Best Volusia County Schools Reviewed July 25, 2018Home Buying
Whether you’re looking to buy a new home across the state, country, or even within your current county, moving to a new school district can be a worrisome experience. Fortunately, Volusia County schools are among the best in the state. At Dream Home Inspection, we know moving can be difficult enough without having to research school districts, especially if that research starts with preschool. So to make your search for the best Volusia County schools easier, we have compiled this extensive list of the best schools in Volusia County for 2019 within the following categories:
Best Preschools
Best Elementary Schools
Best Middle Schools
Best High Schools
Best Colleges
These rankings have been determined through an analysis of statistics as well as opinions from students and parents.
Most public schools in Volusia County have a gifted program for children who demonstrate exceptional intellectual development and performance. If you think your child may be particularly advanced for their age, you may want to look into the program and prioritize participating schools.
Best Preschools in Volusia County
Volusia County has a free, state-funded Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program for children who have reached their fourth birthday on or before September 1st of the year they will be enrolled. Unfortunately, if you want to participate in the Volusia County VPK program, you have to choose between the summer VPK program and the school year VPK program, as your child may not attend both. Additionally, as this is a program for young children, parents must provide their child’s transportation.
Since the Volusia County VPK program is run through the public elementary school system, the three best VPK programs happen to be at the county’s three best elementary schools.
Best Elementary Schools in Volusia County
1. Tomoka Elementary School
Tomoka Elementary School has excellent ratings for their academics, diversity, and student-teacher ratio. In addition to being the best public elementary school in Volusia County, Tomoka is among the best public elementary schools in Florida and the Orlando area.
School Grade: A
Gifted Program: Yes
Location: Ormond Beach, FL
Grades: Pre-K to 5
Student-Teacher Ratio: 13 to 1
Total Students: 735
School Website: myvolusiaschools.org/school/Tomoka/Pages/default.aspx
2. Sweetwater Elementary School
Partially due to its size, Sweetwater Elementary School has a slightly lower diversity rate than Tomoka. However, students of Sweetwater have demonstrated slightly higher proficiencies in math (79%) and reading (72%).
School Grade: A
Gifted Program: No
Location: Port Orange, FL
Grades: Pre-K to 5
Student-Teacher Ratio: 14 to 1
Total Students: 641
School Website: http://myvolusiaschools.org/school/Sweetwater/Pages/default.aspx
3. Timbercrest Elementary School
Of the three best elementary schools in Volusia County, Timbercrest Elementary School provides the most assistance for children who qualify for free or reduced lunch (70%).
School Grade: B
Gifted Program: Yes
Location: Deltona, FL
Grades: Pre-K to 5
Student-Teacher Ratio: 13 to 1
Total Students: 752
School Website: http://myvolusiaschools.org/school/Timbercrest/Pages/default.aspx
Best Middle Schools in Volusia County
1. Ivy Hawn Charter School of the Arts
Ivy Hawn Charter School of the Arts is a free public charter school that provides a distinguished education with a focus in the arts. Although Ivy Hawn has only been around since 2009, they have already established themselves as the number one middle school in Volusia County.
School Grade: A
Gifted Program: Yes
Location: Lake Helen, FL
Grades: K to 8
Student-Teacher Ratio: 16 to 1
Total Students: 788
School Website: http://ivyhawnschool.org/
2. David C. Hinson Sr. Middle School
Every year, David C. Hinson Sr. Middle School participates in the Volusia County High School Showcase, which allows current 7th and 8th grade students and their parents to learn about the diverse programs and career academies available to high schoolers who attend Volusia County Schools. Known for their diversity, Hinson Middle is proud to educate just under 1,000 students between three grades.
School Grade: A
Gifted Program: Yes
Location: Daytona Beach, FL
Grades: 6 to 8
Student-Teacher Ratio: 17 to 1
Total Students: 942
School Website: http://myvolusiaschools.org/school/HinsonMiddle/Pages/default.aspx
3. Creekside Middle School
Like Hinson, Creekside Middle School participates in the Volusia County High School Showcase every year, with a goal of having fully prepared 9th graders walk out their doors after graduation.
School Grade: A
Gifted Program: Yes
Location: Port Orange, FL
Grades: 6 to 8
Student-Teacher Ratio: 17 to 1
Total Students: 1,188
School Website: http://myvolusiaschools.org/school/Creekside/Pages/default.aspx
Best High Schools in Volusia County
Some high schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) classes and/or an International Baccalaureate (IB) program, both of which offer difficult courses intended to equate to college credit. However, since these programs have inherent differences, there is a lot of controversy about which is harder or better. The truth is, figuring out which is better or harder depends on several factors, from the administering school to the college your student plans on attending.
1. Spruce Creek High School
Spruce Creek High School is a top rated school which offers both Advanced Placement (AP) classes and an International Baccalaureate (IB) program. This high school is known throughout the state for their rankings, most impressively as the best STEM high school in Volusia County and for having the best public high school teachers in the entire Orlando area.
School Grade: A
Gifted Program: Yes
Graduation Rate: 86%
Location: Port Orange, FL
Grades: 9 to 12
Student-Teacher Ratio: 19 to 1
Total Students: 2,691
School Website: http://www.sprucecreekhigh.com/
2. Seabreeze High School
Seabreeze High School offers Advanced Placement (AP) classes and is known for having some of the best public high school teachers in the Orlando area.
School Grade: B
Gifted Program: Yes
Graduation Rate: 87%
Location: Daytona Beach, FL
Grades: 9 to 12
Student-Teacher Ratio: 19 to 1
Total Students: 1,648
School Website: http://seabreezehigh.org/
3. DeLand High School
Of the three best high schools in Volusia County, DeLand High School has the most student diversity. This high school offers Advanced Placement (AP) classes and an International Baccalaureate (IB) program to students who are able to handle an advanced course load.
School Grade: B (2017)
Gifted Program: Yes
Graduation Rate: 76%
Location: DeLand, FL
Grades: Pre-K, 9 to 12
Student-Teacher Ratio: 18 to 1
Total Students: 2,433
School Website: http://www.delandhs.org/school-info
Best Colleges in Volusia County
If you’re hoping your son or daughter will go to a local college after high school, you may be glad to know that Volusia County is home to a number of nationally ranked colleges and universities.
1. Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Daytona Beach
Embry-Riddle is a private university with a separate campus in Arizona. Their most popular major is Aeronautics and Aviation Technology. Embry-Riddle is known for being one of the highest value and top rated private universities in Florida.
Location: Daytona Beach, FL
Acceptance Rate: 71%
Application Type: Rolling Admission
SAT Range: 980 to 1230
ACT Range: 21 to 28
Application Fee: $50
Student-Faculty Ratio: 15:1
Full-Time Undergraduate Enrollment: 5,017
Website: https://daytonabeach.erau.edu/
2. Stetson University
Stetson University is a private university known for its music department and top rated professors throughout Florida and the United States. Business Administration and Management is Stetson’s most popular major.
Location: DeLand, FL
Acceptance Rate: 66%
Application Type: Rolling Admission
SAT Range: 1070 to 1270
ACT Range: 25 to 28
Application Fee: $50
Student-Faculty Ratio: 13:1
Full-Time Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,048
Website: https://www.stetson.edu/home/
3. Bethune-Cookman University Bethune-Cookman University is a private Christian university that is celebrated for its history of dedication to the education of black Americans, especially young black women. Considered one of the most liberal colleges in Florida, Bethune-Cookman’s most popular department is Liberal Arts and Humanities. Location: Daytona Beach, FL Acceptance Rate: 64% Application Type: Rolling Admission SAT Range: 710 to 890 ACT Range: 15 to 18 Application Fee: $25 Student-Faculty Ratio: 16:1 Full-Time Undergraduate Enrollment: 3,773 Website: https://www.cookman.edu/
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