Schools and Education in Lake County, Florida
Lake County Schools operates public education across Central Florida, serving the areas of Clermont, Leesburg, Eustis, Mount Dora, Tavares, and the smaller communities in between. The district educates over 48,000 students across dozens of elementary, middle, and high schools. It has an A rating from the state, which reflects the district’s performance on testing and graduation rates. Parents who move here talk about the mix of academics, career programs, and how schools stay connected to their towns.
The area itself is a mix of fast-growing suburbs and older historic neighborhoods. Some schools sit in brand-new developments where families are still moving in. Others have been anchoring their towns for decades. When you are moving to the area, things like finding the right school district matter just as much as figuring out where to store furniture between houses. We see families all the time at Lakeside Storage in Leesburg and Fruitland Park who are trying to handle those logistics without adding stress to an already busy move.
Public High Schools in Lake County
Eight high schools serve different parts of the county. Each one has its own setup and reputation.
East Ridge High School
East Ridge sits in Clermont and pulls from the fast-growing South Lake area. Over 2,700 students go here, making it one of the larger campuses in the county. The school opened in 2002 when South Lake High got too crowded. East Ridge runs advanced placement classes, career and technical programs, and partners with local companies for internships. The athletic programs here are active, and the school pushes technology in classrooms. The mascot is the Knights.
Lake Minneola High School
Lake Minneola opened in 2011 near Clermont to ease overcrowding at East Ridge. About 2,200 students attend. This school made news early on for going all-in on iPads for learning. It still leans into tech-forward teaching and earned recognition as a National Demonstration School for the AVID program, which focuses on college and career readiness. Students here take AP courses, dual enrollment classes, and get involved in athletics. The mascot is the Hawks.
South Lake High School
South Lake High is in Groveland and serves about 2,100 students. It’s one of the older schools in this part of the county. The school uses smaller academies within the building to personalize learning and keep students from getting lost in the crowd. South Lake has active sports teams and performing arts programs. The mascot is the Eagles.
Leesburg High School
Leesburg High has been around for almost a century. About 1,700 students attend, and the school sits close to downtown Leesburg. It has that older-school feel with brick buildings and a history tied to the town. Leesburg High offers college prep programs, athletics, and a variety of clubs. The mascot is the Yellow Jackets. This school is near Lakeside Storage’s Leesburg facility, which is a convenient landmark if your family is relocating to this part of Lake County.
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Tavares High School
Tavares High sits in the county seat, near the district office. Around 1,500 students attend. The school has been part of Tavares for a long time and does a good job balancing academics with extracurriculars. Tavares High runs traditional programs and keeps ties to the local community. The mascot is the Bulldogs.
Mount Dora High School
Mount Dora High enrolls about 1,400 students. The school is known for student involvement and community activities. Mount Dora runs a mix of traditional academics and fine arts programs. The Air Force JROTC unit here has won awards multiple times. The school also has active clubs and gets students involved in local events. The mascot is the Hurricanes.
Eustis High School
Eustis High serves around 1,400 students. The school has deep roots in Eustis and stays involved in local events and activities. Eustis High offers both college prep and technical education tracks, so students have options depending on where they are headed after graduation. The mascot is the Panthers.
Umatilla High School
Umatilla High is the smallest traditional high school in the county, with about 860 students. It has a close community feel where students know each other. The school offers career-focused courses alongside standard academics. The mascot is the Bulldogs.
Middle and Elementary Schools
Lake County Schools runs elementary and middle schools across every town. Most kids go to schools near their neighborhoods. The district puts a lot of focus on early reading skills, STEM exposure, and creating safe spaces for younger kids.
- Lost Lake Elementary in Clermont has a reputation for strong parent involvement and solid foundational academics.
- Round Lake Charter in Mount Dora operates as a charter school but stays under district oversight. It gets good feedback from families.
- Tavares Middle is known for student clubs and helping kids transition smoothly into high school.
- Eustis Middle offers STEM programs and stays connected to community activities.
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- Digital Surveillance
- Access 24/7 - 365
- Easy Online Payments
- FIND YOUR SPACE
Specialty and Charter Options
Lake Technical College in Eustis offers adult and postsecondary programs in technical fields. The college runs more than 30 programs, including nursing, law enforcement, automotive repair, welding, and business management. Most programs take a year or less to finish.
Charter schools like Pinecrest Lakes Academy and Imagine South Lake Charter give families public school access with different teaching styles. Pinecrest Lakes Academy in Minneola ranks as one of the top middle schools in Lake County and focuses heavily on academics. Lake Hills School provides specialized support for students who need individualized education
Storage for Families in Leesburg and Fruitland Park
Lakeside Storage operates facilities in both Leesburg and Fruitland Park. Both locations offer secure, clean storage for families moving into the area, teachers relocating within the district, or parents storing seasonal equipment.
Our facilities have climate-controlled units for furniture storage and electronic items, plus indoor and outdoor parking for boat and RV storage, and other vehicles. Both locations have 24/7 video surveillance, gated access, and round-the-clock unit access. Families can rent units and pay bills online, and moving supplies are available on site. When you’re relocating to Lake County, you might need a place to keep furniture while waiting for a closing date or somewhere to store sports gear. Having reliable self-storage in Fruitland Park, Florida, or in Leesburg gives you one less thing to worry about.
