Carlton Palmore Elementary School

Carlton Palmore Elementary School, located at 3725 Cleveland Heights Boulevard in Lakeland, Florida, serves students in Pre-K through 5th grade and is part of the Polk County Public Schools district. The student-teacher ratio is approximately 14 : 1, which is better than the state average of around 17 : 1.

According to most recent publicly available data, around 45-50% of students achieve proficiency in mathematics, and about 43% are proficient in reading, both figures fall below the Florida state averages. The school’s population is diverse: approximately 45% White, 27% Hispanic, 22% African American, and the remainder multiracial or other groups.

Around 66% of students are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, indicating substantial economic need in its community. Students at Carlton Palmore typically advance to Lakeland Senior High School, whose notable alumni include U.S. Senator Lawton Chiles, professional golfer Lee Janzen, and MLB player Keon Broxton. For families looking at housing in the area, three-bedroom rentals in Lakeland generally fall in the range of US $1,800 – US $2,500/month, depending on size and condition. While Carlton Palmore offers smaller class sizes and a committed staff, the below-average proficiency scores suggest parents of students focused on strong math and reading outcomes may want to inquire about intervention programs or explore higher-performing nearby campuses.

In 2025, Carlton Palmore Elementary launched a “Leader in Me Champions Week” celebrating student leadership through assemblies, peer-mentoring, and a campus-wide kindness pledge, reflecting the school’s focus on character development.

1. What character-education model does the school follow?

A. Carlton Palmore is a “Leader in Me” school, which means students learn leadership habits (based on “The 7 Habits”) and take active roles in shaping campus culture.

2. How does the school support students who are behind grade level?

A. The school offers targeted small-group remediation, monitoring by instructional coaches, and regular data-reviews; families should ask how often students are assessed and how intervention is triggered.

3. How involved can parents be in the school community?

A. The school encourages parent-volunteering, hosts family engagement nights and maintains a parent-portal for tracking student progress, making it easier for caretakers to stay connected.

4. What enrichment or arts programs are available?

A. Carlton Palmore emphasizes arts integration, offers music and visual arts classes, and hosts campus events focusing on performance, creativity, and peer collaboration.

5. What should families know about relocating into the attendance zone?

A. Three-bedroom rental properties in the area typically range from US $1,800-2,500/month; families should evaluate commute, property condition and whether additional academic support might be needed given current proficiency levels.