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Lakeland High School 2024 graduation. | Kimberly C. Moore, LkldNow
4-minute read
Polk County Public Schools earned a long-sought B grade from the Florida Department of Education in results released Monday.
“We just got our report card, and Polk County Public Schools is B-B-B-Back!” the district said in a news release.
The achievement came after three consecutive years of C grades, which frustrated district officials.
“It’s an affirmation of the hard work happening in our schools and our classrooms every day,” Superintendent Fred Heid said. “It took a huge effort on behalf of all of our 14,000 employees equally, who are committed to making sure our kids get to school on time, they get fed, our campuses are clean, the kids get the wraparound services they need … all of those things.”
However, Heid said while district staff are “very excited,” they are not yet satisfied.
We’re going to celebrate for a few minutes, and then we’re going to get right back to work because we’re not done yet.
Fred Heid, PCPS Superintendent
Graduation gains: One of the biggest improvements for Polk County was its graduation rate, which rose from 78% in 2023 to 82% in 2024.
Graduation rate statistics are a year old because high school seniors can fulfill any lingering requirements over the summer and still be considered part of their class cohort. The 2025 graduation rate won’t be finalized until the fall.
High school success: Among local high schools, Kathleen High made the most significant gains, improving its grade from a D to a C.
All of the other area high schools maintained their grades from last year, including top-performing McKeel Academy of Technology, a charter school with a 100% graduation rate.
One middle school falters: The status quo held for all but one Lakeland middle school. Kathleen Middle dropped from a C to a D, joining Crystal Lake Middle.
Lakeland’s four A-rated middle schools were all charter or magnet schools.
Among traditional community middle schools, Lakeland Highlands Middle scored the highest, earning the only B grade.
Elementary schools lose ground: It was a rocky year for Lakeland-area elementary schools, with the number of C ratings increasing from 13 to 18.
Four schools improved over last year. Winston Academy of Engineering reclaimed its A grade. Carlton Palmore and Socrum Elementary rose from C to B, and Crystal Lake Elementary improved from D to C.
But at least seven schools that gained ground in 2024 dropped back down to their previous grade or lower.
Oscar J. Pope, which had jumped from a C to an A, was a C again this year. Scott Lake Elementary, which earned an A last year, dropped to a C for the first time.
Still trailing in Florida: Despite its progress, Polk dropped from 52nd to 55th among the state’s 67 counties this year. That’s because although Polk County improved in nearly all of the 12 components of the district grade, so did most other Florida districts.
Only eight Florida districts received C grades this year, compared with 19 last year. No districts received D or F grades this year.
That could make it difficult for Polk to keep its rating. State law requires that the grading scale be adjusted if more than 75% of the state’s schools earn A or B ratings.
The Florida Department of Education estimates that 12 districts rated A this year will drop to B. Another 12 districts rated B this year will likely drop to C.
Last year, the district was one percentage point shy of the cutoff for a B grade. This year, it earned 58% of possible points, putting Polk one percentage point above the cutoff for a B.
Hopes and challenges
Appeal to voters: Heid said one key to continuing Polk County’s momentum will be attracting and retaining teachers. The school board has signaled that it plans to ask voters to approve a property tax referendum next year to make Polk County teacher salaries more competitive.
“We’ve given great raises these last four years. The problem has been that cost of living has outpaced our raises. The cost of housing, the cost of gas, the cost of electricity, the cost of groceries. That’s where it’s really hitting people,” Heid said.
“Some people have had to turn away from the profession and seek other opportunities, even though their heart and passion is in educating kids.”
Federal funding freeze: A potential challenge in the coming year will be the Trump administration’s decision to freeze $6.8 billion in education funds, including about $396 million for Florida.
Heid said $20.6 million was supposed to come to Polk County. Much of the money is for professional development. It also covers after-school programs, English as a Second Language (ESOL) instruction, mental health counselors, educators in juvenile corrections facilities and adult career and workforce education.
“It directly affects 125 employees, all of whom provide direct support to kids and their families,” he said. “As a school district, we have to react to that. Our hope is that we’ll get a year to do so and adjust.”
Insight Polk examines community conditions and solutions in six target areas from UCIndicators.org: economic & employment opportunity, education, housing, food security, transportation & infrastructure, and quality of life.
LkldNow’s Insight Polk independent reporting is made possible by the United Community Indicators Project with funding by GiveWell Community Foundation & United Way of Central Florida. All editorial decisions are made by LkldNow.
Cindy's reporting for LkldNow focuses on Lakeland city government. Previously, she was a crime reporter, City Hall reporter and chief political writer for newspapers including the Albuquerque Journal and South Florida Sun-Sentinel. She spent a year as a community engagement coordinator for the City of Lakeland before joining LkldNow in 2023. Reach her at cindy@lkldnow.com or 561-212-3429.
