Tildenville Elementary

Tildenville Elementary in Winter Garden, FL, is a public school serving 738 students in grades PK through 5 within the Orange district, and it has earned a consistent 4-star rating from SchoolDigger for six consecutive years, with a state ranking that has climbed from the 60th percentile to the 86th percentile over the past decade.

This school stands out for its exceptional 5th-grade science program, where 90% of students were proficient in the most recent school year—far exceeding the district average of 67% and the state average of 60%. This is the highest science proficiency rate among all nearby schools, including top performers like Whispering Oak Elementary and Lake Whitney Elementary. Tildenville also shows strong and consistent growth in English Language Arts (ELA), with 5th-grade proficiency rising from 62% to 83% over three years. While its chronic absenteeism rate of 19.2% is higher than the area's elite schools (which are below 12%), it is notably lower than many immediate neighbors, such as Dillard Street Elementary (24.9%) and Sunridge Elementary (24.8%).

What makes Tildenville particularly appealing is its efficiency: it spends just $10,923 per student—the lowest among all comparable schools in the area—yet achieves academic results that surpass schools spending significantly more, such as William S Maxey Elementary ($13,349) and Ocoee Elementary ($12,617). With only 29% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the school serves a relatively low-poverty population, and its consistent upward trajectory in state rankings over eight of the last ten years suggests strong leadership and effective teaching. For families seeking a high-quality education without the intense competition for spots at the very top schools, Tildenville represents a reliable, high-value option that continues to improve.