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:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
1201 Enchanted Dr
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2980
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
Charter School
716 Bella Vista St E
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 683-6504
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 683-6504
Gr: PK | 157 students Student-teacher ratio: 7:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Lakeland, Florida Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
A.c.e. Charter School (Closed 2013)
Charter School
710 East Bella Vista St
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 686-3189
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 686-3189
Gr: PK | 18 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Amikids (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
618 North Massachussets Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 682-7600
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 682-7600
Gr: 6-12 | 38 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
3425 New Jersey Road
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 619-7170
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 619-7170
Gr: K-8 | 147 students Student-teacher ratio: 11:1 Minority enrollment: 34%
Drop Back In High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
302 Memorial Blvd E
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 687-9222
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 687-9222
Gr: 9-12 | 481 students Student-teacher ratio: 22:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Eckerd Connects (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
1140 N Combee Rd
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 413-2948
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 413-2948
Gr: 6-12 | 25 students Minority enrollment: 80%
Eckerd Connects Strive Academy (Closed 2025)
Alternative School
1140 N Combree Rd
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 413-2948
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 413-2948
Gr: 6-12 | 19 students Minority enrollment: 63%
Ese Countywide (Closed 2018)
Special Education School
910 Lowry Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2963
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2963
Gr: K-12
Expulsion Program (Closed 2006)
Alternative School
3225 Winter Lake Road
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2728
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 499-2728
Gr: 6-12 | 34 students Minority enrollment: 50%
Foundation School (Closed 2010)
Alternative School
1325 George Jenkins Blvd
Lakeland, FL 33802
(863) 682-8111
Lakeland, FL 33802
(863) 682-8111
Gr: 6-12 | 90 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 61%
750 Hollingsworth Road
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2855
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2855
Gr: 9-12 | 386 students Student-teacher ratio: 24:1 Minority enrollment: 18%
Kathleen Step Up Academy (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
1100 Red Devil Way
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 499-2655
Lakeland, FL 33815
(863) 499-2655
Gr: 9-12
Lake Gibson Step Up Academy (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
7007 N Socrum Loop Rd
Lakeland, FL 33809
(863) 853-6100
Lakeland, FL 33809
(863) 853-6100
Gr: 9-12
Lakeland Teen Parent Program (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
910 Lowry Avenue
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2954
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2954
Gr: PK-12 | 120 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 60%
Live Oaks Academy (Closed 2007)
Alternative School
2510 N Florida Avenue
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 686-3010
Lakeland, FL 33805
(863) 686-3010
Gr: 7-12 | 59 students Student-teacher ratio: 8:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
510 Hartsell Ave
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2870
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 499-2870
Tenoroc Step Up Academy (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
4905 Saddle Creek Rd
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 614-9183
Lakeland, FL 33801
(863) 614-9183
Gr: 9-12
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?
Popular comparisons of public preschools in Lakeland include: Medulla Elementary School vs. Valleyview Elementary School, Griffin Elementary School vs. Sleepy Hill Elementary School, R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School vs. Scott Lake Elementary School
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