Total enrollment
12,040
+230 (+2%) vs SY 2020-21
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.
4-year change in Highlands County
SY 2020-21 vs SY 2024-25School count
22
+1 (+5%) vs SY 2020-21
Source: NCES Common Core of Data, enrollment-weighted demographic averages
How Highlands County ranks
Among counties| Measure | This county | In Florida | In the US |
|---|---|---|---|
| State test proficiency ranked highest first | 52.8% | #40 of 63 | N/A |
| Enrollment ranked largest first | 12,040 | #37 of 65 | #709 of 2,745 |
| Number of schools ranked most first | 22 | #34 of 65 | N/A |
| Students per teacher ranked fewest first | 18.5:1 | #48 of 65 | #2,498 of 2,655 |
| Free or reduced-price lunch share ranked highest first | 62.6% | #10 of 65 | #994 of 2,526 |
| Diversity index ranked most diverse first | 67.3% | #15 of 64 | #221 of 2,707 |
Counties need at least 3 schools and 1,000 students to be ranked. Test proficiency is ranked within the state only, since each state gives a different test. Each rank links to the full list.
Highlands County school rankings
Residents
105,702
all ages · ACS 5-yr
Schools
24
1 districts
Enrollment
12,040
students · 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 4 years. Total public-school enrollment in Highlands County has held roughly steady since SY 2020-21, moving from about 11,810 students to 12,040. Highlands County now counts 22 public schools, up from 21 in SY 2020-21.
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
DATA · Census ACS 5-year · NCES Common Core of Data