Winding Waters K-8

Summary:

Winding Waters K-8 is a public elementary and middle school located in Weeki Wachee, Florida, serving grades PK-8 with an enrollment of 1,622 students. The school is part of the Hernando District, which is ranked 44 out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

One notable difference at Winding Waters K-8 is its significantly higher percentage of white students (71.09%) compared to nearby schools, which range from 46.44% to 65.95% white students. However, the school has struggled with high chronic absenteeism rates, ranging from 21.3% to 33.0% over the past few years, notably higher than the 12.5% to 37.9% range at nearby schools. Academically, Winding Waters K-8 generally underperforms compared to the Hernando District and Florida state averages on standardized tests, with lower proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math for most grade levels. The school's statewide ranking has also declined over the years, from 915 out of 2,087 Florida elementary schools in 2015-2016 to 1,715 out of 2,256 in 2023-2024, and it is currently rated 1 out of 5 stars by SchoolDigger.

While Winding Waters K-8 has seen an increase in spending per student, from $6,721 in 2019-2020 to $8,454 in 2022-2023, this additional funding does not appear to have translated into improved academic outcomes. In comparison, nearby schools like Chocachatti Elementary and Challenger K-8 School of Science and Math, which are also in the Hernando District, significantly outperform Winding Waters K-8 on standardized tests and have higher school rankings.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-8

12240 Vespa Way
Weeki Wachee, FL 34614

(352) 797-7092

District: Hernando

SchoolDigger Rank:
1715^th of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $8,454

Students who attend Winding Waters K-8 usually attend:

High:

Weeki Wachee High School

Student/teacher ratio: 18.0

Number of students: 1,638

Racial breakdown:

White:

68.6%

Hispanic:

20.7%

Two or more races:

5.4%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 57.1%

See top rated Florida elementary schools

Compare Winding Waters K-8 to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Winding Waters K-8 ranks worse than 76% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 13^th among 14 ranked elementary schools in the Hernando School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 26.85. (See more...)

Compare Details Winding Waters K-8 ranks worse than 56.5% of middle schools in Florida. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 43.97. (See more...)

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Winding Waters K-8 has the largest elementary school student body size in the Hernando School District. Racial makeup is: White (68.6%), Hispanic (20.7%), two or more races (5.4%). (See more...)

Compare Details 57.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Winding Waters K-8 is 18. 12 elementary schools in the Hernando School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Winding Waters K-8 employs 91 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Winding Waters K-8 is $8,454, which is the lowest among 14 elementary schools in the Hernando School District!

Schooldigger Rankings:

Winding Waters K-8 was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Winding Waters K-8 676^th of 1196 Florida public middle schools. (See Winding Waters K-8 in the ranking list.)

Hernando:

SchoolDigger ranks Hernando 44^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

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Your rating for Winding Waters K-8?

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Rank History for Winding Waters K-8

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2012	61.93	753^rd	1984	62.0%
2013	63.06	719^th	2029	64.6%
2014	59.31	834^th	2064	59.6%
2016	56.02	915^th	2087	56.2%
2017	52.52	1004^th	2112	52.5%
2018	46.59	1136^th	2118	46.4%
2019	48.23	1120^th	2182	48.7%
2021	39.76	1318^th	2247	41.3%
2022	40.89	1295^th	2219	41.6%
2023	35.63	1452^nd	2240	35.2%
2024	26.85	1715^th	2256	24.0%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Rank History for Winding Waters K-8

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Middle Schools	FL State Percentile
2014	52.10	480^th	999	52.0%
2016	54.88	429^th	997	57.0%
2017	54.99	455^th	1031	55.9%
2018	50.92	508^th	1035	50.9%
2019	50.40	544^th	1099	50.5%
2021	51.13	538^th	1136	52.6%
2022	41.18	666^th	1148	42.0%
2023	44.82	639^th	1177	45.7%
2024	43.97	676^th	1196	43.5%

See the entire list of Florida Elementary School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

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Enrollment information for Winding Waters K-8

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Total
2012	627	50	3	90	5	1	21	797
2013	812	46	7	124	5	1	32	1027
2014	950	57	8	138	5	1	39	1198
2015	1097	66	7	147	5	1	47	1370
2016	1037	56	7	171	5	3	45	1324
2017	1027	43	10	165	3	1	38	1287
2018	1048	42	7	169	2	2	39	1309
2019	1082	40	9	204	2	1	43	1381
2020	1080	39	13	227	0	2	49	1410
2021	927	34	8	226	0	1	54	1250
2022	1108	55	9	289	0	2	79	1542
2023	1153	65	7	313	0	2	82	1622
2024	1123	78	7	339	1	2	88	1638

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Winding Waters K-8

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Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2012	797	51.0	15.6	61.9
2013	1027	68.0	15.1	63.1
2014	1198	82.0	14.6	64.5
2015	1370	92.0	14.8	64.2
2016	1324	89.0	14.8	66.9
2017	1287	77.0	16.7	65.8
2018	1309	83.0	15.7	57.4
2019	1381	78.0	17.7	49.7
2020	1410	84.0	16.7	50.8
2021	1250	75.0	16.6	52.2
2022	1542	84.0	18.3	56.2
2023	1622	94.0	17.2	55.6
2024	1638	91.0	18.0	57.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Winding Waters K-8

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
2012	797	51.0	15.6	61.9
2013	1027	68.0	15.1	63.1
2014	1198	82.0	14.6	64.5
2015	1370	92.0	14.8	64.2
2016	1324	89.0	14.8	66.9
2017	1287	77.0	16.7	65.8
2018	1309	83.0	15.7	57.4
2019	1381	78.0	17.7	49.7
2020	1410	84.0	16.7	50.8
2021	1250	75.0	16.6	52.2
2022	1542	84.0	18.3	56.2
2023	1622	94.0	17.2	55.6
2024	1638	91.0	18.0	57.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Winding Waters K-8

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$188 (2.9%)	$6,313 (97.1%)	$6,501
2019	$238 (3.6%)	$6,420 (96.4%)	$6,658
2020	$201 (3.0%)	$6,520 (97.0%)	$6,721
2021	$481 (6.5%)	$6,900 (93.5%)	$7,381
2022	$758 (10.4%)	$6,565 (89.6%)	$7,323
2023	$1,258 (14.9%)	$7,197 (85.1%)	$8,454

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Winding Waters K-8

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 1120^th of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 1452^nd of 2240 Elementary schools	13.5%
Ranks 544^th of 1099 Middle schools	Ranks 639^th of 1177 Middle schools	4.8%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Winding Waters K-8)	65	48	17%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Hernando)	57	54	3%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Winding Waters K-8)	68	55	13%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Hernando)	62	57	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Winding Waters K-8)	56	55	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Hernando)	59	56	3%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Winding Waters K-8)	59	53	6%
4th Grade Mathematics (Hernando)	62	60	2%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Winding Waters K-8)	50	50
5th Grade English Language Arts (Hernando)	52	49	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Winding Waters K-8)	48	39	9%
5th Grade Mathematics (Hernando)	54	44	10%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Winding Waters K-8)	47	44	3%
5th Grade Science (Hernando)	55	55
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Winding Waters K-8)	53	46	7%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Hernando)	52	46	6%
6th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	54	52	2%
6th Grade Mathematics (Winding Waters K-8)	55	35	20%
6th Grade Mathematics (Hernando)	53	43	10%
6th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	55	49	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Winding Waters K-8)	46	42	4%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Hernando)	53	47	6%
7th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	52	48	4%
7th Grade Mathematics (Winding Waters K-8)	66	49	17%
7th Grade Mathematics (Hernando)	62	56	6%
7th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	54	46	8%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Winding Waters K-8)	39	23	16%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Hernando)	53	38	15%
8th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	49	7%
8th Grade Mathematics (Winding Waters K-8)	50	48	2%
8th Grade Mathematics (Hernando)	50	34	16%
8th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	46	42	4%
8th Grade Science (Winding Waters K-8)	46	45	1%
8th Grade Science (Hernando)	54	43	11%
8th Grade Science (Florida)	48	44	4%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Winding Waters K-8)	81	68	13%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Hernando)	51	47	4%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	55	51	4%
End of Course Civics (Winding Waters K-8)	73	69	4%
End of Course Civics (Hernando)	75	61	14%
End of Course Civics (Florida)	71	66	5%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Winding Waters K-8)	100	77	23%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Hernando)	59	53	6%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	1381	1622	17.5%
African American	40	65	62.5%
American Indian	2	0	100%
Asian	9	7	22.2%
Hispanic	204	313	53.4%
Pacific Islander	1	2	100%
White	1082	1153	6.6%
Two or More Races	43	82	90.7%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	49.7%	55.6%	5.9%

Schools Near Winding Waters K-8

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)							FAST Math (2024)						Statewide Science Science (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Civics (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 3rd Grade	FAST English Language Arts 4th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 5th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 6th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 7th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 8th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	FAST Math 6th Grade	FAST Math 7th Grade	FAST Math 8th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 8th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Civics End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Winding Waters K-8	Public	PK, KG-8	12240 Vespa Way	Weeki Wachee	34614	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	No	(352) 797-7092	1,638	91	18.0	57.1%	1,123 (68.6%)	78 (4.8%)	339 (20.7%)	7 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	88 (5.4%)	26.9	1715^th of 2256 public elementary schools	24.0%		35.6	1452^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	35.2%	263	49.0	43.0	34.0	54.0	48.0	30.0	89.0	40.0	35.0	29.0	54.0	54.0	49.0	37.0	39.0	44.0	95.0	62.0	$8,454	$1,258	$7,197
Pine Grove Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	14411 Ken Austin Pkwy	Brooksville	34613	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7090	1,032	68	15.1	62.9%	594 (57.6%)	88 (8.5%)	259 (25.1%)	11 (1.1%)	1 (0.1%)	4 (0.4%)	75 (7.3%)	36.3	1452^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	35.6%		40.6	1322^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	41.0%	130	51.0	38.0	48.0					57.0	38.0	41.0				53.0					$10,081	$1,618	$8,464
Spring Hill Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	6001 Mariner Blvd	Spring Hill	34609	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7030	893	55	16.2	70.8%	446 (49.9%)	56 (6.3%)	305 (34.2%)	9 (1.0%)	2 (0.2%)	1 (0.1%)	74 (8.3%)	41.4	1304^th of 2256 public elementary schools	42.2%		40.7	1318^th of 2240 public elementary schools	41.2%	14	47.0	55.0	51.0					47.0	61.0	44.0				47.0					$10,533	$1,948	$8,585
Explorer K-8	Public	PK, KG-8	10252 Northcliffe Blvd	Spring Hill	34608	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7094	1,578	107	14.7	75.5%	729 (46.2%)	160 (10.1%)	574 (36.4%)	17 (1.1%)	4 (0.3%)	2 (0.1%)	92 (5.8%)	24.2	1786^th of 2256 public elementary schools	20.8%		26.1	1712^th of 2240 public elementary schools	23.6%	74	40.0	31.0	33.0	52.0	46.0	21.0	85.0	52.0	27.0	23.0	50.0	44.0	56.0	42.0	31.0	75.0		66.0	$10,302	$1,961	$8,341
Gulf Coast Elementary School	Public, Charter	K-5	10444 Tillery Rd	Spring Hill	34608	Hernando County	Hernando	Yes	No	No	No	(352) 688-5092	112	4	28.0	42.0%	72 (64.3%)	1 (0.9%)	35 (31.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	4 (3.6%)	72.7	578^th of 2256 public elementary schools	74.4%		70.5	620^th of 2240 public elementary schools	72.3%	42	76.0	45.0	65.0					68.0	68.0	70.0				65.0					$10,938	$3,387	$7,551
Challenger K-8 School Of Science And Math	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	13400 Elgin Blvd	Spring Hill	34609	Hernando County	Hernando	No	Yes	No	No	(352) 797-7024	1,467	86	17.0	36.4%	963 (65.6%)	48 (3.3%)	314 (21.4%)	43 (2.9%)	2 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	95 (6.5%)	91.2	137^th of 2256 public elementary schools	93.9%		90.8	153^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	93.2%	16	77.0	79.0	76.0	85.0	78.0	74.0	98.0	86.0	79.0	79.0	78.0	85.0	95.0	86.0	80.0	98.0	100.0	91.0	$10,390	$1,356	$9,032
John D. Floyd Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3139 Dumont Ave	Spring Hill	34609	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7055	955	61	15.6	69.4%	452 (47.3%)	68 (7.1%)	369 (38.6%)	14 (1.5%)	3 (0.3%)	1 (0.1%)	48 (5.0%)	33.3	1530^th of 2256 public elementary schools	32.2%		42.7	1264^th of 2240 public elementary schools	43.6%	266	53.0	39.0	43.0					54.0	36.0	42.0				49.0					$10,465	$1,819	$8,646
Chocachatti Elementary School	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-5	4135 California St	Brooksville	34604	Hernando County	Hernando	No	Yes	No	No	(352) 797-7067	775	49	15.8	44.3%	477 (61.5%)	37 (4.8%)	199 (25.7%)	13 (1.7%)	1 (0.1%)	1 (0.1%)	47 (6.1%)	82.9	344^th of 2256 public elementary schools	84.8%		85.7	273^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	87.8%	71	64.0	62.0	71.0					76.0	77.0	80.0				75.0					$10,591	$1,224	$9,366
Deltona Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	2055 Deltona Blvd	Spring Hill	34606	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7040	855	61	14.0	76.5%	447 (52.3%)	45 (5.3%)	310 (36.3%)	5 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (0.2%)	46 (5.4%)	34.6	1500^th of 2256 public elementary schools	33.5%		51.4	1066^th of 2240 public elementary schools	52.4%	434	54.0	48.0	43.0					62.0	43.0	32.0				44.0					$11,675	$2,279	$9,397
Brooksville Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	885 N Broad St	Brooksville	34601	Hernando County	Hernando	No	No	No	Yes	(352) 797-7014	672	45	14.9	70.2%	424 (63.1%)	93 (13.8%)	105 (15.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	50 (7.4%)	35.2	1484^th of 2256 public elementary schools	34.2%		46.4	1179^th of 2240 public elementary schools	47.4%	305	51.0	49.0	33.0					60.0	63.0	31.0				35.0					$10,752	$1,963	$8,789

Frequently Asked Questions about Winding Waters K-8

What schools do graduates of Winding Waters K-8 attend?

Students who attend Winding Waters K-8 usually go on to attend:

High : Weeki Wachee High School

What district is Winding Waters K-8 in?

Hernando

What is the racial makeup of Winding Waters K-8?

Students at Winding Waters K-8 are 69% White, 21% Hispanic, 5% Two or more races, 5% African American.

Is Winding Waters K-8 a good school?

Winding Waters K-8 ranks in the bottom 24.0% of Florida elementary schools.

How many students attend Winding Waters K-8?

In the 2023-24 school year, 1,638 students attended Winding Waters K-8.

Rate Winding Waters K-8!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.