For the 2026 school year, there are 9 public middle schools serving 2,845 students in Highlands County, FL.
The top-ranked public middle schools in Highlands County, FL are Highlands County Hospital/homebound Program, Sebring Middle School and Highlands Virtual School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Highlands County, FL public middle schools have an average math proficiency score of 46% (versus the Florida public middle school average of 55%), and reading proficiency score of 39% (versus the 52% statewide average). Middle schools in Highlands County have an average ranking of 3/10, which is in the bottom 50% of Florida public middle schools.
Minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public middle school average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Best Public Middle Schools in Highlands County (2026)
School
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
(Math and Reading Proficiency)
Location
Quick Facts
Rank: #11.
Highlands County Hospital/homebound Program
Special Education School
(Math: <50% | Reading: <50%)
Rank:
Rank:
6/
Top 50%10
426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5583
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5583
Gr: K-12 | 21 students Minority enrollment: 71%
Rank: #22.
Sebring Middle School
(Math: 53% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
500 E Center Ave
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5700
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5700
Gr: 6-8 | 787 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 52%
Rank: #33.
Highlands Virtual School
(Math: 40-44% | Reading: 50-54%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5610
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5610
Gr: K-12 | 133 students Minority enrollment: 44%
Rank: #44.
Hill-gustat Middle School
(Math: 50% | Reading: 42%)
Rank:
Rank:
5/
Bottom 50%10
4700 Schumacher Rd
Sebring, FL 33872
(863) 471-5437
Sebring, FL 33872
(863) 471-5437
Gr: 6-12 | 631 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #55.
Lake Placid Middle School
(Math: 44% | Reading: 35%)
Rank:
Rank:
3/
Bottom 50%10
201 S Tangerine Ave
Lake Placid, FL 33852
(863) 699-5030
Lake Placid, FL 33852
(863) 699-5030
Gr: 6-8 | 598 students Student-teacher ratio: 19:1 Minority enrollment: 64%
Rank: #66.
Avon Park Middle School
(Math: 38% | Reading: 33%)
Rank:
Rank:
2/
Bottom 50%10
401 S Lake Ave
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-4333
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-4333
Gr: 6-8 | 602 students Student-teacher ratio: 17:1 Minority enrollment: 76%
Rank: #77.
The Academy At Youth Care Lane
Alternative School
(Math: 11-19% | Reading: 21-39%)
Rank:
Rank:
1/
Bottom 50%10
4121 Youth Care Ln
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5457
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5457
Gr: 4-12 | 70 students Minority enrollment: 74%
Rank: n/an/a
Highlands County Schools Jail Program
Alternative School
426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5583
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5583
Gr: 8-12 | 3 students
Highlands County Public Schools (Closed)
School
Location
Quick Facts
4121 Youth Care Lane
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 386-5250
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 386-5250
Alternative Unlimited Drop Back In Academy (Closed 2013)
Alternative School
426 School St
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5555
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-5555
Gr: 9-12
Highlands County Superintendent's Office (Closed 2008)
Alternative School
4426 School Street
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-556
Sebring, FL 33870
(863) 471-556
Gr: PK-12 | 39 students Student-teacher ratio: 2:1 Minority enrollment: 67%
Highlands Youth Academy (Closed 2023)
Alternative School
242 South Blvd
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-3815
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-3815
Gr: 8-12
100 E 4th St
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-6818
Avon Park, FL 33825
(863) 452-6818
Gr: K-5 | 40 students Student-teacher ratio: 13:1 Minority enrollment: 94%
Last Chance Ranch High School (Closed 2014)
Alternative School
19570 County Road 731
Venus, FL 33960
(863) 699-3785
Venus, FL 33960
(863) 699-3785
Gr: 9-12 | 10 students Minority enrollment: 70%
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-ranked public middle schools in Highlands County, FL?
The top-ranked public middle schools in Highlands County, FL include Highlands County Hospital/homebound Program, Sebring Middle School and Highlands Virtual School.
How many public middle schools are located in Highlands County?
9 public middle schools are located in Highlands County.
What is the racial composition of students in Highlands County?
Highlands County public middle schools minority enrollment is 63% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the Florida public middle schools average of 67% (majority Hispanic).
Which public middle schools in Highlands County are often viewed compared to one another?
Popular comparisons of public middle schools in Highlands County include: Sebring Middle School vs. Hill-gustat Middle School, Avon Park Middle School vs. Hill-gustat Middle School, Hill-gustat Middle School vs. Sebring Middle School
Recent Articles
Multilingual Learner Growth Models & Accountability
Learn how multilingual learner growth models are reshaping school accountability systems and what it means for public schools in 2026.
School-Based Health Clinics: Funding, Billing, and Student Access
Learn how school-based health clinics are funded, how billing works, and how students access care in public schools.
Outdoor Learning in Urban Schools: Forest School Programs
Explore how urban districts adopt outdoor learning and forest school programs to boost student engagement, well-being, and academic success.