Local Schools Near Lake Cherokee, Orlando, 32801

I'm happy to help you find information about schools near the Lake Cherokee community in Orlando, FL, with the ZIP code 32801. Lake Cherokee is a historic neighborhood located in downtown Orlando, known for its scenic lake and proximity to the city center. Below, I’ll provide details on nearby schools, including their ratings, based on available data from sources like GreatSchools.org, which rates schools on a scale of 1-10 based on test scores, student progress, and other factors. Note that ratings can vary depending on the source and may change over time, so I recommend verifying the most current information through the Florida Department of Education or the schools themselves. I’ll also include a mix of public, charter, and private schools within a reasonable distance (approximately 5 miles) from the Lake Cherokee area.

Public Schools Near Lake Cherokee, Orlando, FL 32801

The Lake Cherokee neighborhood falls within the Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) district, one of the largest school districts in Florida. Here are some of the closest public schools:

1. Hillcrest Elementary School

   • Address: 1010 E Concord St, Orlando, FL 32803 (approx. 1.5 miles from Lake Cherokee)
   • Type: Public Elementary (Grades K-5)
   • Rating: 8/10 (GreatSchools.org, based on test scores and student progress)
   • Details: Hillcrest is a well-regarded elementary school with a focus on academic achievement and a diverse student body. It’s known for strong community involvement and offers programs like gifted education.
   • Enrollment: Approximately 400-500 students
   • Contact: (407) 245-1770 or visit the OCPS website (ocps.net).

2. Howard Middle School

   • Address: 800 E Robinson St, Orlando, FL 32801 (approx. 1 mile from Lake Cherokee)
   • Type: Public Middle School (Grades 6-8)
   • Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Located very close to downtown Orlando, Howard Middle School offers a performing arts magnet program, which is a draw for many families. It serves a diverse population and focuses on both academics and extracurriculars.
   • Enrollment: Around 900-1,000 students
   • Contact: (407) 245-1780 or ocps.net.

3. Edgewater High School

   • Address: 3100 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL 32804 (approx. 3 miles from Lake Cherokee)
   • Type: Public High School (Grades 9-12)
   • Rating: 5/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Edgewater High School is a comprehensive public high school with various academic and athletic programs. It has a diverse student body and offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses and career-focused academies.
   • Enrollment: Approximately 1,800-2,000 students
   • Contact: (407) 835-4900 or ocps.net.

   Charter Schools Near Lake Cherokee

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

4. Orlando Science Elementary Charter School

   • Address: 2611 Technology Dr, Orlando, FL 32804 (approx. 3.5 miles from Lake Cherokee)
   • Type: Charter (Grades K-5)
   • Rating: 9/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: This school emphasizes STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) education and has a strong reputation for academic excellence. Admission is typically through a lottery system.
   • Enrollment: Around 500 students
   • Contact: (407) 253-7304 or orlandoscience.org.

5. Orlando Science Middle High Charter School

   • Address: 2427 Lynx Ln, Orlando, FL 32804 (approx. 3.5 miles from Lake Cherokee)
   • Type: Charter (Grades 6-12)
   • Rating: 9/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Like its elementary counterpart, this school focuses on STEM education and offers a rigorous curriculum. It’s highly rated for college readiness and student achievement.
   • Enrollment: Approximately 1,000 students
   • Contact: (407) 299-6595 or orlandoscience.org.

   Private Schools Near Lake Cherokee

   Private schools in the area offer alternative educational options, often with religious affiliations or specialized teaching philosophies. Here are a few notable ones:

6. Lake Highland Preparatory School

   • Address: 901 Highland Ave, Orlando, FL 32803 (approx. 2 miles from Lake Cherokee)
   • Type: Private (Grades PK-12)
   • Rating: Not rated on GreatSchools.org, but widely recognized as one of the top private schools in Central Florida.
   • Details: Lake Highland Prep is an elite college-preparatory school with a strong emphasis on academics, arts, and athletics. It has a competitive admissions process and high tuition costs (around $20,000-$25,000 per year, depending on grade level).
   • Enrollment: Approximately 2,000 students
   • Contact: (407) 206-1900 or lhps.org.

7. St. James Cathedral School

   • Address: 505 E Ridgewood St, Orlando, FL 32803 (approx. 1 mile from Lake Cherokee)
   • Type: Private Catholic (Grades PK-8)
   • Rating: Not rated on GreatSchools.org, but known for a strong community and academic focus.
   • Details: Affiliated with the Catholic Diocese of Orlando, this school combines religious education with a traditional curriculum. Tuition is generally more affordable than larger preparatory schools (around $8,000-$10,000 per year).
   • Enrollment: Around 400-500 students
   • Contact: (407) 841-4432 or stjcs.com.

8. Trinity Lutheran School

   • Address: 123 E Livingston St, Orlando, FL 32801 (approx. 0.5 miles from Lake Cherokee)
   • Type: Private Lutheran (Grades PK-8)
   • Rating: Not rated on GreatSchools.org, but has a positive local reputation.
   • Details: Located in the heart of downtown Orlando, this school offers a faith-based education with small class sizes and a nurturing environment. Tuition is approximately $7,000-$9,000 per year.
   • Enrollment: Around 200-300 students
   • Contact: (407) 488-1919 or trinitydowntown.com.

   Additional Notes on School Zoning and Selection

   • Zoning: Public school assignments in Orange County are based on residential address. You can confirm which schools your address is zoned for by using the OCPS School Finder tool on their website (ocps.net). Lake Cherokee residents are typically zoned for Hillcrest Elementary, Howard Middle, and Edgewater High, but boundaries can shift, so verification is advised.
   • School Choice: OCPS offers a school choice program allowing students to apply to schools outside their zoned area, including magnet programs (e.g., Howard Middle’s performing arts magnet). Charter schools also operate on a lottery system.
   • Ratings Context: GreatSchools.org ratings are a helpful starting point but don’t capture everything (e.g., school culture, teacher quality, or specific student needs). Visiting schools, reading parent reviews, and checking state report cards on the Florida Department of Education website (fldoe.org) can provide a fuller picture.
   • Preschools/Daycares: If you’re looking for early childhood education, there are several options near Lake Cherokee, including First United Methodist Child Development Center (downtown Orlando) and private Montessori programs. Let me know if you’d like details on these.

   How to Research Further

   • Visit Schools: Many schools offer open houses or virtual tours, especially during enrollment periods.
   • Orange County Public Schools Website: ocps.net for zoning, enrollment, and district updates.
   • GreatSchools.org or Niche.com: For parent reviews and additional ratings.
   • Florida Department of Education: fldoe.org for state assessment data and school performance grades (A-F scale).

   If you have specific needs (e.g., special education programs, a focus on arts or STEM, or a particular grade level), or if you’d like me to narrow down the list or provide more details on a specific school, just let me know! I can also expand the search radius if you’re willing to consider schools slightly farther away.