A dream nearly a decade in the making is now a reality: the Lakeland School System is officially becoming a full K-12 district. With the addition of 12th grade to Lakeland Preparatory School beginning in the 2025-26 academic year, the long-standing community goal to “MakeItWhole” is finally complete.
“For the first time, this is a budget for a complete K-12 system,” said Lakeland School System Superintendent Dr. Ted Horrell during a May 5 work session, where the school board reviewed a $32.8 million budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.
The journey to this moment has been marked by community passion, political campaigns, and multiple attempts to expand the school system. After voters rejected a bond proposal in 2015 that would have funded both a middle and high school, Lakeland leaders moved forward anyway—raising taxes to build a middle school that opened in 2017. Although a second attempt to fund a high school in 2017 fell short, a successful effort in 2019 led to the construction of Lakeland Preparatory School, which opened for the 2022-23 school year.
As the final grade level is added, Lakeland Schools also announced the acquisition of a new district office. The school system recently took possession of the former A2H building at 3009 Davies Plantation Road, purchased for $3.5 million. The space will serve as the new administrative headquarters.
Under Dr. Horrell’s leadership, the Lakeland School System has seen consistent growth and success, not only in academics but also in athletics and the arts. With the expansion to a full K-12 system, Lakeland families can now educate their children entirely within their own city—a vision that is finally being realized.
