Best Schools in Highlands County, FL
Highlands County, FL has 40 public schools (7 high, 6 middle, 14 elementary) serving 20,729 students. On average they score 50% on state proficiency tests against a projected 38%, so schools in Highlands County exceed expectations. Rankings below compare each school’s actual results with the projection for its socioeconomic context.
Best High Schools in Highlands County, FL
The top high schools in Highlands County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Avon Park High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Highlands • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 928 Students
2. Sebring High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Highlands • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1809 Students
3. Lake Placid High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Highlands • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 868 Students
4. Okeechobee High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Okeechobee • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1692 Students
5. Desoto County High School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Desoto • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 1244 Students
6. Moore Haven Middle High School.
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Glades • Public • Grades 6 - 12 • 501 Students
7. Highlands County Schools Jail Program
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Highlands • Public • Grades 9 - 12 • 4 Students
Best Middle Schools in Highlands County, FL
The top middle schools in Highlands County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Hill-gustat Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Highlands • Public • Grades 6 - 12 • 705 Students
2. Sebring Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Highlands • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 815 Students
3. Yearling Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Okeechobee • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 668 Students
4. Lake Placid Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Highlands • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 621 Students
5. Avon Park Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Highlands • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 638 Students
6. Desoto Middle School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Desoto • Public • Grades 6 - 8 • 1169 Students
Best Elementary Schools in Highlands County, FL
The top elementary schools in Highlands County, ranked by actual test performance against the projection for each school’s socioeconomic context.
1. Park Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Highlands • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 527 Students
2. Lake Placid Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Highlands • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 594 Students
3. Sun 'n Lake Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Highlands • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 618 Students
4. Cracker Trail Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Highlands • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 692 Students
5. Woodlawn Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Highlands • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 794 Students
6. Lake Country Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Highlands • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 685 Students
7. Avon Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Highlands • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 523 Students
8. Moore Haven Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Glades • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 375 Students
9. Memorial Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Highlands • Public • Grades KG - 5 • 532 Students
10. Fred Wild Elementary School
SchoolGrade
Actual Test Scores
Projected Test Scores
Highlands • Public • Grades Pre K - 5 • 563 Students
Education & Community Snapshot in Highlands County, FL
County-level factors that shape the learning environment around local schools.
Community Factors
Highlands County, FL has a total population of 101,235 with 18% of that population attending schools. The adult high school graduation rate is 86%, and 20% of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Students in Highlands County, FL
K-12 Students
High School Graduates
Adults 25+ with HS diplomas
College Graduates
Adults 25+ with a Bachelor’s degree or higher
Demographics statistics provided by Best Neighborhood Highlands County, FL.
Safety
Crime Grades summarize reported incidents per 1,000 residents. Use them as neighborhood context, not a school rating.
Overall Crime Grade
10.14 per 1,000 Residents
Violent Crime Grade
2.50 per 1,000 Residents
Property Crime Grade
7.64 per 1,000 Residents
Crime statistics provided by CrimeGrade in Highlands County, FL.
Connectivity
Connectivity influences learning at home. We summarize internet infrastructure, typical download speed, and a digital connectivity index for Highlands County, FL.
ISP Report Card
Internet Infrastructure Grade
Average Download Speed
Speed Most Residents Can Get
Digital Connectivity Index
ISP Connectivity Demand Report
To read more about these statistics, please visit Highlands County, FL Internet Health Assessment.
Questions About Schools in Highlands County, FL
How many schools are in Highlands County, FL?
Highlands County, FL has 40 public schools: 7 high schools, 6 middle schools and 14 elementary schools, serving 20,729 students in total.
How do schools in Highlands County perform on state tests?
On average, 40 schools in Highlands County score 50% proficient on state assessments. Given the socioeconomic context of their students we project 38%, so on average schools in Highlands County exceed expectations.
How does SchoolGrade rank the best schools in Highlands County?
Every public school gets a SchoolGrade from A+ to F based on the share of students at or above the state proficiency bar. The Impact Grade compares that result with what we would expect given the school’s student and community context, so schools that outperform their circumstances stand out. Schools cannot pay to change a grade. Read the full methodology.
Best Schools in Cities Near Highlands County, FL
Explore nearby cities to widen your school search.
- Actual: 48%
- Projected: 37%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 38%
- Projected: 38%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 47%
- Projected: 40%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 59%
- Projected: 34%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 46%
- Projected: 37%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 50%
- Projected: 35%
- Impact Grade: Exceeds Expectations
- Actual: 57%
- Projected: 51%
- Impact Grade: Doesn't Meet Expectations
- Actual: 49%
- Projected: 39%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 61%
- Projected: 53%
- Impact Grade: Meets Expectations
- Actual: 64%
- Projected: 45%
- Impact Grade: Greatly Exceeds Expectations
Cities, towns and school districts in Highlands County
3 places in Highlands County with graded public schools. Each link opens that place's ranked schools.
Cities and towns (3)
- Sebring (9)
- Avon Park (5)
- Lake Placid (4)
School districts (1)
- Highlands (19 schools)