Hernando County Schools & Education
Hernando County, Florida
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
35/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
92.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
92.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 89.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,296
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,118
School Score
35/100
Higher = better
State avg 36/100
Student-Teacher Ratio
N/A
National avg 15.8 : 1
Free Lunch (Median)
N/A
National median 48.2%
State School Rank
#36
of 67 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Hernando County
School Verdict
Despite a lower school score of 35/100, Hernando County maintains a strong graduation rate of 92.0%, suggesting effective student support systems.
Funding Context
At $5,296 per pupil, Hernando County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Hernando County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 2% below the Florida average, and its graduation rate exceeds the state average by 2.2 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 13% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Hernando County, Florida
A Substantial Suburban Education Network
Hernando County operates 31 public schools, including 14 elementary, six middle, and seven high schools. A single district manages the education of 24,058 students across a mix of traditional and specialized academic facilities. This infrastructure supports a growing population with a heavy emphasis on K-8 and suburban campus models.
Hernando Exceeds State Graduation Standards
With a 92.0% graduation rate, Hernando significantly outpaces the national average of 87.0% and the Florida state average of 89.8%. The county spends $5,296 per pupil, maintaining a competitive school score of 50.9. These figures suggest that the county is effectively translating its investment into high-school completion success.
District-Led Growth with Charter Options
The Hernando School District oversees the vast majority of local education, though three charter schools now account for nearly 10% of the county's campuses. Frank W. Springstead High School is the largest traditional campus, serving 1,896 students. Other major hubs include Winding Waters K-8 and Explorer K-8, each housing over 1,600 students.
Suburban Focus with Large K-8 Campuses
The school experience here is predominantly suburban, with 22 schools located in residential neighborhoods and nine in rural areas. Large K-8 campuses like Challenger School of Science and Math define the local character, where the average school enrollment sits at 830 students. This mix offers families the continuity of long-term placement in single-campus settings from kindergarten through middle school.
Locating Homes in Hernando's Suburbs
Hernando County is an attractive destination for families seeking high graduation rates and modern suburban school environments. Many homebuyers target neighborhoods near the high-performing K-8 centers to secure long-term stability for their children’s education. Consider the variety of suburban and rural residential options when researching your next home move.
School Overview
Total Schools
31
in Hernando County
Total Enrollment
24,058
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
3
10% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Hernando County
HERNANDO
31 Public Schools in Hernando County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRANK W. SPRINGSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL | HERNANDO | 9–12 | High | 1,896 |
| WINDING WATERS K-8 | HERNANDO | PK–8 | Primary | 1,622 |
| EXPLORER K-8 | HERNANDO | PK–8 | Primary | 1,617 |
| CHALLENGER K-8 SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND MATH | HERNANDO | KG–8 | Primary | 1,477 |
| WEEKI WACHEE HIGH SCHOOL | HERNANDO | 9–12 | High | 1,435 |
| CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL | HERNANDO | 9–12 | High | 1,426 |
| HERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL | HERNANDO | 6–12 | High | 1,299 |
| NATURE COAST TECHNICAL HIGH | HERNANDO | 9–12 | High | 1,298 |
| POWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL | HERNANDO | 6–8 | Middle | 1,004 |
| PINE GROVE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HERNANDO | PK–5 | Primary | 991 |
| JOHN D. FLOYD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HERNANDO | PK–5 | Primary | 948 |
| SUNCOAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HERNANDO | PK–5 | Primary | 899 |
| SPRING HILL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HERNANDO | PK–5 | Primary | 893 |
| FOX CHAPEL MIDDLE SCHOOL | HERNANDO | 6–8 | Middle | 862 |
| DELTONA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HERNANDO | PK–5 | Primary | 843 |
| D. S. PARROTT MIDDLE SCHOOL | HERNANDO | 6–8 | Middle | 835 |
| CHOCACHATTI ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HERNANDO | PK–5 | Primary | 783 |
| EASTSIDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HERNANDO | PK–5 | Primary | 737 |
| WEST HERNANDO MIDDLE SCHOOL | HERNANDO | 6–8 | Middle | 695 |
| MOTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | HERNANDO | PK–5 | Primary | 679 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,296
State avg $6,118
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Hernando County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Hernando County?
How much does Hernando County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Hernando County, Florida — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Hernando County, Florida?
Hernando County operates 31 public schools, including 14 elementary, six middle, and seven high schools. A single district manages the education of 24,058 students across a mix of traditional and specialized academic facilities. This infrastructure supports a growing population with a heavy emphasis on K-8 and suburban campus models.
How do schools in Hernando County perform academically?
With a 92.0% graduation rate, Hernando significantly outpaces the national average of 87.0% and the Florida state average of 89.8%. The county spends $5,296 per pupil, maintaining a competitive school score of 50.9. These figures suggest that the county is effectively translating its investment into high-school completion success.
What are the major school districts in Hernando County, Florida?
The Hernando School District oversees the vast majority of local education, though three charter schools now account for nearly 10% of the county's campuses. Frank W. Springstead High School is the largest traditional campus, serving 1,896 students. Other major hubs include Winding Waters K-8 and Explorer K-8, each housing over 1,600 students.
What is the school experience like in Hernando County?
The school experience here is predominantly suburban, with 22 schools located in residential neighborhoods and nine in rural areas. Large K-8 campuses like Challenger School of Science and Math define the local character, where the average school enrollment sits at 830 students. This mix offers families the continuity of long-term placement in single-campus settings from kindergarten through middle school.
How can I find homes near good schools in Hernando County, Florida?
Hernando County is an attractive destination for families seeking high graduation rates and modern suburban school environments. Many homebuyers target neighborhoods near the high-performing K-8 centers to secure long-term stability for their children’s education. Consider the variety of suburban and rural residential options when researching your next home move.
Counties with Similar School Profile
Data Sources
Education data sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey. School scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Coverage varies by county and reporting year. Not for use as the sole basis for educational decisions.