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Highlands School District

Item: Highlands School District
Rating: 3
Author: Public School Review

426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870-4048

( shown in map)

Bottom 50%

Tel: (863) 471-5000

www.highlands.k12.fl.us

For the 2026-27 school year, there are 8 public middle schools serving 2,831 students in Highlands School District. This district's average middle is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Florida.

Public Middle Schools in Highlands School District have an score of 46% (versus the Florida public middle school average of 55%), and score of 39% (versus the 52% statewide average).

Minority enrollment is 62% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public middle school average of 66% (majority Hispanic).

Overview

This School District

This State (FL)

# Schools

23 Schools

1,698 Schools

# Students

12,040 Students

1,049,029 Students

# Teachers

651 Teachers

55,746 Teachers

Student-Teacher Ratio

18:1

Student By Grade

View Data

Comparison of Students By Grade Trends
Grade	Highlands School District	Florida
Kind	4	488
1	3	514
2	2	531
3	7	567
4	1	548
5	4	582
6	864	2,498
7	881	2,695
8	924	2,847
9	30	482
10	38	482
11	42	471
12	31	490

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District Rank

Highlands School District, which is ranked within the bottom 50% of all 73 school districts in Florida (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data) for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school district's graduation rate of 81% has increased from 77% over five school years.

This School District

State Average (FL)

#55 out of 73 school districts
(Bottom 50%)

View Data

Overall School District Rank Trends
Year	Highlands School District
2023	#55
2022	#54
2021	#53
2019	#59
2018	#51
2017	#50
2016	#51
2015	#50
2014	#50
2013	#57
2012	#51

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47%

52%

View Data

Math Proficiency Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Florida
2023	47%	52%
2022	48%	52%
2021	45%	48%
2019	52%	59%
2018	52%	58%
2017	51%	57%
2016	49%	54%
2015	50%	53%
2014	55%	59%
2013	53%	58%
2012	53%	57%

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42%

52%

View Data

Reading and Language Arts Proficiency Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Florida
2022	42%	52%
2021	43%	52%
2019	46%	56%
2018	52%	55%
2017	46%	54%
2016	44%	52%
2015	46%	53%
2014	51%	58%
2013	50%	58%
2012	51%	57%
2011	56%	62%

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44%

52%

View Data

Science Proficiency Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Florida
2022	44%	52%
2021	45%	51%

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81%

88%

View Data

Graduation Rate Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Florida
2023	81%	88%
2022	83%	87%
2021	84%	89%
2020	83%	89%
2019	81%	87%
2018	77%	86%
2017	72%	83%
2016	68%	82%
2015	64%	79%
2014	64%	78%
2013	62%	78%

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(2022-23)

39.8%

33.8%

View Data

Chronic Absenteeism Rate Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Florida
2023	39.8%	33.8%
2022	42.3%	35.5%
2021	40.4%	27.4%

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Students by Ethnicity:

0.68

0.70

View Data

Comparison of Diversity Score Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Florida
2023	0.68	0.70
2022	0.68	0.70
2021	0.68	0.70
2020	0.68	0.70
2019	0.68	0.70
2018	0.67	0.70
2017	0.67	0.70
2016	0.66	0.70
2015	0.66	0.70
2014	0.66	0.69
2013	0.66	0.69
2012	0.66	0.69
2011	0.65	0.69
2010	0.65	0.69
2009	0.63	0.69
2008	0.63	0.68
2007	0.62	0.67
2006	0.60	0.64
2005	0.59	0.65
2004	0.59	0.64
2003	0.58	0.63
2002	0.58	0.63
2001	0.57	0.62
2000	0.55	0.62
1999	0.54	0.61
1998	0.53	0.60
1997	0.53	0.60
1996	0.51	0.59
1995	0.52	0.58
1994	0.50	0.57
1993	0.49	0.57
1992	0.48	0.56
1991	0.46	0.55

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% American Indian

n/a

% Asian

View Data

Asian Student Percentage Comparison (1992-2023)
Year	Highlands School District	Florida
2023	1%	3%
2022	1%	3%
2021	2%	3%
2020	2%	3%
2019	2%	3%
2018	2%	4%
2017	2%	4%
2016	1%	3%
2015	1%	3%
2014	2%	3%
2013	2%	3%
2012	2%	3%
2011	2%	3%
2010	3%	4%
2009	2%	4%
2008	2%	3%
2007	2%	3%
2006	1%	2%
2005	1%	3%
2004	1%	3%
2003	1%	3%
2002	1%	3%
2001	1%	2%
2000	1%	2%
1998	1%	2%
1997	1%	2%
1996	1%	2%
1995	1%	2%
1994	2%	2%
1993	1%	2%
1992	1%	2%

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% Hispanic

39%

View Data

Hispanic Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2023)
Year	Highlands School District	Florida
2023	37%	37%
2022	37%	36%
2021	36%	35%
2020	35%	34%
2019	35%	34%
2018	34%	32%
2017	34%	32%
2016	34%	32%
2015	33%	31%
2014	32%	30%
2013	31%	29%
2012	30%	29%
2011	30%	28%
2010	29%	27%
2009	26%	26%
2008	26%	26%
2007	24%	25%
2006	23%	24%
2005	21%	23%
2004	20%	22%
2003	19%	21%
2002	19%	20%
2001	17%	19%
2000	16%	18%
1999	15%	17%
1998	14%	16%
1997	13%	16%
1996	12%	15%
1995	12%	15%
1994	10%	14%
1993	10%	14%
1992	9%	13%
1991	8%	13%

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% Black

17%

20%

View Data

Black Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2023)
Year	Highlands School District	Florida
2023	17%	21%
2022	17%	21%
2021	17%	22%
2020	17%	22%
2019	17%	22%
2018	18%	22%
2017	18%	22%
2016	18%	23%
2015	17%	23%
2014	17%	23%
2013	17%	23%
2012	17%	23%
2011	17%	23%
2010	18%	24%
2009	19%	24%
2008	18%	24%
2007	19%	24%
2006	19%	24%
2005	19%	24%
2004	20%	24%
2003	20%	24%
2002	21%	25%
2001	21%	25%
2000	21%	25%
1999	21%	25%
1998	21%	25%
1997	21%	25%
1996	21%	25%
1995	21%	24%
1994	21%	24%
1993	21%	24%
1992	21%	24%
1991	21%	23%

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% White

38%

34%

View Data

White Student Percentage Comparison (1991-2023)
Year	Highlands School District	Florida
2023	40%	35%
2022	41%	36%
2021	41%	36%
2020	42%	37%
2019	42%	37%
2018	43%	39%
2017	43%	39%
2016	44%	39%
2015	46%	40%
2014	46%	41%
2013	47%	42%
2012	48%	42%
2011	49%	43%
2010	49%	45%
2009	52%	46%
2008	53%	47%
2007	54%	48%
2006	56%	50%
2005	58%	50%
2004	58%	51%
2003	59%	52%
2002	59%	52%
2001	60%	54%
2000	62%	55%
1999	64%	56%
1998	64%	57%
1997	65%	57%
1996	66%	58%
1995	65%	59%
1994	67%	60%
1993	68%	60%
1992	69%	61%
1991	70%	62%

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% Hawaiian

n/a

% Two or more races

View Data

Two or More Races Student Percentage Comparison (2013-2023)
Year	Highlands School District	Florida
2023	5%	4%
2022	4%	4%
2021	4%	4%
2020	4%	4%
2019	4%	4%
2018	3%	3%
2017	3%	3%
2016	3%	3%
2015	3%	3%
2014	3%	3%
2013	3%	3%

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All Ethnic Groups

District Revenue and Spending

The revenue/student of $14,320 in this school district is less than the state median of $14,419. The school district revenue/student has grown by 5% over four school years.

The school district's spending/student of $13,998 is higher than the state median of $13,816. The school district spending/student has grown by 6% over four school years.

This School District

This State (FL)

Total Revenue

$172 MM

$41,097 MM

View Data

Total Revenues Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Florida
2023	$172 MM	$201 MM
2022	$166 MM	$181 MM
2021	$139 MM	$166 MM
2020	$130 MM	$154 MM
2019	$133 MM	$151 MM
2018	$127 MM	$143 MM
2017	$121 MM	$136 MM
2016	$117 MM	$130 MM
2015	$122 MM	$132 MM
2014	$114 MM	$122 MM
2012	$108 MM	$118 MM
2011	$121 MM	$128 MM
2010	$122 MM	$132 MM
2009	$126 MM	$138 MM
2008	$135 MM	$179 MM
2007	$124 MM	$165 MM
2006	$108 MM	$125 MM
2005	$98 MM	$111 MM
2004	$91 MM	$105 MM
2003	$82 MM	$95 MM
2002	$83 MM	$96 MM
2001	$80 MM	$96 MM
2000	$75 MM	$91 MM
1999	$78 MM	$89 MM
1998	$75 MM	$81 MM
1997	$69 MM	$79 MM
1996	$67 MM	$73 MM
1995	$65 MM	$70 MM

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Spending

$169 MM

$39,380 MM

View Data

Total Expenditure Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Florida
2023	$169 MM	$207 MM
2022	$161 MM	$172 MM
2021	$134 MM	$163 MM
2020	$128 MM	$164 MM
2019	$126 MM	$155 MM
2018	$125 MM	$153 MM
2017	$117 MM	$132 MM
2016	$116 MM	$123 MM
2015	$125 MM	$140 MM
2014	$115 MM	$125 MM
2012	$107 MM	$121 MM
2011	$118 MM	$128 MM
2010	$125 MM	$140 MM
2009	$141 MM	$159 MM
2008	$146 MM	$169 MM
2007	$131 MM	$162 MM
2006	$113 MM	$146 MM
2005	$99 MM	$112 MM
2004	$92 MM	$112 MM
2003	$85 MM	$106 MM
2002	$88 MM	$102 MM
2001	$82 MM	$91 MM
2000	$80 MM	$88 MM
1999	$76 MM	$84 MM
1998	$69 MM	$79 MM
1997	$68 MM	$72 MM
1996	$72 MM	$72 MM
1995	$61 MM	$66 MM

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Revenue / Student

$14,320

$14,419

View Data

Average Revenue Per Student Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Florida
2023	$13,947	$17,324
2022	$13,516	$14,745
2021	$11,452	$13,731
2020	$10,730	$14,203
2019	$10,778	$13,737
2018	$10,270	$14,011
2017	$9,813	$14,826
2016	$9,493	$12,788
2015	$9,927	$11,888
2014	$9,311	$12,077
2012	$8,999	$12,051
2011	$9,987	$13,076
2010	$10,066	$11,888
2009	$10,266	$13,793
2008	$10,878	$17,784
2007	$9,919	$16,236
2006	$8,930	$12,292
2005	$8,131	$11,428
2004	$7,813	$11,474
2003	$7,217	$10,268
2002	$7,379	$10,355
2001	$7,121	$10,248
2000	$6,786	$9,668
1999	$7,024	$9,409
1998	$6,804	$7,880
1997	$6,230	$8,424
1995	$6,243	$6,715
1992	$5,734	$7,231

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Spending / Student

$13,998

$13,816

View Data

Average Expenditure Per Student Trends
Year	Highlands School District	Florida
2023	$13,634	$17,878
2022	$13,125	$14,013
2021	$11,034	$13,486
2020	$10,595	$15,154
2019	$10,223	$14,111
2018	$10,034	$14,989
2017	$9,531	$14,369
2016	$9,379	$12,045
2015	$10,189	$12,571
2014	$9,467	$12,287
2012	$8,940	$12,385
2011	$9,734	$13,005
2010	$10,331	$12,571
2009	$11,521	$15,882
2008	$11,782	$16,773
2007	$10,515	$15,907
2006	$9,290	$14,358
2005	$8,212	$11,593
2004	$7,850	$12,298
2003	$7,464	$11,532
2002	$7,826	$11,007
2001	$7,353	$9,672
2000	$7,296	$9,341
1999	$6,862	$8,851
1998	$6,273	$7,639
1997	$6,124	$7,635
1995	$5,806	$6,277
1992	$5,400	$6,693

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Best Highlands School District Public Middle Schools (2026-27)

School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)

Location

Quick Facts

Rank: #11.

Highlands County Hospital/homebound Program

Special Education School

(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
:

Top 50%

Add to Compare

426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5583

Gr: K-12 | 17 students Minority enrollment: 82%

Rank: #22.

Sebring Middle School

(Math: 53% | Reading: 42%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

500 E Center Ave
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5700

Gr: 6-8 | 840 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 51%

Rank: #33.

Highlands Virtual School

(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5610

Gr: K-12 | 141 students Student-teacher ratio: 141:1 Minority enrollment: 53%

Rank: #44.

Hill-gustat Middle School

(Math: 50% | Reading: 42%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

4700 Schumacher Rd
Sebring, FL 33872
(863) 471-5437

Gr: 6-12 | 669 students Student-teacher ratio: 20:1 Minority enrollment: 63%

Rank: #55.

Lake Placid Middle School

(Math: 44% | Reading: 35%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

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: #66.

Avon Park Middle School

(Math: 38% | Reading: 33%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

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: #77.

The Academy At Youth Care Lane

Alternative School

(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 21-39%)
:

Bottom 50%

Add to Compare

4121 Youth Care Ln
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5457

Gr: 5-12 | 57 students Minority enrollment: 81%

Rank: n/an/a

Highlands Virtual Franchise

Add to Compare

426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5610

Gr: 6-12

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Quick Facts (2026-27)

District size: 23 schools
Grades: PK-12
Enrollment: 12,040 students
Student-Teacher Ratio: 18:1
Minority Enrollment: 62%
: 81% (Btm 50% in FL)
: Bottom 50%
: 47% (Btm 50%)
: 42% (Btm 50%)
: 44% (Btm 50%)
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education