Best Public Schools in Zip Code 32703

The eight schools in zip code 32703 (Apopka, FL) serve elementary through high school grades and are split between the Orange and Seminole county districts, with the area facing significant challenges in chronic absenteeism and overall academic performance.

Bear Lake Elementary School is the standout performer in the zip code, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 50th percentile statewide—far ahead of its Orange County neighbors. This Seminole County school achieves strong test scores despite a 58.89% free/reduced lunch rate, proving that high poverty does not have to dictate low outcomes. In contrast, Orange County schools like Phillis Wheatley Elementary and Lovell Elementary struggle, ranking in the bottom 25% of the state. Piedmont Lakes Middle presents a unique "barbell" profile: it is a powerhouse for advanced math, with 100% proficiency in Geometry and 77% in Algebra 1, yet its standard grade-level scores in ELA and math fall below district and state averages. At the high school level, Wekiva High maintains a strong 96.9% graduation rate despite a 55.6% chronic absenteeism rate, while Sheeler High Charter is in crisis with a 37.8% graduation rate, 76.8% absenteeism, and a staggering 41.6:1 student-teacher ratio.

The most pressing issue across the zip code is chronic absenteeism, which averages 43.9%—well above the state average of 31.4%. Every school exceeds this state benchmark, with Randall Academy (66.7%) and Sheeler High (76.8%) being the most affected. The average state rank percentile for the area is just 26.3%, meaning most schools perform below the median for Florida. However, Bear Lake Elementary demonstrates that strong district support and effective school leadership can overcome socioeconomic barriers, as it achieves top results with a free/reduced lunch rate similar to its lower-performing Orange County peers. For parents, this means that while the area has systemic challenges, there are bright spots—particularly at Bear Lake and in the advanced math program at Piedmont Lakes—that offer quality educational options.