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Highlands Elementary School

Q: Is Highlands Elementary School a good school?

Highlands Elementary School ranks 603 rd of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

603^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 2,240 Florida Elementary Schools

Better than 73% of Florida elementary schools

Summary

Highlands Elementary School in Winter Springs, FL, is a mid-sized public school serving 503 students from Pre-K through 5th grade within the highly-rated Seminole County School District. The school has earned a consistent 4-star rating from SchoolDigger over the past five years, reflecting solid overall performance, though its results vary significantly by grade level and subject.

One of the school's standout strengths is its exceptional 4th grade performance, with 82% proficiency in English Language Arts and 81% in Math in the most recent school year—the highest scores among all comparable elementary schools in the area. However, a persistent challenge is a severe drop in 5th grade math proficiency, which fell to just 25% in 2024-2025, the lowest among peer schools and 21 points below the district average. This "5th grade math slump" is a critical area needing intervention. On a positive note, 5th grade science scores are a consistent bright spot, outperforming the district average for three consecutive years. The school also invests heavily in its students, with per-pupil spending of $12,234—the highest among nearby schools—and a low student-teacher ratio of 13.5:1, suggesting smaller class sizes and more individualized attention.

Compared to nearby Choices In Learning Charter, which achieves elite 88-96% proficiency across all subjects with a lower-needs population and leaner budget, Highlands delivers solid, above-average results with a higher-needs student body (62% eligible for free or reduced-price lunch). Chronic absenteeism, while historically a concern, has improved to 19.8%, now below district and state averages. Overall, Highlands Elementary is a strong school with targeted strengths in 4th grade and science, but families should be aware of the math challenges in 5th grade and the school's commitment to addressing them through its resources.

503

Students ?

13.5

Student/teacher ratio ?

$12,234

Per pupil spending ?

62.2%

Free/discounted lunch ?

1600 Shepard Rd
Winter Springs, FL 32708

(407) 746-6650

District: Seminole

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

41.0%

White:

40.4%

Two or more races:

8.9%

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At a glance

▲ Ranking trend: Improving — 62nd percentile in 2016 → 73rd in 2026

Strengths

✓Test scores above the Florida average (72% vs 62% meeting standards)

✓Ranking is trending up — up 11 percentile points since 2016

✓Above the Florida median (73rd percentile)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school72%

District avg69%

Florida avg62%

603^rd of 2,240

Florida public elementary schools ?

Top 27%▲ up 11 pts since 2016

From top 38% (2016) to top 27% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

21^st of 41Elementary Schools in the Seminole

8^th of 70Seminole 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	71.1	603 of 2240	73.1%	★★★★☆
2025	70.5	624 of 2258	72.4%	★★★★☆
2024	75.2	521 of 2256	76.9%	★★★★☆
2023	71.4	602 of 2240	73.1%	★★★★☆
2022	71.3	599 of 2219	73.0%	★★★★☆
2021	61.8	814 of 2247	63.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	66.9	692 of 2182	68.3%	★★★☆☆
2018	72.6	548 of 2118	74.1%	★★★★☆
2017	74.1	523 of 2112	75.2%	★★★★☆
2016	61.9	784 of 2087	62.4%	★★★☆☆
2014	70.9	555 of 2064	73.1%	★★★★☆
2013	78.3	382 of 2029	81.2%	★★★★☆
2012	75.2	455 of 1984	77.1%	★★★★☆
2011	74.1	487 of 1985	75.5%	★★★★☆
2010	85.1	221 of 1919	88.5%	★★★★☆
2009	81.2	299 of 1847	83.8%	★★★★☆
2008	82.3	266 of 1789	85.1%	★★★★☆
2007	90.1	108 of 1786	94.0%	★★★★★
2006	77.2	359 of 1688	78.7%	★★★★☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

English Language Arts74%+14 vs state

Math71%+8 vs state

Science69%+9 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
Monday, June 6, 2011

Came from England and had heard some stories about American schooling,
fears admonished, this school and teaching staff are excellent, love it.
Daughter has just graduated from 5th grade, schooled there since Kindergarten, so sorry to leave, hope our 4 year old will get the same experience next year. Close Quote

by a student
Saturday, August 1, 2009

I whent to the school my self five years ago and hated it. When I swiched schools in 5th grade I larnd more in my one year at the other school thein I did Pre-k to 4th at highlands.OH and im teribal at spelling as you can probably tell from this. Close Quote

Schools Near Highlands Elementary School

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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	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 English Language Arts 9th 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	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
Highlands Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1600 Shepard Rd	Winter Springs	32708	Seminole County	Seminole	No	No	No	No	(407) 746-6650	503	37	13.5	62.2%	203 (40.4%)	33 (6.6%)	206 (41.0%)	16 (3.2%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (8.9%)	71.1	603^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	73.1%		70.5	624^th of 2258 public elementary schools	72.4%	21	70.0	82.0	71.0					62.0	81.0	55.0	100.0			69.0					$12,234	$1,008	$11,227
Longwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	840 Orange Ave	Longwood	32750	Seminole County	Seminole	No	No	No	No	(407) 746-5250	573	39	14.6	64.7%	224 (39.1%)	61 (10.6%)	240 (41.9%)	15 (2.6%)	5 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	28 (4.9%)	63.7	794^th of 2240 public elementary schools	64.6%		57.1	949^th of 2258 public elementary schools	58.0%	155	70.0	63.0	74.0					61.0	67.0	48.0	97.0			70.0					$11,057	$1,138	$9,919
Winter Springs Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	701 W State Road 434	Winter Springs	32708	Seminole County	Seminole	No	No	No	Yes	(407) 320-0650	501	35	14.3	75.6%	153 (30.5%)	65 (13.0%)	245 (48.9%)	12 (2.4%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	24 (4.8%)	46.3	1244^th of 2240 public elementary schools	44.5%		40.2	1354^th of 2258 public elementary schools	40.0%	110	54.0	66.0	57.0					55.0	69.0	40.0	100.0			62.0					$11,359	$1,070	$10,289
Seminole Science Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	3580 N Us Highway 17-92	Lake Mary	32746	Seminole County	Seminole	Yes	No	No	No	(407) 864-8296	547	29	18.8	25.2%	170 (31.1%)	38 (6.9%)	127 (23.2%)	190 (34.7%)	3 (0.5%)	4 (0.7%)	15 (2.7%)	88.4	171^st of 2240 public elementary schools	92.4%		86.2	260^th of 2258 public elementary schools	88.5%	89	85.0	76.0	89.0	88.0	84.0	86.0	93.0	92.0	85.0	85.0		90.0	61.0	67.0	87.0	95.0	88.0	90.0	$8,449	$00	$8,449
Layer Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4201 Sr 419	Winter Springs	32708	Seminole County	Seminole	No	No	No	No	(407) 871-8050	543	42	12.9	49.5%	188 (34.6%)	64 (11.8%)	208 (38.3%)	32 (5.9%)	4 (0.7%)	1 (0.2%)	46 (8.5%)	83.1	308^th of 2240 public elementary schools	86.3%		72.4	572^nd of 2258 public elementary schools	74.7%	264	84.0	85.0	79.0					74.0	92.0	58.0	100.0			72.0					$12,208	$588	$11,621
Lake Mary Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	132 S Country Club Rd	Lake Mary	32746	Seminole County	Seminole	No	No	No	No	(407) 320-5650	881	60	14.8	49.1%	417 (47.3%)	73 (8.3%)	281 (31.9%)	30 (3.4%)	6 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	74 (8.4%)	63.2	807^th of 2240 public elementary schools	64.0%		70.8	613^th of 2258 public elementary schools	72.9%	194	64.0	73.0	63.0					68.0	69.0	36.0	94.0			68.0					$10,110	$608	$9,503
Choices In Learning Charter	Public, Charter	K-5	1100 East State Road 434	Winter Springs	32708	Seminole County	Seminole	Yes	No	No	No	(407) 302-1005	685	41	16.7	17.7%	294 (42.9%)	31 (4.5%)	179 (26.1%)	129 (18.8%)	4 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	47 (6.9%)	95.6	21^st of 2240 public elementary schools	99.1%		96.8	18^th of 2258 public elementary schools	99.2%	3	92.0	88.0	91.0					92.0	87.0	96.0				89.0					$8,954	$658	$8,295
Woodlands Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1420 Ee Williamson Rd	Longwood	32750	Seminole County	Seminole	No	No	No	No	(407) 746-2750	785	51	15.5	34.5%	424 (54.0%)	33 (4.2%)	236 (30.1%)	28 (3.6%)	4 (0.5%)	2 (0.3%)	58 (7.4%)	82.5	325^th of 2240 public elementary schools	85.5%		88.4	216^th of 2258 public elementary schools	90.4%	109	83.0	81.0	71.0					86.0	83.0	39.0	100.0			83.0					$9,612	$549	$9,063
Contracted Services	Public	PK, KG-5	400 E Lake Mary Blvd	Sanford	32773	Seminole County	Seminole	No	No	No	No	(407) 320-0422	4	0			0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (75.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (25.0%)								(n/a)
Crystal Lake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	231 Rinehart Rd	Lake Mary	32746	Seminole County	Seminole	No	No	No	No	(407) 871-8112	685	44	15.5	51.7%	239 (34.9%)	94 (13.7%)	242 (35.3%)	52 (7.6%)	2 (0.3%)	3 (0.4%)	53 (7.7%)	62.1	832^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	62.9%		53.7	1023^rd of 2258 public elementary schools	54.7%	191	69.0	60.0	73.0					76.0	61.0	39.0	100.0			67.0					$10,500	$652	$9,848

Frequently Asked Questions about Highlands Elementary School

What is the racial makeup of Highlands Elementary School?

Students at Highlands Elementary School are 41% Hispanic, 40% White, 9% Two or more races, 7% African American, 3% Asian.

Is Highlands Elementary School a good school?

Highlands Elementary School ranks 603^rd of 2240 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Highlands Elementary School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 503 students attended Highlands Elementary School.

What district is Highlands Elementary School in?

Seminole

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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.