Local Schools Near Lakeside Heritage, Highland City, 33812

Lakeside Heritage is a community located in Highland City, FL, with the ZIP code 33812. 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 Lakeside Heritage, including their ratings, based on available data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche, and the Florida Department of Education. Ratings are often based on test scores, student progress, college readiness, and other factors. Keep in mind that ratings can vary depending on the source and may change over time, so I recommend checking the most current data or visiting the schools for a personal assessment.

Location Context

Highland City, FL, is a small, unincorporated community in Polk County, near Lakeland. The Lakeside Heritage community is likely zoned for schools in the Highland City or nearby Lakeland areas. The schools listed below are based on proximity and zoning for the 33812 ZIP code. If you have a specific address within Lakeside Heritage, you can confirm exact school assignments through the Polk County Public Schools website (polkschoolsfl.com) using their school locator tool.

Schools Near Lakeside Heritage, Highland City, FL (33812)

Elementary Schools

1. Highland City Elementary School

   • Address: 5355 9th St SE, Highland City, FL 33846
   • Distance: Approximately 1-2 miles from Lakeside Heritage (depending on exact location within the community)
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 6/10 (based on test scores and student progress)
   • Florida Department of Education School Grade (2022-2023): Typically a "C" or "B" (varies by year; check the latest report card at fldoe.org)
   • Overview: This is the most likely zoned elementary school for Lakeside Heritage. It serves the Highland City area and focuses on core academics with some extracurricular activities. Parental reviews often highlight the small community feel but note occasional concerns about class sizes or resources.
   • Enrollment: Around 400-500 students (approximate, varies yearly)
   • Contact: (863) 648-3540

2. Valleyview Elementary School (Alternative Nearby Option)

   • Address: 2900 State Road 540 E, Lakeland, FL 33801
   • Distance: Approximately 3-5 miles from Lakeside Heritage
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 5/10
   • Florida School Grade: Often a "C"
   • Overview: This school may serve nearby areas of 33812 depending on zoning boundaries. It has a diverse student population and offers standard elementary programs.
   • Enrollment: Around 600-700 students
   • Contact: (863) 648-3535

   Middle Schools

   1. Bartow Middle School (Likely Zoned for Highland City)
   2. Address: 550 E Clower St, Bartow, FL 33830
   3. Distance: Approximately 6-8 miles from Lakeside Heritage
   4. Grade Levels: 6-8
   5. Rating:
   6. GreatSchools.org: 4/10
   7. Florida School Grade: Typically "C"
   8. Overview: This school often serves students from Highland City after elementary school. It offers a range of academic and elective courses, though test scores are below the state average in some areas.
   9. Enrollment: Around 800-900 students
   10. Contact: (863) 534-7415

3. Lakeland Highlands Middle School (Alternative Nearby Option)

   • Address: 740 Lake Miriam Dr, Lakeland, FL 33813
   • Distance: Approximately 5-7 miles from Lakeside Heritage
   • Grade Levels: 6-8
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 7/10
   • Florida School Grade: Often "B" or "A"
   • Overview: Depending on zoning, some students in 33812 may attend this higher-rated middle school. It has stronger academic performance and offers various extracurriculars.
   • Enrollment: Around 1,200 students
   • Contact: (863) 648-3500

   High Schools

   1. George W. Jenkins High School (Likely Zoned for Highland City)
   2. Address: 6000 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813
   3. Distance: Approximately 5-7 miles from Lakeside Heritage
   4. Grade Levels: 9-12
   5. Rating:
   6. GreatSchools.org: 6/10
   7. Florida School Grade: Typically "B"
   8. Overview: This is the primary high school for much of the 33812 area. It offers a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses, career academies, and sports programs. Reviews often praise the school’s facilities and extracurriculars but note mixed academic outcomes.
   9. Enrollment: Around 2,000-2,500 students
   10. Contact: (863) 648-3566

4. Bartow Senior High School (Alternative Nearby Option)

   • Address: 1270 S Broadway Ave, Bartow, FL 33830
   • Distance: Approximately 7-9 miles from Lakeside Heritage
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 5/10
   • Florida School Grade: Typically "B" or "C"
   • Overview: Some students from Highland City may be zoned for Bartow High, which has a long history in the area and offers IB (International Baccalaureate) programs alongside standard and vocational tracks.
   • Enrollment: Around 2,000 students
   • Contact: (863) 534-7400

   Charter and Private School Options

   In addition to public schools, there are charter and private options near Lakeside Heritage for families seeking alternatives:

5. McKeel Academy of Technology (Charter)

   • Address: 1810 W Parker St, Lakeland, FL 33815
   • Distance: Approximately 10-12 miles
   • Grade Levels: 7-12
   • Rating: GreatSchools.org: 9/10; Florida School Grade: "A"
   • Overview: A highly rated charter school with a focus on technology and academics. Admission is lottery-based, and it’s competitive.
   • Contact: (863) 499-2818

6. Resurrection Catholic School (Private)

   • Address: 3720 Old Hwy 37, Lakeland, FL 33813
   • Distance: Approximately 5-7 miles
   • Grade Levels: PK-8
   • Rating: Not typically rated on GreatSchools; parent reviews on Niche are generally positive (around 4/5 stars)
   • Overview: A faith-based option with a focus on Catholic values and academics.
   • Contact: (863) 644-3931

7. Lakeland Christian School (Private)

   • Address: 1111 Forest Park St, Lakeland, FL 33803
   • Distance: Approximately 8-10 miles
   • Grade Levels: PK-12
   • Rating: Highly regarded in the community; Niche rating: A-
   • Overview: One of the largest private schools in the area, offering a Christian-based education with strong academics and athletics.
   • Contact: (863) 688-2771

   Additional Notes on Ratings and Selection

   • GreatSchools.org Ratings: These are on a 1-10 scale and focus on test scores, equity, and student progress. They’re a useful starting point but don’t capture everything (e.g., school culture or specific programs).
   • Florida School Grades: Assigned by the Florida Department of Education, these range from A to F and are based on standardized test performance, graduation rates, and other metrics. You can find the latest grades at fldoe.org.
   • Zoning: School assignments can vary even within a small community like Lakeside Heritage. Use the Polk County Public Schools zoning tool or call the district at (863) 534-0500 to confirm your specific zoned schools.
   • School Choice: Polk County offers school choice options, including magnet programs and charter schools, which may allow attendance outside your zoned area if space is available.

   Recommendation

   If you’re in Lakeside Heritage, Highland City Elementary, Bartow Middle, and George W. Jenkins High are the most likely public schools based on proximity and zoning for 33812. Among these, George W. Jenkins High and potentially Lakeland Highlands Middle (if zoned) have better ratings and reviews. For families seeking higher-rated options, consider applying to charter schools like McKeel Academy or exploring private schools like Lakeland Christian.

   If you’d like more specific details about a particular school, program, or zoning for an exact address in Lakeside Heritage, let me know, and I can help further! You can also visit the schools or attend open houses to get a firsthand look at the environment and meet staff.