Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 32746

The five elementary-level schools in zip code 32746, serving grades PK-5 (with one K-8 charter and one PK-2 specialized center), are part of the highly-rated Seminole district, which ranks in the top 15% of Florida districts. This area offers a diverse mix of traditional public schools, a science-focused charter, and a specialized development center, with academic performance and student demographics varying significantly across the schools.

Heathrow Elementary School is the clear academic standout, ranking in the top 5% of Florida elementary schools with a 5-star rating and test scores well above district and state averages. Seminole Science Charter School is another high-performing option, also earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the top 8% of schools, while operating with the lowest per-student spending ($8,449) and the highest student-teacher ratio (18.8:1). In contrast, Crystal Lake Elementary School faces the most academic challenges, with the lowest state ranking (63rd percentile) and the highest percentage of students receiving free/reduced lunch (51.68%). Lake Mary Elementary School falls in the middle, with a 3-star rating and a free/reduced lunch rate of 49.15%. Ucp Seminole Child Development serves a unique population (PK-2) with a low student-teacher ratio (10.2:1) and high per-student spending ($14,997), but its high chronic absenteeism rate (52.5%) reflects its specialized mission for students with significant needs.

A notable finding is a widespread "5th grade math slump" across the three traditional elementary schools, where 5th-grade math proficiency drops dramatically compared to 3rd and 4th grades. However, Seminole Science Charter School avoids this slump, achieving 85% proficiency in 5th-grade math. Overall, families in this zip code have strong options, with Heathrow Elementary and Seminole Science Charter leading in academic performance, while Crystal Lake and Lake Mary Elementary offer more economically diverse student bodies. The data also shows a clear link between lower poverty rates and higher academic performance, a common trend in educational data.