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Water Spring Elementary

Q: Is Water Spring Elementary a good school?

Water Spring Elementary ranks 686 th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

686^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 69% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Water Spring Elementary in Winter Garden, FL, is a mid-to-large-sized school serving 1,013 students from Pre-K through 5th grade in a relatively affluent area of the Orange County school district, though it currently holds a 3-star rating and is being outpaced by several nearby schools.

One of the most important factors for parents to consider is Water Spring's declining academic trajectory compared to its neighbors. While the school has a solid foundation with low poverty rates (only 15.6% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch), its state ranking has dropped to the 69th percentile. In contrast, nearby schools like Summerlake Elementary (97th percentile), Hamlin Elementary (98th percentile), and Independence Elementary (90th percentile) are all on strong upward trends with 5-star ratings. Even the newer Atwater Bay Elementary, just 0.78 miles away, has quickly achieved an 85th percentile ranking. This creates a clear choice for families, as Water Spring is being outperformed by the schools immediately surrounding it.

The most critical red flag is Water Spring's high chronic absenteeism rate of 27.9% for the 2023-2024 school year, which is nearly double the rate of top-performing neighbors like Summerlake (8.3%) and Hamlin (11.8%). This absenteeism likely contributes to inconsistent grade-level performance, with strong 3rd-grade scores (74% in ELA, 75% in Math) dropping significantly by 5th grade (64% in ELA, 67% in Math). Math scores also lag behind peers—for example, 4th-grade Math proficiency is 69% at Water Spring, compared to 95% at Summerlake and 91% at Hamlin. On a positive note, 5th-grade Science is a bright spot, with 68% proficiency matching the district average. For parents, prioritizing attendance and considering the school's declining trend relative to rising neighbors are key factors in decision-making.

1,013

Students ?

17.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,610

Per pupil spending ?

15.6%

Free/discounted lunch ?

16000 Water Spring Blvd
Winter Garden, FL 34787

(407) 355-5709

District: Orange

Students who attend Water Spring Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Water Spring Middle School
High:	Horizon High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

53.3%

White:

31.9%

Asian:

6.7%

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At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 70th percentile in 2021 → 69th in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (69% vs 62% meeting standards)

✓Above the Florida median (69th percentile)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school69%

District avg65%

Florida avg62%

686^th of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Top 31%▬ steady since 2021

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

60^th of 161Elementary Schools in the Orange

30^th of 70Orange among Florida districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	67.7	686 of 2240	69.4%	★★★☆☆
2025	61.4	846 of 2258	62.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	68.8	666 of 2256	70.5%	★★★★☆
2023	77.9	451 of 2240	79.9%	★★★★☆
2022	76.7	484 of 2219	78.2%	★★★★☆
2021	68.4	678 of 2247	69.8%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Math70%+6 vs state

Science68%+8 vs state

English Language Arts67%+7 vs state

3.7

3 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★2

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Saturday, May 14, 2022

VPK and K. Excellent program and engaging teachers. Had the opportunity to see the improvements with the kids as well as our child. They aren't as communicative as others, but definitely a Great environment for our kids. Would be better if there weren't doing fund raisers/events charging extra to bring the kids BACK to the school for 1 or 2 hours. Try to make that 3 to 4 hoursto allow the children a d the parents to actually engage. However, the teachers are very educated and professional. I wouldn't change my child just because of how they worry about their progress, which is something that all parents want. Most to the staff is amazing. Something that SHOULD change is the driving situation /dropping off and picking up. The "walker" area would benefit the parents if it had some sort of shade.... or an actual tree or more. No shade whatsoever in the pick up area so bring an umbrella. Also an important note, THE STAFF needs to stop telling the parents to move from the grass area for pick up if we are just trying to not cook under 98 Fahrenheit. The district should make another road permitting access to the school. Some parents are mindless and speed through the community and park wherever they want. Other than that. Amazing school! Close Quote

by a parent
Wednesday, January 5, 2022

They do not follow child’s IEP. They have not had a math teacher for a 4th grade class for over a month and not expecting one for several weeks. Don’t move to this district! Close Quote

Schools Near Water Spring Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)						FAST Math (2026)						Statewide Science Science (2026)		EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Geometry (2026)	EOC Biology 1 (2026)	EOC Civics (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients (2025)	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Water Spring Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	16000 Water Spring Blvd	Winter Garden	34787	Orange County	Orange	No	No	No	No	(407) 355-5709	1,013	57	17.7	15.6%	323 (31.9%)	35 (3.5%)	540 (53.3%)	68 (6.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	45 (4.4%)	67.7	686^th of 2240 public elementary schools	69.4%		61.4	846^th of 2258 public elementary schools	62.5%	160	74.0	63.0	64.0				75.0	69.0	67.0				68.0						$9,610	$632	$8,979
Atwater Bay Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	11000 Atwater Bay Dr	Winter Garden	34787	Orange County	Orange	No	No	No	No	(407) 317-3200	748	43	17.3	13.9%	236 (31.6%)	29 (3.9%)	409 (54.7%)	41 (5.5%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	31 (4.1%)	82.1	334^th of 2240 public elementary schools	85.1%		82.3	359^th of 2258 public elementary schools	84.1%	25	76.0	68.0	70.0				85.0	88.0	76.0				76.0						$7,113	$434	$6,679
Panther Lake Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	10151 Summerlake Groves St	Winter Garden	34787	Orange County	Orange	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(407) 317-3200	797	43	18.5	11.0%	319 (40.0%)	30 (3.8%)	375 (47.1%)	48 (6.0%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (2.8%)	57	955^th of 2240 public elementary schools	57.4%		67	717^th of 2258 public elementary schools	68.2%	238	62.0	58.0	61.0				73.0	68.0	61.0				62.0						$8,987	$521	$8,465
Sawgrass Bay Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	16325 Superior Blvd	Clermont	34714	Lake County	Lake	No	No	No	No	(352) 243-6110	853	52	16.4	33.9%	301 (35.3%)	130 (15.2%)	375 (44.0%)	15 (1.8%)	4 (0.5%)	5 (0.6%)	23 (2.7%)	39.5	1413^th of 2240 public elementary schools	36.9%		34.4	1518^th of 2258 public elementary schools	32.8%	105	62.0	54.0	48.0				52.0	73.0	49.0				50.0						$10,698	$547	$10,151
Lake Pointe Academy	Public	PK, KG-8	801 Cagan View Rd	Clermont	34714	Lake County	Lake	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 253-6500	985	61	16.0	41.1%	242 (24.6%)	151 (15.3%)	534 (54.2%)	8 (0.8%)	5 (0.5%)	1 (0.1%)	44 (4.5%)	31.5	1635^th of 2240 public elementary schools	27.0%		25.9	1761^st of 2258 public elementary schools	22.0%	126	63.0	28.0	45.0	48.0	55.0	49.0	68.0	30.0	46.0	61.0	61.0	57.0	59.0	49.0	93.0			76.0	$11,807	$850	$10,957
Summerlake Elementary	Public	K-5	15450 Porter Rd	Winter Garden	34787	Orange County	Orange	No	No	No	No	(407) 317-3200	726	45	16.1	8.4%	377 (51.9%)	21 (2.9%)	233 (32.1%)	54 (7.4%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	40 (5.5%)	92.9	70^th of 2240 public elementary schools	96.9%		93.6	69^th of 2258 public elementary schools	96.9%	1	89.0	86.0	81.0				96.0	95.0	80.0				80.0						$10,217	$596	$9,620
Hamlin Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	16145 Silver Grove Blvd	Winter Garden	34787	Orange County	Orange	No	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(407) 317-3200	549	34	16.1	9.5%	263 (47.9%)	26 (4.7%)	185 (33.7%)	51 (9.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	24 (4.4%)	93.7	55^th of 2240 public elementary schools	97.5%		94.9	45^th of 2258 public elementary schools	98.0%	10	85.0	84.0	81.0				92.0	91.0	88.0				87.0						$10,655	$665	$9,990
Independence Elementary	Public	K-5	6255 New Independence Pkwy	Winter Garden	34787	Orange County	Orange	No	No	No	No	(407) 217-7727	889	54	16.4	11.5%	393 (44.2%)	27 (3.0%)	343 (38.6%)	87 (9.8%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.1%)	38 (4.3%)	86.8	216^th of 2240 public elementary schools	90.4%		87.2	241^st of 2258 public elementary schools	89.3%	25	85.0	79.0	73.0				92.0	84.0	75.0				76.0						$9,609	$596	$9,012
Bay Lake Elementary	Public	K-5	12005 Silverlake Park Dr	Windermere	34786	Orange County	Orange	No	No	No	No	(407) 217-7960	680	40	17.0	20.3%	231 (34.0%)	44 (6.5%)	316 (46.5%)	67 (9.9%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	20 (2.9%)	70.9	611^th of 2240 public elementary schools	72.7%		72.8	563^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	75.1%	48	74.0	70.0	65.0				78.0	74.0	65.0				67.0						$9,505	$540	$8,965
Westside K-8 School	Public	PK, KG-8	2551 Westside Blvd	Kissimmee	34747	Osceola County	Osceola	No	No	No	Yes	(407) 390-1748	1,496	80	18.7	38.3%	237 (15.8%)	184 (12.3%)	981 (65.6%)	8 (0.5%)	5 (0.3%)	8 (0.5%)	73 (4.9%)	22.7	1853^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	17.3%		20.5	1895^th of 2258 public elementary schools	16.1%	42	57.0	45.0	53.0	50.0	43.0	47.0	62.0	43.0	27.0	47.0	11.0	29.0	29.0	53.0	86.0	100.0	100.0	74.0	$10,354	$1,198	$9,155

Frequently Asked Questions about Water Spring Elementary

What is the racial makeup of Water Spring Elementary?

Students at Water Spring Elementary are 53% Hispanic, 32% White, 7% Asian, 4% Two or more races, 3% African American.

What schools do graduates of Water Spring Elementary attend?

Students who attend Water Spring Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Water Spring Middle School
High : Horizon High School

Is Water Spring Elementary a good school?

Water Spring Elementary ranks 686^th of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Water Spring Elementary in?

Orange

How many students attend Water Spring Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 1,013 students attended Water Spring Elementary.

Rate Water Spring Elementary!

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Latest Florida data All new data »

2024–25 attendance dataAug 18, 2026

2025–26 EOC, FAST & Statewide Science test scoresJun 26, 2026

2024–25 school spending dataMar 20, 2026

2024–25 graduation ratesJan 13, 2026

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.