Excellent
#420 of 3,777 schools in FL
Top 11% in state
Highlands Elementary School
Elementary School · SEMINOLE
1600 SHEPARD RD, Winter Springs, FL 32708
Enrollment
509
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Enrollment
509
Student-Teacher
14.5:1
Score
8.2
Grades
Pre-K – 5th
Updated
2022-23
Updated 2022-23
How this school compares
In Winter Springs
#4 of 8
public schools
Florida elementary schools
#388 of 2,196
In district
#16 of 71
SEMINOLE
Academic growth
8.4 / 10
Very strong
About Highlands Elementary School
Highlands Elementary School is a public elementary school in Winter Springs, FL, part of the SEMINOLE. The school serves approximately 509 students in grades Pre-K – 5th with a student-teacher ratio of 14.5:1. It holds a MySchoolScout rating of 8.2/10, placing it in the 88.9th percentile among FL schools — an above average rating overall.
Students demonstrate 65% proficiency in math, 8 points above the state average and 66% in reading/language arts, 12 points above the state average. The school scores particularly well in student growth (8.4/10). Located in a neighborhood with a median household income of $87,889, where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
The school is situated in a large suburban setting.
Score Breakdown
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Highlands Elementary School — Students at Highlands Elementary School score 57% proficient, which is above what's typical for similar communities (expected: 42%).
Equity & Diversity
Shown separately, not included in overall scoreFree/Reduced Lunch
64.4%
Students qualifying for federal meal assistance
Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)
Based on 11 test records from FL state assessments. About our data
Proficiency Trend
→ StableAverage proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.
* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.
Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 8.4/10.
How Highlands Elementary School Compares
See how Highlands Elementary School performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.
Funding & Resources
Performance Trends
Math proficiency has declined from 68% (2019) to 55% (2021). Reading/ELA proficiency has declined from 67% (2019) to 59% (2021).
Location
1600 SHEPARD RD, Winter Springs, FL 32708
Nearby Alternatives
Families considering Highlands Elementary School may also want to explore other elementary schools in the area. LAYER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.8/10, 1.6 miles away), which scores slightly higher. Another option is WINTER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (rated 8.4/10, 1.4 miles away), with a very similar rating. Additionally, STARCHILD ACADEMY LAKE MARY (rated 7.8/10, 2.7 miles away, in nearby Lake Mary), with a comparable rating. For more schools in Winter Springs, see our Winter Springs schools guide .
Nearby Schools
20 within 3.2 mi| School | Distance | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| LONGWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Longwood | 1.2 mi | 6.4 |
| WINTER SPRINGS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Springs | 1.4 mi | 8.4 |
| SEMINOLE SCIENCE CHARTER SCHOOL Lake Mary | 1.4 mi | 6.9 |
| OAK ARBOR CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Longwood | 1.4 mi | — |
| LONGWOOD CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Longwood | 1.5 mi | 6.5 |
| LAYER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Winter Springs | 1.6 mi | 8.8 |
| LAKE MARY HIGH SCHOOL Lake Mary | 1.8 mi | 6.0 |
| GREENWOOD LAKES MIDDLE SCHOOL Lake Mary | 1.9 mi | 5.9 |
| ELEVATION HIGH SCHOOL Sanford | 2.0 mi | 3.7 |
| COOPERATIVE SCHOOL AT NORTHLAND Longwood | 2.4 mi | — |
| JOHN POLK ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL Sanford | 2.4 mi | — |
| REVIVAL FIRE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Longwood | 2.4 mi | 2.5 |
| LAKE MARY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Lake Mary | 2.7 mi | 6.5 |
| SEMINOLE COUNTY DETENTION CENTER Sanford | 2.6 mi | 5.2 |
| LYMAN HIGH SCHOOL Longwood | 2.6 mi | 5.9 |
| STARCHILD ACADEMY LAKE MARY Lake Mary | 2.7 mi | 7.8 |
| MILWEE MIDDLE SCHOOL Longwood | 3.0 mi | 5.2 |
| CHOICES IN LEARNING CHARTER Winter Springs | 2.9 mi | 7.8 |
| SEMINOLE COUNTY VIRTUAL FRANCHISE (SCVS) Lake Mary | 3.0 mi | 8.8 |
| INSPIRE LEARNING ACADEMY Longwood | 3.2 mi | 6.5 |
Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)
Census data for ZIP 32708 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources
Median Income
$87,889
Median Home Value
$352,600
Median Rent
$1,782/mo
Population
48,034
College Educated
46.7%
Homeownership
73.3%
Avg Commute
30.1 min
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Median Age
41.6
Community Profile
The community surrounding Highlands Elementary School has a median household income of $87,889. It is a well-educated community where 47% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $352,600, with a median rent of $1,782/month. The local poverty rate of 7.7% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 30 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Similar Schools
Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings
| School | Rating |
|---|---|
| BAYVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Jacksonville, FL | 8.2 |
| BEACHSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Daytona Beach, FL | 8.2 |
| BEN GAMLA CHARTER SCHOOL SOUTH BROWARD Miami, FL | 8.2 |
| BRIDGEPREP ACADEMY SOUTH Miami, FL | 8.2 |
| CHAMPION ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Daytona Beach, FL | 8.2 |
| CLAYWELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa, FL | 8.2 |
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 is ranked #420 out of 3,777 schools in FL.
What is Highlands Elementary School's MySchoolScout rating?
Highlands Elementary School has a composite rating of 8.2 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.
What are the test scores at Highlands Elementary School?
Based on the most recent state assessment data, Highlands Elementary School has 65.2% math proficiency and 66.0% reading/ELA proficiency.
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.
Explore More Schools
Neighborhood Context
Powered by 
FBI UCR 2024. County-level only. Data >1 year old.
Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)
- Grades
- Pre-K – 5th
- Enrollment
- 509
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14.5:1
- Teachers (FTE)
- 35
- Free/Reduced Lunch
- 64.4%
- Type
- regular
- Setting
- Large Suburb
- County
- Seminole County
- Phone
- (407) 746-6650
- Data Year
- 2023–2024
Resources & Links
District
SEMINOLE- District Enrollment
- 65,443
- Schools in District
- 76
- Per-Pupil Spending
- $10,243
- District Rank
- #16 of 71
How We Rate Schools
Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.
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