Summary:
The 7 public schools in zip code 34786 (Windermere, FL) serve grades PK-12 within the Orange district and form a high-performing cluster that significantly outpaces state averages, anchored by two exceptional elementary schools and a strong high school.
Windermere Elementary is the academic powerhouse, ranking in the 98th percentile statewide with extraordinary test scores like 98% proficiency in 5th-grade Science and 96% in 5th-grade Math, alongside the lowest chronic absenteeism rate (11.9%) in the area. Keenes Crossing Elementary is a close second, also earning a 5-star rating and ranking in the 97th percentile with consistently high scores across all subjects. At the secondary level, Horizon West Middle leads as a top performer with exceptional advanced math results (96% proficiency in Algebra 1, 100% in Geometry), while Windermere High boasts a near-perfect 99.5% graduation rate and strong scores in Biology (85%) and Geometry (77%). In contrast, Gotha Middle presents a mixed picture with excellent Algebra and Geometry scores but a low 20% proficiency in 7th-grade Math, and Sunset Park Elementary and Bay Lake Elementary are solid 4-star schools.
The most striking finding is the "absenteeism cliff" at the secondary level: while elementary schools have low chronic absenteeism rates (11.9% to 26.1%), Windermere High has a staggering 49.5% rate, far exceeding district and state averages. Additionally, per-student spending varies from $8,656 to $12,062 with no clear correlation to performance, suggesting that factors like school culture and parental involvement are more powerful drivers of success in this affluent community.
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