Hunter's Creek Elementary: Programs, Academics, and What Every Relocating Family Should Know
A complete guide to one of south Orlando's most sought-after OCPS elementary schools — from its bilingual magnet program to gifted services and standout community roots
Hunter's Creek Elementary School is a K–5 magnet school operated by Orange County Public Schools, located at 4650 Town Center Blvd., Orlando, FL 32837, phone 407-858-4610. The school's official magnet designation is a Two-Way Dual Language program, which integrates English- and Spanish-speaking students in the same classroom to develop bilingual proficiency and biliteracy. The school also provides gifted education services for OCPS-identified gifted students and has maintained an "A" grade from the Florida Department of Education since 2000. With approximately 754 students and a 15:1 student-teacher ratio, Hunter's Creek Elementary outperforms both Orange County and Florida state averages in math and reading proficiency.
Here's something families scoping out south Orlando often discover after digging in: the Hunter's Creek community pairs great parks and a master-planned layout with one of the more distinctive elementary schools in the Orange County school system.
Hunter's Creek Elementary has earned a loyal following among families relocating from across the country and around the world. It combines strong academics, a genuine magnet program, gifted services, and a genuinely multicultural campus. Here's the full picture.
The School at a Glance
Hunter's Creek Elementary opened August 15, 1994, built to serve the master-planned community taking shape across south Orange County. The school sits at 4650 Town Center Blvd. and serves grades Pre-K through 5. Hours are 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with an early release at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Roughly 754 students attend today, supported by 50 full-time teachers at a 15:1 student-teacher ratio — better than the Orange County district average. The campus culture has been shaped by the community's remarkable diversity. As the school's own history notes, the many countries represented on campus create a "microcosm of the world."
The Two-Way Dual Language Magnet Program
Let's clear something up right away. Hunter's Creek Elementary's official magnet designation through Orange County Public Schools is a Two-Way Dual Language program — not a gifted magnet. (The county's dedicated gifted magnet is the Orlando Gifted Academy at a different location.) That distinction matters if you're planning a school move specifically around magnet programming.
The Two-Way model integrates native Spanish speakers and native English speakers in the same classroom, with the goal that both groups achieve bilingual proficiency and biliteracy across content areas — not just in a standalone language class.
A few practical details for families considering this program:
- Enrollment goes through the OCPS School Choice application process, with seats awarded by lottery.
- The same Two-Way model continues at Hunter's Creek Middle School (13400 Town Loop Blvd.), giving students a seamless bilingual pathway.
- Call 407-858-4610 or check with the OCPS School Choice office for current application windows.
For bilingual households or English-speaking families who want their children fluent in Spanish — one of the most practical skills in Central Florida's multicultural economy — this program is a genuine differentiator. Visit our comprehensive Hunter's Creek schools guide for more on the full K–12 pipeline.
Gifted Services: What HCES Actually Offers
Hunter's Creek Elementary doesn't operate as a dedicated gifted magnet, but it does provide gifted education services to OCPS-identified gifted students. Florida has recognized gifted learners as part of the exceptional student education population since 1968, and every OCPS school provides services to students who qualify.
Orange County offers four delivery models: a full-time model with gifted students grouped together; a cluster model with differentiation in a mixed classroom; a resource room pull-out; and a combination. The specifics at Hunter's Creek Elementary are worth confirming directly at 407-858-4610.
If your child holds an active OCPS gifted Education Plan, they are entitled to services here regardless of enrollment pathway. Families new to Florida's identification process can start at the Orange County Public Schools gifted education page.
Academic Performance: How Does HCES Stack Up?
The school's track record is genuinely strong. Key data points:
- Hunter's Creek Elementary has maintained an "A" grade from the Florida Department of Education every year since 2000.
- In 2023–24, 61% of students scored proficient or above in math and 62% in reading — outperforming Orange County district averages (51% math, 48% reading) and Florida state averages.
- 74% of 5th-graders were proficient or better in the statewide science assessment in 2023–24, compared to 61% for the county and 53% statewide.
- SchoolDigger gives the school a 4-star rating and places it in the top 25% of Florida elementary schools.
That unbroken "A" streak since 2000 is telling. It means the school has navigated more than two decades of shifting state standards and leadership changes while continuing to deliver for students. That's not luck — that's culture.
Beyond Academics: The Full Program Lineup
One of the things families discover quickly is that the programming runs deep. Beyond the dual language magnet and gifted services, the school offers:
- ESOL — English for Speakers of Other Languages, serving the school's international student body
- MAGIC program — Mentoring, Advising, Guiding and Instructing Children, a character and leadership initiative
- Strings Program — orchestral music at the elementary level, a rarity in many districts
- STEM and Science Night — community events bringing families into hands-on academic programming
- Extended Day academic enrichment — afterschool academic support and clubs
- Multicultural Fair and Heritage Night — annual events celebrating the school's international student community
That Multicultural Fair has become a genuine community tradition — families showcase food, music, and cultural heritage from around the world. It reflects something authentic about what makes Hunter's Creek the community it is, and it's one of the more memorable events in the OCPS elementary school calendar.
The Community Context: Why Hunter's Creek Attracts Families
Hunter's Creek is a 6.5-square-mile master-planned community in the southwest corner of Orange County, developed by Genstar starting in 1986 on 3,840 acres. The name traces to the Timucuan Indians who once fished and hunted along nearby Shingle Creek. Today, nearly 25,000 residents live across 35 single-family neighborhoods and multiple apartment and condo communities, roughly 15–20 minutes from both Walt Disney World and Orlando International Airport via the Florida Turnpike and John Young Parkway — a location package that earned CNN Money's "Best Places to Live in America" designation in 2011.
Families consistently cite schools as their primary reason for choosing the community. The K–12 pathway runs through Hunter's Creek Middle School and on to Freedom High, all within OCPS. Browse our Hunter's Creek homes for sale page and our comprehensive Hunter's Creek parks guide to get the full picture.
What the Locals Know
Hunter's Creek Elementary is the kind of school that becomes a community anchor. The PTA is active, parent engagement runs deep, and dual language families tend to stay through all of elementary and feed into the middle school continuation.
If biliteracy is a priority, the Two-Way Dual Language magnet is worth the application process. If your child is gifted, services are available — just know they're delivered through the district's standard gifted program, not a dedicated magnet. And if neither applies, a 25-year "A" streak and strong arts, strings, and STEM programming make this a solid school regardless.
One practical note: Hunter's Creek straddles the Orange-Osceola county line. The elementary school is firmly in Orange County and OCPS — confirm you're on the right side of that line before buying. Our Kissimmee guide covers the Osceola side if you're weighing both options.
For complete, current details on programs, enrollment, and School Choice applications, visit the official Hunter's Creek Elementary School website.
Exploring schools in south Orlando and ready to find the right neighborhood? Browse our Hunter's Creek homes for sale or dive into our comprehensive Hunter's Creek schools guide — or contact us for personalized relocation help from people who know south Orlando inside and out. 🏫
