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2020 Best Public High Schools in the Orlando AreaAbout this List

The 2020 Best Public High Schools ranking is based on rigorous analysis of key statistics and millions of reviews from students and parents using data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, and high school ratings. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

1 – 25 of 110
Best Schools
110 results

  1. Orlando Science Middle/High Charter School

    • Orange County Public Schools, FL
    • 6-12
    • 89 reviews
    #1 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Sophomore: This school is amazing academically. They have a variety of AP classes . The teachers are very passionate and very knowledgeable on their subject, and dedicated to teaching. Since it is a small school, everyone knows everyone, and the teachers and administration will know you personally. We have a variety of academic extracurriculars that are very successful, such as our Science Olympiad team, Competition Math team, Physics Bowl, and more. Also, the students are very welcoming and nonjudgmental. A drawback is the lack or arts and sports. We have a band, but it isn't as active as it is in other schools. We have a slowly improving basketball, soccer, and fencing team.
    Read 89 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 571 Students
    • 15:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  2. Winter Park High School

    • Orange County Public Schools, FL
    • 9-12
    • 614 reviews
    #2 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Senior: Winter Park High School is a vast melting pot filled with students from across the world. It’s diversity makes for an exciting atmosphere around campus. The staff at Winter Park is phenomenal. We hire the best teachers and administrators that are ready to help you in any way they can, whenever they can. As a second generation Wildcat, my father having graduated in 1975, makes Winter Park mean even more to me. It is a beautiful school with a lovely campus, filled with hard working students. I believe it is safe to say that there is no school in the Central Florida area that can top Winter Park in all categories! I love Winter Park High School and would highly recommend it to any students that are moving to the Orlando area and looking for a new school to call home.
    Read 614 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 3,330 Students
    • 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  3. Oviedo High School

    • Seminole County Public Schools, FL
    • 9-12
    • 424 reviews
    #3 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Parent: Oviedo High school is an amazing school, I have been given a great variety of opportunities that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. The teachers have played a huge role in helping me to complete my best work and helping me make sure that I excel inside and outside of the classroom. I am very comfortable going and talking to teachers and administration about any problems around school or that I am personally experiencing. Oviedo has a great community feel to it there are clubs for everyone to be involved in and all the sports excel greatly making every game you attend exciting! Overall, my experience at Oviedo has given me skills I will carry with me for the rest of my life and for that I am forever thankful!
    Read 424 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,534 Students
    • 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  4. Osceola County School for the Arts

    • Osceola County School District, FL
    • 6-12
    • 367 reviews
    #4 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Senior: This school is a community that fosters a love of the arts. It has been absolutely wonderful to have the experience of attending this school. So many opportunities result from the skills and talents my teachers has helped me hone and the wonderful friends I have made.
    However, there are extremely high expectations regarding the arts that not everyone is able to handle. The pressure can be intense and, at many points, overwhelming. In my opinion, there are times when the teachers ask too much from the students while not giving the same effort in return.
    Still, I will never regret the mistakes I have made or the stressful situations I have endured. I have learned lifelong lessons and had countless hours of fun that will live in my memory forever.
    Read 367 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,003 Students
    • 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  5. Timber Creek High School

    • Orange County Public Schools, FL
    • 8-12
    • 1,139 reviews
    #5 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Niche User: I did my four years of high school at this school, I met really nice people in there but at the same time there was a lot of mean people. I graduated from there on May 2019, and for Christmas 2018 my parents got me brand new AirPods and it was my second day at a new class, I decided to go to the bathroom, so I did and when I went back someone stoled my AirPods, even though I went to the teacher and administration, we couldn't find them. Also during my sophomore year a guy followed me home, I informed a consoler and she did nothing about it, she just told him to never to that again which for me I was nothing. Even though those some bad experiences I had a really good time those four years! Students will met really nice people.
    Read 1,139 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 3,338 Students
    • 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  6. Olympia High School

    • Orange County Public Schools, FL
    • 9-12
    • 684 reviews
    #6 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Alum: Olympia High School as cliche as it is was like a second home to me during the four years of High School. Olympia offers a great number of staff, admin, and teachers that all are entrenched in the success of their students. With a large and diverse catalogue to opt-in for AP courses, performing arts, clubs, sports team, surely Olympia will offer that special something for everyone. It would be a disservice to talk about Olympia without mentioning their APEX program. APEX is a program for a large group of students of their class that due to their academic excellence take more rigorous classes and teachers. Olympia is without a doubt the best public school in Orange County, with many sports, clubs, arts, and classes for everyone
    Read 684 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 3,329 Students
    • 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  9. Hagerty High School

    • Seminole County Public Schools, FL
    • 9-12
    • 560 reviews
    #7 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Alum: My experience at Hagerty high school was very normal. Nothing big happened. Most of the teachers care about their students and it's easy to be their friend. Academics definitely put you in a good place for college, all the top 10% of my graduating year got invited/accepted into the honor colleges at schools they went to, or just went to really hard schools. Definitely not a bad place to send your kid to!
    Read 560 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,256 Students
    • 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  10. Spruce Creek High School

    • Volusia County Schools, FL
    • 9-12
    • 688 reviews
    #8 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Senior: I am a senior in the International Baccalaureate Program at Spruce Creek. I am very grateful for the academic and social opportunities I have been granted as a student. Over the last couple years, I have become more involved in my community, created strong relationships with teachers, and helped develop a supportive environment among my peers within each of my classrooms. Overall, our school truly does offer exceptional academic resources; it is even conveniently located near Daytona State College where students can go take college courses and earns credits. One thing I would like to see improved is our schools security. Keeping students safe should always be the number one concern by administration. We do have policies put in place; however, they are not consistently practiced by all of the faculty. If everyone works together, we can accomplish great measures of safety.
    Read 688 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,638 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  11. Boone High School

    • Orange County Public Schools, FL
    • 9-12
    • 576 reviews
    #9 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Sophomore: Boone high school is an excellent school. I highly suggest this school for anyone who is ready to take on the responsibilities it takes. The teachers are nice and generous, great learning resources, and has opportunities for every individual students that attends here. Great school!
    Read 576 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,812 Students
    • 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  12. Lake Mary High School

    • Seminole County Public Schools, FL
    • 9-12
    • 492 reviews
    #10 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Junior: There are many teachers who are there extra hours to help you succeed, and so many extra curricular activities and events they offer for kids to earn volunteer hours or just for fun. The facilities are lacking, just about all of the bathrooms are almost completely trashed by students and are always out of soap. Besides all that i do love it here with all my friends and its great to be a lake mary ram!
    Read 492 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,932 Students
    • 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  13. Seminole High School

    • Seminole County Public Schools, FL
    • PK, 9-12
    • 898 reviews
    #11 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Parent: Very good school. The Health Academy program is comprehensive and competitive. Students are able to finished school prepared to work at any health facilities depending on the certification completed. My son is now very knowledgeable on how to take care of basic health related issues. He also completed CPR courses and is certified. While on the health academy he had opportunity to explored other areas of study which gave him additional experience.
    My only disappointment was some of the teachers did not take advantage of the technology provided to communicate with parents. We had various situations were grades were not posted to the website leaving us the parents wondering what was the real status in the classes. Usually these teachers will be the ones that would not respond to emails either.
    Overall the school is great!
    Read 898 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 3,218 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  14. Crooms Academy of Information Technology

    • Seminole County Public Schools, FL
    • 9-12
    • 137 reviews
    #12 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Senior: Crooms is a very high achieving high school. It is extremely well behaved and it is a good school. I have been attending this school since my Junior year in high school. You need to have at least a 2.5 GPA to remain in the school or you could be put on academic probation if they deem you capable of coming back and redeeming yourself. I say this is a great school, last year was my first year at the school and I had obtained four certifications which were, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Powerpoint. The teachers are very hands-on as well in this school, but the guidance counselors are the absolute best, they go above and beyond to make sure you have everything you need in preparation of college or any other basic needs. My guidance counselor got me an emotional support counselor, for my new found anxiety which helped me a lot. Crooms overall is a very good school.
    Read 137 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 651 Students
    • 17:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  15. Lake Brantley High School

    • Seminole County Public Schools, FL
    • 9-12
    • 625 reviews
    #13 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Junior: Lake Brantley High School is a place that strives for success in education, sports, and other extra curricular activities. With numerous clubs and organizations that support diversity, conversation, and intelligence, LBHS has hundreds of ways to get involved throughout a student's high school career. Teachers at Lake Brantley are always working hard to make sure the student is fully equipped for their future endeavors and onto college or more rigorous courses. The environment in a classroom promotes a safe and knowledgeable atmosphere with conversation and cooperation encouraged daily. Many students are inspired to work hard and maintain their grades, performing exceptionally on standardized tests and AP exams. Each year, LBHS cracks down on the importance of maintaining a drug free and violence free campus in order to ensure the safety of every single student on campus. I am privileged to have been a Lake Brantley Patriot!
    Read 625 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,801 Students
    • 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  16. West Orange High School

    • Orange County Public Schools, FL
    • 9-12
    • 788 reviews
    #14 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Senior: As of September 6th, I started my final year of high school at West Orange and I couldn't ask for a better student body. West Orange is known for it's strong music and arts program, specifically for it's national award winning band and high ranked choirs. The theatre program at WOHS works hard throughout the school year to put on amazing and prestigious shows. The Marching Band works through the summer to put on a great halftime performance and support the West Orange community for special events such as the St. Patricks Day Parade. Not to mention, the class of 2020 has been a great class of kids to spend the past 13 years with. WO town better than yo town!
    Read 788 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 4,338 Students
    • 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  17. Dr. Phillips High School

    • Orange County Public Schools, FL
    • PK, 9-12
    • 1,044 reviews
    #15 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Alum: I enjoyed my time in DP. Lots of extra-curriculars. They have amazing teachers as well as some very mediocre ones. One thing that concerns me about the school is that sometimes it seems like they care more about their sports reputation than actual academics. Status quo, higher class kids get called to meet with their counselor, more resources for college etc while lower income kids fall between the cracks and many teachers and administrators witness it without doing anything about it. The School is very diverse, and they offer many electives for all kinds of interest. You will see rich ladies teaching part time because they were bored being housewifes or former engineers teaching math,while they're great at math, the problem is that oftentimes they don't know how to TEACH the subject. I recommend them hiring more people who went to school to TEACH, because given how great the facilities were I did have some very mediocre teachers while I was there. Great school spirit, go Panthers!
    Read 1,044 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 3,689 Students
    • 21:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  18. Lake Nona High School

    • Orange County Public Schools, FL
    • 9-12
    • 664 reviews
    #16 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Sophomore: Lake Nona High School is wonderful school to enroll in! For starters, there are a lot of students in the campus, so it's easy for a new student to make new friends there. The classes can be a hit or miss. It depends on the teacher, the student's behavior, and the difficulty of the class.

    Lake Nona High School also offers opportunities such as the Collegiate Academy; being provided by Valencia College to allow students get their Associate Arts degree early. They also provide a diverse amount of extracurricular activities for anyone to join, including sports such as tennis and basketball and clubs like video games and rowing.

    The administration there is excellent; they do a good job trying to control all the chaotic events that happen in the school. There is even administration for students only called student services where students can ask their guidance counselor for advice on school and future opportunities.

    Overall, the school is enjoyable, as long as one doesn't be reckless.
    Read 664 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,739 Students
    • 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  19. Lake Minneola High School

    • Lake County Schools, FL
    • 9-12
    • 237 reviews
    #17 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Niche User: My experience as a student with this high school was good! It has a super clean, bully free environment. The teachers are great and has lots of after school activities for students. It is a technology school so they use mostly iPads or laptop streams which is great. However, for those who prefer books, they still use textbooks in class. The only reason I gave this school a 4 star rating is because of the car rider line and parking lot situation.
    Read 237 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,853 Students
    • 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  22. Celebration High School

    • Osceola County School District, FL
    • 9-12
    • 539 reviews
    #18 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Senior: Celebration High School is a school where everyone is welcome from all shapes and sizes. With our outstanding academics, sports, clubs, and arts programs, there is something for everyone to do. As an IB student at CHS, not only were the teachers so helpful and compassionate, they also taught us how to be good speakers, good listeners, and great friends. At CHS, I am a part of the Quiz Bowl team, TSA, Choir, and Marching Band. However we have so many more clubs to choose from, including clubs that promote diversity such as the Gay Straight Alliance and Muslim Students United, to clubs that are centered around the same hobbies, such as the K-POP club and Smash Club! My experience at CHS was truly extraordinary. I met new people, made new friends, and found interest in what I never thought I’d find an interest in (playing marimba for the school marching band!). I am grateful to be a part of this school and so glad I left many legacies as well. Go Storm!
    Read 539 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,507 Students
    • 20:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  23. Lyman High School

    • Seminole County Public Schools, FL
    • PK, 9-12
    • 656 reviews
    #19 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Senior: I love how diverse and inclusive Lyman is; unlike other schools, Lyman doesn't have "popular kids" or "rich kids", everyone just has their own group of friends that works together as a class. Nevertheless, Lyman is an engineering school and I do wish they spent more time and money on improving our magnet program than on advertising athletics (which we definitely are not known for). I also wish there was better communication between administration and students, but overall I love Lyman and I've had an amazing time there!
    Read 656 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,600 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  24. Freedom High School

    • Orange County Public Schools, FL
    • 9-12
    • 842 reviews
    #20 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Junior: I have attended Freedom High School since my freshman year and since then I have been involved in clubs, sports, tutoring times, volunteering, and much more. The teachers, guidance counselors, and staff at Freedom High School are very polite and encouraging. They push you to your best ability and are always there for anyone who needs help or has questions! There are plenty of resources at school to help every student be successful for example the guidance counselors, tutoring sessions, librarians, and other students you can lean on. Freedom High School offers many different sports so every person can find something they enjoy participating in! The students who attend Freedom High School are very respectful to adults as well as other students. We are a very diverse group differing from cultures, religions, and race. Overall I have really enjoyed my experience at this high school.
    Read 842 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 3,638 Students
    • 23:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  25. Professional & Technical High School

    • Osceola County School District, FL
    • 9-12
    • 285 reviews
    #21 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Senior: I went to this school to learn more skills used for my specific trade. Since the beginning I learned so much about my trade and even my core classes. The teachers do a good job at teaching the students. At this school, there is plenty of stuff you can do after school, such as clubs and activities. They take care for their programs and make sure everyone is up to date and on task. One problem this school faces is their administration is not the best group of people. Not everyone does their job as they should and can be very disrespectful and make students very stressed. Besides the unprofessional manner of the administration, everything else in the school is perfectly fine. I would recommend anyone interested to go here.
    Read 285 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 588 Students
    • 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  26. Seabreeze High School

    • Volusia County Schools, FL
    • 9-12
    • 332 reviews
    #22 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Junior: I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience at Seabreeze High School. Students and staff here are very friendly and helpful, and not only are the teachers very passionate about what they teach, they are always there to help their students. The music and arts programs here are great, and the Seabreeze Marching Band is representative of their successes, having been invited to London last summer. The AICE and AVID programs are also available for students who wish to have a predetermined path to graduation while earning college credits. For sports and extracurricular activities, Seabreeze actively take part in local and state competitions, and we usually advance far in them. There is still room for improvements, though. I hope that there could be more career technical education programs and academies, as other schools in the county have the edge over Seabreeze in that respect. But other than that, I am proud of being part of such an intelligent and amazing community at Seabreeze High School.
    Read 332 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 1,597 Students
    • 18:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  27. University High School

    • Orange County Public Schools, FL
    • 9-12
    • 655 reviews
    #23 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Senior: My experience at University High School was amazing, I was able to connect with new people and overall improve my high school experience. An overall change that is necessary for University is the use of qualified teachers for students with disabilities. As a member of Peers as Partners in Learning (INTeam) I have spend the last two years of my high school career assisting those with learning disabilities, by doing so I was able to open my eyes to new ways of helping others. Peer-Partner is one of the choices available to students in Student-Directed Teaching, a progressive teaching technology.
    However, children with learning disabilities are frequently left behind and at times spend up to three months without having a teacher willing to help them. As a student I do my best in helping them with all my ability through the program but having a different substitute teacher every week does not help these children, in fact, it is detrimental to their education.
    Read 655 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,975 Students
    • 22:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
    View Nearby Homes

  28. Lake Howell High School

    • Seminole County Public Schools, FL
    • 9-12
    • 471 reviews
    #24 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Senior: Lake Howell High School has the most tremendous teachers, striving to actually teach, where as some teachers just do so since it’s their job. The school has the best safety by including multiple police officers on campus at all times, ensuring the safety of all students and faculty. The academics are great, with options in forensics, physics, marine specific science, and electives like cosmetology, 3D & 2D art, and culinary. The school incorporates as much school spirit as possible with intense pep rallies, hyped football games, and dress up days for students. Lake Howell High School is an amazing school with great success that I will miss dearly after I graduate!
    Read 471 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 2,182 Students
    • 19:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  29. Legacy High Charter School

    • Orange County Public Schools, FL
    • 9-12
    • 72 reviews
    #25 Best Public High Schools in Orlando Area

    Alum: It is a small school so you know everyone and everyone knows you. The teachers are kind and helping. They want you to succeed. The school is growing and through that there are new activities and classes added somewhat often, 3-6 years. It does, currently, have a limited supply of extracurriculars and AP classes, because they are pushing all students towards Dual Enrollment.
    Read 72 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 187 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  30. Sponsored

    Foundation Academy

    • Private School
    • Winter Garden, FL
    • PK, K-12
    • 38 reviews

    Works Here: I love Foundation Academy! The Lord has richly blessed the school over many years. We have wonderful students, faculty and families. Academic excellence, spiritual formation, enrichment classes, ever-growing sports programs and after school activities offer students many opportunities for growth. Come join us!
    Read 38 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 900 Students
    • 12:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  34. Review Your School 
  35. Sponsored

    Central Florida Preparatory School

    • Private School
    • Gotha, FL
    • PK, K-12
    • 8 reviews

    Parent: Smaller class size and individualized support make a great difference! My boys were excited to begin this school year in 6th and 7th grades at Central Florida Prep. They've each had shadow days (trial days) upon beginning at CFP and loved the school! Both are enthusiastic about CFP- in many ways, the caring staff, and peer relationships (the kids truly look out for one another). It is apparent the great match that is already taking place and how fortunate we are to live within a short proximity to CFP. It's a world of difference.
    Read 8 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 239 Students
    • 4:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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  36. Sponsored

    Sweetwater Episcopal Academy

    • Private School
    • Longwood, FL
    • PK, K-8
    • 4 reviews

    Parent: Our family moved to SEA after attending public school. We could not be happier with our decision! Academic instruction is far and away more challenging and individualized. The overall culture of the school encourages kindness, leadership, and creativity in addition to academics. SEA fosters independence and values each child for their unique attributes. The teachers and staff genuinely care about the students and demonstrate a clear love of their profession. SEA is an Episcopal school that teaches and shares religion in a way that is accepting of all faiths and backgrounds. Our school is truly a gem and we could not be more pleased!
    Read 4 Reviews

    • 172 Students
    • 5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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