Highlands County Schools & Education
Highlands County, Florida
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
13/100
Higher = better
Rating
Below Average
Graduation Rate
83.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
83.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 89.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$5,721
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,118
School Score
13/100
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
#66
of 67 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Highlands County
School Verdict
Highlands County faces educational challenges with a school score of 13/100 and a graduation rate of 83.0%, falling below typical benchmarks.
Funding Context
At $5,721 per pupil, Highlands County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Highlands County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 64% below the Florida average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 6.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 6% lower than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Highlands County, Florida
Diverse School Levels in the Heartland
Highlands County features 24 public schools serving a total enrollment of 12,362 students. The district includes nine elementary schools, four middle schools, and six high schools, providing a balanced infrastructure across different age groups. These schools are distributed across the county's distinct urban, suburban, and rural locales.
Focusing on Student Achievement Goals
Highlands County currently maintains an 83.0% graduation rate, which sits below the Florida average of 89.8% and the national mark of 87.0%. Per-pupil expenditure is $5,721, approaching the state average of $6,118. With a school score of 47.1, the county continues to work toward meeting state and national academic benchmarks.
Unified District Management in Highlands
The Highlands School District manages all 24 campuses in the county with no charter schools currently available to residents. Sebring High School stands as the largest academic hub, enrolling 1,809 students and acting as a primary community landmark. Other significant schools include Avon Park High and Lake Placid High, which anchor their respective regional areas.
A Mix of Settings and Moderate Sizes
The county offers a diverse geographic mix of school settings, including nine rural, seven city, and five suburban locations. With an average school size of 562 students, the campuses feel more personal than in Florida’s larger metropolitan counties. Families can choose between larger city-based schools like Woodlawn Elementary or smaller rural options across the county.
Discovering Community-Centric Schools
If you are looking for a community where schools are deeply integrated into the local towns and rural landscapes, Highlands County is worth exploring. The diverse school locales offer homebuyers various lifestyle options, from quiet rural settings to active city neighborhoods near Sebring High. School proximity remains a key factor for families evaluating real estate in this region.
School Overview
Total Schools
24
in Highlands County
Total Enrollment
12,362
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
0
0% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Highlands County
HIGHLANDS
24 Public Schools in Highlands County
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$5,721
State avg $6,118
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Highlands County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Highlands County?
How much does Highlands County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Highlands County, Florida — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Highlands County, Florida?
Highlands County features 24 public schools serving a total enrollment of 12,362 students. The district includes nine elementary schools, four middle schools, and six high schools, providing a balanced infrastructure across different age groups. These schools are distributed across the county's distinct urban, suburban, and rural locales.
How do schools in Highlands County perform academically?
Highlands County currently maintains an 83.0% graduation rate, which sits below the Florida average of 89.8% and the national mark of 87.0%. Per-pupil expenditure is $5,721, approaching the state average of $6,118. With a school score of 47.1, the county continues to work toward meeting state and national academic benchmarks.
What are the major school districts in Highlands County, Florida?
The Highlands School District manages all 24 campuses in the county with no charter schools currently available to residents. Sebring High School stands as the largest academic hub, enrolling 1,809 students and acting as a primary community landmark. Other significant schools include Avon Park High and Lake Placid High, which anchor their respective regional areas.
What is the school experience like in Highlands County?
The county offers a diverse geographic mix of school settings, including nine rural, seven city, and five suburban locations. With an average school size of 562 students, the campuses feel more personal than in Florida’s larger metropolitan counties. Families can choose between larger city-based schools like Woodlawn Elementary or smaller rural options across the county.
How can I find homes near good schools in Highlands County, Florida?
If you are looking for a community where schools are deeply integrated into the local towns and rural landscapes, Highlands County is worth exploring. The diverse school locales offer homebuyers various lifestyle options, from quiet rural settings to active city neighborhoods near Sebring High. School proximity remains a key factor for families evaluating real estate in this region.
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.