Local Schools Near Latham Park, Horizon West, 34787

Latham Park is a community within Horizon West, FL, located in the 34787 ZIP code in Orange County. Horizon West is a rapidly growing area near Winter Garden, known for its family-friendly environment and proximity to good schools. Below, I’ll provide information on the schools near Latham Park, including public and private options, along with their ratings based on data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche, and the Florida Department of Education. Ratings are typically based on test scores, student progress, college readiness, and other factors. Note 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 personal assessment.

Public Schools Near Latham Park, Horizon West, FL (34787)

Public schools in this area are part of the Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) district, which serves the region. I’ve focused on schools within a reasonable distance (approximately 5-10 miles) from Latham Park, as Horizon West is a sprawling area.

Elementary Schools

1. Independence Elementary School

   • Address: 6255 New Independence Pkwy, Winter Garden, FL 34787
   • Distance from Latham Park: Approx. 2-3 miles
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 8/10 (GreatSchools.org); A-rated by Florida DOE (based on recent data)
   • Details: Known for strong academic performance and a focus on community involvement. It serves many families in the Horizon West area, including Latham Park. The school emphasizes STEM programs and has a reputation for engaged teachers and parents.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 800-900 students
   • Additional Info: Offers before- and after-school care programs.

2. Keene’s Crossing Elementary School

   • Address: 5240 Keenes Pheasant Dr, Windermere, FL 34786
   • Distance from Latham Park: Approx. 4-5 miles
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 9/10 (GreatSchools.org); A-rated by Florida DOE
   • Details: Highly regarded for its academic excellence and extracurricular offerings. It serves parts of Horizon West and nearby Windermere communities. The school has a strong focus on student achievement and parent involvement.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 1,000 students
   • Additional Info: Features modern facilities and a variety of clubs and activities.

3. Water Spring Elementary School

   • Address: 16000 Water Spring Blvd, Winter Garden, FL 34787
   • Distance from Latham Park: Approx. 3-4 miles
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org); B-rated by Florida DOE
   • Details: A newer school in the Horizon West area, built to accommodate the growing population. It focuses on innovative learning and technology integration.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 700-800 students
   • Additional Info: Offers a welcoming environment for new families moving into the area.

   Middle Schools

   1. Bridgewater Middle School
   2. Address: 5600 Tiny Rd, Winter Garden, FL 34787
   3. Distance from Latham Park: Approx. 3-4 miles
   4. Grade Levels: 6-8
   5. Rating: 8/10 (GreatSchools.org); A-rated by Florida DOE
   6. Details: Serves much of the Horizon West area, including Latham Park. Known for strong academics, a variety of electives, and extracurricular activities like sports and band.
   7. Enrollment: Approx. 1,400 students
   8. Additional Info: Has a focus on preparing students for high school with advanced coursework options.

4. Horizon West Middle School (Opening in 2024 or later, check status)

   • Address: Under construction/planning in Horizon West area
   • Distance from Latham Park: Expected to be within 2-3 miles
   • Grade Levels: 6-8 (projected)
   • Rating: Not yet available (new school)
   • Details: Due to rapid growth in Horizon West, OCPS is building new schools to alleviate overcrowding. This school will likely serve Latham Park and nearby communities once open.
   • Additional Info: Check OCPS website for updates on opening dates and zoning.

   High Schools

   1. Horizon High School
   2. Address: 10393 Seidel Rd, Winter Garden, FL 34787
   3. Distance from Latham Park: Approx. 2-3 miles
   4. Grade Levels: 9-12
   5. Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org); B-rated by Florida DOE (newer school, ratings may evolve)
   6. Details: A recently opened high school (2021) designed to serve the growing Horizon West population. Offers a range of AP courses, career academies, and extracurriculars.
   7. Enrollment: Approx. 1,500-2,000 students (growing)
   8. Additional Info: Modern facilities with a focus on technology and college readiness.

5. Windermere High School

   • Address: 5523 Winter Garden Vineland Rd, Windermere, FL 34786
   • Distance from Latham Park: Approx. 5-6 miles
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: 8/10 (GreatSchools.org); A-rated by Florida DOE
   • Details: A well-established high school serving parts of Horizon West and Windermere. Known for strong academics, athletics, and arts programs.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 3,000 students
   • Additional Info: Offers a wide range of AP and honors courses, as well as dual enrollment options with local colleges.

   Private Schools Near Latham Park, Horizon West, FL (34787)

   For families seeking private education, there are several options within a 5-10 mile radius of Latham Park. Private school ratings are often based on parent reviews, academic outcomes, and niche.com data since they don’t receive state letter grades like public schools.

6. Foundation Academy - South Campus

   • Address: 15304 Tilden Rd, Winter Garden, FL 34787
   • Distance from Latham Park: Approx. 5-6 miles
   • Grade Levels: K-12
   • Rating: 4.5/5 (Niche.com); highly reviewed by parents
   • Details: A Christian private school offering a faith-based curriculum with strong academics and extracurriculars. Known for small class sizes and personalized attention.
   • Tuition: Approx. $10,000-$14,000 per year (varies by grade; check for current rates)
   • Additional Info: Offers financial aid and has a second campus for younger grades.

7. Windermere Preparatory School

   • Address: 6189 Winter Garden Vineland Rd, Windermere, FL 34786
   • Distance from Latham Park: Approx. 6-7 miles
   • Grade Levels: PK-12
   • Rating: 4.7/5 (Niche.com); excellent reputation
   • Details: A prestigious private school affiliated with the Nord Anglia Education network. Offers International Baccalaureate (IB) programs and a global curriculum.
   • Tuition: Approx. $20,000-$30,000 per year (varies by grade)
   • Additional Info: Known for college placement success and state-of-the-art facilities.

8. Montverde Academy

   • Address: 17235 7th St, Montverde, FL 34756
   • Distance from Latham Park: Approx. 10-12 miles
   • Grade Levels: PK-12 (boarding and day school)
   • Rating: 4.8/5 (Niche.com); nationally recognized
   • Details: An elite private school with a strong focus on academics, athletics (especially basketball), and arts. Attracts students from across the country and internationally.
   • Tuition: Approx. $20,000-$55,000 per year (day vs. boarding)
   • Additional Info: Offers significant scholarship opportunities for qualified students.

   Charter Schools Near Latham Park, Horizon West, FL (34787)

   Charter schools are publicly funded but operate independently, often with specialized programs. Here are a couple of options nearby:

9. Hope Charter School

   • Address: 1550 E Crown Point Rd, Ocoee, FL 34761
   • Distance from Latham Park: Approx. 8-10 miles
   • Grade Levels: K-8
   • Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org); B-rated by Florida DOE
   • Details: A smaller charter school with a focus on individualized learning and character development.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 400-500 students
   • Additional Info: Admission is lottery-based; check for availability.

   School Zoning and Additional Notes

   • Zoning: School assignments in Orange County are based on residential address. Latham Park residents are likely zoned for Independence Elementary, Bridgewater Middle, and Horizon High School, but zoning can change