Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetGet($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetGet(mixed $offset): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 106 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetSet($offset, $value) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetSet(mixed $offset, mixed $value): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 115 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::offsetUnset($offset) should either be compatible with ArrayAccess::offsetUnset(mixed $offset): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 130 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::current() should either be compatible with Iterator::current(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 48 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::next() should either be compatible with Iterator::next(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 56 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Util\ArrayObject::rewind() should either be compatible with Iterator::rewind(): void, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Util/ArrayObject.php on line 80 Deprecated: Return type of Phpfastcache\Drivers\Memcached\Item::jsonSerialize() should either be compatible with JsonSerializable::jsonSerialize(): mixed, or the #[\ReturnTypeWillChange] attribute should be used to temporarily suppress the notice in /home/devzheng/workspace/psr/vendor/phpfastcache/phpfastcache/lib/Phpfastcache/Core/Item/ItemExtendedTrait.php on line 438 Best Public Schools in Highlands County (2026)
Public School Review - Established 2003

Best Highlands County Public Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 23 public schools serving 12,535 students in Highlands County, FL (there are 8 private schools, serving 1,186 private students). 91% of all K-12 students in Highlands County, FL are educated in public schools (compared to the FL state average of 87%).
The top-ranked public schools in Highlands County, FL are Sun 'n Lake Elementary School, Cracker Trail Elementary School and Lake Country Elementary School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Highlands County, FL public schools have an average math proficiency score of 47% (versus the Florida public school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 42% (versus the 52% statewide average). Schools in Highlands County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Florida public schools.
Minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).

Best Public Schools in Highlands County (2026)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Sun 'n Lake Elementary School
(Math: 65% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
4515 Ponce De Leon Blvd
Sebring, FL 33872
(863) 471-5464
Gr: PK-5 | 588 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #22.
Cracker Trail Elementary School
(Math: 61% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
7/
10
Top 50%
8200 Sparta Rd
Sebring, FL 33875
(863) 471-5777
Gr: K-5 | 710 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 37%
Rank: #33.
Lake Country Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
516 County Road 29
Lake Placid, FL 33852
(863) 699-5050
Gr: PK-5 | 604 students Student-teacher ratio: 15:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #44.
Park Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
327 E Palmetto St
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-4373
Gr: PK-5 | 557 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #55.
Woodlawn Elementary School
(Math: 58% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
817 Woodlawn Dr
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5444
Gr: PK-5 | 834 students Student-teacher ratio: 18:1 Minority enrollment: 58%
Rank: #66.
Highlands County Hospital/homebound Program
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
6/
10
Top 50%
426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5583
Gr: K-12 | 17 students Minority enrollment: 82%
Rank: #77.
Sebring Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
500 E Center Ave
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5700
Gr: 6-8 | 840 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 51%
Rank: #88.
Highlands Virtual School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5610
Gr: K-12 | 141 students Student-teacher ratio: 141:1 Minority enrollment: 53%
Rank: #99.
Avon Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
705 Winthrop St
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-4355
Gr: PK-5 | 503 students Student-teacher ratio: 14:1 Minority enrollment: 75%
Rank: #1010.
Lake Placid Elementary School
(Math: 54% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
101 Green Dragon Dr
Lake Placid, FL 33852
(863) 699-5070
Gr: PK-5 | 569 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 59%
Rank: #1111.
Hill-gustat Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
5/
10
Bottom 50%
4700 Schumacher Rd
Sebring, FL 33872
(863) 471-5437
Gr: 6-12 | 669 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1212.
Memorial Elementary School
(Math: 51% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
867 Memorial Dr
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 784-0200
Gr: K-5 | 466 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: #1313.
Sebring High School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3514 Kenilworth Blvd
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5500
Gr: 9-12 | 1,849 students Student-teacher ratio: 25:1 Minority enrollment: 56%
Rank: #1414.
Fred Wild Elementary School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
4/
10
Bottom 50%
3550 Youth Care Ln
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5400
Gr: PK-5 | 576 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 65%
Rank: #1515.
Lake Placid Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
201 S Tangerine Ave
Lake Placid, FL 33852
(863) 699-5030
Gr: 6-8 | 507 students Student-teacher ratio: 16:1 Minority enrollment: 63%
Rank: #1616.
Avon Park High School
(Math: 40% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
3/
10
Bottom 50%
700 E Main St
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-4311
Gr: 9-12 | 980 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 72%
Rank: #1717.
Avon Park Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
401 S Lake Ave
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-4333
Gr: 6-8 | 600 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #1818.
Lake Placid High School
(Math: 30% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
2/
10
Bottom 50%
202 Green Dragon Dr
Lake Placid, FL 33852
(863) 699-5010
Gr: 9-12 | 829 students Student-teacher ratio: 21:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #1919.
The Academy At Youth Care Lane
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
1/
10
Bottom 50%
4121 Youth Care Ln
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5457
Gr: 5-12 | 57 students Minority enrollment: 81%
Rank: n/an/a
Highlands County Schools Jail Program
Alternative School
426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5583
Gr: 9-12 | 2 students
Rank: n/an/a
Highlands Virtual Franchise
426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5610
Gr: 6-12
Rank: n/an/a
Non-enrolled Pk Exceptional Educational Program
Special Education School
426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5583
Gr: PK | 6 students Minority enrollment: 33%
Rank: n/an/a
Sebring Pre-k Center
3560 Us 27
Sebring, FL 33870
(813) 314-5281
Gr: PK | 136 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 57%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked public schools in Highlands County, FL?
The top-ranked public schools in Highlands County, FL include Sun 'n Lake Elementary School, Cracker Trail Elementary School and Lake Country Elementary School.
How many public schools are located in Highlands County?
24 public schools are located in Highlands County.
What percentage of students in Highlands County go to public school?
91% of all K-12 students in Highlands County are educated in public schools (compared to the FL state average of 87%).
What is the racial composition of students in Highlands County?
Highlands County public schools minority enrollment is 61% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public schools average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Highlands County are often viewed compared to one another?

Recent Articles

AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
AI Report Cards: Should Schools Evaluate AI Use?
Explore whether schools should assess student AI use, the benefits, risks, and what responsible AI report cards could look like in 2026.
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
The Parent’s Guide to School Cell Phone Bans in 2026
Learn how school cell phone bans work in 2026, why districts are adopting them, and what parents should expect.
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Parental Involvement in Public Schools: 2026 Update
Explore the latest 2026 trends, research, and strategies shaping parental involvement in public schools and student success.

Quick Links

School Search Tools:
School by Type (FL):
Private & Boarding Schools:
State Links:

Most Popular Articles

Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
Uniforms in U.S. Public Schools: 2025 Pros & Cons
 Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
Year-Round vs Traditional School Calendar: 2025 Insights
Florida Top-Ranked Public Schools
Florida Top-Ranked Public Schools
 What are the Benefits of Public School Over Homeschooling?
What are the Benefits of Public School Over Homeschooling?
 15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025
15 Failures of U.S. Public Education in 2025

More Articles

Local School Topics
Opinion
About Public Schools
Public School Policies
Parenting and Learning Issues