For the 2025 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 2,845 students in Highlands School District. This district's average middle testing ranking is 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of public middle schools in Florida.
Public Middle Schools in Highlands School District have an average math proficiency score of 49% (versus the Florida public middle school average of 53%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 52% statewide average).
Minority enrollment is 63% 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
24 Schools
1,745 Schools
# Students
12,535 Students
1,042,011 Students
# Teachers
668 Teachers
54,708 Teachers
Student : Teacher Ratio
18:1
18:1
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 2021-2022 school year.
The school district's graduation rate of 83% has increased from 72% over five school years.
Overall District Rank
#54 out of 73 school districts
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
48%
52%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
42%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
44%
52%
Graduation Rate
83%
87%
Students by Ethnicity:
Diversity Score
0.68
0.70
# American Indian Students
38 Students
2,890 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
n/a
# Asian Students
170 Students
29,883 Students
% Asian Students
1%
3%
# Hispanic Students
4,788 Students
401,138 Students
% Hispanic Students
38%
38%
# Black Students
2,093 Students
215,725 Students
% Black Students
17%
21%
# White Students
4,858 Students
349,085 Students
% White Students
39%
34%
# Hawaiian Students
21 Students
1,862 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
567 Students
41,428 Students
% of Two or more races Students
5%
4%
Students by Grade:
# Students in PK Grade:
346
6,785
# Students in K Grade:
1,233
37,786
# Students in 1st Grade:
902
39,534
# Students in 2nd Grade:
908
40,863
# Students in 3rd Grade:
921
42,129
# Students in 4th Grade:
881
42,303
# Students in 5th Grade:
859
42,249
# Students in 6th Grade:
866
201,326
# Students in 7th Grade:
918
223,117
# Students in 8th Grade:
889
218,377
# Students in 9th Grade:
1,177
37,509
# Students in 10th Grade:
1,001
38,273
# Students in 11th Grade:
893
34,944
# Students in 12th Grade:
741
36,816
# Ungraded Students:
-
-
District Revenue and Spending
The revenue/student of $11,065 in this school district is less than the state median of $11,962. The school district revenue/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
The school district's spending/student of $10,661 is less than the state median of $11,615. The school district spending/student has stayed relatively flat over four school years.
Total Revenue
$139 MM
$34,349 MM
Spending
$134 MM
$33,354 MM
Revenue / Student
$11,065
$11,962
Spending / Student
$10,661
$11,615
Best Highlands School District Public Middle Schools (2025)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Grades
Students
Rank: #11.
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: #22.
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: #33.
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: #44.
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: #55.
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: #66.
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: #77.
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: 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
Recent Articles
Sexual Harassment at Age 6: The Tale of a First Grade Suspension
A six-year old in Aurora, Colorado, was suspended after singing an LMFAO song to a little girl in his class and reportedly “shaking his booty.” We look at the case and the sexual harassment problem in public schools today.
How Scaffolding Could Change the Way Your Child Learns
This article explores the concept of instructional scaffolding, a teaching method that enhances learning by breaking down complex tasks into manageable parts. It highlights how scaffolding supports students in developing critical thinking skills and becoming more independent learners. The article discusses the benefits of scaffolding, including improved engagement and reduced anxiety, and provides strategies for its implementation across various educational levels.
February 05, 2025
Understanding the U.S. Department of Education: Structure, Impact, and EvolutionWe explore how the Department of Education shapes American education, from its cabinet-level leadership to its impact on millions of students, written for general audiences seeking clarity on this vital institution.
