Winter Garden Education at a Glance
🎓 Stack of in-town options: Per the Winter Garden education stack — OCPS public schools across all levels, the multi-campus Foundation Academy private Christian school, Montessori programs along the West Colonial corridor, and Valencia College's West Campus for higher ed and dual enrollment — Winter Garden offers a more complete in-town education footprint than most West Orange communities. Families considering Winter Garden homes for sale should still verify zoning, since attendance areas split sharply between top-rated Whispering Oak (Stoneybrook West / NW 34787) and the older downtown and Tildenville zones.
"School zone matters more in Winter Garden than the city-level averages suggest. The same 34787 ZIP can land you in a top-5%-of-Florida elementary or in a school performing below state average — the difference is which side of SR 429 you live on."
Related Reading: Best School Districts in Central Florida
Back to Top📚 Orange County Public Schools (OCPS)
Winter Garden is served by Orange County Public Schools, the largest district in Central Florida and one of the largest in the country. OCPS markets itself as an "A-rated district" and operates magnet, scholastic academy, and choice programs alongside its zoned neighborhood schools. Performance varies significantly school by school, so the relevant question for Winter Garden buyers is which specific schools serve a given address — not how the district averages out.
District Information:
- District Website: Orange County Public Schools (OCPS.net)
- Total Schools: ~275 schools district-wide (184 elementary, 101 middle, 67 high, plus charters and technical colleges)
- Students Enrolled: ~206,800 students
- Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 18:1 district-wide
- Special Programs: Magnet programs, Scholastic Academies, IB, AP, dual enrollment, Orange Technical College career pathways
School assignments are based on residential address. The OCPS school locator should be used to verify which schools serve any specific Winter Garden address — and assignments do change. Always verify before contracting on a home where school zoning is a deciding factor.
Education Highlights of Winter Garden
Winter Garden's education landscape divides cleanly into two stories: the older downtown and Tildenville zones (smaller schools, mixed performance, walkable historic neighborhoods), and the newer Stoneybrook West / Daniels Road / Hamlin-adjacent zones (larger schools, top-tier ratings, master-planned communities). The blog companion to this page — Foundation Academy: Winter Garden's Top-Rated Private Christian School Across Three Campuses — covers the largest in-town private option, while OCPS handles all public assignment.
Public School Stack (PreK–12)
OCPS serves 34787 with neighborhood elementaries (Dillard Street, Tildenville, Maxey, Whispering Oak, SunRidge Elementary), SunRidge Middle School, and West Orange High School as the primary high school since 1975.
Three-Campus Private Christian Option
Foundation Academy operates three campuses (Plant Street, Tilden, and Lakeside in Windermere) serving PreK–12, with 100% college placement since 2010 and 23+ AP and dual enrollment courses at the Tilden upper school.
Career Training & Higher Education
Westside Tech (now relocated to a new campus in adjacent Ocoee) and Valencia College's West Campus give 34787 residents in-area access to career certificates, apprenticeships, AA/AS degrees, and university transfer pathways without commuting to UCF.
Sharp Zoning Differences
Whispering Oak Elementary (Stoneybrook West / NW 34787) ranks in the top 5% of Florida elementaries; Dillard Street Elementary (downtown / Plant Street) currently performs below state average. Same ZIP, very different schools — verify the specific address before buying for a school zone.
You may also enjoy: Orlando for Families
Back to TopWinter Garden Schools Map
Explore schools and educational facilities in Winter Garden using this interactive satellite map. For information about parks and recreation near these schools — including Newton Park on Lake Apopka and the West Orange Trail through downtown — see our parks guide.
Public Schools in Winter Garden
Public schools serving Winter Garden are operated by Orange County Public Schools. Most of 34787 funnels to SunRidge Middle and then West Orange High, but elementary zones split sharply across the city. For district-wide rankings, see our Best School Districts in Central Florida guide.
🏆 Top-Rated Public Schools Serving Winter Garden
1Whispering Oak Elementary
GreatSchools 10/10. Ranks in the top 5% of Florida elementary schools and 2nd of 163 ranked OCPS elementaries (per SchoolDigger). 90% math and 84% reading proficiency. Serves Stoneybrook West and NW 34787.
2SunRidge Middle School
GreatSchools 8/10, Niche A−. Niche #5 best public middle school in Orange County. 73% math and 68% reading proficiency. Primary middle school for nearly all of 34787.
3William S. Maxey Elementary
U.S. News rank #538 in Florida (top 25%). 70% math and 57% reading proficiency — both above district and state averages. Smaller school with a 16:1 student-teacher ratio.
4Tildenville Elementary
GreatSchools 7/10, Niche B+. Operates as a magnet school with a Gifted & Talented program. 68% math and 64% reading proficiency. Serves the historic Tildenville area west of downtown.
5West Orange High School
The 34787 high school since 1975. GreatSchools 7/10, Niche A. ~95% four-year graduation rate. ~2,800 students in grades 8–12. Strong AP and dual enrollment with Valencia College; weaker math proficiency than reading. PLTW engineering pathway.
🏫 Elementary Schools
Elementary zoning follows OCPS attendance boundaries that split clearly across Winter Garden — confirm your specific address with the district school locator before assuming a zone.
| School Name | Grades | Rating | Location / Zone | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whispering Oak Elementary | PK–5 | 10/10 GS | 15300 Stoneybrook West Pkwy — serves Stoneybrook West & NW 34787 | Top 5% in Florida; 90% math / 84% reading proficiency; Gifted & Talented program |
| William S. Maxey Elementary | PK–5 | FL #538 | 602 E Story Rd — serves SR 50 / Daniels Rd corridor | 70% math / 57% reading proficiency; 16:1 ratio; U.S. News badge-eligible |
| Tildenville Elementary | PK–5 | 7/10 GS | 1221 Brick Rd — serves historic Tildenville area | OCPS magnet with Gifted & Talented; 68% math / 64% reading |
| SunRidge Elementary | PK–5 | Avg. | 14455 Sunridge Blvd — serves Avalon Rd corridor | 52% math / 48% reading; co-located near SunRidge Middle |
| Dillard Street Elementary | PK–5 | Below FL avg. | 311 N Dillard St — serves downtown / Plant Street area | Smaller school (~480 students), 15:1 ratio; 43% math / 48% reading proficiency. Gifted & Talented program offered |
For more detail on the two western neighborhood schools, see William S. Maxey and Tildenville Elementary: Two Neighborhood Schools Serving Winter Garden Families.
🎒 Middle Schools
| School Name | Grades | Rating | Location / Zone | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SunRidge Middle School | 6–8 | 8/10 GS · A− | 14955 Sunridge Blvd — primary middle school for most of 34787 | Niche #5 best public middle in Orange County; 73% math / 68% reading; Gifted & Talented; 15 sports |
🎓 High Schools
| School Name | Grades | Rating | Location / Zone | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Orange High School | 8–12 | 7/10 GS · Niche A | 1625 S Beulah Rd — serves Winter Garden, Oakland, Tildenville & sections of Ocoee | ~95% graduation rate, ~2,800 students, AP courses, dual enrollment with Valencia College, Project Lead The Way engineering pathway, 29 sports. Math proficiency runs below reading — verify current data. |
Honest read on West Orange High: The school carries a strong Niche A grade and a ~95% four-year graduation rate, but its statewide test-score performance sits in the top 50% rather than top 25% of Florida high schools, and Algebra 1 proficiency has historically lagged both district and state averages. Families prioritizing AP/IB-style academics may want to also evaluate magnet and choice options.
⭐ Charter, Magnet & Career Programs
| School / Program | Type | Grades / Audience | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tildenville Elementary (Magnet) | Magnet | PK–5 | 1221 Brick Rd, Winter Garden | OCPS magnet program with Gifted & Talented track |
| Oakland Avenue Charter | Charter | K–8 | 456 E Oakland Ave, Oakland (adjacent to Winter Garden) | Tuition-free public charter in nearby Oakland; lottery enrollment |
| Orange Technical College — West Campus (formerly Westside Tech) | CTE | HS dual enrollment + adult | Recently relocated from 955 E Story Rd, Winter Garden to a new $42.3M, 115,604 sq ft campus at 2010 Ocoee-Apopka Rd, Ocoee | HVAC, electricity, plumbing, welding, cosmetology, building construction, 13+ apprenticeships, GED/ESL. Dual enrollment for high school students. |
Verify current operational status for OTC West Campus before publishing — the move from the Story Road location is recent and ongoing per OCPS announcements.
"Whispering Oak's 10/10 rating gets a lot of attention in Winter Garden listings — but it's worth remembering that Stoneybrook West and the western Winter Garden Village neighborhoods are the addresses that actually feed into it."Back to Top
Private Schools in & Near Winter Garden
Beyond OCPS, Winter Garden families have access to several established private and faith-based options — most notably the multi-campus Foundation Academy headquartered in town. For a regional directory, see our Private Schools in Orlando guide.
🏛️ Private & Independent Schools
| School Name | Type | Grades | Location | Focus / Affiliation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation Academy — Plant Street Campus | Private Christian | PreK–6 | Downtown Winter Garden (lower school) | Ministry of Winter Garden's First Baptist Church; founded 1958 |
| Foundation Academy — Tilden Campus | Private Christian | 7–12 | 15304 Tilden Rd, Winter Garden (70-acre upper school campus) | 23+ AP & dual enrollment courses, 14 interscholastic sports, FHSAA 2A, 100% college placement since 2010 |
| Foundation Academy — Lakeside Campus | Private Christian | K–6 | 8464 Winter Garden Vineland Rd (in adjacent Windermere area) | Third campus opened 2019 at Family Church Windermere |
| Central Florida Christian Academy | Private Christian | PK–12 | Near Winter Garden in Orlando (32835) | Christ-centered college prep; ACSI-accredited |
| Windermere Preparatory School | Private College Prep | PK–12 | 6189 SR 535, Windermere | Independent IB World School with PYP, MYP, and Diploma programmes; ~5 miles from Winter Garden |
Foundation Academy tuition note: Per published rates, tuition ranges from approximately $9,485 (PreK) up to roughly $16,590 (high school), with rolling admissions and AP/dual enrollment available at the upper school. Confirm current pricing and availability directly with the school before relying on these figures.
🌱 Montessori Schools
| School Name | Type | Ages / Grades | Location | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montessori Academy of Winter Garden | Montessori | Toddler–Elementary | 13337 W Colonial Dr, Winter Garden | Authentic Montessori curriculum; verify AMI/AMS affiliation directly |
| Cranium Academy — Winter Garden | Private/Enrichment | Preschool–Elementary | 4068 Winter Garden Vineland Rd, Winter Garden | STEAM-focused academic preschool and elementary; not a pure Montessori school |
People Also Ask
What are the best private schools near Winter Garden?
The largest in-town private option is Foundation Academy, a private Christian school operating three campuses (PreK–12 collectively) with 100% college placement since 2010 and 23+ AP and dual enrollment courses at the Tilden upper campus. Just outside Winter Garden, Windermere Preparatory School offers a full IB Continuum (PYP/MYP/Diploma) for families looking for an independent college-prep option. For a regional directory, see Private Schools in Orlando.
Are there Montessori schools in Winter Garden?
Yes — Montessori Academy of Winter Garden on West Colonial Drive offers Montessori programming. Confirm AMI or AMS certification directly with the school, as branding and accreditation differ. Cranium Academy on Winter Garden Vineland Rd is a STEAM-focused academic preschool/elementary often confused with Montessori but operates a different model. Additional Montessori options exist in adjacent Windermere.
How much do private schools cost in Winter Garden?
Private school tuition in the Winter Garden area generally ranges from roughly $9,000 to $30,000+ annually depending on grade level and school type. Faith-based schools like Foundation Academy sit at the lower end of that range; independent college-prep schools like Windermere Preparatory sit at the higher end. Tuition often does not include uniforms, technology fees, athletics fees, or trips — confirm full annual cost-of-attendance directly with each school. Florida Tax Credit and Family Empowerment Scholarships may help offset tuition for eligible students.
Preschool & Early Education in Winter Garden
Finding the Right Preschool
Winter Garden families have several early-childhood options:
- Private Preschools: The Goddard School on Avalon Road, Star Child Academy on Winter Garden Vineland Rd, and others along the SR 50 / Daniels Rd corridor
- Childcare Centers with Preschool: Cranium Academy and similar STEAM-focused centers serving the Stoneybrook West and Daniels Crossing areas
- VPK Programs: Florida's free Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten for 4-year-olds is offered at most major preschools and at OCPS elementary schools
- Montessori Early Education: Montessori Academy of Winter Garden and area Montessori options in adjacent Windermere
- Religious Preschools: Foundation Academy operates PreK programming; First Baptist Church and other faith communities in 34787 also offer preschool
🧒 Preschools & Pre-K Programs
| Preschool Name | Type | Ages | Location | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Goddard School — Winter Garden | Preschool | 6 weeks–6 years | 2007 Avalon Rd, Winter Garden | Full-day, VPK, accredited curriculum |
| Star Child Academy | Preschool | Infant–VPK | 1324 Winter Garden Vineland Rd | VPK, Spanish, full-day childcare |
| Cranium Academy | Preschool / Enrichment | 2–elementary | 4068 Winter Garden Vineland Rd | STEAM-focused academic preschool |
| Foundation Academy — PreK | Faith-based Preschool | PreK-3 / PreK-4 | Plant Street & Lakeside campuses | Christian preschool feeder to Foundation K–12 |
💡 Florida VPK Program: Florida's Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program provides free early education for 4-year-olds. Most major preschools and many childcare centers in Winter Garden participate. Verify provider participation, hours, and registration windows at vpk.fldoe.org.
More information: Orlando for Families
Back to TopColleges & Universities Near Winter Garden
Winter Garden's location at the intersection of SR 429, SR 50, and Florida's Turnpike puts most major Central Florida colleges within easy reach. Valencia College's West Campus sits just minutes from 34787 along West Colonial, while UCF is about 35–40 minutes east via the 408 toll road. Foundation Academy and West Orange High both run dual enrollment with Valencia College.
🎓 Colleges & Universities
| Institution Name | Type | Distance | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valencia College — West Campus | State / 2-yr+ | ~5–10 minutes (1800 S Kirkman Rd, Orlando) | AA/AS degrees, university transfer pathway, dual enrollment partner for Winter Garden high schools and Foundation Academy |
| University of Central Florida (UCF) | University | ~35–40 minutes via 408 | Tier 1 public research university, Big 12 athletics, one of the largest universities in the U.S. by enrollment |
| Rollins College | Liberal Arts | ~30 minutes east | Private liberal arts college on Park Avenue in Winter Park |
| Full Sail University | Private (Media/Tech) | ~35 minutes east | Entertainment, media, arts, and technology degrees in Winter Park |
| Seminole State College | State / 2-yr+ | ~45 minutes northeast | Multi-campus state college serving Seminole County |
| Stetson University | Private | ~50 minutes north (DeLand main campus) | Florida's oldest private university; liberal arts and law |
| Orange Technical College — West Campus (formerly Westside Tech) | Technical College | Recently relocated to Ocoee (~5–10 min) | Career certificates, apprenticeships, dual enrollment for high school students |
Dual Enrollment Opportunities: Many high schools in Orange County — including West Orange High School and the Foundation Academy Tilden campus — partner with Valencia College and Seminole State College so students can earn college credits while still in high school. This is one of the more financially meaningful benefits of OCPS for college-bound families.
After-School & Enrichment Programs
Beyond the school day, Winter Garden offers enrichment options ranging from academic tutoring to youth sports anchored by the Jessie Brock Community Center on Smith Street.
💻 Academic Enrichment & Tutoring
| Program Name | Type | Location | Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kumon Math & Reading Center | Tutoring | Winter Garden Village area | Math, reading, K–12 supplemental |
| Mathnasium | Tutoring | 34787 | Math instruction, K–12, test prep |
| Code Ninjas | STEM | Winter Garden / Hamlin area | Coding, game design, robotics for kids |
| Cranium Academy | STEAM | 4068 Winter Garden Vineland Rd | After-school enrichment alongside academic preschool |
🎨 Arts, Music & Sports
Additional Winter Garden enrichment options include:
- Performing Arts: The Garden Theatre on Plant Street offers youth education programs and summer camps.
- Visual Arts: The SOBO Art Gallery and Winter Garden Art Association run classes and programming for young artists.
- Music Lessons: Independent studios across 34787 cover piano, strings, voice, and band instruments. West Orange High and SunRidge Middle have well-regarded band programs.
- STEM & Robotics: Code Ninjas and Cranium Academy run programs locally; West Orange High runs Project Lead The Way engineering.
- Sports & Athletics: See our Sports & Athletics in Winter Garden guide. The Jessie Brock Community Center hosts youth recreation programs. Also visit Orlando Sports for regional options.
For arts and cultural programs, visit Arts & Culture in Winter Garden. See also Orlando Arts and Culture.
School Choice & Enrollment Information
📍 School Zoning
OCPS school assignments are based on residential address. Use the OCPS school locator to verify which schools serve any specific address. When browsing Winter Garden homes for sale, always confirm the zone — boundaries cross neighborhoods within 34787.
🎯 School Choice Programs
Orange County offers school choice including OCPS Magnet Programs, Scholastic Academies, charter schools, and controlled open enrollment. Application windows generally open in fall for the following school year.
📝 Enrollment Process
New student enrollment requires proof of residency, birth certificate, current immunization records (Florida DH 680), school physical (Florida DH 3040), and previous school records. OCPS uses an online enrollment portal with in-person verification.
🏫 School Tours
Most public and private schools in Winter Garden offer tours by appointment. Foundation Academy and Windermere Prep schedule formal tour days; OCPS schools generally arrange visits through the front office.
Helpful guide: Moving to Orlando Complete Guide
Back to TopSchools in Nearby Communities
Families in Winter Garden often compare schools in adjacent communities — particularly Horizon West, where newer schools serve the Hamlin and Summerport areas, and Windermere, home to Windermere High and Windermere Preparatory School. Explore school options in surrounding areas:
Explore homes in nearby communities: Ocoee, Horizon West, Windermere, and Gotha.
Frequently Asked Questions About Schools in Winter Garden
What school district serves Winter Garden?
Winter Garden is served by Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), part of Orange County. OCPS is the largest district in Central Florida with approximately 275 schools and 206,800 students. The district markets itself as A-rated, but performance varies meaningfully school by school — what matters for Winter Garden buyers is the specific zoned schools for a given address, not the district average.
Are the schools good in Winter Garden?
It depends sharply on which Winter Garden zone. Whispering Oak Elementary (serving Stoneybrook West and NW 34787) is a 10/10 GreatSchools rating and a top-5%-of-Florida elementary. Maxey and Tildenville run above state averages. Dillard Street Elementary in downtown currently performs below state average on test data. SunRidge Middle is 8/10 and Niche-ranked #5 in Orange County. West Orange High graduates ~95% in four years but sits in Florida's top 50% rather than top 25% on test scores. See our Best School Districts in Central Florida guide for regional context.
What are the best schools in Winter Garden?
Among public schools, Whispering Oak Elementary (10/10 GreatSchools, top 5% in Florida), SunRidge Middle School (8/10), and William S. Maxey Elementary (top 25% in Florida by U.S. News) consistently rank as the strongest. Tildenville Elementary operates as an OCPS magnet with Gifted & Talented programming. For private options, Foundation Academy is the largest in-town option (PreK–12 across three campuses, 100% college placement), and Windermere Preparatory School in adjacent Windermere offers a full IB Continuum.
Are there private schools in Winter Garden?
Yes. The largest in-town option is Foundation Academy, a private Christian school operating three campuses (Plant Street K–6, Tilden 7–12, and Lakeside K–6 in adjacent Windermere) with 23+ AP and dual enrollment courses and 100% college placement since 2010. Just outside Winter Garden, Windermere Preparatory School offers a full IB Continuum (PYP/MYP/Diploma). For a regional directory, see our Private Schools in Orlando guide.
How do I enroll my child in Winter Garden schools?
OCPS enrollment requires proof of residency, the child's original birth certificate, current Florida immunization records (DH 680), a school-entry physical (DH 3040), and previous school records if transferring. Most enrollment is initiated online through the OCPS portal followed by in-person verification at the zoned school. Visit the OCPS website for the current enrollment checklist. For private schools, contact the admissions office directly — Foundation Academy uses rolling admissions, while Windermere Prep has formal application deadlines. See also our Moving to Orlando Complete Guide.
What enrichment programs are available for kids in Winter Garden?
Plenty. Academic tutoring includes Kumon, Mathnasium, and Cranium Academy. STEM programming runs through Code Ninjas. The Garden Theatre on Plant Street offers performing arts education and summer camps, and the SOBO Art Gallery and Winter Garden Art Association run visual arts programs. For youth sports, see our Winter Garden Sports & Athletics guide; the Jessie Brock Community Center is the city's recreation hub. For arts programs, visit Winter Garden Arts & Culture. See also Orlando for Families.
Find Your Home in the Right Winter Garden School Zone
Considering Winter Garden? Because OCPS attendance zones cut sharply across 34787, the same community can land you in a 10/10 elementary or in a school below state average — the difference is the specific address. Florida Neighborhood Realty can help you match a home search to the school zones that matter for your family. Browse Winter Garden homes for sale or contact us for personalized assistance.
*Disclaimer: School information on this page is for general reference only. School boundaries, ratings, programs, campus locations, and assignments can change — and several items on this page (notably the Orange Technical College West Campus relocation from Winter Garden to Ocoee, and Foundation Academy tuition) should be re-verified against current sources before publishing. School ratings cited (GreatSchools, Niche, U.S. News, SchoolDigger, PublicSchoolReview) are from publicly available data and may not reflect current performance. Always verify school assignments with the Orange County Public Schools zoning office before purchasing a home where school zoning is a deciding factor. Inclusion of schools on this page does not guarantee enrollment or specific school assignment. Private school information including tuition should be confirmed directly with each institution. The site owner is not responsible for inaccuracies in school data.
Last Updated: May 8, 2026
David Myers
