Sumter County Schools & Education
Sumter County, Florida
NCES + U.S. Census BureauSchool Score
46/100
Higher = better
Rating
Average
Graduation Rate
88.0%
National avg 87.5%
Education Statistics
Graduation Rate
88.0%
National avg 87.5%
State avg 89.8%
Per-Pupil Spending
$7,548
National avg $13,239
State avg $6,118
School Score
46/100
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
#13
of 67 counties (1 = best)
Education Advisory: Sumter County
School Verdict
Sumter County performs at an average level with a school score of 46/100 and a solid graduation rate of 88.0%.
Funding Context
At $7,548 per pupil, Sumter County operates with limited funding, which may constrain staffing, materials, and extracurricular offerings.
Attainment Context
Educational attainment data for Sumter County is not available.
Neighbor Context
Its school score is 28% above the Florida average, and its graduation rate trails the state average by 1.8 percentage points, while per-pupil spending is 23% higher than the state norm.
Education Overview
About Schools in Sumter County, Florida
Twelve Schools Supporting a Specialized District
Sumter County manages a compact network of 12 public schools, including four elementary and two high schools. This single-district system serves 9,404 students across a mix of traditional and alternative settings. The small number of schools allows for a focused administrative approach.
Above-Average Investment and Performance
Sumter invests $7,548 per pupil, which is significantly higher than the Florida state average of $6,118. This investment supports an 88.0% graduation rate and a school score of 53.7, both of which beat national medians. The county achieves these results while managing a diverse set of student needs.
The Villages Charter School Influence
The Sumter district oversees 9,404 students, but a single charter school makes a massive impact. The Villages Charter School enrolls 3,473 students, accounting for over a third of the county's total student body. While there is only one charter school, it represents 8.3% of the county's institutions.
A Rural and Town-Centered Learning Experience
Education in Sumter is predominantly rural, with seven of the 12 schools located in country settings. The Villages Charter School is the largest by far, while traditional schools like Wildwood Middle/High serve around 843 students. The average school size is 855 students, providing a mix of large-scale charter and community-focused rural schools.
Find Your Home Near Unique Educational Hubs
Sumter County offers specialized schooling options, particularly for residents of The Villages and surrounding towns. The higher-than-average per-pupil spending reflects a community that values educational resources. Families should target homes near the Villages or South Sumter areas to access the county's top-performing campuses.
School Overview
Total Schools
12
in Sumter County
Total Enrollment
9,404
students
School Districts
1
district
Charter Schools
1
8% of total
Student-Teacher Ratio
—
county average
Free Lunch (Median)
—
of students countywide
School Type Breakdown
1 School District in Sumter County
SUMTER
12 Public Schools in Sumter County
| School Name | District | Grades | Type | Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VILLAGES CHARTER SCHOOL | SUMTER | PK–12 | Charter | 3,473 |
| SOUTH SUMTER HIGH SCHOOL | SUMTER | 7–12 | High | 1,045 |
| WILDWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | SUMTER | PK–5 | Primary | 940 |
| SOUTH SUMTER MIDDLE SCHOOL | SUMTER | 6–8 | Middle | 897 |
| WILDWOOD MIDDLE/ HIGH SCHOOL | SUMTER | 6–12 | High | 843 |
| BUSHNELL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | SUMTER | PK–5 | Primary | 760 |
| WEBSTER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | SUMTER | PK–5 | Primary | 748 |
| LAKE PANASOFFKEE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | SUMTER | PK–5 | Primary | 584 |
| SUMTER PREP ACADEMY | SUMTER | 1–12 | Alternative | 94 |
| SUMTER COUNTY VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM | SUMTER | KG–12 | Other | 12 |
| SUMTER VIRTUAL FRANCHISE | SUMTER | KG–12 | Other | 8 |
| CONTRACTED RESIDENTIAL SERVICES | SUMTER | PK–12 | Special Education | 0 |
Educational Attainment
Annual Per-Pupil Expenditure
$7,548
State avg $6,118
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do schools in Sumter County rate?
What is the graduation rate in Sumter County?
How much does Sumter County spend per student?
Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in Sumter County, Florida — FAQ
What does the school system look like in Sumter County, Florida?
Sumter County manages a compact network of 12 public schools, including four elementary and two high schools. This single-district system serves 9,404 students across a mix of traditional and alternative settings. The small number of schools allows for a focused administrative approach.
How do schools in Sumter County perform academically?
Sumter invests $7,548 per pupil, which is significantly higher than the Florida state average of $6,118. This investment supports an 88.0% graduation rate and a school score of 53.7, both of which beat national medians. The county achieves these results while managing a diverse set of student needs.
What are the major school districts in Sumter County, Florida?
The Sumter district oversees 9,404 students, but a single charter school makes a massive impact. The Villages Charter School enrolls 3,473 students, accounting for over a third of the county's total student body. While there is only one charter school, it represents 8.3% of the county's institutions.
What is the school experience like in Sumter County?
Education in Sumter is predominantly rural, with seven of the 12 schools located in country settings. The Villages Charter School is the largest by far, while traditional schools like Wildwood Middle/High serve around 843 students. The average school size is 855 students, providing a mix of large-scale charter and community-focused rural schools.
How can I find homes near good schools in Sumter County, Florida?
Sumter County offers specialized schooling options, particularly for residents of The Villages and surrounding towns. The higher-than-average per-pupil spending reflects a community that values educational resources. Families should target homes near the Villages or South Sumter areas to access the county's top-performing campuses.
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.