Local Schools Near Stoney Creek, Medulla, 33811

Stoney Creek is a community located near Medulla, FL, with the ZIP code 33811, which falls in Polk County. This area is part of the Lakeland region, and there are several schools nearby that serve the community. Below, I’ll provide information on available schools (elementary, middle, and high schools) near Stoney Creek/Medulla, FL, along with their ratings based on data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche, and the Florida Department of Education. Ratings are often based on test scores, student progress, and other factors like parent reviews. Note 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.

Overview of the Area

• Location: Medulla, FL (ZIP 33811) is a suburban area south of Lakeland, near major roads like County Line Road and W Pipkin Road. Stoney Creek is a specific neighborhood in this vicinity.
• School District: Polk County Public Schools oversees the public schools in this area.
• School Assignment: School zones can depend on exact addresses, so I recommend using the Polk County School Board's School Locator tool (available on their website) to confirm zoning for a specific address in Stoney Creek.

Public Schools Near Stoney Creek, Medulla, FL (33811)

Elementary Schools

1. Medulla Elementary School

   • Address: 850 Schoolhouse Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813
   • Distance: Approximately 1-2 miles from most parts of Stoney Creek/Medulla.
   • Grade Levels: PreK-5
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 5/10 (based on test scores and student progress)
   • Florida Department of Education: Typically receives a "C" grade in recent years.
   • Details: This is the closest elementary school for many in the Medulla area. It focuses on core academics and offers programs like exceptional student education (ESE). Parent reviews often mention a supportive staff but note room for improvement in facilities or extracurriculars.
   • Enrollment: Around 600-700 students (varies yearly).

2. R. Bruce Wagner Elementary School

   • Address: 5500 Yates Rd, Lakeland, FL 33811
   • Distance: Approximately 3-4 miles from Stoney Creek.
   • Grade Levels: PreK-5
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 6/10
   • Florida Department of Education: Often a "B" or "C" grade.
   • Details: Known for a strong community feel and decent academic performance. It serves parts of the 33811 area and has programs for gifted students and after-school care.
   • Enrollment: Around 700 students.

   Middle Schools

   1. Lakeland Highlands Middle School
   2. Address: 740 Lake Miriam Dr, Lakeland, FL 33813
   3. Distance: About 3-5 miles from Stoney Creek/Medulla.
   4. Grade Levels: 6-8
   5. Rating:
   6. GreatSchools.org: 6/10
   7. Florida Department of Education: Typically a "B" grade.
   8. Details: This is a common middle school for students in the Medulla area. It offers a variety of electives, sports, and clubs. Test scores are above average for the district in some subjects.
   9. Enrollment: Approximately 1,200-1,300 students.

3. Southwest Middle School

   • Address: 2815 Eden Pkwy, Lakeland, FL 33803
   • Distance: About 5-7 miles from Stoney Creek.
   • Grade Levels: 6-8
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 4/10
   • Florida Department of Education: Often a "C" grade.
   • Details: Serves some parts of the 33811 area. It has a diverse student body and offers standard middle school programs, though test scores are slightly below average for the state.
   • Enrollment: Around 800-900 students.

   High Schools

   1. George W. Jenkins High School
   2. Address: 6000 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813
   3. Distance: Approximately 4-6 miles from Stoney Creek/Medulla.
   4. Grade Levels: 9-12
   5. Rating:
   6. GreatSchools.org: 7/10
   7. Florida Department of Education: Typically a "B" grade.
   8. Details: This is the primary high school for many in the Medulla area. It’s well-regarded for its academic programs, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses, and has strong extracurriculars like sports and band. Graduation rates are above the district average.
   9. Enrollment: Around 2,200-2,400 students.

4. Lakeland High School

   • Address: 726 Hollingsworth Rd, Lakeland, FL 33801
   • Distance: About 7-9 miles from Stoney Creek.
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 5/10
   • Florida Department of Education: Often a "C" or "B" grade.
   • Details: An alternative high school for some in the 33811 area, depending on zoning. It offers a range of programs, including career academies, but has mixed reviews on academic performance.
   • Enrollment: Around 2,000 students.

   Private Schools Near Stoney Creek, Medulla, FL (33811)

   1. Resurrection Catholic School
   2. Address: 3720 Old Hwy 37, Lakeland, FL 33813
   3. Distance: About 3-4 miles from Stoney Creek.
   4. Grade Levels: PreK-8
   5. Rating: Not typically rated on GreatSchools, but parent reviews on Niche often give it 4/5 stars for its faith-based education and small class sizes.
   6. Details: A Catholic school offering a religious curriculum alongside academics. Tuition applies, and enrollment is smaller compared to public schools.
   7. Enrollment: Around 400-500 students.

5. Geneva Classical Academy

   • Address: 4204 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813
   • Distance: About 4-5 miles from Stoney Creek.
   • Grade Levels: PreK-12
   • Rating: Highly regarded in parent reviews (often 4.5/5 on Niche) for its classical education model.
   • Details: A private Christian school with a focus on classical learning (logic, rhetoric, grammar). Tuition is required, and class sizes are small.
   • Enrollment: Around 200-300 students.

   Charter Schools Near Stoney Creek, Medulla, FL (33811)

   1. McKeel Academy of Technology
   2. Address: 1810 W Parker St, Lakeland, FL 33815
   3. Distance: About 6-8 miles from Stoney Creek.
   4. Grade Levels: 7-12
   5. Rating:
   6. GreatSchools.org: 9/10
   7. Florida Department of Education: Consistently an "A" grade.
   8. Details: A highly rated charter school with a focus on technology and academics. Admission is lottery-based, and it’s competitive due to strong test scores and college prep programs.
   9. Enrollment: Around 1,500 students.

6. Polk Pre-Collegiate Academy

   • Address: Located on the Polk State College campus, Lakeland, FL 33803
   • Distance: About 5-7 miles from Stoney Creek.
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: Often rated highly (8/10 on GreatSchools) for its dual-enrollment focus.
   • Details: A charter school offering college-level courses for high school students. Admission is selective.
   • Enrollment: Smaller, around 200-300 students.

   Additional Notes on Ratings and Selection

   • Ratings Context: GreatSchools.org ratings (1-10) are based on test scores, equity, and student progress, while Florida DOE grades (A-F) focus on state assessments like FSA (Florida Standards Assessments). Niche ratings often incorporate parent and student feedback.
   • School Choice: Polk County offers school choice options, meaning families can apply to schools outside their zoned area if space is available or through magnet/charter programs.
   • Updates: School ratings and zoning can change annually. Check the Polk County Public Schools website (polkschoolsfl.com) or call the district at (863) 534-0500 for the latest information.
   • Visiting Schools: I recommend scheduling tours or attending open houses to get a feel for the environment, especially for private or charter options.

   Conclusion

   For families in Stoney Creek, Medulla, FL (33811), the primary public school options include Medulla Elementary, Lakeland Highlands Middle, and George W. Jenkins High, with ratings generally in the average to above-average range (5-7/10 on GreatSchools). Private schools like Resurrection Catholic and Geneva Classical offer faith-based or specialized education,