Schools in Zip Code 34787

The 23 schools in zip code 34787 (Winter Garden, FL) are part of the Orange County School District and serve a diverse community of students from Pre-K through 12th grade, with a mix of nationally-ranked elementary schools and schools facing significant challenges.

The standout schools in this area are concentrated in the western, newer developments. Whispering Oak Elementary is the crown jewel, ranking in the 99th percentile statewide with near-perfect test scores and the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the zip code (11.4%). Hamlin Elementary and Summerlake Elementary are also elite 5-star schools, consistently achieving 80-95% proficiency. At the middle school level, Bridgewater Middle is a powerhouse, ranking in the 88th percentile with 99% proficiency in Algebra 1. In contrast, Ucp West Orange Charter is in a critical state, ranking in the 2nd percentile with alarmingly low proficiency rates (e.g., 8% in 3rd-grade ELA) and a high chronic absenteeism rate of 46.8%. Dillard Street Elementary and Lakeview Middle also struggle, with proficiency rates often 10-20 points below the district average.

A key finding is that higher spending does not guarantee success. The highest-spending standard schools, Dillard Street Elementary ($14,657 per student) and William S Maxey Elementary ($13,349), are among the lowest-performing, while top performers like Whispering Oak Elementary have moderate spending. Another interesting outlier is Tildenville Elementary, which has a relatively high poverty rate (29%) but ranks in the 86th percentile, defying the typical trend. The two main high schools, West Orange High and Horizon High School, both have excellent graduation rates (96.2% and 96.7%), though Horizon High has a puzzlingly high chronic absenteeism rate (50.9%) despite a very low poverty rate (9.83%).