Local Schools Near Hardens, Tavares, 32778

The community of Hardens in Tavares, FL, falls within the 32778 ZIP code in Lake County. Tavares is a small city in Central Florida, and the schools serving this area are part of the Lake County Schools district. Below, I’ll provide information on the schools near the Hardens community, including their ratings, based on available data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche, and the Florida Department of Education. Ratings are often based on test scores, student progress, and other factors like parent reviews. Keep in mind that ratings can vary depending on the source and may change over time, so I recommend checking the most current data or visiting the schools for a firsthand impression.

I’ll focus on public schools zoned for the Tavares area (ZIP 32778) and include nearby private school options if applicable. Since "Hardens" may refer to a specific neighborhood or subdivision within Tavares, I’ll assume a general radius of a few miles around central Tavares for proximity. If you have a more specific address within Hardens, let me know, and I can refine the search.

Public Schools Near Hardens, Tavares, FL (32778)

1. Tavares Elementary School

   • Address: 720 E Burleigh Blvd, Tavares, FL 32778
   • Grade Levels: PK-5
   • Distance: Approximately 1-2 miles from central Tavares (exact distance depends on the specific location within Hardens).
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 6/10 (based on test scores, student progress, and equity data as of recent updates).
   • Florida Department of Education School Grade: Typically a "B" or "C" in recent years (check the latest report card at fldoe.org).
   • Overview: Tavares Elementary serves as the primary elementary school for much of the Tavares area. It focuses on core academics and offers programs like gifted education. Parent reviews often highlight the supportive staff but note occasional concerns about class sizes.
   • Enrollment: Around 800-900 students (varies yearly).
   • Contact: (352) 343-2861 or visit the Lake County Schools website (lake.k12.fl.us).

2. Tavares Middle School

   • Address: 1335 Lane Park Cutoff, Tavares, FL 32778
   • Grade Levels: 6-8
   • Distance: Approximately 2-3 miles from central Tavares.
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 5/10 (based on test scores and student progress).
   • Florida Department of Education School Grade: Often a "C" or "B" (check fldoe.org for the latest).
   • Overview: Tavares Middle School serves students transitioning from elementary to high school with a focus on academics and extracurriculars like sports and clubs. Some reviews mention a need for facility updates, but the school is generally considered average for the area.
   • Enrollment: Approximately 1,000 students.
   • Contact: (352) 343-4545.

3. Tavares High School

   • Address: 603 N New Hampshire Ave, Tavares, FL 32778
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Distance: Approximately 1-2 miles from central Tavares.
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 5/10 (based on test scores, college readiness, and graduation rates).
   • Florida Department of Education School Grade: Typically a "B" or "C".
   • Graduation Rate: Around 90% (based on recent state data).
   • Overview: Tavares High School is the main high school for the area, offering Advanced Placement (AP) courses, career and technical programs, and athletics. It has a decent reputation locally, though some parents note variability in teacher engagement.
   • Enrollment: Around 1,200-1,300 students.
   • Contact: (352) 343-3007.

   Nearby Alternative or Charter Schools

4. Lake Virtual School

   • Address: Online-based, administered through Lake County Schools (headquarters in Tavares).
   • Grade Levels: K-12
   • Distance: N/A (virtual).
   • Rating: Varies; not always rated like traditional schools but follows state standards.
   • Overview: This is an online public school option for families seeking flexibility. It’s part of Lake County Schools and offers a full curriculum with teacher support.
   • Contact: (352) 253-6550 or lake.k12.fl.us.

5. Alee Academy Charter School

   • Address: 1705 County Rd 19A, Eustis, FL 32726 (near Tavares border).
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Distance: Approximately 5-7 miles from central Tavares.
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 2/10 (based on limited data; often due to alternative school status).
   • Florida Department of Education: Often ungraded or lower due to its focus on at-risk students.
   • Overview: Alee Academy is an alternative charter school for students who may not thrive in traditional settings, focusing on credit recovery and individualized learning.
   • Contact: (352) 357-9426.

   Private Schools Near Hardens, Tavares, FL (32778)

6. Adventist Christian Academy of Tavares

   • Address: 55 Melody Ln, Tavares, FL 32778
   • Grade Levels: K-8
   • Distance: Approximately 1-2 miles from central Tavares.
   • Rating: Not widely rated on platforms like GreatSchools due to its private status; parent reviews on Niche often give it moderate to positive feedback for small class sizes and faith-based education.
   • Overview: A small Christian school affiliated with the Seventh-day Adventist Church, focusing on religious and academic instruction. Tuition applies (contact school for current rates).
   • Enrollment: Under 100 students typically.
   • Contact: (352) 343-2223.

7. Faith Lutheran School

   • Address: 2727 S Grove St, Eustis, FL 32726 (near Tavares).
   • Grade Levels: PK-8
   • Distance: Approximately 5-6 miles from central Tavares.
   • Rating: Limited public ratings; generally positive parent feedback for personalized attention.
   • Overview: A Lutheran-affiliated school offering a faith-based curriculum with an emphasis on small classes and community values. Tuition applies.
   • Contact: (352) 589-5683.

   Additional Notes on School Ratings and Selection

   • Ratings Context: Ratings from GreatSchools.org (1-10 scale) and Florida DOE grades (A-F) are based on standardized test performance, student growth, and other metrics. However, they don’t always reflect the full picture of a school’s environment, teacher quality, or extracurricular offerings. Visiting schools or speaking with current parents can provide deeper insight.
   • Zoning: School assignments in Lake County are based on residential address. To confirm which schools serve a specific address in Hardens, use the Lake County Schools zoning tool at lake.k12.fl.us or call the district office at (352) 253-6500.
   • School Choice: Lake County offers school choice options, allowing students to apply to schools outside their zoned area if space is available. Magnet programs and charter schools may also be options.
   • Transportation: Public school bus services are available based on zoning and distance (typically for students living over 2 miles from their school). Check with the district for routes.

   Summary of Schools and Ratings

   School Name	Type	Grades	Rating (GreatSchools)	Approx. Distance from Central Tavares
   Tavares Elementary School	Public	PK-5	6/10	1-2 miles
   Tavares Middle School	Public	6-8	5/10	2-3 miles
   Tavares High School	Public	9-12	5/10	1-2 miles
   Lake Virtual School	Public (Online)	K-12	Varies	N/A
   Alee Academy Charter School	Charter	9-12	2/10	5-7 miles
   Adventist Christian Academy	Private	K-8	Not widely rated	1-2 miles
   Faith Lutheran School	Private	PK-8	Not widely rated	5-6 miles

   If you’re looking for more specific details about a particular school, such as programs for special needs, extracurricular activities, or recent performance data, let me know, and I can dig deeper. Additionally, if you have an exact address in Hardens, I can confirm the zoned schools with greater precision. Would you like me to explore any of these aspects further?