Local Schools Near SummerLake, Winter Garden, 34787

SummerLake is a community located in Winter Garden, FL, within the 34787 ZIP code. This area is part of Orange County, and the schools serving this community are primarily under the Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) district, which is known for a mix of highly-rated and average-performing schools. Below, I’ll provide information on the schools near SummerLake, including their ratings, based on 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 school assignments can vary based on exact address, so it’s always a good idea to confirm zoning with OCPS or a local real estate agent. I’ll also include approximate distances from SummerLake, which is near the intersection of Summerlake Park Blvd and Porter Rd.

Elementary Schools

1. Summerlake Elementary School

   • Location: 15450 Porter Rd, Winter Garden, FL 34787
   • Distance from SummerLake: Approximately 0.5–1 mile (within or adjacent to the community)
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 8/10 (GreatSchools.org); A (Florida DOE School Grades, recent years)
   • Details: Summerlake Elementary is a relatively new school, opened to serve the growing Horizon West area, including SummerLake. It has a strong reputation for academic performance, with high proficiency rates in math and reading compared to state averages. The school also offers a focus on community engagement and extracurricular activities.
   • Enrollment: Around 800-900 students (varies yearly)
   • Reviews: Parents often praise the modern facilities and dedicated staff, though some mention challenges with overcrowding due to rapid growth in the area.

2. Keene’s Crossing Elementary School

   • Location: 5240 Keenes Pheasant Dr, Windermere, FL 34786
   • Distance from SummerLake: Approximately 3-4 miles
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 9/10 (GreatSchools.org); A (Florida DOE)
   • Details: Another high-performing school in the vicinity, Keene’s Crossing serves parts of the Horizon West area. It consistently scores above state averages in standardized testing and offers programs like gifted education.
   • Enrollment: Around 1,000 students
   • Reviews: Highly regarded for academics and parent involvement, though traffic during drop-off/pick-up is a common complaint due to the area’s growth.

   Middle Schools

   1. Horizon West Middle School (Opening 2023 or recently opened, depending on timeline)
   2. Location: Near Seidel Rd, Winter Garden, FL 34787 (exact address may vary)
   3. Distance from SummerLake: Approximately 2-3 miles
   4. Grade Levels: 6-8
   5. Rating: Not yet rated due to being a new school; ratings will depend on initial performance data.
   6. Details: This school was built to accommodate the booming population in Horizon West, including SummerLake. As a new facility, it likely features modern amenities and technology. Ratings and reviews will emerge after its first few years of operation.
   7. Enrollment: Estimated 1,200+ students at capacity
   8. Note: If not yet open at the time of your inquiry, students may be zoned for Bridgewater Middle School (see below).

3. Bridgewater Middle School

   • Location: 5600 Tiny Rd, Winter Garden, FL 34787
   • Distance from SummerLake: Approximately 4-5 miles
   • Grade Levels: 6-8
   • Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org); B (Florida DOE)
   • Details: Bridgewater Middle serves a large portion of the Horizon West area. It has solid academic performance, with a focus on STEM programs and extracurriculars like band and sports.
   • Enrollment: Around 1,400 students
   • Reviews: Mixed feedback—many appreciate the teachers and programs, but some note challenges with class sizes and facilities showing wear before recent renovations.

   High Schools

   1. Horizon High School
   2. Location: 10393 Seidel Rd, Winter Garden, FL 34787
   3. Distance from SummerLake: Approximately 2-3 miles
   4. Grade Levels: 9-12
   5. Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org); B (Florida DOE, based on early data)
   6. Details: Opened in 2021, Horizon High is a state-of-the-art facility built to serve the Horizon West communities, including SummerLake. It offers a variety of AP courses, career academies, and extracurriculars. As a newer school, its ratings are still developing but show promise.
   7. Enrollment: Around 2,000+ students and growing
   8. Reviews: Parents and students like the modern campus and diverse offerings, though some mention initial organizational challenges typical of new schools.

4. Windermere High School (Alternative zoning or prior zoning for some areas)

   • Location: 5523 Winter Garden Vineland Rd, Windermere, FL 34786
   • Distance from SummerLake: Approximately 5-6 miles
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: 8/10 (GreatSchools.org); A (Florida DOE)
   • Details: Before Horizon High opened, many SummerLake students were zoned for Windermere High. It remains a top-rated school in the area with strong academics, athletics, and arts programs.
   • Enrollment: Around 3,000 students
   • Reviews: Highly rated for college readiness and student opportunities, though overcrowding has been an issue, which Horizon High was built to alleviate.

   Private and Charter Schools

   1. Foundation Academy (Private, Christian)
   2. Location: Multiple campuses; closest at 1259 Windermere Rd, Winter Garden, FL 34787
   3. Distance from SummerLake: Approximately 5-6 miles
   4. Grade Levels: PK-12
   5. Rating: Not rated on GreatSchools; highly regarded in local reviews (Niche.com gives it an A-)
   6. Details: A faith-based school with a focus on academics and character development. Tuition applies (around $10,000–$15,000/year depending on grade).
   7. Enrollment: Around 1,000 across campuses
   8. Reviews: Praised for small class sizes and personalized attention, though cost and religious focus may not suit all families.

5. Hope Charter School (Charter)

   • Location: 1550 E Crown Point Rd, Ocoee, FL 34761
   • Distance from SummerLake: Approximately 7-8 miles
   • Grade Levels: K-8
   • Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org); B (Florida DOE)
   • Details: A public charter option with a focus on individualized learning. Admission is lottery-based if demand exceeds capacity.
   • Enrollment: Around 400-500 students
   • Reviews: Some families appreciate the smaller environment, while others note inconsistent academic outcomes.

   Additional Notes

   • School Zoning: The Horizon West area, including SummerLake, has seen rapid development, leading to frequent rezoning. The opening of schools like Horizon West Middle and Horizon High reflects efforts to manage growth. Always verify current zoning via the OCPS School Finder tool (available on the OCPS website) or by calling the district at (407) 317-3200.
   • Ratings Context: Ratings from GreatSchools.org (1-10 scale) and Florida DOE (A-F grades) are based on test scores, graduation rates, and other metrics. However, parent reviews on platforms like Niche.com can provide additional insight into school culture and environment.
   • Transportation: Most schools offer bus services for zoned students, though distances within SummerLake to schools like Summerlake Elementary may allow for walking or biking. Traffic in Horizon West can be heavy during school hours due to ongoing construction and population growth.
   • Future Schools: Given the area’s expansion, additional schools are planned or under construction in Horizon West. Check with OCPS for updates on new facilities that may impact zoning.

   If you have a specific address within SummerLake, I can help narrow down the exact zoned schools. Additionally, if you’re interested in more details about a particular school (e.g., programs, facilities, or recent news), let me know! You can also explore real-time data and parent feedback on websites like GreatSchools.org or the OCPS portal. Would you like assistance with anything else related to schools or the SummerLake area?