Panther Lake Elementary

Panther Lake Elementary in Winter Garden, FL, is a mid-sized school serving 797 students in grades PK through 5 within the Orange district, located in a community where only 11% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Panther Lake Elementary is a solid, above-average school that finds itself in a challenging position: it is surrounded by some of the highest-performing elementary schools in the state, such as Summerlake Elementary and Hamlin Elementary, which consistently earn 4 or 5 stars. While Panther Lake performs at or above state averages, its state ranking has notably declined from the 74th percentile (4 stars) in 2023-2024 to the 57th percentile (3 stars) in 2025-2026. The school shows a clear strength in mathematics, with an average proficiency of 67.3%, but a relative weakness in English Language Arts (ELA), where proficiency averages 60.3%. This gap is more pronounced than at top-performing neighbors, which excel in both subjects. Additionally, Panther Lake's chronic absenteeism rate of 17.9%, while better than the district average, is significantly higher than nearby schools like Summerlake (8.3%) and Hamlin (11.8%).

Despite spending less per student ($8,987) than many of its high-achieving neighbors, Panther Lake still produces scores above state averages, suggesting it uses its resources efficiently. A direct comparison with Water Spring Elementary, a similarly-resourced 3-star school just 2.35 miles away, shows Panther Lake outperforming it in nearly every subject and grade level. To reverse its declining trend, the school would benefit from a focused literacy improvement plan and strategies to boost daily attendance, while building on its clear strength in mathematics.