Mahadev Maitri Foundation
US Initiatives

HIGHLANDS

Florida · Public School District
23
Schools
12,184
Students
$13,125
Per-Pupil Spend
-9% nat'l
69.1%
Free Lunch Rate
+17pp vs nat'l
81.5%
Graduation Rate
-5.0pp vs nat'l
District Overview

HIGHLANDS is a public school district in Florida serving 12,184 students across 23 schools. It includes 9 elementary, 4 middle, 6 high schools. Its graduation rate of 81.5% is below the national average of 86.5%. Per-pupil spending of $13,125 is near the national average for a US public school district. 69% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, reflecting significant economic need in the community. Opportunity scores across its schools are limited, with a district median of 36/100.

⇄ Compare with another district
All Schools (23)
Middle Schools4 schools
SchoolGradesStudents
AVON PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL06–08638
HILL-GUSTAT MIDDLE SCHOOL06–10705
LAKE PLACID MIDDLE SCHOOL06–09621
SEBRING MIDDLE SCHOOL06–08815
District Finances
Per-Pupil Expenditure$13,125Near national avg
National avg $14,347
Revenue Sources
40%
30%
State
39.8%
Local (property tax)
30.5%
Federal
29.8%

Funding is shared between state (40%) and local sources (30%), with notable federal support (30%).

Source: NCES F-33 School District Finance Survey. District-level data.
District Snapshot
23
Schools
12,184
Students
69%
Free Lunch
$13K
Per-Pupil
Graduation Rate81.5%
Opportunity Score36/100
StateFlorida →
School Rankings
Strengths & Considerations
Range of school options
With 23 schools, families have meaningful choice across programs and grade levels.
High economic need in community
69% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch — above the national rate of 52.2% — reflecting broader economic challenges.
Heavy reliance on federal aid
30% of revenue comes from federal sources. High federal reliance typically signals a limited local tax base or high concentration of low-income families.
Location
Frequently Asked Questions
How many schools are in HIGHLANDS?
HIGHLANDS has 23 public schools, serving a total of 12,184 students.
What is the graduation rate for HIGHLANDS?
The graduation rate is 81.5%, which is below the national average of 86.5%.
How much does HIGHLANDS spend per student?
HIGHLANDS spends $13,125 per pupil — 9% below the national average of $14,347.
What percentage of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch in HIGHLANDS?
69% of students in HIGHLANDS qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, compared to the national rate of 52.2%.
Are there charter schools in HIGHLANDS?
No, HIGHLANDS does not currently include any charter schools.
What grade levels does HIGHLANDS serve?
HIGHLANDS serves grades PK through 12, covering elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the opportunity score for HIGHLANDS?
The median opportunity score across schools in HIGHLANDS is 36/100. The national median is 50/100. Opportunity scores reflect long-term economic mobility prospects for children who grow up in these communities.
About This Data

All figures on this page come directly from US federal open datasets — NCES Common Core of Data, EDFacts, and the Opportunity Atlas — and we work hard to keep them accurate and up to date. That said, federal data is published on an annual cycle, so some figures may not yet reflect the very latest school-year changes or local updates. We recommend using this page as a helpful starting point and cross-checking with the school or district directly, or visiting the NCES Common Core of Data and ed.gov for the most authoritative figures before making any important decisions.