Cracker Trail Elementary School

Q: Is Cracker Trail Elementary School a good school?

Cracker Trail Elementary School ranks 952 nd of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Cracker Trail Elementary School is a public elementary school serving 692 students in grades PK-5 in Sebring, Florida, which is part of the Highlands School District. While the school generally outperforms the district and state in academic metrics, it faces some challenges, including a significant increase in chronic absenteeism and a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch.

Cracker Trail Elementary has a higher percentage of white students (63.87%) compared to the surrounding schools, which have more diverse student populations. The school consistently outperforms the Highlands district and the state of Florida in standardized test scores, particularly in math, with 63% of 3rd graders proficient or better in 2023-2024, compared to 64% in the district and 60% statewide. However, the school has seen a concerning increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 12.7% in 2019-2020 to 23.8% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the state average and the surrounding schools.

While Cracker Trail spends more per student ($10,635 in 2022-2023) compared to the state average, which may contribute to its academic performance, some nearby schools, such as Park Elementary and Sun 'n Lake Elementary, have shown stronger academic performance in certain grade levels and subject areas. Additionally, Cracker Trail has a relatively high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch (61.56% in 2022-2023), which is higher than some of the surrounding schools.

Detail:

Public K-5

8200 Sparta Rd
Sebring, FL 33875

(863) 471-5777

District: Highlands

SchoolDigger Rank:
952^nd of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,635

Students who attend Cracker Trail Elementary School usually attend:

Middle:	Sebring Middle School
High:	Sebring High School

Student/teacher ratio: 16.8

Number of students: 692

Racial breakdown:

White:

63.9%

Hispanic:

24.7%

Two or more races:

5.8%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 61.6%

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Compare Cracker Trail Elementary School to nearby elementary schools!

Performance Trends

Compare Details Cracker Trail Elementary School ranks better than 57.8% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 5^th among 9 ranked elementary schools in the Highlands School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 55.63. (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 Racial makeup is: White (63.9%), Hispanic (24.7%), two or more races (5.8%). (See more...)

Compare Details 61.6% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. This is the lowest percentage in the Highlands School District. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Cracker Trail Elementary School is 16.8, which is the lowest among 9 elementary schools in the Highlands School District! (See more...)

Compare Cracker Trail Elementary School employs 41 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Cracker Trail Elementary School is $10,635. 7 elementary schools in the Highlands School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Cracker Trail Elementary School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

Highlands:

SchoolDigger ranks Highlands 46^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Rating:

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Rank History for Cracker Trail Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	58.39	721^st	1688	57.3%
2007	59.64	751^st	1786	58.0%
2008	56.72	817^th	1789	54.3%
2009	50.04	979^th	1847	47.0%
2010	47.78	1081^st	1919	43.7%
2011	51.04	1022^nd	1985	48.5%
2012	53.24	931^st	1984	53.1%
2013	62.41	741^st	2029	63.5%
2014	55.45	911^th	2064	55.9%
2016	53.09	981^st	2087	53.0%
2017	54.77	936^th	2112	55.7%
2018	51.97	1003^rd	2118	52.6%
2019	40.78	1301^st	2182	40.4%
2021	66.19	731^st	2247	67.5%
2022	57.86	886^th	2219	60.1%
2023	57.50	902^nd	2240	59.7%
2024	55.63	952^nd	2256	57.8%

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

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 5)

100%

Reviews:
No reviews have been submitted!

Enrollment information for Cracker Trail Elementary School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1992	439	55	9	23	0	n/a	n/a	0	526
1993	529	98	9	21	3	n/a	n/a	0	660
1994	584	100	9	20	4	n/a	n/a	0	717
1995	527	101	3	36	6	n/a	n/a	0	673
1996	527	101	3	36	6	n/a	n/a	0	673
1997	521	115	3	44	7	n/a	n/a	0	690
1998	554	98	6	62	5	n/a	n/a	0	725
1999	570	77	8	81	4	n/a	n/a	0	740
2000	597	71	9	82	5	n/a	n/a	0	764
2001	600	74	11	79	5	n/a	n/a	0	769
2002	575	57	10	63	3	n/a	n/a	0	708
2003	575	57	10	63	3	n/a	n/a	0	708
2004	547	58	11	66	4	n/a	n/a	0	686
2005	575	70	9	74	4	n/a	n/a	0	732
2006	567	67	8	76	6	n/a	n/a	0	724
2007	535	72	7	100	7	n/a	n/a	32	753
2008	523	74	12	98	7	n/a	n/a	27	741
2009	511	63	11	105	8	n/a	n/a	28	726
2010	520	57	15	110	5	n/a	n/a	21	728
2011	467	42	14	107	2	0	17	0	649
2012	493	42	10	105	1	0	18	0	669
2013	447	33	6	89	2	0	18	0	595
2014	461	36	7	112	3	1	22	0	642
2015	436	32	8	122	3	2	27	0	630
2016	477	29	8	127	3	1	30	0	675
2017	453	35	7	133	5	1	34	0	668
2018	454	36	9	153	7	1	28	0	688
2019	413	36	8	138	6	1	28	0	630
2020	392	29	8	128	4	0	30	0	591
2021	368	28	6	138	4	0	27	0	571
2022	386	32	4	170	2	0	39	0	633
2023	442	35	3	171	1	0	40	0	692

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 Cracker Trail Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1992	526	29.0	18.1	26.6
1993	660	33.0	20.0	37.7
1994	717	35.0	20.5	37.1
1995	673	37.0	18.2	43.5
1996	673	37.0	18.2	43.5
1997	690	37.0	18.6	44.3
1998	725	37.0	19.6	40.3
1999	740	42.0	17.6	46.4
2000	764	41.0	18.6	53.1
2001	769	42.0	18.3	50.3
2002	708	43.0	16.5	45.1
2003	708	43.0	16.5	45.1
2004	686	44.0	15.6	48
2005	732	46.0	15.9	49.9
2006	724	47.0	15.4	49.7
2007	753	49.0	15.4	49.1
2008	741	46.5	15.9	53.2
2009	726	52.5	16.0	57.6
2010	728	45.5	16.0	61.4
2011	649	42.0	15.4	57.6
2012	669	40.0	16.7	56.1
2013	595	39.0	15.2	54.8
2014	642	35.0	18.3	54.8
2015	630	37.0	17.0	58.7
2016	675	37.0	18.2	59.1
2017	668	39.0	17.1	60.9
2018	688	38.0	18.1	59.4
2019	630	38.0	16.5	72.5
2020	591	33.5	17.6	48.6
2021	571	32.5	17.5	53.9
2022	633	37.0	17.1	59.2
2023	692	41.0	16.8	61.6

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 Cracker Trail Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1992	526	29.0	18.1	26.6
1993	660	33.0	20.0	37.7
1994	717	35.0	20.5	37.1
1995	673	37.0	18.2	43.5
1996	673	37.0	18.2	43.5
1997	690	37.0	18.6	44.3
1998	725	37.0	19.6	40.3
1999	740	42.0	17.6	46.4
2000	764	41.0	18.6	53.1
2001	769	42.0	18.3	50.3
2002	708	43.0	16.5	45.1
2003	708	43.0	16.5	45.1
2004	686	44.0	15.6	48
2005	732	46.0	15.9	49.9
2006	724	47.0	15.4	49.7
2007	753	49.0	15.4	49.1
2008	741	46.5	15.9	53.2
2009	726	52.5	16.0	57.6
2010	728	45.5	16.0	61.4
2011	649	42.0	15.4	57.6
2012	669	40.0	16.7	56.1
2013	595	39.0	15.2	54.8
2014	642	35.0	18.3	54.8
2015	630	37.0	17.0	58.7
2016	675	37.0	18.2	59.1
2017	668	39.0	17.1	60.9
2018	688	38.0	18.1	59.4
2019	630	38.0	16.5	72.5
2020	591	33.5	17.6	48.6
2021	571	32.5	17.5	53.9
2022	633	37.0	17.1	59.2
2023	692	41.0	16.8	61.6

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 Cracker Trail Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$604 (8.6%)	$6,459 (91.4%)	$7,063
2019	$709 (8.8%)	$7,379 (91.2%)	$8,087
2020	$582 (7.1%)	$7,598 (92.9%)	$8,179
2021	$1,218 (13.6%)	$7,741 (86.4%)	$8,959
2022	$2,710 (25.8%)	$7,787 (74.2%)	$10,496
2023	$2,522 (23.7%)	$8,114 (76.3%)	$10,635

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Cracker Trail Elementary School

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 1301^st of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 902^nd of 2240 Elementary schools	19.4%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Cracker Trail Elementary School)	63	50	13%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Highlands)	50	44	6%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Cracker Trail Elementary School)	57	58	1%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Highlands)	56	52	4%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Cracker Trail Elementary School)	44	58	14%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Highlands)	49	47	2%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Cracker Trail Elementary School)	55	63	8%
4th Grade Mathematics (Highlands)	60	51	9%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Cracker Trail Elementary School)	46	57	11%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Highlands)	45	45
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Cracker Trail Elementary School)	51	67	16%
5th Grade Mathematics (Highlands)	49	45	4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Cracker Trail Elementary School)	55	60	5%
5th Grade Science (Highlands)	43	47	4%
5th Grade Science (Florida)	53	51	2%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	630	692	9.8%
African American	36	35	2.8%
American Indian	6	1	83.3%
Asian	8	3	62.5%
Hispanic	138	171	23.9%
Pacific Islander	1	0	100%
White	413	442	7%
Two or More Races	28	40	42.9%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	72.5%	61.6%	11%

Schools Near Cracker Trail Elementary School

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)	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 Math 3rd Grade	FAST Math 4th Grade	FAST Math 5th Grade	Statewide Science Science 5th Grade	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Cracker Trail Elementary School	Public	K-5	8200 Sparta Rd	Sebring	33875	Highlands County	Highlands	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 471-5777	692	41	16.8	61.6%	442 (63.9%)	35 (5.1%)	171 (24.7%)	3 (0.4%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	40 (5.8%)	55.6	952^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	57.8%		57.5	902^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	59.7%	50	59.0	59.0	43.0	63.0	68.0	54.0	50.0	$10,635	$2,522	$8,114
Fred Wild Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	3550 Youth Care Ln	Sebring	33870	Highlands County	Highlands	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 471-5400	563	27	20.8	86.7%	186 (33.0%)	100 (17.8%)	243 (43.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (5.9%)	30.8	1599^th of 2256 public elementary schools	29.1%		25	1746^th of 2240 public elementary schools	22.1%	147	47.0	45.0	35.0	58.0	39.0	39.0	44.0	$10,928	$2,827	$8,100
Woodlawn Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	817 Woodlawn Dr	Sebring	33870	Highlands County	Highlands	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 471-5444	794	44	18.0	73.0%	339 (42.7%)	158 (19.9%)	232 (29.2%)	11 (1.4%)	1 (0.1%)	2 (0.3%)	51 (6.4%)	58.4	891^st of 2256 public elementary schools	60.5%		52.1	1044^th of 2240 public elementary schools	53.4%	153	41.0	54.0	54.0	64.0	63.0	64.0	64.0	$10,318	$2,632	$7,685
Sun 'n Lake Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4515 Ponce De Leon Blvd	Sebring	33872	Highlands County	Highlands	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 471-5464	618	32	19.3	67.0%	280 (45.3%)	124 (20.1%)	151 (24.4%)	29 (4.7%)	3 (0.5%)	2 (0.3%)	29 (4.7%)	65.8	730^th of 2256 public elementary schools	67.6%		61.7	801^st of 2240 public elementary schools	64.2%	71	67.0	53.0	61.0	67.0	62.0	63.0	59.0	$10,756	$3,097	$7,659
Memorial Elementary School	Public	K-5	867 Memorial Dr	Avon Park	33825	Highlands County	Highlands	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 784-0200	532	29	18.6	78.4%	164 (30.8%)	148 (27.8%)	190 (35.7%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (5.1%)	35.9	1459^th of 2256 public elementary schools	35.3%		40.2	1334^th of 2240 public elementary schools	40.4%	125	49.0	45.0	44.0	51.0	53.0	46.0	43.0	$10,803	$2,407	$8,395
Lake Placid Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	101 Green Dragon Dr	Lake Placid	33852	Highlands County	Highlands	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 699-5070	594	34	17.4	80.5%	235 (39.6%)	118 (19.9%)	199 (33.5%)	6 (1.0%)	7 (1.2%)	1 (0.2%)	28 (4.7%)	61.4	833^rd of 2256 public elementary schools	63.1%		44.2	1224^th of 2240 public elementary schools	45.4%	391	48.0	61.0	48.0	68.0	71.0	77.0	54.0	$15,057	$6,387	$8,669
Lake Country Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	516 County Road 29	Lake Placid	33852	Highlands County	Highlands	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 699-5050	685	35	19.5	73.0%	295 (43.1%)	62 (9.1%)	297 (43.4%)	6 (0.9%)	4 (0.6%)	1 (0.1%)	20 (2.9%)	52.6	1027^th of 2256 public elementary schools	54.5%		48.6	1129^th of 2240 public elementary schools	49.6%	102	48.0	52.0	50.0	64.0	77.0	51.0	48.0	$11,122	$2,983	$8,139
Avon Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	705 Winthrop St	Avon Park	33825	Highlands County	Highlands	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 452-4355	523	29	18.0	77.1%	139 (26.6%)	95 (18.2%)	267 (51.1%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (3.6%)	35.8	1466^th of 2256 public elementary schools	35.0%		33.3	1511^th of 2240 public elementary schools	32.5%	45	57.0	42.0	37.0	66.0	52.0	40.0	37.0	$11,771	$3,676	$8,095
Park Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	327 E Palmetto St	Avon Park	33825	Highlands County	Highlands	No	No	No	Yes	(863) 452-4373	527	31	17.0	79.7%	159 (30.2%)	100 (19.0%)	232 (44.0%)	2 (0.4%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (6.3%)	71.7	602^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	73.3%		50.1	1094^th of 2240 public elementary schools	51.2%	492	74.0	64.0	53.0	81.0	58.0	66.0	59.0	$11,944	$3,099	$8,845

Frequently Asked Questions about Cracker Trail Elementary School

What schools do graduates of Cracker Trail Elementary School attend?

Students who attend Cracker Trail Elementary School usually go on to attend:

Middle : Sebring Middle School
High : Sebring High School

What is the racial makeup of Cracker Trail Elementary School?

Students at Cracker Trail Elementary School are 64% White, 25% Hispanic, 6% Two or more races, 5% African American.

How many students attend Cracker Trail Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 692 students attended Cracker Trail Elementary School.

Is Cracker Trail Elementary School a good school?

Cracker Trail Elementary School ranks 952^nd of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 3 stars out of 5.

What district is Cracker Trail Elementary School in?

Highlands

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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.