For the 2025 school year, there are 24 public schools serving 12,535 students in Highlands County, FL (there are 13 private schools, serving 2,136 private students). 85% of all K-12 students in Highlands County, FL are educated in public schools (compared to the FL state average of 86%).
The top ranked public schools in Highlands County, FL are Cracker Trail Elementary School, Sun 'n Lake 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 48% (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 66% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Schools in Highlands County (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
Cracker Trail Elementary School
(Math: 62% | Reading: 55%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
8200 Sparta Rd
Sebring, FL 33875
(863) 471-5777
Sebring, FL 33875
(863) 471-5777
Grades: K-5
| 736 students
Rank: #22.
Sun 'n Lake Elementary School
(Math: 56% | Reading: 54%)
Rank:
Rank:
7/
Top 50%10
4515 Ponce De Leon Blvd
Sebring, FL 33872
(863) 471-5464
Sebring, FL 33872
(863) 471-5464
Grades: PK-5
| 590 students
Rank: #33.
Lake Country Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
516 County Road 29
Lake Placid, FL 33852
(863) 699-5050
Lake Placid, FL 33852
(863) 699-5050
Grades: PK-5
| 628 students
Rank: #44.
Avon Elementary School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 48%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
705 Winthrop St
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-4355
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-4355
Grades: PK-5
| 553 students
Rank: #55.
Park Elementary School
(Math: 57% | Reading: 45%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
327 E Palmetto St
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-4373
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-4373
Grades: PK-5
| 521 students
Rank: #66.
Highlands County Hospital/homebound Program
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5583
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5583
Grades: K-12
| 21 students
Rank: #77.
Hill-gustat Middle School
(Math: 55% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4700 Schumacher Rd
Sebring, FL 33872
(863) 471-5437
Sebring, FL 33872
(863) 471-5437
Grades: 6-12
| 631 students
Rank: #88.
Sebring Middle School
(Math: 52% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
500 E Center Ave
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5700
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5700
Grades: 6-8
| 787 students
Rank: #99.
Sebring High School
(Math: 45% | Reading: 49%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
3514 Kenilworth Blvd
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5500
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5500
Grades: 9-12
| 1,901 students
Rank: #1010.
Highlands Virtual School
(Math: 35-39% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5610
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5610
Grades: K-12
| 133 students
Rank: #1111.
Woodlawn Elementary School
(Math: 46% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
817 Woodlawn Dr
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5444
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5444
Grades: PK-5
| 777 students
Rank: #1212.
Fred Wild Elementary School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 43%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
3550 Youth Care Ln
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5400
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5400
Grades: PK-5
| 577 students
Rank: #1313.
Memorial Elementary School
(Math: 47% | Reading: 38%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
867 Memorial Dr
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 784-0200
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 784-0200
Grades: K-5
| 508 students
Rank: #1414.
Lake Placid Middle School
(Math: 48% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
4/
Bottom 50%10
201 S Tangerine Ave
Lake Placid, FL 33852
(863) 699-5030
Lake Placid, FL 33852
(863) 699-5030
Grades: 6-8
| 598 students
Rank: #1515.
The Academy At Youth Care Lane
Alternative School
(Math: <50% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
4121 Youth Care Ln
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5457
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5457
Grades: 4-12
| 70 students
Rank: #1616.
Avon Park High School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 37%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
700 E Main St
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-4311
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-4311
Grades: 9-12
| 946 students
Rank: #1717.
Lake Placid Elementary School
(Math: 35% | Reading: 39%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
101 Green Dragon Dr
Lake Placid, FL 33852
(863) 699-5070
Lake Placid, FL 33852
(863) 699-5070
Grades: PK-5
| 548 students
Rank: #1818.
Avon Park Middle School
(Math: 41% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
401 S Lake Ave
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-4333
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-4333
Grades: 6-8
| 602 students
Rank: #1919.
Lake Placid High School
(Math: 32% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
202 Green Dragon Dr
Lake Placid, FL 33852
(863) 699-5010
Lake Placid, FL 33852
(863) 699-5010
Grades: 9-12
| 829 students
Rank: n/an/a
Highlands County Schools Jail Program
Alternative School
426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5583
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5583
Grades: 8-12
| 3 students
Rank: n/an/a
426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5610
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5610
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Rank: n/an/a
3560 Us Highway 27 S
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 314-5281
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 314-5281
Grades: K
| 360 students
Rank: n/an/a
Non-enrolled Pk Exceptional Educational Program
Special Education School
426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5583
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5583
Grades: PK
| 10 students
Highlands County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Grades
Students
4121 Youth Care Lane
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 386-5250
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 386-5250
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Alternative Unlimited Drop Back In Academy (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5555
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5555
Grades: 9-12
| n/a students
Highlands County Superintendent's Office (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
4426 School Street
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-556
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-556
Grades: PK-12
| 39 students
426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5610
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5610
Grades: 6-12
| n/a students
Highlands Youth Academy (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
242 South Blvd
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-3815
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-3815
Grades: 8-12
| n/a students
100 E 4th St
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-6818
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-6818
Grades: K-5
| 40 students
Last Chance Ranch High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
19570 County Road 731
Venus, FL 33960
(863) 699-3785
Venus, FL 33960
(863) 699-3785
Grades: 9-12
| 10 students
426 School Street
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5564
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5564
Grades: n/a
| n/a students
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top ranked public schools in Highlands County, FL?
The top ranked public schools in Highlands County, FL include Cracker Trail Elementary School, Sun 'n Lake 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?
85% of all K-12 students in Highlands County are educated in public schools (compared to the FL state average of 86%).
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 66% (majority Hispanic).
Which public schools in Highlands County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public schools in Highlands County include: Lake Country Elementary School vs. Lake Placid Elementary School, Avon Park High School vs. Sebring High School, Lake Placid Elementary School vs. Lake Country Elementary School
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