Orange County Public Schools serves nearly 208,000 students across 133 elementary schools — and the elementary school zone is often the most important factor in a family's home search across Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Winter Park, Winter Garden, College Park, and Lake Nona.
Talk to an AgentFor families with young children, elementary school quality and proximity is frequently the single most important factor in home selection. In Central Florida's six most sought-after communities, elementary school zones are well-regarded across the board — Orange County Public Schools earned a district grade of A from the Florida Department of Education for 2025, and the communities of Windermere, Dr. Phillips, Winter Park, Winter Garden, and Lake Nona all serve schools that consistently perform well above district and state averages. Always verify school zone assignments directly with OCPS before any purchase decision.
Orange County Public Schools earned an A district grade from the Florida Department of Education for 2025 — the fourth time the district has achieved this rating, reflecting consistent academic performance across its 133 elementary schools.
Homes within well-regarded elementary school zones in Central Florida consistently command premiums over otherwise comparable properties outside those zones — the school zone effect is measurable and persistent.
Elementary school zone boundaries can change as communities grow. Always confirm your specific property's current school zone directly with OCPS before making any purchase decision based on school assignment.
The elementary-to-middle-to-high school feeder pattern shapes the full K-12 experience. Understanding the complete pathway — not just the elementary assignment — is important for families planning a long-term community commitment.
Windermere Elementary serves the 34786 zip code and has earned recognition for strong academic performance — with math and reading proficiency rates significantly above both district and state averages. Homes in the Windermere Elementary zone benefit from the school's reputation and the prestige of the broader Windermere community. Always verify zone assignment with OCPS.
Dr. Phillips Elementary serves much of the 32819 corridor, feeding into the Dr. Phillips High School pathway. The school is part of Orange County's A-rated district and serves a community with one of the highest median household incomes in the county. Zone assignment should be confirmed directly with OCPS for any specific property.
The Winter Park 32789 corridor is served by several well-regarded OCPS elementary schools including Brookshire Elementary — part of the Winter Park High School feeder pattern. Winter Park elementary schools benefit from strong community involvement and the city's consistent school quality reputation. Verify zone with OCPS.
The Horizon West corridor has produced several highly-rated elementary schools serving its rapidly growing master-planned communities — including Independence Elementary (10/10, Golden School Award winner per GreatSchools), Whispering Oak Elementary, Lake Whitney Elementary, and newer schools like Water Spring Elementary and Hamlin Elementary. Verify zone with OCPS.
Lake Nona's master-planned community is served by several elementary schools including Laureate Park Elementary and others within the Lake Nona High School feeder system. As Lake Nona continues to grow, new schools have been added to serve the expanding community — verify current zone assignments directly with OCPS.
The College Park neighborhood in northwest Orlando is served by OCPS elementary schools within the downtown Orlando corridor. Families in College Park should verify their specific address's zone assignment with OCPS, as this established neighborhood's school assignments reflect the broader northwest Orlando district structure.
In Central Florida's most desirable communities, the connection between elementary school quality and home value is direct and measurable. Homes within the attendance zones of consistently well-performing elementary schools — particularly in Windermere, Dr. Phillips, and Winter Garden's Horizon West — command premiums that buyers and sellers consistently observe in transaction data. The school zone premium is not uniform; it varies by school reputation, community, and price range. BKRS advises families on the school zone landscape as part of any home search in these communities.
Families evaluating Central Florida communities for elementary school quality should consider: the school's current state grade and performance data (available through the Florida Department of Education), the feeder pattern to middle and high school, class sizes, extracurricular programs, and community involvement levels. For any specific property, confirm the current school zone assignment directly with Orange County Public Schools — zone boundaries change, and a neighborhood's general reputation should never substitute for official confirmation.
BKRS works with families throughout Central Florida who are searching for homes with specific school zone priorities. We understand the premium that strong elementary zones command and help buyers identify the best values within their target community. Always verify your specific property's current school zone assignment directly with Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) or Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) before making any purchase decision based on school assignment. Zone boundaries can and do change. Do not rely solely on neighborhood names, zip codes, or general descriptions — confirm current assignment with the district. Contact us at 305.317.8475.
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