Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 33852

Zip code 33852 (Lake Placid, FL) is home to two elementary schools, Lake Country Elementary School and Lake Placid Elementary School, both serving grades PK through 5 within the Highlands School District.

Lake Placid Elementary School is the standout performer in this area, showing a strong upward trajectory in its state ranking from the 63rd to the 74th percentile over recent years. It consistently outperforms Lake Country Elementary School in English Language Arts and especially in mathematics, where 87% of its 5th graders were proficient in 2025-2026—a full 25 points above the state average. This is particularly impressive given that both schools serve a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students (63-73% free/reduced lunch). Lake Placid Elementary also spends slightly more per student ($12,897 vs. $12,032) and has a higher student-teacher ratio (16.4:1 vs. 15.2:1). In contrast, Lake Country Elementary has seen a slight decline in its state ranking and lags in core subjects, though it does edge out its counterpart in 5th-grade science proficiency (58% vs. 54%).

Chronic absenteeism is a challenge for both schools, with Lake Country Elementary at 27.9% and Lake Placid Elementary at 31.3%, both below the district average of 36.0%. The key takeaway for parents is that Lake Placid Elementary is a high-performing school that defies the typical correlation between poverty and lower test scores, particularly in math. Meanwhile, Lake Country Elementary offers a strong science program and a slightly lower student-teacher ratio, making it a viable option for families prioritizing those factors.