Local Schools Near Southwood, Oak Ridge, 32839

The community of Southwood in Oak Ridge, FL, falls within the 32839 ZIP code area, which is part of Orange County. This area is served by the Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) district, one of the largest school districts in Florida. Below, I’ll provide information on schools near the Southwood community, including their ratings, based on available data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche, and the Florida Department of Education. Ratings are often based on test scores, student progress, college readiness, and other factors. Keep in mind that ratings can vary depending on the source and may change over time, so I recommend verifying the most current information directly with the schools or OCPS.

I’ll focus on public schools zoned for or near the 32839 area, as well as mention any notable private or charter options if applicable. Distances are approximate and based on proximity to the Oak Ridge/Southwood area. If you have a specific address within Southwood, zoning can be confirmed via the OCPS School Finder tool (available on their website).

Public Schools Near Southwood, Oak Ridge, FL (32839)

Elementary Schools

1. Sadler Elementary School

   • Address: 4000 W Oak Ridge Rd, Orlando, FL 32809 (approximately 1-2 miles from Southwood)
   • Grade Levels: PK-5
   • Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org, based on test scores and student progress)
   • Details: Sadler Elementary serves a diverse student population and focuses on foundational skills. Test scores in math and reading are below the state average, but the school offers programs like ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) to support its multilingual community.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 800 students
   • Note: This is likely the zoned elementary school for much of the Southwood area, but confirm with OCPS based on your exact address.

2. Pineloch Elementary School

   • Address: 3101 Woods Ave, Orlando, FL 32805 (approximately 3-4 miles from Southwood)
   • Grade Levels: PK-5
   • Rating: 2/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Another nearby option, Pineloch serves students in the broader Oak Ridge area. It has similar challenges with test scores below state averages but offers a supportive environment with after-school programs.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 600 students

   Middle Schools

   1. Judson B. Walker Middle School
   2. Address: 150 Amidon Ln, Orlando, FL 32809 (approximately 1-2 miles from Southwood)
   3. Grade Levels: 6-8
   4. Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   5. Details: This is the likely zoned middle school for Southwood residents. It has a focus on STEM programs and extracurricular activities, though academic performance metrics are below state averages in reading and math.
   6. Enrollment: Approx. 1,000 students

3. Memorial Middle School

   • Address: 2220 29th St, Orlando, FL 32805 (approximately 4-5 miles from Southwood)
   • Grade Levels: 6-8
   • Rating: 2/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Another middle school option in the vicinity, Memorial serves a diverse population with various support programs, though it also struggles with test scores.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 800 students

   High Schools

   1. Oak Ridge High School
   2. Address: 700 W Oak Ridge Rd, Orlando, FL 32809 (approximately 1-2 miles from Southwood)
   3. Grade Levels: 9-12
   4. Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org); C (Florida DOE School Grade for recent years)
   5. Details: As the namesake of the community, Oak Ridge High is the zoned high school for most of the 32839 area. It offers a variety of programs, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses, career academies (e.g., aviation and gaming), and athletics. Graduation rates hover around 85-90%, slightly below the state average, and test scores lag in key areas like math and reading.
   6. Enrollment: Approx. 2,500 students

4. Dr. Phillips High School (if rezoned or via magnet program)

   • Address: 6500 Turkey Lake Rd, Orlando, FL 32819 (approximately 5-6 miles from Southwood)
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org); A/B (Florida DOE School Grade)
   • Details: While not directly zoned for Southwood, some families in the 32839 area may apply for magnet programs or be rezoned here. It’s a highly regarded school with strong AP offerings, arts programs, and a graduation rate above 95%.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 3,500 students

   Charter and Magnet Schools

   Orange County has several charter and magnet options that families in Southwood can apply to, though admission often depends on lotteries or specific criteria: 1. Cornerstone Charter Academy K-8 - Address: 5903 Randolph Ave, Belle Isle, FL 32809 (approx. 3-4 miles) - Grade Levels: K-8 - Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org) - Details: A public charter school with a focus on personalized learning. It has better-than-average test scores compared to nearby traditional schools. - Enrollment: Approx. 900 students

   1. OCPS Academic Center for Excellence (PACE)
   2. Address: 701 W Livingston St, Orlando, FL 32805 (approx. 5 miles)
   3. Grade Levels: PK-8
   4. Rating: 4/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   5. Details: A magnet-style school offering specialized programs for students in the district. Admission may require an application.

   Private Schools Near Southwood

   For families seeking private education, here are a couple of options within a reasonable distance: 1. Pine Castle Christian Academy - Address: 7101 Lake Ellenor Dr, Orlando, FL 32809 (approx. 2-3 miles) - Grade Levels: PK-12 - Rating: Not widely rated on public platforms, but reviews on Niche suggest a small, faith-based environment with mixed feedback on academics. - Details: A private Christian school offering a religious curriculum alongside standard academics. Tuition applies. - Enrollment: Approx. 200 students

5. El Bethel Christian Academy

   • Address: 3000 Bruton Blvd, Orlando, FL 32805 (approx. 4 miles)
   • Grade Levels: PK-12
   • Rating: Limited data; small private school with a faith-based focus.
   • Details: Another Christian education option with a smaller student body and tuition-based enrollment.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 100-150 students

   Additional Notes on Ratings and Performance

   • GreatSchools.org Ratings: These are on a 1-10 scale and heavily weigh standardized test scores (like FSA or EOC exams in Florida). Schools in the 32839 area often score lower due to socioeconomic factors, diverse student populations, and language barriers, but this doesn’t necessarily reflect the quality of teaching or individual student experiences.
   • Florida DOE School Grades: These are letter grades (A-F) based on state assessments, graduation rates, and other metrics. Most schools near Southwood receive C or D grades, with some improvement efforts underway.
   • Community Context: The Oak Ridge area, including Southwood, is a working-class, diverse community with a significant number of English Language Learners (ELL). Schools often prioritize support services over pure academic metrics, which can impact ratings.

   How to Choose a School

   • Zoning: Use the OCPS School Finder (on the Orange County Public Schools website) to confirm which schools your address is zoned for.
   • School Visits: Schedule tours or attend open houses to get a feel for the environment, meet staff, and ask about programs like after-school care or tutoring.
   • Special Programs: Look into magnet or charter options if you’re seeking specialized education (e.g., STEM, arts). Applications often have deadlines.
   • Parent Reviews: Websites like Niche or GreatSchools include parent feedback, which can provide insight beyond numerical ratings.

   Resources

   • Orange County Public Schools: www.ocps.net (for zoning, enrollment, and district updates)
   • GreatSchools.org: For detailed ratings and reviews
   • Florida Department of Education: For official school grades and performance data (www.fldoe.org)
   • Niche.com: For community and parent reviews

   If you have a specific address in Southwood or are looking for more details about a particular school (e.g., extracurriculars, special needs programs), let me know, and I can dig deeper. Additionally, if you’re interested in preschools, daycare options, or schools slightly outside the immediate area, I can expand the search. What are your priorities when it comes to selecting a school?