Local Schools Near Lake Mabel Shores, Horizon West, 34786

The community of Lake Mabel Shores in Horizon West, FL (ZIP code 34786) is located in Orange County, within the Orlando metropolitan area. Horizon West is a rapidly growing area with several master-planned communities, and it falls under the jurisdiction of the Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) district, which serves the region. Below, I’ll provide information on the schools near Lake Mabel Shores, including public and private options, along with their ratings based on available data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche.com, 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 directly from these platforms or the school district.

Since Lake Mabel Shores is a specific neighborhood within Horizon West, I’ll focus on schools within a reasonable proximity (approximately 5-10 miles), as exact distances depend on the specific address within the community. Horizon West is near towns like Windermere and Winter Garden, so some schools in those areas may also serve this community.

Public Schools Near Lake Mabel Shores, Horizon West, FL (34786)

Orange County Public Schools assigns students to schools based on zoning, which can be confirmed via the OCPS School Finder tool (available on the district website). Below are schools likely to serve or be near the Lake Mabel Shores area, based on proximity and zoning patterns in Horizon West.

Elementary Schools

1. Water Spring Elementary School

   • Location: 16000 Water Spring Blvd, Winter Garden, FL 34787 (approx. 3-5 miles from Lake Mabel Shores)
   • Grades: K-5
   • Rating: 8/10 (GreatSchools.org, based on test scores and student progress)
   • Details: This is a newer school built to accommodate the growing population in Horizon West. It has a strong focus on STEM education and community involvement. It often serves families in nearby Horizon West neighborhoods.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 800-1,000 students (varies yearly)
   • Notes: Check zoning with OCPS, as some parts of Lake Mabel Shores may be assigned here due to proximity.

2. Keene’s Crossing Elementary School

   • Location: 5240 Keenes Pheasant Dr, Windermere, FL 34786 (approx. 5-7 miles)
   • Grades: PK-5
   • Rating: 9/10 (GreatSchools.org); A-rated by Florida DOE (based on recent data)
   • Details: Known for high academic performance and a strong parent community, this school serves parts of Windermere and Horizon West. It has a reputation for excellent teachers and extracurricular programs.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 900 students
   • Notes: Zoning may include parts of Horizon West; confirm with OCPS.

3. Independence Elementary School

   • Location: 6255 New Independence Pkwy, Winter Garden, FL 34787 (approx. 5-6 miles)
   • Grades: K-5
   • Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Another school serving the Horizon West area, with a focus on personalized learning and technology integration.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 800 students
   • Notes: Likely serves nearby communities; zoning confirmation needed.

   Middle Schools

   1. Bridgewater Middle School
   2. Location: 5600 Tiny Rd, Winter Garden, FL 34787 (approx. 5-7 miles)
   3. Grades: 6-8
   4. Rating: 8/10 (GreatSchools.org); A-rated by Florida DOE
   5. Details: This school serves much of the Horizon West and Windermere area. It offers advanced coursework and a variety of extracurriculars, including sports and arts.
   6. Enrollment: Approx. 1,400 students
   7. Notes: Commonly zoned for Horizon West neighborhoods like Lake Mabel Shores.

4. Horizon West Middle School (Under Construction/Planned)

   • Location: Near Horizon West Town Center (exact address TBD)
   • Grades: 6-8 (expected)
   • Rating: Not yet available (new school)
   • Details: Due to rapid growth, OCPS is building additional schools in Horizon West. This middle school is expected to open in the near future (check OCPS for updates on timeline).
   • Notes: May serve Lake Mabel Shores once operational.

   High Schools

   1. Windermere High School
   2. Location: 5523 Winter Garden Vineland Rd, Windermere, FL 34786 (approx. 6-8 miles)
   3. Grades: 9-12
   4. Rating: 8/10 (GreatSchools.org); A-rated by Florida DOE
   5. Details: A relatively new high school (opened in 2017) serving Horizon West and Windermere. It offers a wide range of AP courses, career academies, and athletics. Known for strong academic performance and modern facilities.
   6. Enrollment: Approx. 3,000+ students
   7. Notes: Likely the zoned high school for Lake Mabel Shores; confirm with OCPS.

5. Horizon High School

   • Location: 10393 Seidel Rd, Winter Garden, FL 34787 (approx. 3-5 miles)
   • Grades: 9-12
   • Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org, early data as it’s a newer school)
   • Details: Opened in 2021 to address overcrowding in the area, this school serves parts of Horizon West. It focuses on innovative learning and community engagement.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 2,000+ students
   • Notes: May be zoned for parts of Lake Mabel Shores; check with OCPS.

   Private Schools Near Lake Mabel Shores, Horizon West, FL (34786)

   For families seeking private education, there are several options within a 10-15 mile radius of Horizon West. These schools often have different admission processes and tuition costs.

6. Windermere Preparatory School

   • Location: 6189 Winter Garden Vineland Rd, Windermere, FL 34786 (approx. 6-8 miles)
   • Grades: PK-12
   • Rating: Highly rated on Niche.com (A+); known for academic rigor
   • Details: A prestigious private school offering International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, strong athletics, and arts. Part of the Nord Anglia Education network.
   • Tuition: Approx. $20,000-$30,000/year (varies by grade)
   • Enrollment: Approx. 1,500 students
   • Notes: Popular among families in Windermere and Horizon West.

7. Foundation Academy

   • Location: 125 E Plant St, Winter Garden, FL 34787 (approx. 8-10 miles)
   • Grades: PK-12
   • Rating: Well-regarded on Niche.com (A-); strong community feedback
   • Details: A Christian private school with campuses in Winter Garden, offering a faith-based education with a focus on academics and character development.
   • Tuition: Approx. $10,000-$15,000/year
   • Enrollment: Approx. 1,000 students across campuses
   • Notes: Accessible for Horizon West families seeking a religious education.

8. Montverde Academy

   • Location: 17235 7th St, Montverde, FL 34756 (approx. 10-12 miles)
   • Grades: PK-12 (boarding and day school)
   • Rating: A+ on Niche.com; nationally recognized
   • Details: An elite private school known for its academics, athletics (especially basketball), and college placement. Offers boarding for older students.
   • Tuition: Approx. $20,000-$50,000/year (day vs. boarding)
   • Enrollment: Approx. 1,200 students
   • Notes: Slightly farther but a top choice for many in the region.

   Charter Schools Near Lake Mabel Shores

   Charter schools are publicly funded but operate independently, often with a specific educational focus. Enrollment may require a lottery or application.

9. Hope Charter School

   • Location: 1550 E Crown Point Rd, Ocoee, FL 34761 (approx. 10 miles)
   • Grades: K-8
   • Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: A smaller charter school with a focus on individualized learning. Serves families in the greater Winter Garden/Ocoee area.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 400 students
   • Notes: Open to Horizon West residents if space is available.

   Additional Notes on School Selection

   • Zoning Confirmation: School assignments in Horizon West can vary due to rapid growth and new school openings. Use the OCPS School Finder tool (on the Orange County Public Schools website) by entering your specific address in Lake Mabel Shores to confirm zoned schools.
   • School Ratings: Ratings from GreatSchools.org, Niche.com, and the Florida Department of Education (school grades) are based on different metrics. GreatSchools uses a 1-10 scale, while Florida DOE assigns letter grades (A-F). Check multiple sources for a comprehensive