Local Schools Near Laurel Hills, Pine Hills, 32818

The community of Laurel Hills in Pine Hills, FL (ZIP code 32818) is located in Orange County, and there are several schools in the vicinity that serve this area. Below, I’ll provide a list of public and private schools near Laurel Hills, along with their ratings and relevant details. School ratings are typically based on sources like GreatSchools.org, which evaluates 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 checking the most current data on GreatSchools.org, Niche.com, or the Florida Department of Education website. I’ll also include approximate distances from the general Laurel Hills/Pine Hills area (using ZIP code 32818 as a reference point).

Public Schools Near Laurel Hills, Pine Hills, FL (32818)

Public schools in this area are part of the Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) district. Here are some of the closest schools:

1. Hiawassee Elementary School

   • Address: 6800 Hennepin Blvd, Orlando, FL 32818
   • Grade Levels: PreK-5
   • Approximate Distance: 1-2 miles from central Pine Hills/Laurel Hills
   • GreatSchools Rating: 3/10 (as of recent data)
   • Details: This school serves a diverse student population and focuses on foundational education. Test scores are below the state average, and the school has been working on improvement initiatives through OCPS programs.
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 15:1
   • Enrollment: Around 600-700 students

2. Robinswood Middle School

   • Address: 6305 Balboa Dr, Orlando, FL 32818
   • Grade Levels: 6-8
   • Approximate Distance: 1-2 miles from Laurel Hills
   • GreatSchools Rating: 3/10
   • Details: Robinswood Middle serves as the primary middle school for the area. It offers various extracurricular activities, but academic performance is below the state average based on standardized test scores.
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 18:1
   • Enrollment: Around 1,000 students

3. Evans High School

   • Address: 4949 Silver Star Rd, Orlando, FL 32808 (near the 32818 boundary)
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Approximate Distance: 2-3 miles from Laurel Hills
   • GreatSchools Rating: 3/10
   • Details: Evans High School is a community-focused school with programs in career and technical education. It has faced challenges with graduation rates and test scores but offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses and extracurriculars like sports and arts.
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 20:1
   • Enrollment: Around 2,000 students

4. Ridgewood Park Elementary School

   • Address: 3401 Pioneer Rd, Orlando, FL 32808 (close to 32818)
   • Grade Levels: PreK-5
   • Approximate Distance: 2-3 miles from Laurel Hills
   • GreatSchools Rating: 2/10
   • Details: Another elementary option near the area, Ridgewood Park serves a similar demographic to Hiawassee Elementary. Academic performance is below average, with ongoing district support for improvement.
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 14:1
   • Enrollment: Around 500-600 students

   Private Schools Near Laurel Hills, Pine Hills, FL (32818)

   Private schools in the area offer alternative educational options, often with a religious or specialized focus. Here are a few nearby:

5. Agape Christian Academy

   • Address: 2425 N Hiawassee Rd, Orlando, FL 32818
   • Grade Levels: PreK-12
   • Approximate Distance: 1-2 miles from Laurel Hills
   • GreatSchools Rating: Not widely rated on GreatSchools; parent reviews on Niche.com are mixed (around 3.5/5)
   • Details: A faith-based school offering a Christian curriculum. It emphasizes small class sizes and moral education alongside academics. Tuition information is available directly from the school.
   • Enrollment: Approximately 200-300 students

6. Orlando Baptist Temple Christian School

   • Address: 440 N Kirkman Rd, Orlando, FL 32811 (near 32818)
   • Grade Levels: K-12
   • Approximate Distance: 3-4 miles from Laurel Hills
   • GreatSchools Rating: Not widely rated; limited public data
   • Details: Another faith-based option with a focus on Baptist teachings. It provides a structured environment with a smaller student body. Contact the school for tuition and enrollment details.
   • Enrollment: Under 200 students (estimated)

7. Radiant Life Academy

   • Address: 815 N Hastings St, Orlando, FL 32808 (near 32818)
   • Grade Levels: PreK-8
   • Approximate Distance: 3 miles from Laurel Hills
   • GreatSchools Rating: Not widely rated; generally positive parent feedback on local forums
   • Details: A private Christian school focusing on early and middle education with an emphasis on character development. Tuition varies by grade level.
   • Enrollment: Approximately 100-200 students

   Charter Schools Near Laurel Hills, Pine Hills, FL (32818)

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

8. Pinecrest Preparatory Charter School

   • Address: 8503 Daetwyler Dr, Orlando, FL 32827 (a bit farther but accessible for 32818 residents)
   • Grade Levels: K-8
   • Approximate Distance: 5-7 miles from Laurel Hills
   • GreatSchools Rating: 5/10
   • Details: This charter school offers a curriculum focused on college preparation and STEM education. It has better ratings than some local traditional public schools.
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 16:1
   • Enrollment: Around 600 students

   Additional Notes on School Ratings and Selection

   • Ratings Context: The public schools in the Pine Hills area generally have lower ratings (2-3/10 on GreatSchools) due to challenges like socioeconomic factors, test performance, and resource allocation. However, many of these schools have dedicated staff and community programs aimed at improvement. Ratings should be one of many factors in choosing a school—consider visiting schools, meeting with administrators, and reviewing parent feedback.
   • School Boundaries: School assignments in Orange County are based on zoning. You can confirm which public schools serve your exact address by using the OCPS School Finder tool at www.ocps.net.
   • Transportation: OCPS provides bus services for public school students within zoning areas. Private and charter schools may have limited or no bus options, so check with individual schools.
   • Other Options: If local schools do not meet your needs, Orange County offers magnet programs (e.g., for arts or STEM) and school choice options, though these may require applications and have limited spots.

   How to Research Further

   • GreatSchools.org: For updated ratings, reviews, and test score data.
   • Niche.com: Offers detailed parent and student reviews, along with rankings.
   • Florida Department of Education: Provides official report cards for schools at www.fldoe.org.
   • School Visits: Contact schools directly to schedule tours or attend open houses.
   • OCPS Parent Portal: For zoning and enrollment information specific to your address.

   If you have a specific address within Laurel Hills or Pine Hills, I can help narrow down the exact zoned schools. Additionally, if you’re looking for schools with particular programs (e.g., special needs, gifted education, or sports), let me know, and I can provide more tailored information. Would you like me to dive deeper into any specific school or aspect?