Elementary School Options in Windermere 34786: Thornebrooke, Sunset Park, Castleview, and More
A no-fluff guide to OCPS zones, ratings, and what each elementary school actually offers families in the 34786 ZIP code
The 34786 ZIP code in Windermere, FL is served by multiple Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) elementary schools, including Windermere Elementary, Thornebrooke Elementary, Sunset Park Elementary, Castleview Elementary, Bay Lake Elementary, and Keene's Crossing Elementary. Thornebrooke Elementary is located at 601 Thornebrooke Dr in Ocoee but zones in northern Windermere subdivisions including Casa Del Lago, Westover Club, and Tuscany Ridge. Sunset Park Elementary at 12050 Overstreet Rd serves Summerport, Lakeside, and Lakes of Windermere. Castleview Elementary serves Bellaria, Waterstone, Providence, and Lake Burden. School zoning in Windermere 34786 is address-specific, not subdivision-wide, and OCPS recommends families verify zoning through the official OCPS School Locator before purchasing a home.
So you're house-hunting in Windermere and you've heard the magic words: "great schools." Here's the thing — Windermere 34786 isn't a one-school town. It's a sprawling ZIP code that covers the historic Town of Windermere plus a huge swath of unincorporated Orange County reaching into Horizon West, and it pulls from at least six different OCPS elementary schools depending on where, exactly, you plant your stake.
That distinction matters. Two homes a mile apart can feed entirely different elementary schools, and "Windermere schools" as a phrase doesn't tell you which one your kid will actually attend. Let's walk through the elementary options, who they serve, and the practical realities of each — separately covered Windermere Elementary is the namesake school in the historic Town core. This article covers the rest.
Thornebrooke Elementary — The Top-Rated Northern Option
Thornebrooke Elementary opened in 2001 at 601 Thornebrooke Dr. Yes, the address is technically Ocoee 34761, but its attendance zone reaches south into Windermere subdivisions including Casa Del Lago, Estates at Windermere, Westover Club, Westover Reserve, and Tuscany Ridge.
This is one of the most decorated elementary schools in Orange County. Thornebrooke serves roughly 591 students in PK-5, ranks in the top 10% of Florida elementary schools for test scores, and holds an "A" state grade. Math proficiency hovers around 79-81% and reading around 75-78% — well above state averages. The student-teacher ratio runs about 15:1.
Practical reality: if you're zoned to Thornebrooke, you've got a home-run public elementary. The catch is the zone is geographically limited, so it's worth verifying address-by-address rather than assuming the whole northern Windermere area is in.
Sunset Park Elementary — The Summerport Workhorse
Sunset Park Elementary sits at 12050 Overstreet Rd, Windermere, FL 34786, and it's the elementary school for the Summerport corridor — Summerport, Lakeside, Lakes of Windermere, and Windermere Trails.
Enrollment runs about 759 students in K-5, with a 16:1 student-teacher ratio. Recent state assessment data shows roughly 70-74% math proficiency and 64-69% reading proficiency. Niche grades it A-, GreatSchools rates it 8/10, and SchoolDigger places it in the top 15% of Florida elementaries. Solid, not spectacular — but well above district and state averages, with a Gifted Scholastic Academy program housed on campus serving the Windermere community.
If you're shopping homes in Summerport or Lakes of Windermere, this is your school. The campus is large, the parent involvement is strong, and graduates typically feed up to Horizon West Middle and Windermere High.
Castleview Elementary — The Southern 34786 Pick
Castleview Elementary serves the southern stretch of Windermere 34786 — Bellaria, Waterstone, Providence, and Lake Burden are all zoned here. Mascot: the Dragons.
Castleview enrolls around 737 students in K-5 with a 19:1 ratio (one of the higher ratios in this group, worth noting). Math proficiency runs about 71-72% and reading about 70%, with particularly strong 3rd grade math results. Niche grades it A-, and U.S. News ranks it #428 in Florida elementary schools. SchoolDigger gives it 3 stars and notes higher-than-average chronic absenteeism — something to ask the principal about during a school tour.
Castleview feeds into Horizon West Middle and Windermere High, the same secondary track as Sunset Park. If you're buying in Providence or Waterstone, this is the school your kids will attend.
Bay Lake Elementary and Keene's Crossing — The Horizon West-Adjacent Schools
Two more elementaries hold Windermere 34786 addresses but really serve the Horizon West side of the line: Bay Lake Elementary at 12005 Silverlake Park Dr and Keene's Crossing Elementary at 5240 Keenes Pheasant Dr.
Bay Lake (mascot: Lions) enrolls about 682 K-5 students with a 17:1 ratio. Test scores trend lower than the others on this list — around 68% math and 61% reading — though it remains a "Gifted Program Offered" school. Keene's Crossing is the heavyweight: roughly 1,014 PK-5 students, an A+ Niche grade, 77% math and 79% reading proficiency, and ranked #190 in Florida by Niche. If you're zoned to Keene's Crossing, you're in great shape.
How OCPS Zoning Actually Works in 34786
Here's the part most relocating families miss. OCPS zones are drawn at the address level, not the subdivision level. A few realities to know:
- The 34786 ZIP code is huge. It covers the 2-square-mile incorporated Town of Windermere plus dozens of subdivisions stretching south and west into unincorporated Orange County.
- Subdivision name doesn't equal school zone. Two homes in the same neighborhood marketing brochure can be in different zones if they're on opposite ends.
- Zone lines change. OCPS adjusts boundaries when new schools open or enrollment shifts. Always verify for the current school year.
- The OCPS School Locator is the only authoritative source. Realtor MLS school data is sometimes outdated. Run the address through the official tool before you write an offer.
Quick Comparison Table
For families weighing options, here's the snapshot:
- Highest test scores: Windermere Elementary (87% math / 84% reading), then Thornebrooke (~80% / 78%)
- Best ratios: Thornebrooke and Windermere Elementary at roughly 15-16:1
- Largest enrollment: Keene's Crossing at ~1,014 students
- Smallest enrollment: Windermere Elementary at ~562 students
- Newest building: Castleview and Bay Lake (Horizon West-era construction)
For the full picture across grade levels, see our pieces on middle school options for Windermere families and high school options for Windermere 34786. Families considering private alternatives should also look at Windermere Preparatory School and private and charter schools in the Windermere area.
What the Locals Know
Three things experienced Windermere families will tell you. First, verify zoning before you buy — every time, no exceptions. The school you assumed wasn't always the school you got. Second, the elementary feeders matter less than people think for the K-5 years; what matters more is the secondary track (Horizon West Middle vs. Gotha Middle, Windermere High vs. Olympia vs. West Orange), so check that pipeline early. Third, in-zone is not the only path — OCPS magnet programs, scholastic academies, and reassignment options exist for families willing to navigate the application process.
Bottom line: Windermere 34786 has genuinely strong elementary options across the board, but the specific school depends on the specific address. Don't shop schools, shop addresses. For the broader picture across grades and programs, our Windermere schools and education guide covers everything from elementary through high school plus private alternatives.
For official school zone verification, attendance boundaries, and current enrollment forms, visit Orange County Public Schools.
Looking at homes in a specific Windermere subdivision and want to know which elementary it feeds? Browse our Windermere homes for sale or contact us for address-specific zoning verification before you make an offer. 🎒
