Local Schools Near Island Walk, Meadow Woods, 32824

The community of Island Walk in Meadow Woods, FL (ZIP code 32824) is located in Orange County, near Orlando. This area is served by the Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) district, which operates numerous schools in the vicinity. Below, I’ll provide information on schools near Meadow Woods, including elementary, middle, and high schools, along with their ratings based on data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche, and the Florida Department of Education. Ratings are often based on test scores, student progress, college readiness, and other factors. Keep in mind that ratings can vary depending on the source and may change over time, so I recommend verifying the most current information directly with the schools or district.

Location Context

Meadow Woods is a suburban area in southern Orange County, near Orlando International Airport and Lake Nona. Island Walk is a specific neighborhood within Meadow Woods, and schools are assigned based on zoning by OCPS. I’ll focus on schools within a reasonable distance (approximately 5-10 miles) from Meadow Woods, as well as those most likely to serve the Island Walk community based on zoning maps. If you have a specific address, you can confirm exact school assignments using the OCPS School Finder tool (available on their website).

Schools Near Island Walk, Meadow Woods, FL (32824)

Elementary Schools

1. Meadow Woods Elementary School

   • Address: 500 Rhode Island Woods Cir, Orlando, FL 32824
   • Distance: Approximately 1-2 miles from Island Walk
   • Grade Levels: PK-5
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 5/10 (based on test scores and student progress)
   • Florida Department of Education School Grade (2022-2023): C
   • Details: This is likely the zoned elementary school for much of the Meadow Woods area, including Island Walk. It serves a diverse student population and offers standard curriculum along with programs like ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) due to the area’s multicultural demographics.
   • Enrollment: ~600-700 students (varies annually)
   • Parent Reviews: Mixed; some praise the teachers’ dedication, while others note concerns about class sizes and resources.

2. Southwood Elementary School

   • Address: 12600 Bisted Dr, Orlando, FL 32824
   • Distance: Approximately 2-3 miles from Island Walk
   • Grade Levels: PK-5
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 6/10
   • Florida School Grade: B
   • Details: Another nearby option, Southwood serves parts of Meadow Woods and focuses on STEM initiatives and community engagement.
   • Enrollment: ~600 students
   • Parent Reviews: Generally positive, with comments on a supportive environment but occasional mentions of facility maintenance issues.

3. Wetherbee Elementary School

   • Address: 701 E Wetherbee Rd, Orlando, FL 32824
   • Distance: Approximately 3-4 miles from Island Walk
   • Grade Levels: PK-5
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 5/10
   • Florida School Grade: C
   • Details: Serves nearby communities in south Orlando with a focus on academic improvement and extracurricular activities.
   • Enrollment: ~800 students
   • Parent Reviews: Feedback varies, with some appreciating after-school programs and others citing overcrowding.

   Middle Schools

   1. Meadow Woods Middle School
   2. Address: 1800 Rhode Island Woods Cir, Orlando, FL 32824
   3. Distance: Approximately 1-2 miles from Island Walk
   4. Grade Levels: 6-8
   5. Rating:
   6. GreatSchools.org: 4/10
   7. Florida School Grade: C
   8. Details: This is the primary middle school for the Meadow Woods area, including Island Walk. It offers various electives and sports programs but faces challenges with test scores compared to district averages.
   9. Enrollment: ~1,000-1,200 students
   10. Parent Reviews: Mixed; some highlight caring staff, while others mention concerns about discipline and academic rigor.

4. South Creek Middle School

   • Address: 3801 Wetherbee Rd, Orlando, FL 32824
   • Distance: Approximately 4-5 miles from Island Walk
   • Grade Levels: 6-8
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 5/10
   • Florida School Grade: B
   • Details: Serves parts of south Orlando and Meadow Woods, with a focus on technology integration and student support services.
   • Enrollment: ~900 students
   • Parent Reviews: Generally favorable, with positive notes on extracurriculars but some concerns about communication from administration.

   High Schools

   1. Cypress Creek High School
   2. Address: 1101 Bear Crossing Dr, Orlando, FL 32824
   3. Distance: Approximately 3-4 miles from Island Walk
   4. Grade Levels: 9-12
   5. Rating:
   6. GreatSchools.org: 5/10
   7. Florida School Grade: B
   8. Details: This is the zoned high school for most of Meadow Woods, including Island Walk. It offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses, career academies (e.g., health sciences), and a diverse student body.
   9. Enrollment: ~3,000 students
   10. Graduation Rate: ~90% (based on recent OCPS data)
   11. Parent/Student Reviews: Mixed; praised for diversity and extracurriculars (sports, band), but some note challenges with large class sizes and varying teacher quality.

5. Freedom High School (alternative zoning possibility)

   • Address: 2500 Taft Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32837
   • Distance: Approximately 6-7 miles from Island Walk
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 6/10
   • Florida School Grade: B
   • Details: Serves nearby areas and may be an option depending on specific zoning or school choice programs. Offers IB (International Baccalaureate) program and strong athletics.
   • Enrollment: ~2,000 students
   • Graduation Rate: ~92%
   • Parent/Student Reviews: Generally positive, with strong feedback on academic programs but some concerns about overcrowding.

   Charter and Private School Options

   In addition to public schools, there are charter and private schools near Meadow Woods that families in Island Walk might consider. These often require separate applications and may have tuition or lottery systems.

6. Mater Academy Charter School (K-8)

   • Address: 12900 Boggy Creek Rd, Orlando, FL 32824
   • Distance: ~3 miles
   • Rating: GreatSchools.org: 6/10; Florida School Grade: B
   • Details: A tuition-free public charter school with a focus on college prep and smaller class sizes.
   • Enrollment: ~800 students
   • Reviews: Positive for academic focus, though some mention strict policies.

7. Pine Castle Christian Academy (Private, PK-12)

   • Address: 7101 Lake Ellenor Dr, Orlando, FL 32809
   • Distance: ~6 miles
   • Rating: Not publicly rated on GreatSchools; Niche: B-
   • Details: A faith-based private school offering a Christian curriculum.
   • Tuition: Varies; approximately $6,000-$8,000/year (check with school for current rates)
   • Reviews: Small community feel, with emphasis on values; limited feedback on academics.

   Additional Notes on School Ratings and Selection

   • Ratings Context: Ratings from GreatSchools.org (1-10 scale) and Florida School Grades (A-F) are based on standardized test performance, student growth, and other metrics like graduation rates for high schools. However, they don’t capture everything—school culture, teacher quality, and extracurriculars also matter and may require visiting the school or speaking with current families.
   • Zoning: School assignments depend on your exact address within Island Walk. Use the OCPS School Finder (on the district website, ocps.net) to confirm zoned schools for a specific property.
   • School Choice: Orange County offers magnet programs, charter schools, and school choice options if you prefer a school outside your zone. Applications and lotteries may apply.
   • Demographics: Meadow Woods schools reflect a diverse population, with significant Hispanic/Latino representation and a range of socioeconomic backgrounds. Many schools offer bilingual support and free/reduced lunch programs.

   How to Research Further

   1. Visit School Websites: Check OCPS.net for individual school pages with detailed info on programs, calendars, and contact details.
   2. School Tours: Contact schools directly to schedule visits or attend open houses to get a feel for the environment.
   3. Parent Reviews: Websites like GreatSchools.org and Niche.com have parent and student feedback for deeper insights.
   4. Florida DOE Reports: The Florida Department of Education (fldoe.org) publishes annual school performance reports and grades.

   If you have a specific address in Island Walk or additional preferences (e.g., focus on STEM, arts, or special needs programs), I can refine