If there's a universal desire among parents, it's that everyone wants to send their child to an excellent school. We're here to help you do just that.

The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) produces accountability reports for all Florida schools. While these aren't perfect — check out our comprehensive schools guide for more information on that — it does provide some benchmarks you can use to help you select the right school for your family.

Keep in mind — the FLDOE only provides these ratings for public schools so that's what you'll see on our list.

Here are the top choices for public schools in Lakeland based on grade levels.

Elementary

Cleveland Court Elementary, 328 East Edgewood Dr. | Founded 1947
🎒 Grades K-5
✍️ Elementary school, public
⛪ Non-sectarian
💸 Tuition-free

Highlands Grove Elementary, 4510 Lakeland Highlands Rd. | Founded 2007
🎒 Grades K-5
✍️ Elementary school, public
⛪ Non-sectarian
💸 Tuition-free

Lincoln Avenue Academy, 1330 N. Lincoln Ave. | Founded 1992
🎒 Grades K-5
✍️ Elementary school, public magnet
⛪ Non-sectarian
💸 Tuition-free

Lakeland Montessori Schoolhouse, 1124 N. Lake Parker Ave. | Founded 2013
🎒 Grades PreK-6
✍️ Elementary school, public charter (Montessori methodology)
⛪ Non-sectarian
💸 Tuition-free (except PreK 3 + 4)

Magnolia Montessori Academy, 815 S. Central Ave. | Founded 2013
🎒 Grades PreK-6
✍️ Elementary school, public charter (Montessori methodology)
⛪ Non-sectarian
💸 Tuition-free

McKeel Academy Central, 411 N. Florida Ave. | Founded 2003
🎒 Grades PreK-6
✍️ Elementary school, public charter
⛪ Non-sectarian
💸 Tuition-free

South McKeel Academy, 2222 Edgewood Dr. S. | Founded 2006
🎒 Grades PreK-6
✍️ Elementary school, public charter
⛪ Non-sectarian
💸 Tuition-free

Valleyview Elementary, 2900 E. County Rd. 540A | Founded 1991
🎒 Grades K-5
✍️ Elementary school, public
⛪ Non-sectarian
💸 Tuition-free

Middle Schools

Lakeland Highlands Middle School, 740 Lake Miriam Dr. | Founded 1975
🎒 Grades 6-8
✍️ Middle school, public
⛪ Non-sectarian
💸 Tuition-free

Lakeland Montessori Middle, 1124 N. Lake Parker Ave. | Founded 2013
🎒 Grades 7-8
✍️ Middle school, public charter (Montessori methodology_
⛪ Non-sectarian
💸 Tuition-free

Lawton Chiles Middle Academy, 400 N. Florida Ave. | Founded 1981
🎒 Grades 6-8
✍️ Middle school, public magnet
⛪ Non-sectarian
💸 Tuition-free

McKeel Academy of Technology, 1810 W. Parker St. | Founded 1995
🎒 Grades 7-12
✍️ Middle + high school, public charter
⛪ Non-sectarian
💸 Tuition-free

Rochelle School of the Arts, 1501 Martin L. King Jr. Ave. | Founded 1992
🎒 Grades PreK-8
✍️ Elementary + middle school, public magnet
⛪ Non-sectarian
💸 Tuition-free

High Schools

Harrison School for the Arts, 750 Hollingsworth Rd. | Founded 1989
🎒 Grades 9-12
✍️ High school, public magnet
⛪ Non-sectarian
💸 Tuition-free

George W. Jenkins Senior High School, 6000 Lakeland Highlands Rd. | Founded 1993
🎒 Grades 9-12
✍️ High school, public
⛪ Non-sectarian
💸 Tuition-free

Lakeland Senior High School, 726 Hollingsworth Rd. | Founded 1927
🎒 Grades 9-12
✍️ High school, public
⛪ Non-sectarian
💸 Tuition-free