Local Schools Near Cross Creek Acres, Medulla, 33811

Cross Creek Acres is a community located in the Medulla area of Lakeland, Florida, with the ZIP code 33811. This area falls within Polk County, and the schools serving this community are part of the Polk County Public Schools district. Below, I’ll provide information on the schools near Cross Creek Acres/Medulla, FL, including their ratings, based on available data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche, and the Florida Department of Education. Ratings are typically based on test scores, student progress, college readiness, and other factors. Note that ratings can vary depending on the source and may change over time, so I recommend checking the most current data for accuracy.

I’ll focus on public schools zoned for or near the 33811 area, as well as mention any notable private or charter options if applicable. Since exact zoning can depend on specific addresses within Cross Creek Acres, you may need to confirm with Polk County Public Schools for the precise school assignments for a particular property.

Public Schools Near Cross Creek Acres, Medulla, FL (33811)

1. Medulla Elementary School

   • Address: 850 Schoolhouse Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813
   • Grade Levels: PreK-5
   • Distance: Approximately 1-2 miles from parts of Cross Creek Acres/Medulla
   • Rating (GreatSchools.org): 5/10 (based on test scores and student progress as of recent data)
   • Overview: This is likely the zoned elementary school for much of the Medulla area. It serves a diverse student population and focuses on core academics with some extracurricular activities. Parent reviews often mention the community feel but note varying experiences with teacher engagement.
   • Florida School Grade (2022-2023): C (based on state assessments and accountability measures from the Florida DOE)

2. Lakeland Highlands Middle School

   • Address: 740 Lake Miriam Dr, Lakeland, FL 33813
   • Grade Levels: 6-8
   • Distance: Approximately 3-4 miles from Cross Creek Acres
   • Rating (GreatSchools.org): 6/10
   • Overview: This middle school often serves students from Medulla Elementary and nearby areas. It offers a range of academic programs and electives, with a focus on preparing students for high school. Reviews highlight a mix of strong teachers and some concerns about class sizes.
   • Florida School Grade (2022-2023): B

3. George Jenkins High School

   • Address: 6000 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Distance: Approximately 3-5 miles from Cross Creek Acres
   • Rating (GreatSchools.org): 6/10
   • Overview: This is the likely zoned high school for the Medulla area. George Jenkins High is known for a variety of academic and extracurricular programs, including sports and arts. It has a relatively large student body, and reviews often mention school spirit alongside some challenges with overcrowding.
   • Florida School Grade (2022-2023): B
   • Graduation Rate: Around 95% (based on recent state data)

   Alternative Public/Charter Schools Nearby

4. Polk Pre-Collegiate Academy (Charter)

   • Address: Located within George Jenkins High School campus
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Distance: Approximately 3-5 miles
   • Rating (GreatSchools.org): Not widely rated due to its smaller size, but often praised for individualized learning
   • Overview: This is a smaller, application-based program focusing on college preparation. It’s an option for families seeking a more tailored high school experience.

5. McKeel Academy of Technology (Charter)

   • Address: 1810 W Parker St, Lakeland, FL 33815
   • Grade Levels: 7-12
   • Distance: Approximately 6-8 miles
   • Rating (GreatSchools.org): 9/10
   • Overview: A highly regarded charter school with a focus on technology and academics. It requires an application/lottery for admission and is known for strong test scores and college readiness.
   • Florida School Grade (2022-2023): A

   Private Schools Near Cross Creek Acres, Medulla, FL

6. Resurrection Catholic School

   • Address: 3720 Old Hwy 37, Lakeland, FL 33813
   • Grade Levels: PreK-8
   • Distance: Approximately 2-3 miles
   • Rating: Not rated on GreatSchools, but parent reviews on Niche give it high marks for faith-based education (around 4/5)
   • Overview: A private Catholic school offering a faith-based curriculum with a focus on academic and moral development. Tuition applies, and enrollment may require adherence to religious guidelines.

7. Geneva Classical Academy

   • Address: 4204 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813
   • Grade Levels: PreK-12
   • Distance: Approximately 3-4 miles
   • Rating: Highly reviewed on Niche (around 4.5/5) for its classical education model
   • Overview: A private Christian school emphasizing classical education, including logic, rhetoric, and traditional subjects. It’s smaller in size with a strong community focus, but tuition costs are a consideration.

   Additional Notes on School Ratings and Selection

   • Ratings Context: GreatSchools.org ratings (1-10) are based on test scores, equity, and other metrics, while Florida DOE grades (A-F) focus on state assessments, graduation rates, and student growth. Discrepancies can occur due to different criteria. Niche ratings often incorporate parent and student feedback.
   • Zoning Verification: School assignments can vary within a ZIP code or community like Cross Creek Acres. Use the Polk County Public Schools’ zoning tool (available on their website, www.polkschoolsfl.com) or contact their office at (863) 534-0500 to confirm schools for a specific address.
   • School Performance Trends: Some schools in the Lakeland area, including Medulla, have shown improvement in state grades over recent years, though challenges like class size or resource allocation may persist in public schools.
   • Charter and Private Options: These often require applications, lotteries, or tuition, but they can provide alternatives if public schools don’t meet family needs. McKeel Academy, for instance, is a popular choice but has limited spots.

   How to Research Further

   • Polk County Public Schools Website: www.polkschoolsfl.com for zoning maps, school reports, and enrollment info.
   • GreatSchools.org: Detailed ratings, reviews, and demographic data for each school.
   • Niche.com: Parent and student reviews, plus rankings for public and private schools.
   • Florida Department of Education: edudata.fldoe.org for official state grades and performance metrics.

   If you have a specific address within Cross Creek Acres or prefer more details on a particular school (e.g., programs, class sizes, or extracurriculars), let me know, and I can refine the information further. Additionally, if you’re interested in preschools, daycare options, or specific special education services, I can expand on those as well.