At last night’s Lakeland Board of Education meeting, board members unanimously approved a major structural change for Lakeland Preparatory School. The Board passed Resolution 2025/12-01, formally authorizing the division of the combined 5–12 campus into two distinct schools—a middle school serving grades 5–8 and a high school serving grades 9–12—beginning in the 2026–27 school year. According to the resolution, Lakeland Prep currently enrolls 1,680 students on the campus and already operates with separate academic courses, athletic programs, clubs, and support organizations for middle and high school students.
Board members noted that the change is driven by a desire to expand opportunities, enhance support, and strengthen academic growth for all students within the Lakeland School System. The resolution states that having separate principals and administrative teams for each school will allow for more focused leadership, improved communication, and greater responsiveness to the unique needs of middle and high school learners. Community feedback—gathered through stakeholder surveys and in-person sessions—also indicated strong support for dividing the administrative structure to better serve students.
With the resolution now adopted, Lakeland School System Superintendent, Dr. Ted Horrell, has been directed to take the necessary steps to start working on the transition. Additional recommendations requiring Board approval—including the possibility of a new middle school name—will be presented at future meetings.
