Local Schools Near Lake Dot, Orlando, 32801

Lake Dot is a small neighborhood in downtown Orlando, FL, within the 32801 ZIP code. This area is close to the heart of the city, offering access to a variety of schools under the Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) district, as well as private and charter options. Below, I’ll provide information on schools near the Lake Dot community, including 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 verifying the most current data directly with the schools or district.

Since Lake Dot is centrally located in Orlando, I’ll focus on schools within a reasonable distance (approximately 1-5 miles) and include elementary, middle, and high schools. I’ll also mention public, charter, and private options where applicable.

Public Schools Near Lake Dot, Orlando, FL (32801)

1. Rock Lake Elementary School

   • Address: 408 N Tampa Ave, Orlando, FL 32805 (approx. 1 mile from Lake Dot)
   • Grade Levels: PK-5
   • Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org, based on test scores and equity)
   • Overview: Rock Lake Elementary serves a diverse student population and offers standard public school curriculum with a focus on foundational skills. It has faced challenges with test scores below the district average, but it provides programs like after-school care and community support initiatives.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 250-300 students
   • Florida School Grade (2022-2023): C (per Florida DOE)

2. Nap Ford Community School

   • Address: 1610 W Adams St, Orlando, FL 32805 (approx. 1.5 miles from Lake Dot)
   • Grade Levels: K-5 (Charter School)
   • Rating: Not widely rated on GreatSchools; limited data available.
   • Overview: This is a public charter school focused on serving the Parramore neighborhood near Lake Dot. It emphasizes community engagement and individualized learning but has historically struggled with academic performance metrics.
   • Florida School Grade (2022-2023): Not available in recent reports; historically lower-performing.

3. Carver Middle School

   • Address: 4500 W Columbia St, Orlando, FL 32811 (approx. 2.5 miles from Lake Dot)
   • Grade Levels: 6-8
   • Rating: 2/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Overview: Carver Middle serves students in the surrounding downtown and west Orlando areas. It offers standard middle school curriculum but has lower-than-average test scores and faces challenges with student achievement gaps.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 700-800 students
   • Florida School Grade (2022-2023): C

4. Jones High School

   • Address: 801 S Rio Grande Ave, Orlando, FL 32805 (approx. 2 miles from Lake Dot)
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Overview: Jones High School is a historic school in the Parramore area with a focus on college and career readiness. It offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses and extracurriculars but struggles with graduation rates and test scores compared to district averages.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 1,400 students
   • Florida School Grade (2022-2023): C
   • Graduation Rate: Approx. 80% (below state average)

5. Edgewater High School (slightly farther but notable)

   • Address: 3100 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL 32804 (approx. 3-4 miles from Lake Dot)
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: 5/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Overview: Located in the College Park area, Edgewater High is a larger public school with a stronger academic reputation than Jones High. It offers magnet programs, AP courses, and a variety of sports and clubs.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 2,000 students
   • Florida School Grade (2022-2023): B
   • Graduation Rate: Approx. 90%

   Private Schools Near Lake Dot, Orlando, FL (32801)

6. St. James Cathedral School

   • Address: 505 E Ridgewood St, Orlando, FL 32803 (approx. 2 miles from Lake Dot)
   • Grade Levels: PK-8
   • Rating: Not rated on GreatSchools; generally well-regarded in community reviews (Niche: A-)
   • Overview: A Catholic school affiliated with the Diocese of Orlando, St. James offers a faith-based education with a focus on academic excellence and character development.
   • Tuition: Approx. $8,000-$10,000/year (varies by grade and parish membership)
   • Enrollment: Approx. 400-500 students

7. Trinity Lutheran School

   • Address: 123 E Livingston St, Orlando, FL 32801 (approx. 1.5 miles from Lake Dot)
   • Grade Levels: PK-8
   • Rating: Not widely rated; positive parent feedback on Niche
   • Overview: Located in downtown Orlando, this Lutheran school provides a Christian education with small class sizes and a nurturing environment.
   • Tuition: Approx. $7,000-$9,000/year
   • Enrollment: Approx. 200 students

8. Lake Highland Preparatory School (notable private option)

   • Address: 901 Highland Ave, Orlando, FL 32803 (approx. 3 miles from Lake Dot)
   • Grade Levels: PK-12
   • Rating: Highly rated; A+ on Niche
   • Overview: One of the top private schools in Orlando, Lake Highland offers rigorous academics, extensive extracurriculars, and strong college placement. It’s more expensive and selective.
   • Tuition: Approx. $20,000-$25,000/year
   • Enrollment: Approx. 2,000 students

   Charter Schools Near Lake Dot, Orlando, FL (32801)

9. Orlando Science Elementary Charter School

   • Address: 2611 Technology Dr, Orlando, FL 32804 (approx. 3 miles from Lake Dot)
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 9/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Overview: A highly rated STEM-focused charter school with strong academic performance and a lottery-based admission system.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 600 students
   • Florida School Grade (2022-2023): A

10. Orlando Science Middle High Charter School

    • Address: 2427 Lynx Ln, Orlando, FL 32804 (approx. 3 miles from Lake Dot)
    • Grade Levels: 6-12
    • Rating: 9/10 (GreatSchools.org)
    • Overview: Another top-performing charter school focusing on science and technology, with excellent college readiness metrics. Admission is lottery-based.
    • Enrollment: Approx. 1,200 students
    • Florida School Grade (2022-2023): A
    • Graduation Rate: Near 100%

    Additional Notes on School Choice in Lake Dot, Orlando, FL

    • School Zoning: Public school assignments are based on residential address. You can confirm zoning for a specific address using the Orange County Public Schools’ School Finder tool (available on the OCPS website: ocps.net). Lake Dot residents are typically zoned for schools like Rock Lake Elementary, Carver Middle, and Jones High, though school choice programs may allow enrollment in other district schools if space is available.
    • School Choice and Magnet Programs: OCPS offers magnet programs and school choice options, allowing students to apply to schools outside their zoned area, such as Edgewater High’s magnet programs or specialized academies.
    • Charter and Private Options: Charter schools like Orlando Science are highly competitive and require applications or lotteries. Private schools often have tuition costs but may offer financial aid or scholarships.
    • Ratings Context: Ratings from GreatSchools.org and similar platforms are useful but not definitive. They often emphasize test scores, which may not reflect a school’s culture, extracurriculars, or individual student fit. Visiting schools or attending open houses is recommended.
    • Proximity: Lake Dot’s central location means access to schools across downtown Orlando and nearby neighborhoods like College Park and Parramore. Traffic and commute times should be considered, especially for schools farther out.

    How to Research Further

    • Orange County Public Schools Website: ocps.net – Check zoning, school choice options, and updated performance data.
    • GreatSchools.org: Search by ZIP code (32801) for parent reviews and detailed ratings.
    • Niche.com: Offers rankings and reviews for public, charter, and private schools.
    • Florida Department of Education: edudata.fldoe.org – Access official school grades and performance reports.
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