Total enrollment
12,040
-374 (-3%) vs SY 2017-18
Highlands County
Florida · Public K-12
Across Highlands County, 24 public K-12 schools educate around 12,040 students, roughly 1 in 9 residents. The level mix runs 11 elementary, 4 middle, and 7 high.
7-year change in Highlands County
SY 2017-18 vs SY 2024-25School count
22
-1 (-4%) vs SY 2017-18
% White
38%
was 43%
% Hispanic
39%
was 34%
% Black
17%
was 17%
% Asian
2%
was 2%
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
Schools
24
1 districts
Enrollment
12,040
NCES CCD
Median income
$54,897
Below Florida avg
Free/reduced lunch
62.6%
Above Florida avg
Elementary
11
5,549 students
Middle
4
2,616 students
High
7
3,717 students
Combined / other
2
158 students
LARGEST DISTRICT
HIGHLANDS
12,040 students · 1 district in Highlands County
County vs. school enrollment demographics
Left bar is the racial makeup of Highlands County residents (Census ACS 5-year). Right bar is the enrollment-weighted makeup of public schools in the county (NCES CCD). NCES systematically under-reports Hispanic, Pacific Islander, and Native American enrollment for many schools; where the resident share is meaningful but the reported school share is zero, we mark the school bar "not reported".
County residents
School enrollment
Bachelor's+
20.5%
adults 25+
Poverty rate
10.9%
ACS 5-year
Unemployment
6.4%
civilian labor
Median age
54
16.7% under 18
Test scores in Highlands County
Latest 2024-25 ELA proficiency, 17 schools ranked. Florida state average: 57.1%.
Top 5 schools (ELA)
- PARK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 68.0%
- SUN 'N LAKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 61.9%
- LAKE PLACID ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 60.7%
- CRACKER TRAIL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 60.4%
- HIGHLANDS VIRTUAL SCHOOL· 60.0%
Lowest 5 schools (ELA)
- FRED WILD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 44.6%
- AVON PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL· 45.1%
- AVON PARK HIGH SCHOOL· 47.3%
- MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL· 49.6%
- LAKE PLACID MIDDLE SCHOOL· 50.0%
Cities in Highlands County
About Highlands County
Highlands County is a middle-population Florida county of about 105,702 residents, home to 24 public schools and roughly 12,040 students.
Looking at the broader picture, census numbers show median household income runs near $54,897, roughly 21% of adults have completed at least a four-year degree, and roughly 11% of residents live below the federal poverty line. That income level is 20% meaningfully below the Florida median.
In terms of grade levels, Highlands County comprises 11 elementary schools (5,549 students), 4 middle schools (2,616), 7 high schools (3,717), and 2 combined or other schools.
HIGHLANDS dominates the local landscape, accounting for roughly 12,040 students on its own.
Trend over the past 7 years. Total public-school enrollment in Highlands County has fell 3% since SY 2017-18, moving from about 12,414 students to 12,040. Highlands County now counts 22 public schools, down from 23 in SY 2017-18. The White share of public-school enrollment contracted from 43% to 38%.
Within the allk12 community for this area, the community for Highlands County discusses enrollment trends, district policy changes, and bus-route updates. Posts come from current and former families, staff, and alumni.
Frequently asked questions
Highlands County school rankings
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data