Highlands Elementary School

Q: Is Highlands Elementary School a good school?

Highlands Elementary School ranks 521 st of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Highlands Elementary School is a public elementary school in Winter Springs, Florida, serving 528 students in grades PK-5. The school is part of the Seminole County School District, which is ranked 7th out of 68 districts in Florida and has a 5-star rating.

Highlands Elementary consistently outperforms the Seminole County and Florida state averages in standardized test scores across various grade levels and subjects, including English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. For example, in the 2023-2024 school year, 74% of 3rd graders, 63% of 4th graders, and 67% of 5th graders at Highlands Elementary were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 67%, 62%, and 63% for Seminole County, respectively. However, the school has experienced a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 5.5% in 2019-2020 to 22.9% in 2022-2023, which is higher than the district and state averages.

Highlands Elementary has a diverse student population, with a racial makeup of 40.72% White, 5.68% African American, 40.15% Hispanic, 4.17% Asian, and 8.9% two or more races in the 2022-2023 school year. The school generally outperforms nearby schools, such as Crystal Lake Elementary, Lake Mary Elementary, and Longwood Elementary, in academic test scores, but has a higher chronic absenteeism rate compared to some nearby schools, such as Woodlands Elementary and Choices In Learning Charter.

Detail:

Public PK, KG-5

1600 Shepard Rd
Winter Springs, FL 32708

(407) 746-6650

District: Seminole

SchoolDigger Rank:
521^st of 2,256 Florida Elementary Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $10,618

Student/teacher ratio: 15.8

Number of students: 528

Racial breakdown:

White:

40.7%

Hispanic:

40.2%

Two or more races:

8.9%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 59.5%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Highlands Elementary School ranks better than 76.9% of elementary schools in Florida. It also ranks 18^th among 41 ranked elementary schools in the Seminole School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 75.15. (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 (40.7%), Hispanic (40.2%), two or more races (8.9%). (See more...)

Compare Details 59.5% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Highlands Elementary School is 15.8, which is the 19^th best among 41 elementary schools in the Seminole School District. (See more...)

Compare Highlands Elementary School employs 33.3 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Highlands Elementary School is $10,618, which is the 12^th highest among 41 elementary schools in the Seminole School District.

Schooldigger Rankings:

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

Seminole:

SchoolDigger ranks Seminole 7^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Highlands Elementary School.

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Rank History for Highlands Elementary School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked Elementary Schools	FL State Percentile
2006	77.20	359^th	1688	78.7%
2007	90.05	108^th	1786	94.0%
2008	82.25	266^th	1789	85.1%
2009	81.18	299^th	1847	83.8%
2010	85.08	221^st	1919	88.5%
2011	74.11	487^th	1985	75.5%
2012	75.16	455^th	1984	77.1%
2013	78.30	382^nd	2029	81.2%
2014	70.90	555^th	2064	73.1%
2016	61.90	784^th	2087	62.4%
2017	74.09	523^rd	2112	75.2%
2018	72.56	548^th	2118	74.1%
2019	66.95	692^nd	2182	68.3%
2021	61.78	814^th	2247	63.8%
2022	71.32	599^th	2219	73.0%
2023	71.40	602^nd	2240	73.1%
2024	75.15	521^st	2256	76.9%

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: 3.7)

67%

33%

Reviews:

by a parent
Monday, June 6, 2011

Came from England and had heard some stories about American schooling,
fears admonished, this school and teaching staff are excellent, love it.
Daughter has just graduated from 5th grade, schooled there since Kindergarten, so sorry to leave, hope our 4 year old will get the same experience next year. Close Quote

by a student
Saturday, August 1, 2009

I whent to the school my self five years ago and hated it. When I swiched schools in 5th grade I larnd more in my one year at the other school thein I did Pre-k to 4th at highlands.OH and im teribal at spelling as you can probably tell from this. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Highlands Elementary School

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Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1997	632	126	18	53	1	n/a	n/a	0	830
1998	646	101	21	74	2	n/a	n/a	0	844
1999	659	88	15	95	2	n/a	n/a	0	859
2000	608	84	13	95	5	n/a	n/a	0	805
2001	616	119	15	96	5	n/a	n/a	0	851
2002	552	112	19	168	3	n/a	n/a	0	854
2003	552	112	19	168	3	n/a	n/a	0	854
2004	546	106	21	177	4	n/a	n/a	0	854
2005	417	75	20	106	1	n/a	n/a	0	619
2006	398	89	25	103	4	n/a	n/a	0	619
2007	326	55	22	86	3	n/a	n/a	48	540
2008	278	46	19	112	5	n/a	n/a	36	496
2009	288	63	12	117	4	n/a	n/a	42	526
2010	262	63	11	116	5	n/a	n/a	49	506
2011	241	52	12	134	5	0	26	0	470
2012	310	67	14	162	3	0	27	0	583
2013	315	64	17	172	6	1	22	0	597
2014	354	62	12	183	1	6	24	0	642
2015	380	71	11	183	1	4	25	0	675
2016	373	68	13	181	1	3	17	0	656
2017	380	56	17	188	1	3	12	0	657
2018	327	61	16	185	0	1	11	0	601
2019	301	47	19	191	0	1	26	0	585
2020	301	44	21	219	0	1	32	0	618
2021	252	45	24	199	0	1	33	0	554
2022	227	35	21	207	1	2	40	0	533
2023	215	30	22	212	1	1	47	0	528

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 Highlands Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1997	830	42.0	19.8	34
1998	844	46.0	18.3	30.2
1999	859	46.0	18.7	42.4
2000	805	47.0	17.1	45.8
2001	851	51.0	16.7	33.6
2002	854	50.0	17.1	43.8
2003	854	50.0	17.1	43.8
2004	854	66.0	12.9	47.2
2005	619	46.0	13.5	42.8
2006	619	45.0	13.8	41
2007	540	42.0	12.9	44.1
2008	496	42.5	11.7	45.2
2009	526	46.6	12.5	53.9
2010	506	42.0	12.0	61.3
2011	470	40.8	11.5	58.5
2012	583	31.2	18.6	61.4
2013	597	46.0	12.9	61.5
2014	642	52.0	12.3	59.3
2015	675	53.0	12.7	63.4
2016	656	50.0	13.1	64.5
2017	657	49.0	13.4	59.7
2018	601	43.0	13.9	57.4
2019	585	39.5	14.8	60.3
2020	618	40.1	15.3	58.9
2021	554	38.4	14.4	61.6
2022	533	36.0	14.7	58.7
2023	528	33.3	15.8	59.5

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 Highlands Elementary School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1997	830	42.0	19.8	34
1998	844	46.0	18.3	30.2
1999	859	46.0	18.7	42.4
2000	805	47.0	17.1	45.8
2001	851	51.0	16.7	33.6
2002	854	50.0	17.1	43.8
2003	854	50.0	17.1	43.8
2004	854	66.0	12.9	47.2
2005	619	46.0	13.5	42.8
2006	619	45.0	13.8	41
2007	540	42.0	12.9	44.1
2008	496	42.5	11.7	45.2
2009	526	46.6	12.5	53.9
2010	506	42.0	12.0	61.3
2011	470	40.8	11.5	58.5
2012	583	31.2	18.6	61.4
2013	597	46.0	12.9	61.5
2014	642	52.0	12.3	59.3
2015	675	53.0	12.7	63.4
2016	656	50.0	13.1	64.5
2017	657	49.0	13.4	59.7
2018	601	43.0	13.9	57.4
2019	585	39.5	14.8	60.3
2020	618	40.1	15.3	58.9
2021	554	38.4	14.4	61.6
2022	533	36.0	14.7	58.7
2023	528	33.3	15.8	59.5

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 Highlands Elementary School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$458 (5.3%)	$8,117 (94.7%)	$8,575
2019	$568 (6.3%)	$8,435 (93.7%)	$9,003
2020	$431 (4.9%)	$8,412 (95.1%)	$8,843
2021	$816 (8.0%)	$9,390 (92.0%)	$10,206
2022	$910 (9.0%)	$9,177 (91.0%)	$10,087
2023	$952 (9.0%)	$9,666 (91.0%)	$10,618

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Highlands 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 692^nd of 2182 Elementary schools	Ranks 602^nd of 2240 Elementary schools	4.8%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Highlands Elementary School)	76	66	10%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Seminole)	67	63	4%
3rd Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	53	5%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Highlands Elementary School)	76	60	16%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Seminole)	71	65	6%
3rd Grade Mathematics (Florida)	62	58	4%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Highlands Elementary School)	63	68	5%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Seminole)	65	64	1%
4th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	58	57	1%
4th Grade Mathematics (Highlands Elementary School)	76	80	4%
4th Grade Mathematics (Seminole)	72	70	2%
4th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	64	61	3%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Highlands Elementary School)	63	63
5th Grade English Language Arts (Seminole)	64	65	1%
5th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	56	55	1%
5th Grade Mathematics (Highlands Elementary School)	49	53	4%
5th Grade Mathematics (Seminole)	65	57	8%
5th Grade Mathematics (Florida)	60	52	8%
5th Grade Science (Highlands Elementary School)	56	65	9%
5th Grade Science (Seminole)	62	64	2%
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	585	528	9.7%
African American	47	30	36.2%
American Indian	0	1
Asian	19	22	15.8%
Hispanic	191	212	11%
Pacific Islander	1	1
White	301	215	28.6%
Two or More Races	26	47	80.8%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	60.3%	59.5%	0.9%

Schools Near Highlands 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)		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 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
Highlands Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1600 Shepard Rd	Winter Springs	32708	Seminole County	Seminole	No	No	No	No	(407) 746-6650	528	33	15.8	59.5%	215 (40.7%)	30 (5.7%)	212 (40.2%)	22 (4.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	47 (8.9%)	75.2	521^st of 2256 public elementary schools	76.9%		71.4	602^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	73.1%	81	74.0	63.0	67.0				73.0	65.0	32.0	98.0			70.0					$10,618	$952	$9,666
Longwood Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	840 Orange Ave	Longwood	32750	Seminole County	Seminole	No	No	No	No	(407) 746-5250	631	39	16.0	62.4%	273 (43.3%)	53 (8.4%)	251 (39.8%)	21 (3.3%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	32 (5.1%)	59.9	865^th of 2256 public elementary schools	61.7%		54	993^rd of 2240 public elementary schools	55.7%	128	64.0	53.0	62.0				48.0	57.0	41.0	98.0			73.0					$9,307	$1,073	$8,234
Winter Springs Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	701 W State Road 434	Winter Springs	32708	Seminole County	Seminole	No	No	No	Yes	(407) 320-0650	553	39	14.2	79.0%	166 (30.0%)	73 (13.2%)	264 (47.7%)	16 (2.9%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	33 (6.0%)	57.1	922^nd of 2256 public elementary schools	59.1%		56	947^th of 2240 public elementary schools	57.7%	25	61.0	40.0	62.0				63.0	53.0	69.0	100.0			61.0					$11,979	$2,191	$9,788
Seminole Science Charter School	Public, Charter	K-8	3580 N Us Highway 17-92	Lake Mary	32746	Seminole County	Seminole	Yes	No	No	No	(407) 864-8296	530	29	18.2	28.5%	173 (32.6%)	40 (7.5%)	117 (22.1%)	176 (33.2%)	2 (0.4%)	4 (0.8%)	18 (3.4%)	85.6	294^th of 2256 public elementary schools	87.0%		88.9	198^th of 2240 public elementary schools	91.2%	96	72.0	74.0	76.0	81.0	81.0	83.0	75.0	84.0	74.0	72.0	82.0	100.0	72.0	69.0	92.0	100.0	92.0	$8,439	$00	$8,439
Layer Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	4201 Sr 419	Winter Springs	32708	Seminole County	Seminole	No	No	No	No	(407) 871-8050	608	40	15.0	55.1%	244 (40.1%)	74 (12.2%)	213 (35.0%)	31 (5.1%)	5 (0.8%)	0 (0.0%)	41 (6.7%)	76.2	496^th of 2256 public elementary schools	78.0%		66.6	702^nd of 2240 public elementary schools	68.7%	206	71.0	70.0	72.0				65.0	69.0	48.0	100.0			70.0					$11,013	$1,102	$9,910
Lake Mary Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	132 S Country Club Rd	Lake Mary	32746	Seminole County	Seminole	No	No	No	No	(407) 320-5650	927	55	16.7	48.8%	469 (50.6%)	84 (9.1%)	285 (30.7%)	40 (4.3%)	4 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (4.9%)	69.7	644^th of 2256 public elementary schools	71.5%		66.6	705^th of 2240 public elementary schools	68.5%	61	62.0	63.0	62.0				74.0	69.0	27.0	89.0			69.0					$8,900	$973	$7,927
Choices In Learning Charter	Public, Charter	K-5	1100 East State Road 434	Winter Springs	32708	Seminole County	Seminole	Yes	No	No	No	(407) 302-1005	680	42	16.1	20.1%	308 (45.3%)	31 (4.6%)	164 (24.1%)	125 (18.4%)	3 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	49 (7.2%)	96.7	27^th of 2256 public elementary schools	98.8%		94.6	50^th of 2240 public elementary schools	97.8%	23	91.0	80.0	84.0				91.0	92.0	94.0				83.0					$7,983	$00	$7,983
Woodlands Elementary School	Public	PK, KG-5	1420 Ee Williamson Rd	Longwood	32750	Seminole County	Seminole	No	No	No	No	(407) 746-2750	798	51	15.5	34.6%	472 (59.1%)	44 (5.5%)	203 (25.4%)	28 (3.5%)	3 (0.4%)	3 (0.4%)	45 (5.6%)	89.1	206^th of 2256 public elementary schools	90.9%		88	216^th of 2240 public elementary schools	90.4%	10	83.0	88.0	76.0				75.0	87.0	54.0	100.0			74.0					$9,179	$794	$8,386
Contracted Services	Public	PK, KG-5	400 E Lake Mary Blvd	Sanford	32773	Seminole County	Seminole	No	No	No	No	(407) 320-0422	16	0		18.8%	5 (31.3%)	5 (31.3%)	3 (18.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (18.8%)								(n/a)
Ucp Seminole Child Development	Public, Charter	PK, KG-2	756 N Sun Dr	Lake Mary	32746	Seminole County	Seminole	Yes	No	No	Yes	(407) 852-3300	138	16	8.6	57.2%	28 (20.3%)	28 (20.3%)	72 (52.2%)	7 (5.1%)	1 (0.7%)	0 (0.0%)	2 (1.4%)								(n/a)

Frequently Asked Questions about Highlands Elementary School

Is Highlands Elementary School a good school?

Highlands Elementary School ranks 521^st of 2256 Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 4 stars out of 5.

What district is Highlands Elementary School in?

Seminole

How many students attend Highlands Elementary School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 528 students attended Highlands Elementary School.

What is the racial makeup of Highlands Elementary School?

Students at Highlands Elementary School are 41% White, 40% Hispanic, 9% Two or more races, 6% African American, 4% Asian.

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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.