Summary:
Sebring, Florida is served by two public middle schools, Sebring Middle School and Hill-Gustat Middle School, both part of the Highlands School District and primarily serving grades 6-8.
While both schools hold a 2-star rating from the state, they have distinct academic strengths. Hill-Gustat Middle School is the more consistent performer across core subjects, posting higher proficiency in 6th and 7th grade ELA and Math, as well as Civics and 8th grade Science. Its 6th grade math proficiency (69%) notably exceeds both district and state averages. In contrast, Sebring Middle School is a standout in advanced mathematics, achieving exceptional results in 8th grade math (69%) and an extraordinary 96% proficiency on the Algebra 1 EOC exam—far surpassing district and state averages. This suggests a targeted and highly effective advanced math program at Sebring, despite the school spending significantly less per student ($10,071) compared to Hill-Gustat ($14,522).
A critical concern for both schools is chronic absenteeism, with rates around 40%—well above the state average of 31.4%. This challenge affects both schools similarly, yet their academic profiles diverge, indicating that in-school factors like teaching quality and curriculum play a decisive role. Hill-Gustat offers a more balanced academic experience, while Sebring Middle has a "spiky" profile with exceptional math results but struggles in other areas like 7th grade math (41%) and 8th grade ELA (51%). Parents should also note significant year-over-year test score volatility at both schools, which may reflect changing student cohorts or curriculum shifts.
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