Highlands

The Highlands school district in Florida consists of 21 schools, including 11 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 3 alternative schools. The district faces significant challenges, with high poverty, chronic absenteeism, and lagging test scores compared to state averages, but also has pockets of excellence that demonstrate the potential for high performance.

Among the standout schools are Sebring Middle School, which boasts strong test scores, particularly in Algebra 1 and Geometry, and relatively low chronic absenteeism. Park Elementary School also stands out, with the highest overall performance in the district, ranking 4 out of 5 stars on SchoolDigger and posting impressive test scores in 3rd grade English Language Arts and Math. Additionally, the Highlands Virtual School has strong test scores across many subjects and grade levels, with low chronic absenteeism.

However, the district as a whole faces significant challenges, with many schools experiencing high chronic absenteeism, very high free and reduced lunch rates, and test scores lagging behind state averages, especially at the high school level. The alternative schools in the district also struggle, with one having a graduation rate of just 31.3%. Targeted interventions to address attendance, resource equity, and instructional quality could help more Highlands students reach their full potential.