Very Good
#1122 of 3,778 schools in FL
Top 30% in state
Highlands Elementary School
Elementary School · Seminole · Winter Springs, FL
A Seminole elementary school where students score 22 points above what's typical for similar communities.
1600 SHEPARD RD, Winter Springs, FL 32708
- Math 67% vs FL 58% (2024)
- Reading 68% vs FL 54% (2024)
- 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio
Academics
Full Profile · 3/3 metricsView breakdown
View breakdown
View breakdown
Students at Highlands Elementary School score 68% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 45%).
2024 FAST proficiency
Most recent published year. School vs. FL average.
Trend
↑ RecoveringProficiency declined earlier in the 16-year record (2009–2024), then recovered 11 points since 2020, reaching 68% in 2024.
Show all 15 years
Multi-year averages used by the rating model: math 67% (multi-year average, 2009-2024) · reading/ELA 68% (multi-year average, 2009-2024)
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Based on 34 test records from FL state assessments and EdFacts (NCES).
Equity & diversity
Shown separately, not included in the overall scoreFree/reduced lunch
64.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateThe neighborhood
Where Highlands Elementary School sits, and what the surrounding area looks like.
Nearby same-level schools are colored by their score. Pins are locations, not attendance boundaries. Open the Orlando map →
Getting around & local context
- Walk 18Car-Dependent
- Bike 38Somewhat Bikeable
- County Safety: Average382/100K
Powered by
FBI Uniform Crime Reporting · 2024 · county context, not school-level safety or attendance eligibility. Source details
Source period: 2024. A newer release may be available.
Area profileU.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates)
Median income
$87,889
Median home value
$352,600
Median rent
$1,782/mo
College educated
46.7%
Homeownership
73.3%
Poverty rate
7.7%
ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates for the ZCTA associated with school ZIP 32708; this is area context, not an attendance boundary.
Programs & students
Programs & Offerings
Compare nearby
Nearby same-level schools
4 from a 5-mile search; district fallback available
| School | Score | Grades | Distance | Enrollment | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longwood Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 6.3 | PK–5 | 1.2 mi | 612 | Compare → |
| Oak Arbor Christian SchoolPrivate · tuition | Not rated | PK–K | 1.4 mi | 9 | Compare → |
| Seminole Science Charter SchoolCharter · enrollment unverified | 8.2 | K–8 | 1.4 mi | 537 | Compare → |
| Winter Springs Elementary SchoolEnrollment path unverified | 6.7 | PK–5 | 1.4 mi | 513 | Compare → |
Distance is proximity only; it is not attendance eligibility.
Enrollment path unverified: Potential public school; its attendance or application path has not been classified.
Private · tuition: Potential private option; tuition and admission requirements have not been verified.
Charter · enrollment unverified: Potential charter option; enrollment requirements have not been verified.
Seminole
- Schools in district
- 76
- Rank in district
- #22 of 71
- District spending per student
- $10,243NCES F-33 · FY 2023 · This annual source is three years behind the current year.
- District child poverty rate
- 9.6%Census SAIPE · 2024
Highlands Elementary School is listed in SEMINOLE; a district label does not verify attendance for an address.
About Highlands Elementary School
Highlands Elementary School is a public elementary school in Winter Springs, FL, part of Seminole, serving approximately 509 students in grades Pre-K-5th with a 14.5:1 student-teacher ratio. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10 and ranks #1,122 of 3,778 schools in FL. State assessment records show 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Highlands Elementary School
What grades does Highlands Elementary School serve?
Highlands Elementary School serves students in grades Pre-K through 5th.
How many students attend Highlands Elementary School?
Highlands Elementary School has an enrollment of approximately 509 students.
What is the student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School?
The student-teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School is 14.5:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.
How does Highlands Elementary School rank in FL?
Highlands Elementary School ranks #1,122 of 3,778 schools in FL.
What is Highlands Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands Elementary School has a current MySchoolScout rating of 7.4 out of 10. This score combines the level-appropriate components shown in the rating breakdown; equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Highlands Elementary School?
Based on loaded state assessment records, Highlands Elementary School has 67% math proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024) and 68% reading/ELA proficiency (multi-year average, 2009-2024).
Is Highlands Elementary School a charter school?
No, Highlands Elementary School is not a charter school. It is a traditional public school operated by the local school district.
Is Highlands Elementary School a Title I school?
No, Highlands Elementary School is not currently a Title I school.
What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Highlands Elementary School?
64.4% of students at Highlands Elementary School qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.
School factsNCES Common Core of Data (CCD) (SY 2023–24)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 509
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Seminole County
- Chronic Absenteeism (SY 2022-23)
- 23.4%
- Phone
- (407) 746-6650
- Area population (ZIP 32708)
- 48,034
- Area average commute
- 30.1 min
- Area median age
- 41.6
Official sources & links
About this school's data
Every number on this page comes from a published source with a stated period. Where a source is partial, aging, or describes a surrounding area rather than the school, that limitation is named below.
- School directory (enrollment, grades, staff, contact)
- NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) · SY 2023–24 · Medium confidence
- Source period: SY 2023–24. A newer release may be available.
- MySchoolScout rating and rank
- MySchoolScout ranking model · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Derived as a weighted blend of the component scores shown in Academics from state assessment, EdFacts growth, and NCES resource records.
- Math proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 FAST · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 FAST. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Reading/ELA proficiency
- State department of education · 2024 FAST · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: 2024 FAST. A newer release may be available.
- Derived from source records rather than read directly from one field.
- Student progress (growth)
- NCES EdFacts · Mixed source periods · Low confidence
- Vintage not available. Do not use this measure alone.
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Derived as the fitted year-over-year slope of proficiency from multi-year assessment records.
- Neighborhood (income, housing, education)
- U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates · ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates · Low confidence
- Older source: ACS 2019–2023 5-year estimates. Use as historical context.
- Reported for the ZCTA for ZIP 32708; this does not measure the attendance area.
- Programs (AP/IB, athletics, gifted)
- CRDC via Urban Institute · SY 2021–22 · Medium confidence
- Available for part of the eligible units; results may not represent the full area.
- Source period: SY 2021–22. A newer release may be available.
Evidence periods: Rating mixed/unknown input periods; assessments multi-year average, 2009-2024; directory SY 2023–24
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