LAWTON CHILES MIDDLE ACADEMY

www.lcmaknightsonline.com/

649 Students

Middle School 6th - 8th

School Overview

Lawton Chiles Middle Academy (LCMA), located in Lakeland, Florida, is a highly regarded public magnet school serving students in grades 6–8. As part of the Polk County Public Schools district, the academy is well-known for its rigorous academic environment and its specialized focus on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme. The school emphasizes a holistic approach to education, aiming to cultivate students who are not only academically proficient but also culturally aware, critical thinkers prepared for the challenges of high school and beyond.

Beyond its core curriculum, LCMA is distinguished by its vibrant extracurricular culture and commitment to community engagement. The school offers a variety of clubs, competitive athletics, and arts programs, which are designed to foster well-rounded personal development. With a motto centered on excellence and a reputation for high student achievement, Lawton Chiles Middle Academy remains a cornerstone of the Lakeland community, consistently attracting families who prioritize advanced academic programming and a supportive, structured learning environment.

649

Total Students

34.0

Full-Time Teachers

19.1

Student/Teacher Ratio

47.5%

Free/Reduced Lunch

Student Demographics

Student Demographics Data Table

Student Demographics for LAWTON CHILES MIDDLE ACADEMY
Demographic	Student Count
White	298
Hispanic	135
Black	143
Asian	47
Two or More	25
American Indian	1

White
298 (45.9 %)
Black
143 (22.0 %)
Hispanic
135 (20.8 %)
Asian
47 (7.2 %)
Two or More
25 (3.9 %)
American Indian
1 (0.2 %)

School Location

School Details

Status:	Open
School Level:	Middle School
School Type:	Regular School
Charter Status:*	Public Non-Charter
Virtual Instruction:	No virtual instruction
Shared Time Status:	No
District:	POLK
Phone:	(863)499-2742
Website:	http://www.lcmaknightsonline.com/
Grade Range:	6th - 8th
Total Students:	649
Full-Time Teachers (FTE):	34.0
Pupil/Teacher Ratio:	19.1
NSLP Participation:¹	Yes under Community Eligibility Option (CEO)
Qualified Free Lunch:	308
Qualified Reduced Lunch:	0

* Charter Schools: A public charter school is a publicly funded school that operates independently under a legislative contract (or "charter") with a state, school district, or designated authorizing entity. Charters grant these schools greater operational flexibility over curriculum, staffing, and budgeting in exchange for strict accountability to achieve performance standards established in their charter agreement.

¹ National School Lunch Program (NSLP): The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to eligible children each school day based on household income thresholds or community eligibility options (CEO).

Title I Program Overview: Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) allocates federal financial assistance to local educational agencies and public schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to help ensure that all children meet challenging state academic standards.

Grades Taught

Grade 6 232

Grade 7 220

Grade 8 197