Summary:
Zip code 32804 in Orlando, Florida, is home to two high schools—Edgewater High and Orlando Science Middle High Charter—that serve grades 9-12 and 6-12 respectively, offering a clear contrast in educational models and outcomes for families in this area.
Orlando Science Middle High Charter is the standout school, earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the top 8% of all Florida high schools (67th out of 838). It achieves exceptional academic proficiency across all subjects, including 94% in Biology and 90% in 10th-grade ELA, and boasts a perfect 100% graduation rate. In comparison, Edgewater High holds a 3-star rating and ranks in the 51st percentile (410th out of 838). While Edgewater’s graduation rate is also strong at 98.8%, its academic proficiency lags significantly—for example, only 43% of students are proficient in Algebra 1 versus 72% at Orlando Science. Edgewater also faces challenges with a chronic absenteeism rate of 52.3%, far above the Orange district average of 35.2% and the state average of 31.4%.
Resource differences help explain the performance gap. Orlando Science Middle High Charter spends $10,577 per student with a student-to-teacher ratio of 18.9:1, while Edgewater High spends $9,004 per student with a ratio of 24.3:1. Additionally, only 18.92% of Orlando Science students qualify for free/reduced lunch, compared to 48.3% at Edgewater. Despite these disparities, both schools exceed the state’s 92.2% graduation rate, and Edgewater shows relative strength in US History (77% proficient). For parents, the choice is clear: Orlando Science offers top-tier academics and engagement, while Edgewater provides a traditional high school experience with a strong graduation rate but notable challenges in attendance and test scores.
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