Schools in Lakeland
Polk County Public Schools (PCPS) earned a B grade from the Florida Department of Education for the second consecutive year in 2025-26, up from a C the year before, alongside a historic 87.7% graduation rate and gains across math, science, and English language arts.
Exploring the idea of moving?
We can connect you with a local real estate professional who knows the area -- no pressure, just a starting point.
Learn moreDistrict Grade Trend
PCPS improved from a C grade to a B grade, and then held that B grade for a second consecutive year in the 2025-26 Florida Department of Education ratings -- a genuine multi-year improvement trend, not a single-year blip, per PCPS's own reporting and Florida DOE data.
Graduation Rate and Assessment Gains
The district's graduation rate climbed to a historic 87.7% as of the 2025-26 data, and PCPS students saw widespread achievement gains on state assessments across math, science, and English language arts.
School-Level Detail
A total of 29 traditional PCPS schools improved their individual grades in 2025-26, and no traditional PCPS school earned an F grade that year -- a meaningful floor-raising result across the district as a whole, not just at the top end.
Confirm School-Specific Ratings Before Choosing a Neighborhood
District-wide performance is trending positive, but individual school grades still vary -- confirm the current rating for a specific school via the PCPS Data Dashboard or the Florida DOE school-grades site before choosing a home based on school assignment, since district averages don't capture school-by-school variation.
Key takeaways
- Polk County Public Schools earned a B grade for the second consecutive year in 2025-26, improved from a C grade the year prior, per Florida DOE data.
- The district's graduation rate reached a historic high of 87.7% in the 2025-26 data.
- Students showed widespread gains on state assessments in math, science, and English language arts.
- 29 traditional schools improved their individual grade in 2025-26, and no traditional PCPS school earned an F -- but confirm a specific school's current rating before relying on the district average.
Want to know what your budget actually buys here?
Tell us a bit about what you're looking for and we'll connect you with someone local who can walk you through real numbers.
Get local guidanceRead the full Lakeland overview for the complete picture -- housing, taxes, climate, and who this place genuinely fits.
Planning a move?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll connect you with a local expert who can help you make it happen.
Talk to a local expert