If schools are part of your decision about where to live in Central Florida, Seminole County deserves a closer look. Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) earned an A district grade for the 2025–2026 school year and reported a 94.4% graduation rate for the Class of 2025.
But finding the right school involves more than looking at a ranking.
Families moving to Seminole County should consider the school assigned to a particular address, available magnet and career programs, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate options, extracurricular opportunities, transportation, and whether a school fits their child's individual needs.
This guide looks at several notable Seminole County high schools, current district performance, specialized academic programs, and what homebuyers should know about school zones and school choice before deciding where to live.
How Do Seminole County Schools Rank in 2026?
Seminole County Public Schools earned an A district grade for the 2025–2026 school year. SCPS also reported that it ranked:
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#1 among Central Florida school districts
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#1 among Florida's 14 largest school districts
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11th among Florida's 67 school districts
Graduation data provides another useful measure. SCPS reported a 94.4% graduation rate for the Class of 2025, above Florida's statewide rate of 92.2%.
Individual schools vary, however, and district-level performance should not be treated as a guarantee that every school will be the right fit for every student. Families should compare current school data with academic programs, extracurricular opportunities, commute, transportation, and their child's needs.
Notable High Schools in Seminole County, Florida
Seminole County has several public high school options. The schools below are highlighted for their academic or specialized programs rather than presented as a definitive ranking. The best fit depends on the student's needs, school assignment, program eligibility, and current availability.
1.Hagerty High School
Paul J. Hagerty High School is a top-performing public high school in Oviedo, Florida, serving grades 9–12 as part of Seminole County Public Schools. Opened in 2005, the school is widely recognized for its academic rigor, award-winning arts programs, and competitive athletics, consistently ranking among the best high schools in Seminole County and the state of Florida.
Key Highlights:
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97% graduation rate with test scores above state and national averages
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Offers 30+ Advanced Placement courses with strong AP participation and pass rates
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Modern campus featuring performing arts center, media center, gymnasium, and stadium
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Nationally recognized fine arts programs, including an award-winning marching band
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50+ student clubs and 40+ athletic teams promoting well-rounded student involvement
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Strong parent, alumni, and community support through active booster organizations
Why families may consider Hagerty:
In addition to its broad high school curriculum, Hagerty offers the Academy of Advanced Learning Technologies, a Program of Emphasis covering modeling and simulation and artificial intelligence. SCPS reported a 97.8% graduation rate for Hagerty's Class of 2025.
2.Seminole High School
Seminole High School in Sanford stands out for the range of specialized academic pathways available to students. In addition to traditional college-preparatory coursework, the school offers several programs designed around advanced academics, health careers, technology, and aviation.
Key programs include:
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International Baccalaureate (IB): A rigorous college-preparatory program for students seeking an internationally recognized academic pathway.
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Academy of Health Careers: A magnet program focused on health sciences and career preparation for students interested in medical and healthcare fields.
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PSI High: An immersive, project-based learning program that gives students opportunities to work on real-world challenges while developing technical, collaborative, and problem-solving skills.
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Aviation Academy: Offers pathways related to aviation maintenance and avionics, giving students exposure to career-focused aviation education.
Seminole High School also reported a 95.4% graduation rate for the Class of 2025, up from 88.3% for the Class of 2024, according to Seminole County Public Schools.
For families comparing high schools in Seminole County, Seminole High may be especially worth exploring if a student is interested in IB, healthcare, technology, project-based learning, or aviation.
Because some specialty programs have separate eligibility or application requirements, families should review current admission details directly with Seminole County Public Schools.
3.Lake Mary High School
Lake Mary High School offers several academic and career-focused pathways for students interested in preparing for college, technical education, or future careers.
Two notable Programs of Emphasis are:
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Advanced Manufacturing & Innovation: Gives students opportunities to develop manufacturing, design, prototyping, and technology skills using industry-focused equipment and coursework.
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Forensic Science & Legal Studies: Offers pathways in forensic science and legal studies, including hands-on exposure to crime-scene investigation, evidence collection, and the foundations of the legal system.
Students can also explore Advanced Placement, honors, Career and Technical Education, and other academic pathways based on their interests and goals.
Lake Mary High School reported a 95.9% graduation rate for the Class of 2025, up from 92% for the Class of 2024, according to Seminole County Public Schools.
For families comparing high schools in Seminole County, these specialized programs are worth considering alongside academics, extracurricular activities, commute, school zoning, and the individual needs of the student.
4.Crooms Academy of Information Technology
Crooms Academy of Information Technology is different from most other public high schools in Seminole County because it is SCPS's only dedicated magnet high school.
The school focuses heavily on technology-related education, with coursework in areas such as:
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Multimedia design technology
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Computer programming
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Network systems technology
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Advanced Placement courses
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Dual enrollment
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Career Pathways
Students can also pursue a pathway that allows them to work toward an Associate of Arts degree through Seminole State College while completing their high school diploma.
Another important distinction for families considering a move to Seminole County is that Crooms does not have a residential attendance zone. Students must apply for admission rather than automatically attending because they live within a particular neighborhood.
Crooms reported a 100% graduation rate for the Class of 2025.
Because admission is application-based, families interested in Crooms should review current eligibility requirements, application periods, and placement procedures directly with Seminole County Public Schools.
5.Oviedo High School
Oviedo High School combines traditional academic options with Career and Technical Education and specialized career-focused programs.
One notable option is the Roots to Research Program of Emphasis, which provides two biotechnology pathways:
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Industrial Biotechnology
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Agricultural Biotechnology
The program is designed around hands-on learning and real-world applications in areas such as agriculture, manufacturing, sustainability, food systems, and biotechnology.
Oviedo High also offers additional Career and Technical Education opportunities in areas such as automotive technology, culinary arts, digital design, early childhood education, programming, and television production.
For the Class of 2025, Oviedo High School reported a 98.4% graduation rate, compared with 96.9% for the Class of 2024.
Families considering Oviedo High should compare the school's academic and specialty programs with the student's interests, school-zone eligibility, transportation needs, and any application requirements that apply to Programs of Emphasis.
Other Public High Schools in Seminole County
Hagerty, Seminole, Lake Mary, Crooms, and Oviedo are not the only high-school options in the district. Seminole County Public Schools supports nine traditional public high schools, with specialized programs available across several campuses.
Other schools families may want to explore include:
Lake Brantley High School
Lake Brantley offers career-focused opportunities including Creative Design & Entertainment and the Academy of Finance. These pathways can appeal to students interested in fields such as digital media, business, finance, design, and related careers.
Lake Howell High School
Lake Howell offers Programs of Emphasis in:
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Business & Entrepreneurship
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Cybersecurity
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Culinary Arts
Its Business & Entrepreneurship pathway also includes opportunities connected with dual enrollment and an Associate in Arts degree in Business through Seminole State College.
Lyman High School
Lyman offers the district's Institute of Engineering magnet program as well as the Academy of Building & Design Program of Emphasis.
The building and design pathway gives students exposure to skilled-trade and construction-related careers, while the engineering magnet provides another option for students interested in STEM-focused study.
Winter Springs High School
Winter Springs offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program along with specialized career-focused pathways.
Its SERVE Academy includes opportunities related to public service fields such as criminal justice, emergency planning and response, and education.
The best high school choice depends on more than a single rating. Families should consider academic programs, student interests, school assignment, transportation, extracurricular activities, and any admissions requirements that apply.
What About Elementary and Middle Schools in Seminole County?
Families moving to Seminole County are not limited to traditional neighborhood-school options.
Seminole County Public Schools currently offers six elementary magnet programs, giving families additional choices depending on a student's interests, eligibility, available seats, and application requirements.
Most residential addresses are assigned to one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. However, certain areas of Sanford and Lake Mary operate within Elementary Region School Zones, which have separate school-choice procedures.
Middle School Magnet Options
SCPS currently identifies four middle-school magnet programs:
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Millennium Middle School: Fine Arts & Communication
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Milwee Middle School: Pre-Engineering
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Sanford Middle School: Math, Science & Technology
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South Seminole Academy: Career Exploration
These schools are also pursuing authorization for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme. Candidate status does not guarantee that a school will ultimately receive IB authorization.
For example, Milwee's Pre-Engineering Magnet incorporates engineering design, coding, robotics, technology, investigation, and problem-solving into its curriculum.
Parents should avoid choosing a school based only on a rating or list. Visiting the school, reviewing available programs, checking transportation, and considering how the learning environment fits the individual student can provide a more complete picture.
Magnet Programs, IB, AP, Dual Enrollment & Career Pathways
One reason families researching Seminole County schools encounter so many different options is that SCPS provides several types of academic programs.
Understanding the difference can make comparing schools easier.
Magnet Programs
Magnet programs provide specialized academic opportunities in particular subject areas.
At the high-school level, SCPS currently identifies magnet programs in:
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Information Technology at Crooms Academy
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Academy of Health Careers at Seminole High
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International Baccalaureate at Seminole High
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Institute of Engineering at Lyman High
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International Baccalaureate at Winter Springs High
Some magnet options require an application and are not determined solely by a home's attendance zone.
Programs of Emphasis
A Program of Emphasis is a structured course of study built around a particular career or academic pathway.
Examples across Seminole County include advanced manufacturing, forensic science, biotechnology, cybersecurity, aviation, entrepreneurship, public service, and building and design.
Students zoned for a participating school may be able to select its Program of Emphasis through course selection. A limited number of seats may also be available to qualifying students who live outside the school's attendance zone, with admission generally requiring an application.
International Baccalaureate
SCPS offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program at Seminole High School and Winter Springs High School. Eligibility and placement can depend partly on the student's zoned high school and current SCPS requirements.
Advanced Placement
Advanced Placement courses provide students with opportunities to complete college-level coursework while in high school. Availability varies by school and course.
Dual Enrollment
Eligible students may also have opportunities to complete college courses while still enrolled in high school.
Some SCPS pathways connect with Seminole State College, allowing qualifying students to earn college credits alongside high-school coursework.
These programs are important to consider because two schools that appear similar on a general rating site may provide very different academic opportunities.
Student Support Goes Beyond Academics
Academic performance is important, but it is only one part of evaluating a school.
Families may also want to look at extracurricular activities, athletics, clubs, counseling resources, student organizations, Career and Technical Education, transportation, campus culture, and opportunities for students to explore their interests outside the classroom.
A school that is a strong fit for one student may not be the right environment for another. Looking at the whole student experience can provide more useful information than relying on one test score or third-party rating.
Buying a Home in Seminole County? Check the School Zone First
If attending a particular Seminole County public school is important to your family, verify the school assignment for the specific property address before making a homebuying decision.
A city name or ZIP code alone does not necessarily tell you which school a student will attend. Attendance boundaries can divide neighborhoods, and school assignments or boundaries may change.
SCPS provides an official School Zone Search that families can use to check schools associated with a particular address.
Families should also understand the difference between a zoned school and a school choice program.
Students attending the school assigned to their residential zone generally do not need to complete a school-choice application. Magnet programs, some Programs of Emphasis, transfers, and other school-choice opportunities can have separate application periods, eligibility rules, available-seat requirements, and transportation considerations.
Before Choosing a Home Based on Schools
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Check the exact property address using the SCPS School Zone Search.
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Confirm the current assignment directly with Seminole County Public Schools.
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Review the school's academic and extracurricular programs.
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Determine whether a desired magnet or specialty program requires an application.
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Check transportation requirements for an out-of-zone program.
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Review current application dates and seat availability.
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Visit or contact the school when possible.
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Reconfirm school information before signing a purchase agreement if school assignment is an important factor in your decision.
School assignments, programs, boundaries, and application procedures can change. For that reason, buyers should verify current information with SCPS rather than relying only on a real estate listing, ZIP code, third-party school website, or information from previous school years.
Planning for the 2027–2028 School Year?
SCPS lists the on-time application period for middle and high school magnet programs and high-school Programs of Emphasis as October 1 through December 1, 2026.Families interested in these options should review current eligibility, transportation, application, and placement requirements directly with SCPS.
Finding the Right Seminole County School and Home
Seminole County offers families a broad range of educational options, from neighborhood schools to magnet, International Baccalaureate, technology, health sciences, engineering, biotechnology, aviation, business, and other career-focused pathways.
There is no single school that will be the best fit for every family.
The right choice depends on the student's needs and interests, the programs available at each school, transportation, extracurricular opportunities, and in the case of zoned schools the location of the home.
For families considering a move to Central Florida, school research can therefore be an important part of researching the neighborhood itself.
Explore CFB Homes communities to see available new-construction homes and locations across Central Florida. When a particular public school or academic program is important to your decision, always confirm the latest attendance-zone, enrollment, and program information directly with Seminole County Public Schools before purchasing a home.
