In the northwest corner of Westchester County lies the Lakeland Central School District, the largest suburban district in the county. Its borders push into Putnam County, then swing south almost to Peekskill. District students live in six different towns: Yorktown, Cortlandt, and Somers in Westchester County; Carmel, Philipstown, and Putnam Valley in Putnam County. 

In 1951, the Shrub Oak, Toddville, and Van Cortlandtville school districts merged. In 1952, the Lakeland School District opened its doors for the first time, serving 1,282 children in small neighborhood schools. Since that time, Lakeland has seen its population rise to a high of more than 8,000 in the 1970s. The student population is expected to be approximately 5,558 in 2022-2023. Lakeland’s five elementary schools educate students in grades K-5. The Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School educates students in grades 6-8. Our 9th through 12th graders attend either Lakeland High School or Walter Panas High School.