Lakeland Highlands Middle School: Best Middle FL (2026 List)

About Lakeland Highlands Middle School

Lakeland Highlands Middle School is located at 740 Lake Miriam Dr, Lakeland, FL 33813. The campus serves grades 6 through 8 as a public middle school in Polk County Public Schools. About 1,260 students attend the campus. The student–teacher ratio is about 19:1. The student body is about 53% male and 47% female. At Lakeland Highlands Middle School, 54% of students scored at or above the proficient level in math, and 49% did so in reading. Students have a set schedule that includes core classes, electives, and enrichment activities that are meant to keep them interested in learning and help them learn more. Based on where they live, most students from this campus go to George Jenkins High School or another high school in Polk County Public Schools. Homes around the campus usually sell for around $320,000, and well-developed residential areas shape the way people live in this part of the city. The teaching approach at the school reflects practices commonly observed across many best middle schools in Florida, supporting steady learning progress through structured instruction and consistent classroom routines.

Academic Performance

Subject Proficiency

Mathematics 54%

Reading 49%

State average proficiency is 54% in Math and 49% in Reading.

65

Full-time Teachers

19 : 1

Student-Teacher Ratio

2

Teachers In First Or Second Year (yrs)

1260

Total Students

$66972

Avg. Teacher Salary

Student Demographics

White 48.17%

Asian 3.25%

Hispanic 28.02%

Black 16.19%

Two+ Races 4.05%

Native Am. 0.24%

White

48.17%

Asian

3.25%

Hispanic

28.02%

Black

16.19%

Two+ Races

4.05%

Native Am.

0.24%

Gender Distribution

Total Students: 1260

46.59%

587 Female

53.41%

673 Male

Student Population

1260 Students

With a student-teacher ratio of 19 : 1

Minority Enrollment

25%

Percentage of minority students

Students per Counselor

420 : 1

Student to counselor ratio

Lakeland Highlands Middle School Contact Information

Address

740 LAKE MIRIAM DR, LAKELAND, FL, 33813

View on Map

Phone

(863) 648-3500

Call Now

Website

http://schools.polk-fl.net/LHMS

Recent News & Updates

New Playground Name

We are so excited to announce the name of our new playground! Following a school-wide and Robinson community vote we narrowed a large list of names down to four. Since our students will be using the playground on a daily basis, we gave them the final vote! 476.....

School Timings

Regular School Hours

All Grades: 9:15 AM - 4:15 PM

Early Dismissal Days

Dismissal Time: 12:15 PM

Note: Doors open at 9:00 AM for student arrival. Please refer to the school calendar for specific early dismissal dates.

After School Activities

Information coming soon

School Session Dates

September to June

School session starts in September 1st week and ends in June 3rd week. For exact dates, please contact the school.

Remarkable Alumni

Being Updated

Map

Latest News

In April 2026, Lakeland Highlands Middle School got some attention when its acting principal was nominated for Region South Principal of the Year. This award shows how important good leadership is in making a school a good place to be. The award shows that the school is still working hard to help both students and staff, while also keeping a steady focus on academic progress and overall growth.

FAQ

Q1. How do teachers at Lakeland Highlands Middle School introduce new topics in class?

Ans. Teachers at Lakeland Highlands Middle School often explain new topics with examples and guided instruction before students begin their work.

Q2. What kind of daily work do students complete at Lakeland Highlands Middle School?

Ans. Students complete assignments, practice exercises, and written responses related to their lessons.

Q3. How does Lakeland Highlands Middle School support students during classroom activities?

Ans. Teachers provide help during lessons, answer questions, and guide students as they work through tasks.

Q4. How are students encouraged to stay focused at Lakeland Highlands Middle School?

Ans. The school follows a clear routine with structured lessons that help students stay on track throughout the day.

Q5. What role do classroom discussions play at Lakeland Highlands Middle School?

Ans. Students take part in discussions where they share ideas and learn from others during lessons.

Games & Extracurricular Activities

Sports

Soccer Club Grades 1-3 | Mon/Wed 3:30-4:30pm
Basketball Grades 2-4 | Tue/Thu 3:30-4:45pm
Track & Field Grades 3-5 | Fri 3:30-5:00pm

Arts

Art Club Grades K-2 | Mon 3:00-4:00pm
Drama Club Grades 3-5 | Wed 3:30-5:00pm
Choir Grades 2-5 | Thu 3:15-4:15pm

Clubs

Chess Club Grades 2-5 | Fri 3:15-4:15pm
Garden Club All Grades | Tue 3:15-4:00pm
Robotics Club Grades 3-5 | Thu 3:30-5:00pm

Note: Schedules may change during school holidays. Please contact School for exact Schedule.

Summer Suggested Reading

Horn Book Selections

Vocabulary.com +3 Horn Book +3 What to Read to Your Kids +3

ML

Maggie Lou, Firefox

by Arnolda Dufour Bowes

PS

The Puppets of Spelhorst

by Kate DiCamillo

MLV

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

by Nicholas Day

Vocabulary.com Top Picks

Penguin Random House +10 Vocabulary.com +10 Wikipedia +10

F

Frindle

by Andrew Clements

WR

The Wild Robot

by Peter Brown

JGP

James and the Giant Peach

by Roald Dahl

Penguin Random House Features

Horn Book +2 Penguin Random House +2 The Guardian +2

SLB

The Secret Language of Birds

by Lynne Kelly

S

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels

by Beth Lincoln

Free Robotics and Stem In-person Workshop in Your Neighbourhood for 7-14 Years Tech Enthusiasts.

Local kids are transforming ideas into real-world.

See the projects happening right in your neighborhood

What Parents Say