Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition Fall 2019

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HOME CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION thefloridahomebuyer.com

BUYER

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©COPYRIGHT CUCCIAIONI PHOTOGRAPHY

HORIZON WEST UPDATE

Coastal contemporary lakefront home by Charles Clayton Construction. FALL 2019 $3.95

C US TOM B UILDE R SPOTL IG HT • SPECI A L AGE NT S   •   NE W - COM M U NI T Y DI RE CTORY


Representing the area’s leading custom home builders, the Master Custom Builder Council has pledged to maintain the highest professional standards in the home building industry, dedicating themselves to using their craft to make Central Florida an even finer place to live.

“The Seal of Homebuilding Excellence” Cahill Homes Charles Clayton Construction Dave Brewer, Inc. DeLorenzo Homes, Inc. Derrick Builders, Inc. Farina & Sons, Inc. Goehring & Morgan Construction custombuilt.com | facebook.com/ MasterCustomBuilderCouncil

Hannigan Homes Hardwick General Contracting Issa Homes Jones Clayton Construction J. Richard Watson Construction LunDev Custom Homes McNally Construction Group

Phil Kean Design Group Posada Custom Homes PSG Construction Silliman Cityside Homes Stonebridge Homes The Einheit Company Woodruff Construction and Development P.O. Box 536732 Orlando, Florida 32853 | 407.875.2121


WE BUILD THE FUTURE

NEW COMMUNITIES & FLOOR PLANS NOW SELLING Call or Email Us for More Information 407.443.0528 | info@chfla.com centuryhomesfla.com crafthomes.com Price, features, specifications, availability and other terms and conditions are subject to change without notice or obligation. Due to our consistent efforts to improve our homes, Century Homes reserves the right to make changes without notice or obligation. Illustration and specification are believed to be correct at the time of publication, and are not intended to create any warranty or contract rights. All dimensions and square footage listings are approximate and will vary from the home as built. Details shown may vary depending on the elevation and options chosen. CRC 1331113


FROM THE PUBLISHER BUYING A HOME? IT’S GOOD TO KNOW YOU’VE GOT A FRIEND.

pick will create a home that reflects you and your style. Most builders also rely on market-savvy Realtors, seasoned mortgage experts and a host of other consultants whose job it is to make sure you have a pleasant and, shall we say, uneventful experience. During the buying process, you might even make a friend. Take it from me; 30 years ago this coming January, my family and I purchased a brand-new home. Today, that new-home sales consultant and I have been there together for each other’s life milestones, from the birth of her grandchildren, my daughter’s high school graduation, her husband’s passing and, most recently, my daughter’s marriage. I can’t guarantee you’ll bond in that way. But I can tell you there’s a team of folks out there wanting you to not only find your dream home but to make sure you’re happy during the journey.

So, you want to buy a new home but dread the process? And who would blame you? We’ve all heard horror stories — the mortgage application, the negotiating, the contract, the inspection, the appraisal and then the closing can all be overwhelming. But you don’t even get to that stage until you’ve spent what seems like an eternity searching for your dream home. But fortunately, there are professionals there to help you every step of the way. New-home builders have teams of sales consultants trained to work with you. They’ll help you discover exactly what you’re looking for and the features you’re expecting. Builders have design studios manned by professional designers who’ll walk with you as you pick out colors, cabinets, flooring and so much more. They’ll be there to make sure the options and finishes you

CONTENTS | F A L L

2019

59 PUBLIC SCHOOLS

4 FEATURED BUILDER

68 COMMUNITIES

Steve Robertson, founder and owner of Steven Robertson Construction LLC, was born to build. By Michael Candelaria

SPECIAL SECTION H1 HORIZON WEST UPDATE

RANDY NOLES Editor and Publisher JODI HELLER Director of Administration CAROLYN EDMUNDS Art Director MYRON CARDEN Distribution Manager MICHAEL CANDELARIA, MICK LOCHRIDGE, HARRY WESSEL Contributing Editors GREENLANDO CONSULTING, GREY STREET STUDIOS, STUDIO PECK Contributing Photographers W i n te r Par k Pu bli shi n g Co m pany L LC

RANDY NOLES Chief Executive Officer ALLAN E. KEEN Co-Chairman, Board of Managers JANE HAMES Co-Chairman, Board of Managers THERESA SWANSON Vice Chairman, Board of Managers

M e m be r s O f

From thousands of acres of lakes and old groves is emerging the hottest master-planned community in the region. Here’s what’s new and what’s coming.

8 FEATURED COMMUNITY

Developers John and Carol Lazenby reeled in an opportunity on Lake Killarney. By Michael Candelaria 12 FEATURED FLOORPLAN

HOME HOME HOME CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION thefloridahomebuyer.com

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©COPYRIGHT CUCCIAIONI PHOTOGRAPHY

thefloridahomebuyer.com

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CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION thefloridahomebuyer.com

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FEATURES

CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION

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HORIZON WEST UPDATE

Coastal contemporary lakefront home by Charles Clayton Construction. FALL 2019 $3.95

C U S TO M B U ILD ER S P OT LIG H T • S P EC IAL AG EN T S • N EW - CO M M U N IT Y D IR EC TORY

BUYER

HORIZON WEST UPDATE

Custom home in Winter Park by Farina & Sons. FALL 2019 $3.95

C U S TO M B U I L D E R S P OT L I G H T • S P E C I A L AG E N T S • N E W - CO M M U N I T Y D I R E C TORY

©COPYRIGHT MATUZAK PHOTOGRAPHY

The Teton plan by Park Square Homes is artful and adventurous. By Michael Candelaria

Expert help abounds when you’re buying a new home. By Mick Lochridge

THERESA SWANSON Group Publisher/Director Of Sales

Larry and Joanne Adams; The Albertson Company, Ltd.; Richard O. Baldwin Jr.; Jim and Diana Barnes; Brad Blum; Ken and Ruth Bradley; John and Dede Caron; Bruce Douglas; Steve Goldman; Hal George; Michael Gonick; Micky Grindstaff; Sharon and Marc Hagle; Larry and Jane Hames; Eric and Diane Holm; Garry and Isis Jones; Allan E. and Linda S. Keen; Knob Hill Group (Rick and Trish Walsh, Jim and Beth DeSimone, Chris Schmidt); FAN Fund; Kevin and Jacqueline Maddron; Drew and Paula Madsen; Kenneth J. Meister; Ann Hicks Murrah; Jack Myers; Michael P. O’Donnell; Nicole and Mike Okaty; Bill and Jody Orosz; Martin and Ellen Prague; Serge and Kerri Rivera; Jon C. and Theresa Swanson; Sam and Heather Stark; Randall B. Robertson; George Sprinkel; Philip Tiedtke; Roger K. Thompson; Ed Timberlake; Harold and Libby Ward; Warren “Chip” Weston; Tom and Penny Yochum; and Victor and Jackie A. Zollo.

THERESA SWANSON  Group Publisher theresa@thefloridahomebuyer.com

RESOURCES

24 YOU’RE NOT ALONE

BUYER

C o m m u n i t y Partn e r s

2 FROM THE PUBLISHER

Your guide to planning and building a custom home, featuring custom builder J. Richard Watson Construction Company Inc. By Michael Candelaria

CENTRAL FLORIDA EDITION

MICHAEL OKATY, ESQ. General Counsel, Foley & Lardner LLP

DEPARTMENTS

15 LUXURY MANORS

HOME

Vacation hunting lodge in St. Cloud by PSG Construction. FALL 2019 $3.95

C U S TO M B U I L D E R S P OT L I G H T • S P E C I A L AG E N T S • N E W - CO M M U N I T Y D I R E C TORY

ON THE COVER Readers of this issue of Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition may see one of three covers: one is a coastal contemporary lakefront home built by Charles Clayton Construction; one is a custom home designed and built by Farina & Sons in Winter Park; and one is a custom vacation hunting lodge designed and built by PSG Construction in St. Cloud.

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Contact Us Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition 201 West Canton Avenue, Suite 125B Winter Park, Florida 32789 Phone: 407-647-0225; Fax: 407-647-0145 thefloridahomebuyer.com Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition Fall 2019 is published quarterly by Winter Park Publishing Company LLC, 201 West Canton Avenue, Suite 125B, Winter Park, Florida 32789. Copyright 2019 by Winter Park Publishing Company LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. Send all correspondence to Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition, 201 West Canton Avenue, Suite 125B, Winter Park, Florida 32789. Unsolicited manuscripts without return postage will not be returned. DISCLAIMER: Advertisements in this publication do not constitute an offer for sale in any state or country where prohibited or restricted by law.


Built for Family, By Family

Townhomes

Pembroke at Golden Ridge

NEW HOMES THROUGHOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA SEMINOLE COUNTY

ORLANDO

DAVENPORT

MARKHAM SQUARE & SERENITY COVE Single Family Homes From The High $500s

RAVENNA Townhomes From The High $200s Single Family Homes From The Mid $400s

TRINITY RIDGE Single Family Homes From The Mid $200s

VERONA Single Family Homes From The Mid $300s

KISSIMMEE

WEXHAM COURT Single Family Homes From The High $300s

VOLUSIA COUNTY COMPASS LANDING Single Family Homes From The Low $200s

MT. DORA

SUMMERVIEW Single Family Homes From The Mid $200s

GOLDEN RIDGE Single Family Homes From The Low $200s

SAWGRASS PLANTATION Single Family Homes From The Low $300s

HARBOR SHORES Single Family Homes From The Mid $200s

LAKESIDE AT TOSCANA Single Family Homes From The Mid $600s THE RESIDENCES AT DELLAGIO Single Family Homes From The Low $700s

844.PSH.INFO

SEGOVIA Single Family Homes From The Mid $200s

CLERMONT

SERENOA Single Family Homes From The Mid $200s

Learn more at ParkSquareHomes.com

Pictures, photographs, colors, features, and sizes are for illustration purposes only and will vary from the homes as built. Home and community information including pricing, included features, terms, availability and amenities are subject to change and prior sale at any time without notice or obligation. This material shall not constitute a valid offer in any state prior registration is required or if void by law. See sales counselor for details. CRC 1330351 CGC 1520474 11/7/19


PUBLISHER’S PICK: BUILDER  STEVEN ROBERTSON CONSTRUCTION LLC

Just this year, Steve Robertson (facing page) took a lead role in renewing a popular tradition — the New Southern Home, the official showcase home of the Southeast Building Conference. The home, located in Winter Park, displays technology integration for energy efficiency, security and entertainment in a Modern Caribbean design.

LESSONS LEARNED: STEVE ROBERTSON WAS BORN TO BUILD

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oughly 20 years ago, Steve Robertson was a righthanded pitcher from St. Cloud High School who attended Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, helping to bring back a baseball program that had been shut down. Just this year, Robertson took a lead role in renewing a popular tradition — the New Southern Home, the official showcase home of the Southeast Building Conference. An SEBC showcase hadn’t been built since 2014. Coincidence? Not likely. After all, as a custom builder and remodeler, Robertson is sort of in the business of resurrection. “I am a remodeler; we do a lot of remodels,” he says with a laugh. “So, I guess that you could say that we are in the resurrection business.”

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Established in 2009, Steven Robertson Construction LLC handles all aspects of luxury residential construction, from contract negotiations and daily onsite project oversight to final product delivery. Along with remodeling, other specialties include home additions and outdoor kitchens in what has been a fast track to success. Robertson got his contractor’s license at age 21 and started his own company at age 31. “I was young for that,” he concedes. By age 36, he was a Grand Award winner in the remodeling category of the 2014 Greater Orlando Builders Association’s Parade of Homes. The winning project, in Windermere’s Keene’s Point, was valued at $1.7 million. Two years later, Robertson was president of GOBA. And today, he’s in his seventh year of service on the board of directors of the Florida Home Builders Association. These achievements didn’t happen by accident. Robertson was born into the business and worked with his father, Charlie Robertson, while growing up. “I wasn’t just watching,” the younger Robertson asserts. “I was slinging sod and cleaning his houses.” Charlie Robertson was GOBA’s 2006 president, making the


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PUBLISHER’S PICK: BUILDER  STEVEN ROBERTSON CONSTRUCTION LLC

The New Southern Home is as beautiful inside as it is outside, as evidenced by the great room (above) and the kitchen and master bath (facing page). The home is certified green by the Florida Green Building Coalition, whose program uses Florida-specific criteria in determining its standards.

Robertsons only the second father and son to head up the association since its founding in 1953. The elder Robertson did more than teach his son to sling sod. He imparted important lessons about the importance of relationships, particularly with subcontractors. “You try to maintain those relationships as long as you can — loyalty to your trades,” Steve Robertson says. “You’re building a team, basically.” That same approach, in fact, guided Robertson through Edward Waters College, the first independent institution of higher education in Florida and the state’s first HBCU (historically black college or university). He attended by taking advantage of a full athletic scholarship as the baseball program was reestablished and diversified. “That was a fun time and an interesting time,” says Robertson, adding that his roommate and teammate during those days remains a close friend. As he did in college, Robertson has continued to adjust and advance, deftly taking on challenges. When he started his company, the economy was in freefall and the building indus-

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try was on the ropes. So, Robertson focused on remodeling, which “kept me going.” And when the topic of restarting the New Southern Home came up — a conversation Robertson initiated — he told officials: “‘I’ll take on the project; I’ll get the program up and running.’ I thought it would be a cool thing to re-create that program. People enjoy it.” In the end, the Caribbean-influenced show home, located in Winter Park, was a hit, displaying technology integration for energy efficiency, security and entertainment. Not surprisingly, by the way, Robertson was the project manager in 2008, when his father built that year’s New American Home for the National Association of Home Builders. All the while, Robertson has kept his business philosophy pretty simple. “I want to be known for honesty,” he says. “And for being easy to work with. Being friendly. Being accommodating. Being respectful. Building relationships. I want people to be happy with the experience. I want it to even be enjoyable.”  — Michael Candelaria


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PUBLISHER’S PICK: COMMUNITY  LAKE KILLARNEY SHORES OF WINTER PARK

With views like this of Lake Killarney, it’s hard to believe that Lake Killarney Shores of Winter Park is located just minutes away from a vibrant retail, entertainment and dining district along U.S. 17-92.

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DEVELOPERS REELED IN AN OPPORTUNITY ON LAKE KILLARNEY

J

ohn Lazenby is a relieved and confident man these days. His latest project is ready for its closeup. Finally. Lake Killarney Shores of Winter Park has been more than two years — of plans, approvals, permitting and gradual progress — in the making. In 2017, Lazenby, a principal of Colony Realty Group, along with the company’s two other principals — wife Carol Lazenby and Tom Lightsey — began discussing what sort of infill project would work on property just off Lee Road in Winter Park, not far from the State Road 17-92 intersection and just a stone’s throw from Winter Park Village. Lazenby saw opportunity — the ability to transform an enclave of 60-year-old duplexes and rundown cinderblock homes smack in the middle of a rapidly gentrifying area in prestigious Winter Park. So, Colony Realty went to work. The company was established more than 20 years ago, although it wasn’t formalized until 2001, about the time Carol Lazenby joined the team. John Lazenby and Lightsey had worked together since the mid-1990s. The result is Lake Killarney Shores of Winter Park, which consists of nine single-family homesites on 230-acre Lake Killarney plus a variety of 21 additional homesites. Spec homes are being built by Native Homes, Lazarus Development Group and Classic Homes, with prices that top out at $1.95 million. The most expensive home is the two-story lakeside Casa de la Ensenada — with 4,242 square feet, six bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms, a deluxe pool, a covered lanai, a summer kitchen and an adjacent community dock. The Casa de la Ensenada and two others became ready in September; another three homes will be completed by the end of the year. A community dock is planned. Phase One lots are priced from $225,000 to $500,000. “This was a unique opportunity,” Lazenby said. “I’m going to have a collection of 30 custom homes.” And more. The neighborhood’s infrastructure is entirely new. A sewer system replaced septic tanks, and a change was made to supply natural gas for all lots. Underground utilities and cable were added. All except two of the old duplexes were razed, and Country Club Drive was torn apart. Meanwhile, the first building permits were obtained by Colony Realty, which handled “the whole nine yards” of development, and by early June the street work was finished. “All the wheels were working concurrently,” Lazenby says, pointing to the physical upheaval and the permit-approval groundwork that came before it. Not coincidentally, with that work done, marketing has commenced.

John and Carol Lazenby, principals along with Tom Lightsey of Colony Realty Group, created a community with nine single-family homesites on Lake Killarney plus 21 additional homesites.

“We wanted to have a neighborhood that had the bells and the whistles on day one,” says Lazenby, noting that all homes will have a pool and a summer kitchen in addition to super upscale finishes and intriguing designs. “When somebody is spending more than $800,000 for a home, and certainly $1 million or more, I think they should expect to have all of the amenities that they can imagine,” Lazenby notes. The three homebuilders all have extensive experience in Winter Park and elsewhere in Central Florida. The homes they’re building in Lake Killarney Shores feature distinct looks, encompassing blends of modern, classic, traditional and coastal styles. “I couldn’t feel more confident, because I feel like we’ve done this right,” Lazenby says. “Many developers and sales teams want to sell the dream. I want to sell the reality. And we have the reality in the building process.”  — Michael Candelaria FALL 2019

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PUBLISHER’S PICK: COMMUNITY  LAKE KILLARNEY SHORES OF WINTER PARK

Homes in Lake Killarney Shores of Winter Park are being offered by a selected group of builders, including Lazarus Development Group (top and bottom) and Native Homes (facing page). The homes they’re building in the community feature distinct looks, encompassing blends of modern, classic, traditional and coastal styles.

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A TRADITION OF SUCCESS

“#1 K-12 Private School”

“Best Private School” 20+ Years

– Niche.com

– Orlando Magazine

Sanika Dange, Class of 2009

Award-winning WESH 2 News anchor

Toby Wosskow (right), Class of 2011

Filmmaker in consideration for 92nd OSCARS®

“Family Favorite”

– Playground Magazine

Joel Berry II, Class of 2014

Collegiate National Champion & professional basketball player

Envision your child’s success starting at Lake Highland. www.lhps.org • 407.206.1900 ext. 1 • 901 Highland Avenue • Orlando, Florida 32803 FALL 2019

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Teton

PUBLISHER’S PICK: FLOORPLAN  THE TETON BY PARK SQUARE HOMES

Elevation a

Park Square Homes’ Teton model is a split plan featuring three different elevations with 2,636 square feet of living area.

a INElevation BRIEF eHomes.com

 MODEL: The Teton  BUILDER: Park Square Homes  SQUARE FOOTAGE: 2,636 square feet  BEDROOMS/BATHROOMS: 4/3

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Elevation b  PRICE: Starting at $406,990  NOTES: This split plan features three bedrooms located on one side of the home, with the master on the opposite side of the home providing a private retreat.


The Teton’s luxurious master suite is highlighted by a master bathroom with a walk-in closet. Three smaller bedrooms share two additional bathrooms.

THE TETON PLAN IS ARTFUL AND ADVENTUROUS

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ith nearly 40 years in Central Florida, Park Square Homes is a recognized leader in planning, design and development of residential and resorthome communities. The Teton floorplan offers more than a few reasons behind that success. Simply, the Teton provides ample space and maximizes every bit of it in ways that reflect both artfulness and adventure. The one-story split plan encompasses living space of 2,636 square feet, with 3,454 square feet counting the entry (49 square feet), covered patio (149 square feet) and three-car garage (620 square feet). Throughout the plan, movement from one area to another is almost seamless, beginning with a tall, welcoming foyer and grand rotunda that provides homeowners with easy access in all directions.

A brightly toned, oversized kitchen with an extended island and a breakfast nook opens to a large gathering room, measuring 22-by-26 feet with a ceiling more than 11 feet tall. It’s impressive, particularly when complemented by well-appointed décor. Meanwhile, a dining/living room, distinctly set aside, delivers seclusion. Similarly, a study/flex space provides another respite area in what is otherwise a decidedly airy, open layout. The plan features three bedrooms located on one side of the home, with a master suite on the opposite side that creates one more private retreat, complete with a master bathroom and a walk-in closet. The three smaller bedrooms share the two other bathrooms. A patio area is located off the gathering room, and a laundry room presents the requisite functionality. Also notably, the Teton is consistent with Park Square’s focus on company staples such as upscale fixtures and finishes and fine craftsmanship from trusted subcontractors. Where to find the Teton around town? It’s available at gated Wexham Court in Casselberry (single-family homes from the high $300s) and at Sawgrass Plantation in Orlando (singlefamily homes starting in the low $300s).  — Michael Candelaria FALL 2019

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PUBLISHER’S PICK: FLOORPLAN  THE TETON BY PARK SQUARE HOMES

OPTIONS

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MANOR

T H E G U I D E T O C E N T R A L F L O R I D A’ S L U X U R Y B U I L D E R S A N D C O M M U N I T I E S


Rick Watson’s custom homes are known for striking elevations and one-of-a-kind outdoor living areas. Watson’s company remains busy, usually building about five homes per year.


CUSTOM BUILDER PROFILE

Star Performer, Team Player Rick Watson quarterbacks his company to success with custom luxury homes in prestigious locations. By MIKE CANDEL ARIA

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ick Watson never quite got accident. Born to build? Quite possibly. the chance to play quarterAs a preteen in Tennessee, Watson back in a college football would watch as homes were built neargame. Watson was close — by. Curious, he would walk through the receiving a scholarship offer homes under construction, just to get a in high school to attend Clemson Unibetter look. At 16, he put together a 14versity, only to have the head coach by 42-foot houseboat in his back yard. retire and see Clemson’s commitment After dropping out of UT-Chattanooga to him diminish. in 1978, he worked the graveyard shift Then after winding up at the Univerat a refinery. When he got off work at 7 sity of Tennessee-Chattanooga, wrecked a.m., he would remodel homes. He did knees shattered his dream of playing bethat for four years before finally entering fore he could make it on to the field. the building industry full time. Yet, these days, Watson — who still Watson built homes in Tennessee quarterbacks a top-notch team — is for nine years and moved to Orlando in racking up wins in the uber-competitive 1986. “I started out doing all the work world of custom-home building in Cenmyself,” he says. “I’m one of the few tral Florida. “That’s probably pretty true,” builders who has actually built; I’m not he says of the quarterback analogy. “And just a manager. I’ve dug and poured I’ve always looked at myself as one of footings; laid block; I do carpentry, drythe guys, just one of the team members.” wall and roofing.” Watson is the signal-caller (or founder Rick Watson, founder and president of J. Richard And, in a sense, he’s done it with a Watson Construction Company Inc. and president) of J. Richard Watson smile. Watson is a “people-pleaser.” Construction Company Inc., which since That’s how he’s described by Susan Et1986 has built luxury homes in many of the region’s most exclutinger, owner of Variations Design, who has collaborated with sive neighborhoods, including Golden Oak, Keene’s Pointe, IsleWatson for more than a decade. “He’s very understanding,” she worth, Waterstone and Lake Butler Sound. says. “He’s certainly not all business. And he treats his clients the While a budding career in football was ruined by misfortune, same way. He wants to make them happy.” Watson’s success as a homebuilder has come without a hint of Adds Ettinger: “When you’re building at that level, buyers FA L L 2 0 1 9

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can have anything they want. And they’re used to getting it. They’ve usually built two or three homes. They’ll come up with all kinds of unusual stuff and Rick will produce it. If he can’t, he’ll find someone who can produce it for him.” Watson says he views his business through the eyes of his customers: “My philosophy is the whole company’s philosophy. We look at every situation like we’re the buyer, not the builder. So, if I were building you a house, the first thing I want everybody to do is look at the situation like I’m on your side of the table.” He cites an example of a roof repair that was made to a home in Keene’s Pointe: “We took care of it, and that was 12 years after the home was built. We’ve always done that for everybody. That’s the key. You treat people right; you treat them with respect.” Watson labels his approach the “VIP experience.” And it’s working. Watson has held leadership positions in the prestigious and

highly selective Master Custom Builder Council and is a past MCBC Builder of the Year. As a result, despite decades of uneven economic times, Watson’s company remains busy, usually with as many as five homes underway in various stages of completion. A project typically takes 15 to 20 months, depending upon its size and complexity. Since 2010, Watson has been busiest in the hugely popular (and prestigious) Golden Oak at the Walt Disney World Resort. Watson was among the original builders there. And his work can be found on just about every street in Keene’s Pointe, where he’s built 96 homes. Watson is on job sites daily. And on occasion, he can even be found still swinging a hammer. He might be a beat-up old football player, he jokes, but he still loves to build: “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do.” ■ FA L L 2 0 1 9

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PHOTO BY CHIBI MOKU

If a buyer wants it, Watson can figure out a way to build it. Take, for example, the slide adjoining the staircase (facing page) and the “steampunk” theater (above), which mimics being aboard a submarine.


A REFLECTION OF

YOU

A true custom home is a major investment. That’s why experts say picking the right builder is key.

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true custom home reflects the individual tastes, needs and dreams of the homeowner. Building it is one of the largest investments you’ll make during your lifetime — so the highest-quality craftsmanship and the most attentive service possible are mandatory. Yet many people spend more time researching and investigating the purchase of a new car than the building of a custom home. These days, people in every profession are pressed for time. So, how can you ensure that you’ll get your money’s worth from a custom builder — both during and following completion of your project? The Master Custom Builder Council (MCBC), based in Winter Park but with members throughout Central Florida, can help you find the right custom-home builder. MCBC is a highly selective consortium of competitors who actually root for one another. “MCBC builders have ideas that they don’t share with others,” says Pamela Davis, the group’s executive director. “However, they recognize that if their competitors are successful and profitable, it might be easier for them to be successful and profitable as well. One member isn’t the least bit threatened when another member is doing well.” All 22 MCBC members have undergone a detailed vetting process before membership is offered. In addition to checking on MCBC membership, though, there are other steps a buyer

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HERE’S WHAT’S HOT IN CUSTOM BUILDING

should take before signing a contract: • Speak to at least five former clients. These references can provide invaluable information, and a builder should readily offer their names when he or she makes an initial presentation. • Verify licensing. Is the builder a state-registered or statecertified contractor? All MCBC builders have a contractor’s license from the State of Florida and own their companies. Visit myfloridalicense.com, call 850-487-1395 or download the free Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) mobile app to check for yourself. • Evaluate track records. How long has the builder been in business? To become an MCBC member, a builder must be a permanent resident of Central Florida and must have been in the business of building custom homes for at least the preceding three years. • Scrutinize business practices. Ask the builder for at least five credit references and contact the vendors to find out how the builder meets his or her financial commitments. MCBC members have their credit monitored monthly. If everything checks out, you should then consider what style home you’d like. Look for a builder who has experience working in your chosen architectural genre and can make valuable suggestions on designs, material and finishes. “Many of our members have niches,” says Davis. “A niche isn’t just a specific location. It can also be a style or design of a home, a marketing technique, a price range or a customer profile.” Also, consider personal rapport. All the ingredients of a good relationship — including trust, communication and compatibility — must be present. After all, the builder you select will be a constant presence in your life for at least eight months. MCBC members believe you can’t cut corners on integrity, craftsmanship or personal service. That’s why they follow a strong Code of Ethics set forth by the organization. Finally, a builder who is truly astute about buyer relations will continue to offer service after your home has been completed and you’ve moved in. And remember: MCBC membership is an honor reserved for builders whose reputations have been established and sustained over time. Only MCBC builders’ homes carry the MCBC Seal; The Seal of Homebuilding Excellence. Contact the MCBC at 407-875-2121 or visit custombuilt.com for more information. ■

Master Custom Builder Council (MCBC) members keep up with what’s going on in the industry. The group visits innovative homes across the U.S. and hosts speakers who discuss what’s new and what’s coming. Knowledge — along with craftsmanship, creativity, stability and service — is their competitive edge. So, when we wanted to find out what’s hot in customhome building, we naturally asked MCBC members first. Here’s what they pinpointed as the latest trends: Although custom homes are usually larger, today’s homeowners are placing less emphasis on square footage and more on the quality of materials. Also topping the wish list are more elaborate outdoor dining spaces with courtyards and fireplaces. First-floor guest suites are popular these days, while secondary bedrooms now often have private bathrooms. Taller vanities, fireplaces and fountains adorn lavish master bathrooms, as well as his-and-her vanity areas with stone flooring and lots of mosaic tiles. Black accents are being used along with polished nickel and brushed chrome fixtures. As for kitchens, cooktop hoods are getting special attention. Hoods, of course, are essential for proper ventilation. But today they’ve become akin to signature pieces of art, handcrafted from copper, glazed tile, stainless steel and various stones. It’s common now to see more contemporary kitchens equipped with large commercial stainless-steel appliances. Colored concrete countertops are now being used for outdoor summer kitchens. There are also notable trends in flooring. Lower-pile carpets with woven patterns and textures and even high-end commercial carpeting is being used in new custom homes. More exotic woods, such as bamboo, are becoming more popular. Entry doors are much larger, with wrought ironwork, glass etchings and detailed panels. Interior doors are also taller and wider, with glass and wood inlays and unique detailing. Exteriors include more architecturally correct details and deeper colors. Large, intricately detailed fixtures that complement the home’s architecture are being used extensively. Oversized chandeliers, for example, are popular in dining rooms. Large patios that offer a resort-style vibe with comfortable furnishings and fireplaces are important — particularly to homeowners who enjoy entertaining.

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L A U R E AT E PA R K I N L A K E N O N A Brightly colored bungalows, townhomes, cottages and estate homes from six homebuilders priced from the high $200s to over $1 million


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NEW COMMUNITIES & FLOOR PLANS NOW SELLING Call or Email Us for More Information 407.443.0528 | info@chfla.com centuryhomesfla.com crafthomes.com Price, features, specifications, availability and other terms and conditions are subject to change without notice or obligation. Due to our consistent efforts to improve our homes, Century Homes reserves the right to make changes without notice or obligation. Illustration and specification are believed to be correct at the time of publication, and are not intended to create any warranty or contract rights. All dimensions and square footage listings are approximate and will vary from the home as built. Details shown may vary depending on the elevation and options chosen. CRC 1331113


YOU’RE

NOT ALONE

Expert help abounds when you’re buying a new home. BY MICK LOCHRIDGE

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FOR MORE INFORMATION Realtor.com Orlandorealtors.com State27homes.com

Linda and Bob Martin — shown here with housemates Tucker and Oliver — worked with a builder’s sales agent when they decided to buy in Orchard Park, a KB Home community in Winter Garden.

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“We always recommend that a buyer bring an agent so they can have someone knowledgeable on their side and get the best deal. Ideally, the buyer’s agent and the sales agent will work together through the process until the property is sold.” — DREW HILL, HILL/GRAY/SEVEN

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FEATURED

Model

Park Square Homes’ Pembroke model, in Sawgrass Plantation is priced from $329,990.

B

uying a newly built home can be exciting. You’re not inheriting a previous owner’s problems. The appliances have never been used. The kitchen and bathrooms are spotless. You can make it yours from the get-go. But there’s a sobering side to that euphoria. There are any number of issues that you’ll have to deal with before and after you decide to buy. Those include such stress-provoking concerns as builder warranties and contracts, financing, upgrades, closing costs, commissions, homeowner association rules and more. Not to mention inevitable second-guessing. It all can be just a little intimidating. Luckily, you don’t have to make the journey alone. A homebuilder’s sales agent and your real estate agent — if you choose to use one — are both experienced experts who can help you navigate buying a new home. Just ask Linda and Bob Martin. When they were ready to buy in Orchard Park, a KB Home development in Winter Garden, they forged a working bond with the builder’s sales agent, whom Linda met when she first visited the community’s model homes. “That relationship is huge,” says Linda. “We never thought about it when we were looking. It’s not something at the top of your mind, but it becomes so important when you’re buying.” She praised the builder’s agent for his patience. “He gave us the time we needed to look through the paperwork,” she adds. “We didn’t feel rushed. It’s a big step, but you need somebody

that will explain things very clearly and be patient and find out the answers to all the questions. Once you’re in the process, communications matter so much.” That’s how it is supposed to work, according to Central Florida homebuilders and real estate agents. They said the two groups Fa l l 2 0 1 9

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FEATURED

Community

Park Hill townhomes by Hill/Gray/Seven, located in Winter Park, where prices start at 2.79 million.

work together to ensure that the buyer is satisfied with the deal. First, a bit of explanation is required. Realtors and real estate agents are not the same, but they are related. Not all real estate agents are Realtors, but all Realtors are real estate agents. A real estate agent has earned a real estate license in the state where he or she conducts business. In Florida, a real estate agent must be age 18 or older, have at least a high school diploma or a GED and complete a 63-hour sales associate prelicense course. A license is granted upon passage of an examination administered by the state’s Department of Real Estate. A Realtor is a real estate agent who is a member of the National Association of Realtors, the world’s largest professional trade association for real estate professionals. Also, only Realtors have access to Multiple Listing Services (MLS) through which members share listings and have access to many more properties than nonmembers. “This is a relationship business,” notes Jeffrey M. Fagan, 2019 president of the Orlando Regional Realtor Association. “It’s important to have a good, strong and open relationship with the potential buyer. A good Realtor will have the buyer’s back.” The best relationship, he adds, is having a good Realtor working with the builder’s salespeople on site. “Our new-home counselors genuinely bond with their customers,” says Laurie Tarver, vice president of sales and marketing for Park Square Homes (parksquarehomes.com), which has 28 communities in the Orlando and Tampa areas.

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“The counselors are warm and friendly, and sincerely want to help everyone coming through the door to find the home that perfectly matches their needs, wants and budget.”

AGENTS PLAY A KEY ROLE The role of the builder’s agent comes into play quickly. From the initial meeting, they’re there to explain the sales process, answer all buyer questions about contracts, the community, the builder and more. “The sales agent plays a very important role when dealing with a potential buyer,” says Drew Hill, partner in Hill/Gray/Seven (hillgrayseven.com), which has two projects in Winter Park. “They’re the face for potential buyers. They’ll help the buyer navigate the sales process from start to finish. This isn’t an easy task, as each step has its issues and needs someone who can guide the buyers to the finish line.” The role of the builder’s agent is to be the expert on their new-home community, adds Kelley Finley, director of marketing for Taylor Morrison (taylormorrison.com), which has 26 projects in Central Florida. “They’ll work with the prospect to find out their needs in a new home and homesite to help them make the best decision for their family.”

WHAT BUYERS CAN EXPECT Potential buyers can expect sales agents and real estate


FEATURED

Model

Taylor Morrison Homes’ Lazio model, in Esplanade at Highlands in Clermont, is priced from $306,995.

agents to be straightforward and timely with answers. “Buyers should expect professionalism always from their sales agents,” says Matt Brown, vice president of sales marketing and land for ABD Development (abddevelopment.com), which has two communities in Central Florida. “Our salespeople work as a team, so we’re in constant contact about the status of prospects and customers. It should be fairly easy to get answers to your questions, even if the person you’re asking needs to ask someone else.” Agents for KB Home (kbhome.com), which built the Martins’ new home, have “strong relationships with each homebuyer every step of the way and serve as partners throughout the home-buying process,” notes Carmen Sierra, vice president of sales for the company, which has 19 projects in Central Florida. “The buyer can expect full service and weekly contact throughout the building of their home. We offer a simpler buying process and a dedicated, customer-focused team that removes the anxiety of building a new home.” Fagan, with the Realtor’s association, says that the buyer can expect the real estate agent “to hold their hand through the process, review the contract and point out things that could be a risk to the buyer, such as change orders and upgrade packages.” Adds Fagan: “A Realtor can give good counsel on such things as cabinet upgrades to avoid over-improving” for the neighborhood. “A buyer should expect a sales agent to be courteous,

knowledgeable and expedient in their responses,” he says. “A sales agent should be able to help a buyer feel more comfortable with their decision by providing comparables for similar products in the area.” A knowledgeable agent should also be able to answer all questions that pertain especially to the quality of construction. It’s important for buyers to know whether the home they’re buying will stand the test of time and hold its resale value. “A sales agent can assist in getting the information that a buyer needs to make this decision,” Fagan says.

SALES AND REAL ESTATE AGENTS WORK TOGETHER It isn’t uncommon for buyers not to use real estate agents. For example, Bob and Linda Martin used a real estate agent to sell their previous home in Clermont but found their new home on their own and were comfortable working with the KB Home agent. But homebuilders welcome real estate agents and sometimes even recommend their involvement. “We always recommend that a buyer bring an agent so they can have someone knowledgeable on their side and get the best deal,” says Hill. “Ideally, the buyer’s agent and the sales agent will work together through the process until the property is sold.” Tarver, with Park Square Homes, adds: “Members of the real estate community are partners to us. They bring us clients who Fa l l 2 0 1 9

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FEATURED

Model

ABD Development’s Courtyard II model, located in Heritage Green in the master-planned community of Providence in Davenport, is priced from $465,000.

are looking for a quality home, and we treat them like family. We partner with local Realtors to ensure we’re catering to the needs and wants of their buyers.” Sierra, with KB Home, echoes those sentiments: “Our sales counselors work hand in hand with a homebuyer’s real estate agent to ensure both the homebuyer and agent are regularly updated throughout the homebuilding process. “Partnering with Realtors is a huge focus at KB Home. We consistently provide event collateral and marketing material to the real estate community to help educate their customers about the company and its communities.” Fagan agrees that it’s important for buyers to have their own agent: “They’re there to represent the interest of the buyer in negotiations. Most people buy four or five homes in a lifetime, but most Realtors sell many more than that. We’ve done this a lot and know what to expect. We can guide buyers better than anybody else.” Many people just go into a community and develop a relationship with the onsite agent, he says, but a Realtor can help evaluate the entire market.

AGENTS HELP RESOLVE ISSUES Agents for both the builder and the buyer have experience dealing with the array issues that can arise during the process. Such issues can include contracts, financing, floorplan and lot decisions, completion timing, upgrades and inspections. “The biggest challenges where an agent can help is through

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the mortgage process and the building of the new home,” says Finley with Taylor Morrison. “They’ll be available to answer questions and to keep the buyers updated throughout the process.” Adds Tarver with Park Square Homes: “Agents can help resolve many issues, including matching a buyer’s home with their needs and wants, directing them to a loan professional if they are obtaining a mortgage, advising them on available upgrades and structural options, and setting expectations about the building process and time frames.”

ADVICE FOR BUYERS WORKING WITH AGENTS Fagan offers advice on selecting a real estate agent: “Ask questions about their experience, how they feel about newhome construction, what builders they have worked with and what neighborhoods they are familiar with.” Builders, too, pointed out a few tips for buyers dealing with real estate agents. “Remember, first of all the sales agent works for the builder, not you,” says Hill. “That doesn’t mean they’re going to be working against you, but they’re going to push the builder’s product over anything else. They’ll probably not discuss drawbacks to buying one product over another. Knowing this ahead of time can help you come prepared to get the answers you need to make an informed decision.” Tarver says buyers must be honest with agents: “They should


“Buying a newly constructed home is an exciting time. The sales agent’s job is to make the process as fluid as possible and to be available through every step to answer questions the buyer or real estate agent might have.” — KELLEY FINLEY, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING, TAYLOR MORRISON HOMES

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FEATURED

Model

KB Home’s Plan 2566, found in communities throughout the region, is priced from the low $300s.

share openly what they’re looking for. They should look for a sales agent who’ll listen to them, not just tell them what they have to sell.” At KB Home, “we encourage homebuyers to bring in ideas of what they like,” says Sierra. “Our sales counselors will ask questions to better understand their needs and to help them feel comfortable and confident in their home search.” Adds ABD Development’s Brow: “My advice is to keep your sales agent informed of how ready you are to buy. If they know you’re a few years away from deciding, they won’t bother you. But, if they know you’re looking for just the right lot or home to come available, keep in close communication since you want to be the first customer they call when opportunity knocks.” Finley, with Taylor Morrison, says: “The more the buyer knows about what their family’s needs are, the easier it is for the sales agent to steer them in the right direction to make their purchase.” Whether working with a builder’s agent or a real estate agent or both, a potential buyer can draw upon plenty of professional assistance to close on their dream home. Adds Finley: “Buying a newly constructed home is an exciting time. The sales agent’s job is to make the process as fluid as possible and to be available through every step to answer questions the buyer or real estate agent might have.”  To find a Realtor, visit the Orlando Regional Realtor Association (ORRA) at orlrealtor.com.

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Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge, with its Panther Lake and Crooked Cat golf courses, predates Horizon West. But now, because the sprawling complex abuts the development, it’s become an extraordinary amenity for golf-loving residents.


THE

NEW WEST There’s a reason NEARLY half of the new homes being built in Orange County are being built in this master-planned community.

T

by Randy Noles

hey’re having a heat wave way out west. No, we don’t mean the western United States, nor do we mean sweltering temperature. We mean west Orange County — and the heat can be measured not on a thermometer but in new-home starts. The New-Urbanist (or New-Suburbanist) Horizon West master-planned community remains the hottest growth area in Central Florida and one of the busiest master-planned communities in the country. There had been fewer than 20 active neighborhoods underway in 2014. But by 2019, there were more than 30 — with plenty of new ones in the pipeline. Today, homes being built in Horizon West account for 42 percent of residential construction permits issued in Orange County.

Plus, commercial and retail projects to serve all those new residents — 61,000 is the latest population estimate — are now opening or are soon to open. In Florida, only The Villages, the massive retirement community located mostly in Sumter County, is growing faster than Horizon West, which is generally defined as bordered on the east by State Road 535, the north by Tilden Road, the south by Walt Disney World and west by the Orange County/Lake County line. The community, which will have about 40,000 homes at build-out, will likely take another 20 years to complete and will ultimately be home to some 85,000 people — about as many

as Ocoee and Winter Garden combined and nearly three times the size of Winter Park. And it’s generally affordable, considering its location. Homes in Horizon West, on average, have sold for $418,036 compared with $467,095 in nearby Dr. Phillips and $975,318 in tony Windermere, one of the region’s most affluent pockets of wealth. So, in terms of sheer activity and energy, it’s unquestionably sizzling in Horizon West these days — and smudge pots that used to protect rolling acres of citrus groves can now be found only in museums. And it’s a charmingly cohesive place despite its size, and Horizon W est Update H 5


despite the sometimes-confusing fact that residents may have Winter Garden, Windermere or Orlando addresses. There are Horizon West networking groups, book clubs, sports leagues and business groups. The Horizon West Alliance, a volunteer advocacy group of residents, is always finding new ways to create connectivity

A CHILLY PROLOGUE

Remarkably, the concept behind this history-making project was dreamed up in 1992 by a cadre of property owners — many of them citrus growers — who regularly met for breakfast at a local diner. Over coffee and eggs, they pondered what might be done with tens of thousands of acres that hadn’t been practical for agricultural use since a ruinous Christmas Day freeze in 1989. Why not sell it to developers, like so many other growers had done? In this case, it wasn’t quite so simple. The county’s landuse plan called for the vast tracts upon which groves had once flourished to remain rural. Under the plan, which placed a large swath of southwest Orange County outside the urban service area, housing would be limited to one unit for every 5 or 10 acres. Property now unsuitable for citrus would be unsuitable for subdivisions, too. Without water and sewer lines, the county’s theory went, developers would be forced to find land within the urban service area’s boundaries, thereby minimizing sprawl. In fact, developers simply leapfrogged the rural expanses of southwest Orange and began building thousands of new homes in Lake County to the west and Osceola County to the south. Many buyers of those homes worked in Orange County. Further vexing to the property owners — dozens of them, who cumulatively held more than 38,000 acres — was the fact that their land abutted Walt Disney World to the south. With more than 74,000 jobs, Disney was, and remains, the largest single-site employer in the U.S. Clearly, keeping southwest Orange rural didn’t make sense. Still, the property owners knew that to get the designation changed, they’d have to propose something more comprehensive, more carefully thought out and more cutting edge than anything county officials had seen before. Not-for-profit Horizon West Inc. was formed in 1993 with the mission of putting a development plan forward. The organization hired the land-planning firm of Miller, Sellen, Connor and Walsh (now VBH MillerSellen) to craft an approach that regulators would buy into.

AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH

Jim Sellen, then president of the company, was Orange County’s planning director in the late 1970s. He knew that county officials would never agree to extend the urban service area for piecemeal projects. He also knew that the county had been pushing growth east, not west, because of the University of Central Florida and the Cen-

H6 H o r izo n W e st U p d ate

tral Florida Research Park as well as Orlando International Airport. However, Sellen agreed that saddling the decimated groves with a rural designation was counterproductive under the circumstances. The land was adjacent to major employers and it was high and dry, ideal for building. Plus, far from discouraging sprawl, the situation was making it worse. “I encouraged the landowners to think beyond their individual parcels and present something unified,” said Sellen in a 2016 interview with Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition. In devising a master plan for Horizon West, Sellen and his colleagues drew in part upon the pioneering work of Sir Ebenezer Howard (1850-1928), whose 1898 publication, To-Morrow: A Peaceful Path to Real Reform, described self-sufficient communities linked by road and rail. Those “garden cities” would surround a larger, central city. But the planners also looked at current trends in New Urbanism, Disney’s Celebration development being a prime local example. In addition, they studied well-established communities such as Winter Park, which remained a model for smart planning a century after its founding. Added Sellen: “What we came up with was so simple that it was powerful.”

A VILLAGE CONCEPT

Horizon West, as it was originally envisioned, would contain six to eight Howard-style villages consisting of two to four neighborhoods. Schools and community parks would be within walking distance — a half-mile or less — of the homes, and the size of each neighborhood would be pegged to the capacity of its school. Each village would have its own Village Center with such essentials as a grocery store and a drugstore. A major mixed-use Town Center encompassing homes, shops, offices and public areas would serve all the villages. Bicycle and pedestrian paths would line every street and

PUBLIC SCHOOLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Bay Lake Elementary (Opened in 2016) Castleview Elementary (Opened in 2019) Independence Elementary (Opened in 2015) Keene’s Crossing Elementary (Opened in 2009) Sunset Park Elementary (Opened in 2007) Water Spring Elementary (Opened in 2019) MIDDLE SCHOOLS Bridgewater Middle (Opened in 2007) Horizon West Middle (Opened in 2019) HIGH SCHOOL Windermere High (Opened in 2017)


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Although Horizon West is served by many public schools, perhaps none was more needed than a new high school. Windermere High School, with 2,205 students, opened in 2017.

connect Village Centers and neighborhoods to one another. Thousands of acres of green space would be preserved. Bob Freeman, the county commissioner whose district encompassed southwest Orange, pushed hard for the project, in part because he knew that the prospect of a large-scale development would expedite extension of S.R. 429. (Today the limited-access toll road, formally known as the Daniel Webster Western Beltway, runs from U.S. Highway 441 in Apopka south through Horizon West to I-4 south of Disney.) Then-commission Chairperson Linda Chapin was also supportive, and even pressed the county to pitch in money and staff time to help finalize the presentation. Dozens of community meetings were also held to get feedback. The next task was to convince the state Department of Community Affairs, which had the authority to approve or reject changes to local land-use plans. (The agency is now called the Division of Community Development and is part of the Department of Economic Opportunity.) Charles Gauthier, then the DCA’s director of community planning, was initially skeptical — but changed his mind after H8 H o r izo n W e st U p d ate

seeing what Sellen and company had cooked up. “Our thought was, ‘Boy, now’s the time to get out ahead of this,’” Gauthier said in a 1998 interview with the Orlando Sentinel. “In 20 years of experience, this was the most sophisticated planning I’d seen.” To facilitate the project, the state and the county adopted an innovative, two-tiered approach that allowed Horizon West to bypass the cumbersome Development of Regional Impact review process. The Optional Sector Planning Program, a pilot to accommodate Horizon West and four other demonstration projects throughout the state, called for the creation of a conceptual buildout plan for the entire area. Once the larger-scale sector plans were vetted and approved, they’d be augmented by more targeted specific area plans for the individual villages and the Town Center. Orange County approved the conceptual plan, entitled A Village Land Use Classification and Horizon West Study Report, in July 1995. In the years that followed, specific area plans have been submitted and approved as new phases have gotten underway.


A LIFESTYLE TO LOVE

The appeal of Horizon West is further enhanced by two major amenities immediately to the northeast and the southwest. In 2010 ground was broken on what was then called the Horizon West SportsPlex, which is off Tiny Road and abuts the development to the north and the northeast. Today the 220acre site is called Horizon West Regional Park. The park, about one-third the size of Central Park in New York City, is mostly raw land. But county officials hope that one day it will encompass natural areas, botanical gardens, sports fields, performance venues and an array of other amenities. At press time, the county was accepting bids for a master planner. In February 2019, Orange County Commissioner Betsy VanderLey — whose district encompasses Horizon West — discussed ideas for the park in a public meeting with Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, who described the property as having the potential to be one of the county’s crown jewels. “The vision we cast for this park will impact generations to come,” VanderLey wrote Horizon West Happenings, the community’s new magazine. Abutting Horizon West to the south is the Orange County National Golf Center and Lodge, which was opened in the 1990s and has now enabled the development to offer worldclass golf as an amenity without having to build a golf course. Orange County National consists of two 18-hole courses —

the Panther Lake and Crooked Cat courses — as well as a 9-hole course, a 42-acre practice facility, a 22,000-square-foot lighted putting green, an on-property lodge and a beautifully appointed clubhouse with a restaurant and meeting/event facilities.

HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATION

Southwest Orange County has two premier hospitals, Health Central Hospital and Dr. Phillips Hospital, both operated by Orlando Health, as well as urgent-care centers operated by Health Central and Florida Hospital. Orlando Health has opened an emergency room and medical pavilion on a 74-acre campus near S.R. 429 and Porter Road. Scheduled to open in early 2021 is a six-story, 214,000-squarefoot hospital with 103 inpatient beds as well as an on-site laboratory and outpatient imaging services. AdventHealth, which operates eight hospital campuses across Central Florida, opened its ninth in early 2016 across from Winter Garden Village, between Daniels Road and State Road 535. The 97,000-square-foot hospital features a state-of-the-art emergency department staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Other highlights include imaging equipment, lab facilities and an outpatient surgical center as well as rehabilitation and sports medicine services. And in May 2019, AdventHealth opened a 72,000-square-foot medical office building next to the hospital. “This building will allow

Orlando Health has opened an emergency room and medical pavilion on a 74-acre campus near S.R. 429 and New Independence Parkway. Opening in 2021 is a six-story, 214,000-square-foot hospital with 103 inpatient beds as well as an on-site laboratory and outpatient imaging services.

Horizon W est Update H 9


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us to further gather physicians of various specialties in one central location and offer even more outpatient services right here in West Orange,” said Amanda Maggard, campus CEO, in a news release. In addition to an expanding healthcare scene, educational opportunities are more abundant than ever in southwest Orange. The area is home to highly rated public and private elementary and secondary schools as well as Valencia College’s bustling 180acre West Campus. Valencia owns a parcel in the Horizon West Town Center for future expansion. Although Horizon West is served by many public schools, perhaps none was more needed than a high school. Windermere High School, with 2,205 students opened in 2017 at S.R. 535 and Ficquette Road. The 350,000-square-foot high school relieved crowding at West Orange High School, which had 4,100 students on a campus designed for just 3,000. Another high school is expected to open in 2021 on Seidel Road. Independence Elementary, on New Independence Parkway, opened in August 2015, while Sunset Park and Bay Lake elementary schools opened last year in the Lakeside Village area. Two additional elementary schools — Castleview and Water Spring — opened earlier this year along with Horizon West Middle School. In fact, the Orange County School District plans to open 19 new schools by 2028, seven of them in Horizon West.

TOWN AND COUNTRY

Southwest Orange County has always been both rural and urban. It’s wealthy and middle-class. It’s defined by internationally known attractions and picture-postcard small towns. It’s for-

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ward looking and steeped in history. And, of course, it’s dotted by shimmering lakes — more than 200 of them — along with pristine natural areas where wildlife still thrives. Today southwest Orange County is also a regional shopping and dining mecca. For example, Central Florida’s famed “Restaurant Row” stretches along Sand Lake Road near the upscale Mall at Millenia, with its world-class department stores — Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Neiman Marcus — and premium boutiques. Southwest Orange County is also home to much of Walt Disney World, including the Magic Kingdom, Downtown Disney and Epcot as well as Disney’s resort properties and its four championship golf courses. Universal Orlando Resort and SeaWorld Orlando are also in southwest Orange, as are major shopping destinations such as the Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves and West Oaks Mall. The sector encompasses three incorporated areas: Winter Garden, Windermere and Oakland. Windermere proper is nestled on an isthmus between several lakes on the beautiful Butler Chain, which includes lakes Butler, Tibet, Down, Sheen, Louise and Chase as well as Pocket Lake, Lake Blanche, Wauseon Bay, Lake Isleworth and Little Fish Lake. Few areas of Central Florida are more beautiful and unspoiled than the parks and preservation areas found in southwest Orange County. The Tibet Butler Preserve, for example, contains more than four miles of interpretive hiking trails and elevated boardwalks radiating from the Vera Carter Environmental Center, which features wildlife exhibits and hosts a special environmental studies series for fifth graders. The Oakland Nature Preserve encompasses 128 acres of nat-


ural shoreline on Lake Apopka, Florida’s third-largest lake. The boardwalk to Lake Apopka is the centerpiece, offering dramatic views along the lakeshore. The preserve’s Green Trail is a loop off the boardwalk through a shady oak hammock, where you might see antelope or emus on an adjacent wildlife preserve. And its Uplands Trail is a network of short pathways through the sandhills that connect to the West Orange Trail.

EASY ACCESSIBILITY

Also key to the area’s appeal is its convenient transportation network. In addition to S.R. 429, which opened in 2005, interchanges and local roads have been completed to make getting in and out of Horizon West less daunting. The New Independence Parkway interchange (Exit 15) was created when New Independence Parkway was extended from S.R. 429 east for nearly a mile to Schoolhouse Pond Road, which leads to the community of Independence. (Today it is the main artery through the community’s 850-acre, mixed-use commercial hub, which includes several restaurants, a Publix grocery, a Walmart Supercenter and the Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas Hamlin.) A four-lane road, Hamlin Groves Trail, parallels S.R. 429. It originates at New Independence Parkway and runs south to Summerlake Park Boulevard, which leads to the community of Summerlake. These roads jump-started development of Hamlin, a major component of the 3,700-acre Horizon West Town Center, by creating easily accessible tracts for big-box commercial development. Nearing completion is a 1.5-mile extension of Hamlin Groves Trail that runs north and then east, where it wraps around the SportsPlex and connects to Tiny Road near the entrance to the community of Orchard Hills. Also nearing completion is Shoreside Way, which originates in the southwest quadrant of the interchange and runs east about a half-mile to Hamlin’s waterfront lifestyle center. About two miles to the south on S.R. 429, another interchange was opened at Schofield Road (Exit 13). That interchange, which marks the southern boundary of the Horizon West Town Center, is about six miles north of Western Way, which leads to the Magic Kingdom and Disney World. But the biggest transportation news impacting Horizon West is the announcement of Wellness Way, a western extension of New Independence Parkway through a vast undeveloped tract between the Horizon West Town Center and U.S. Highway 27 in Lake County. Boyd Development, the company behind Hamlin, is building the 5.5-mile-long road, which currently ends at Avalon Road west of S.R. 429. The company doesn’t own the land flanking the road, which will take three years and at least $15 million to build. But the road’s completion will enable other developers to potentially build at least 16,000 homes. That’s a lot of new customers for businesses in and around Hamlin — and an easy

way for them to get there. In all, about $30 million in road projects are under way in Horizon West. In short, Horizon West, in addition to being a self-contained community rich with its own amenities, has the added advantage of a location squarely in the center of Central Florida’s most dynamic and exciting region. 

IT TAKES A VILLAGE (OR SIX VILLAGES)

Horizon West’s master plan organizes each village around a village center and its larger neighborhoods around an elementary school. Here are the villages: • Lakeside Village: (5,202 acres, established in 1997): A variety of retail and restaurants can be found in Lakeside Village, located in the eastern part of Horizon West. The village includes the communities of Lakes of Windermere, Oasis Cove, Windermere Trails and Mabel Bridge. • Village of Bridgewater (4,223 acres, established in 1999): At the heart of the Village of Bridgewater, located in the northeast section of Horizon West, is the Summerport Village center, with an array of retail centers and restaurants. Bridgewater encompasses the neighborhoods of Summerport, Independence and Summerlake. • Town Center (3,624 acres, established in 2004): The heart of the Town Center, located in the west section of Horizon West, is Hamlin and its burgeoning Lakeside District. Eventually, the total Town Center will have nearly 2 million square feet of mixed-use commercial space. • Village F (2,551 acres, established in 2006): Although homes are underway, commercial development has not yet begun. Village F, located in the southeast section of Horizon West, will be home to a new high school and a village center developed by Compass Rose Corp. (a subsidiary of Walt Disney World Resort). A 75-bed assisted-living facility has been proposed. • Village H -Hickory Nut (2,975 acres, established in 2006): Village H, located in the southwest section of Horizon West, will be home to a future elementary school and middle school and encompasses the neighborhoods of Waterleigh and Story Grove. There’ll also be a village center, but specific plans haven’t been announced. • Village I -Southern Tip (2,129 acres, established in 2008): Village I is still wide-open spaces, but will eventually be developed. No specific plans have been announced, however.

Horizon W est Update H 1 1


PHOTO BY ART FAULKNER

Ken Kupp (above left) and Scott Boyd (above right) of Boyd Development are focused on making Hamlin a lively and inviting place. The success of Hamlin is one reason why southwest Orlando is the region’s fastest-growing sector. Boyd and Kupp, checking out the sleek lobby at Cinépolis Hamlin, are pleased — but not surprised — at the speed with which retail and commercial development is proceeding at Hamlin. A Walmart Supercenter and a Publix supermarket have also opened, as have dozens of retail shops and restaurants.

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LIFE IS SWEET HAMLIN HAS HOMES, BUSINESSES AND AN EMERGING LIFESTYLE CENTER THAT WILL BE A REGIONAL DESTINATION. by Randy Noles

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he 950 acres comprising Hamlin, the vibrant heart of the 3,624-acre Horizon West Town Center, was a verdant, lake-dotted blank slate on which developer T. Scott Boyd could create a regional destination that would rival, for example, Winter Park. And he’s doing just that. Hamlin is rapidly morphing from an expanse of old groves — tangy Hamlin oranges were once grown there — into what will soon become a shopping and entertainment mecca to rival anything else in Central Florida. Not surprisingly, the homes there are selling as quickly as they can be built. Boyd and his team at Boyd Development Corp. are focused on making Hamlin a lively and inviting place, where residents will enjoy proximity to every imaginable amenity. Plus, they say, it’ll be a place where Central Floridians, regardless of where they live, will be eager to visit. How about a movie in a state-of-the-art movie theater, followed by a late-night dinner at a gourmet restaurant? Or window-shopping along a lively, tree-lined street bordered by intriguing boutiques? Or a leisurely stroll along a scenic boardwalk that hugs the shores of a pristine lake? Or a bracing jaunt through a series of beautifully landscaped parks linked by a pedestrian trail network? Then, when it’s time to call it a night, perhaps home is just minutes away in a brand-new lakefront neighborhood, where the top builders in the U.S. have pulled out all the stops with eye-popping designs and state-of-the-art technology.

“We want Hamlin to be a destination,” says Ken Kupp, a Boyd Development principal. “It’ll have an actively programmed town center, with 100 to 150 events a year. It’s a classic live/work/play community.” Valued at $1 billion, Hamlin was kick-started in 2014 when the New Independence Parkway interchange was opened off S.R. 429. New Independence Parkway was extended east for nearly a mile to Schoolhouse Pond Road, which leads to the community of Independence. A four-lane road, Hamlin Grove Trail, was built parallel to S.R. 429, and runs south from New Independence Parkway to Summerlake Park Boulevard, which leads to the community of Summerlake. Once the roads were in place, the pace quickened. Now open on the 64-acre northwest quadrant of the interchange is a 400,000-square-foot retail complex that includes a Horizon W est Update H 1 3


193,000-square-foot Walmart Supercenter as well as about a half-dozen out-parcels with shops and restaurants. A second retail complex, this one 200,000 square feet, occupies the 66-acre southwest quadrant. It’s anchored by a 54,000-squarefoot Publix supermarket, which opened earlier this year. The southeast quadrant — the Lake District — encompasses a 40,000-square-foot, dine-in movie theater boasting 10 screens and stadium seating. Operated by Dallas-based Cinépolis USA, the complex offers perhaps the most luxurious moviegoing experience in the region. “Cinépolis Hamlin” is the brand’s seventh upscale dine-in movie theater in the U.S. and only its second in Florida (the other is in Jupiter). It features fully reclining leather seats, waiter service, gourmet dining and a full bar. Coming soon are some exciting fast-casual restaurants that are new to the market, including Ford’s Garage, a national gourmet-burger chain, and Capone’s Coal Fired Pizza, which specializes in house-made pastas, as well as pizzas, sandwiches and calzones baked in its 800-degree coal-fired ovens. British-themed pub and restaurant Yeoman’s Cask & Lion is also on the way. The Tampa-based eatery will dish up U.K. staples such as bangers and mash, fish and chips, and Shepherd’s pie as well as American classics such as Philly cheese steaks and macaroni and cheese. A longtime local favorite, Bosphorus, based in Winter Park and with locations in Lake Nona and Dr. Phillips, has opened a Hamlin location, offering its delicious Turkish cuisine to Horizon West residents. Also announced is A.G.’s Market, a food hall encompassing a variety of small eateries under one roof. The concept is comparable to Plant Street Market in Winter Garden or East End Market in Orlando. Boyd Development has moved to the Westside Shoppes, a 117-acre retail center at the corner of Winter Garden Vineland Road and Lakeside Village Lane. There are already seven buildings with 26 tenants — and no vacancies. Like much of the commercial architecture in Hamlin, the center’s look is sophisticated with a touch of industrial chic. Anchored by the theater is the jewel of Hamlin — a charming lifestyle center built around 28 acres surrounding Lake Hancock. There, visitors will enjoy an Old Florida ambience and plenty of inviting parks and public areas. There’ll also be events galore, such as music festivals and art shows. A recent health fair, Kupp said, attracted more than 2,000 people. “The opportunity to have access to Lake Hancock makes this a really special place,” adds Kupp. “There aren’t many opportunities like that left in Central Florida.” The lifestyle center will be packed with retail and dining options as well as a boardwalk and a small marina, so the area can be reached by boat. The boardwalk will link to a multiuse trail system — which will eventually be connected to the existing 22-mile West Orange Trail — and a lakefront park accessible by foot, bike or golf cart. East of the lifestyle district, an upscale 316-unit apartment complex dubbed LakeWalk at Hamlin, has been completed and H1 4 H o r izo n W e st U pdate

an additional 250-unit complex called The Lodge is being built. The apartments offer breathtaking views of Lake Hancock. Land is being cleared on the northwest quadrant — the last of the four quadrants on which development is getting underway. Coming soon are a variety of commercial projects, including a bank, an auto repair facility and fast-casual restaurants among other types of businesses. There are three active neighborhoods in Hamlin, including Wincey Groves at Hamlin by Dream Finders Homes (priced from the mid-$300s). Ashton Woods Homes is closing out Hamlin Reserve (priced from the high $300s) while Taylor Morrison is seeing strong sales activity at Overlook at Hamlin (priced from the high $500s). The company will soon launch Enclave at Hamlin and has already started an interest list. Orlando Health, which owns about 80 acres along the south side of Porter Road, has just opened an emergency room and a medical pavilion. Scheduled to open in 2021 is a six-story, 214,000-square-foot hospital with 103 inpatient beds as well as an on-site laboratory and outpatient imaging services. In addition, a new proton therapy center is under construction across New Independence Parkway from the LakeWalk apartment complex. The center is a joint venture between Knoxville, Tennessee-based Provision Healthcare and Hamlin Retail Partners West, an affiliate of Boyd Development and Schrimsher Properties. Proton therapy is a type of radiation treatment that uses protons rather than X-rays to treat the disease. The center, which started construction in the fourth quarter of 2018, will encompass three treatment rooms and use the latest proton systems technology of Provision Healthcare affiliate ProNova Solutions LLC. It’ll be able to treat an estimated 1,000 patients per year when it opens next year. There are fewer than 25 proton therapy centers operating in the U.S., including one at the UF Health Cancer Center-Orlando Health campus near downtown. In addition, the Provision Healthcare-Hamlin Retail Partners West joint venture also plans to develop related medical office buildings and cancer-treatment facilities around the center. “The Hamlin proton center will be a great addition to the medical community and a real benefit to the residents of Central Florida,” said Scott Boyd, president of Boyd Development, in a press release. “We look forward to Provision bringing their state-of-the-art technology, along with their culture of care, to our Central Florida community.” Elsewhere in Hamlin, Valencia College has 150 acres on Schofield Road and will likely build a branch campus, although specific plans haven’t been announced. Clearly, there’s a lot going on in Hamlin. Helping to guide the design process is Shook Kelley of Charlotte, North Carolina, a diversified urban planning firm that specializes in “perfecting a process for convening people around a physical place, space, idea, forum and experience.” “We have the ability to create a great plan and to execute it,” Boyd told Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition last year. “We can do something that will stand the test of time.” 


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Spanning more than 1,400 acres dotted by a dozen lakes and clear-water ponds, D.R. Horton’s Waterleigh is Horizon West’s largest community. It offers two well-equipped clubhouses and amenity centers.

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BUILD A FUTURE HORIZON WEST’S DOZENS OF NEIGHBORHOODS OFFER CHOICES GALORE FOR NEW-HOME BUYERS. by Randy Noles

I

n Central Florida, with its hundreds of bodies of water, most lakeview homesites have been built out for decades. To live on a natural lake in these parts, you’ve usually got to buy an older home — and in some cases, tear it down and rebuild — and settle in an older neighborhood. Horizon West has changed all that. With dozens of lakes and clear-water ponds, buyers have a choice of numerous lakefront homesites and state-of-the-art homes in brand-new, heavily amenitized neighborhoods.

Take Waterleigh, for example. Horizon West’s biggest community, by D.R. Horton (along with a subsidiary, Emerald Homes), could ultimately contain up to 3,600 homes. A community garden, mini-golf, a sports field and two resort-style clubhouse amenity centers provide a comforting and fun-filled community environment. The community’s 1,400-acre site is dotted with more than a dozen bodies of water, including Hickory Nut Lake. D.R. Horton’s homes, many of which have water views, range in size from 1,689 to 3,911 square feet and are priced from the mid-$200s to the mid-$400s. The company also offers townhomes priced from the mid-$200s. Emerald’s homes in Waterleigh are priced from the low $500s to the $600s. Also on Hickory Nut Lake is Overlook at Hamlin by Taylor Mor-

rison Homes. The community’s 381 homes are all within walking distance of Hamlin’s planned boardwalk and retail district. With floorplans ranging in size from 1,600 to more than 5,100 square feet, Overlook at Hamlin certainly offers something for everyone. Amenities include a clubhouse, a family pool, a splash park, a playground, an amphitheater and even a multipurpose sports lawn. Prices range from the high $500s to more than $1.4 million. Lennar Homes, under its CalAtlantic Homes banner, is building Waterside: The Landings, which boasts 34 homesites with private docks directly on Johns Lake. The company is also finding success in Waterside: The Strand, which features impressive luxury homes. Horizon W est Update H 1 7


Ashton Woods Homes’ Duval model at Latham Park (above left) features an owner’s suite with a spacious master bathroom (top). It ranges in size from 3,542 to 3,897 square feet and is priced from the $400s to the $800s. Amenities at Toll Brothers’ Lakeshore community, which is priced from the mid-$400s, include a 4,132 square-foot clubhouse with a resort-style swimming pool (above right), a state-of-the-art fitness center and a yoga room, beach volleyball courts, an outdoor fire pit, a kayak launch and much more — all overlooking two beautiful lakes.

In The Landings, homes range in size from 2,697 to 3,698 square feet and are priced from the high $400s. In The Strand, homes range in size from 4,154 to 5,124 square feet and are priced from the $700s to $1.4 million. Meritage Homes offers single-family and bungalow homes in its Watermark community. Bungalow homes range in size from 1,641 to 2,223 square feet and are priced from the low $300s. Single-family homes, which range in size from 2,080 to 4,535 square feet, are priced from the high $300s. Resort-style amenities in Watermark include a clubhouse and fitness center as well as parks, a playground, a swimming pool and tennis courts. There’s even a kids’ splash pad and an outdoor amphitheater. K. Hovnanian Homes has opened a new phase at The Highlands at Summerlake Groves with single-family homes priced from the mid-$400s. Amenities include tennis courts, a swimming pool and a tot lot. The company has also debuted Winding Bay, a community of single-family homes priced from the mid-$300s. Eight floorplans are offered with homes ranging in size from 2,156 to more than 4,000 square feet. Joining Winding Bay is Winding Bay Preserve, where townhomes are priced from the high $200s. Toll Brothers is building Lakeshore, a luxury community with an amenity center, neighborhood parks, and biking and H1 8 H o r izo n W e st U pdate

walking trails. There are two single-family home collections from which to choose, with prices starting in the mid-$400s. The company’s Royal Cypress Preserve offers nine different floorplans priced from the mid-$500s. Residents enjoy a private clubhouse, a resort-style swimming pool and a stateof-the-art fitness center as well as neighborhood parks and a picturesque dock for canoeing or kayaking. In its Hawkmoor community, Mattamy Homes offers both townhomes and single-family homes with unique architectural appointments inspired by legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Townhomes, sized starting at 1,599 square feet, are priced from the high $200s. Single-family homes, which range in size from 1,682 to more than 4,000 square feet, are priced from the low $300s. Park Square Homes has brought its popular townhome and single-family home designs to Horizon West. In Ravenna, the company offers four townhome models priced from the mid$200s. Single-family homes are priced from the mid-$400s in the community, which features a pool and cabana. Jones Homes will soon open Avalon Cove, a lakefront community nestled between Hickory Nut Lake and Avalon Road. An interest list is being compiled, or you can get more information by visiting the company’s Stanton Estates community in downtown Winter Garden. 


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Plant Street Market (above) encompasses more than 20 merchants and houses a microbrewery. The project, which opened last year, further solidified Winter Garden’s reputation as a foodie mecca. Winter Garden’s vibrant Downtown Historic District (below) combines all the charm of a vintage Florida citrus community with trendy restaurants and boutiques. Now “the charming little town with the juicy past” is looking toward even more improvements.


RETRO CHIC ONCE A QUIET FARM TOWN, FUN AND FUNKY WINTER GARDEN IS NOW AN EMBRACEABLE HIPSTER HAVEN. by Randy Noles

W

inter Garden, dubbed “the charming little town with a juicy past,” honors its agricultural heritage. But it’s also strengthening its position as a magnet for those whose only interest in citrus is sipping it with their morning croissants. Indeed, a generation ago it would have been hard to imagine this isolated farming community, which encompassed eight citrus packing plants, as the alluring hipster mecca it has become. But with Horizon West booming and southwest Orange County emerging as the fastest-growing sector in the region, the bustling city of more than 45,000 residents is stepping up its game even further.

Today, Winter Garden is best known for its vibrant Downtown Historic District, one of the most interesting and picturesque of any in the region. The district, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996, encompasses about 100 acres bounded by Woodland, Tremaine, Henderson and Lake View streets. West Plant Street, the city’s lively main drag, has emerged as one of the most desirable destinations in Central Florida for dining, shopping and strolling. “Downtown Winter Garden is everybody’s downtown,” says Stina D’Uva, president and CEO of the West Orange Chamber of Commerce, who believes that Horizon West’s growth can only benefit the city. “There’s such

great synergy there.” Residents of Horizon West, of course, will enjoy their own Village Centers and a major Town Center at which Hamlin is the heart. But refreshingly retro Winter Garden offers a decidedly different diversion for area newcomers. The neighboring cities of Winter Garden and Ocoee have joined forces to develop an economic corridor linking their downtowns, seeking to transform a forlorn 6-mile stretch of roadway lined by old warehouses and automobile repair shops into complementary city gateways at the S.R. 429 interchange. Revitalizing the road, named East Plant Street in Winter Garden and West Franklin Street in Ocoee, was the subject of an Horizon W est Update H 2 1


The Central Florida Railroad Museum, located in the old Tavares & Gulf Railroad Depot, is one of two museums operated by the city’s Heritage Foundation.

economic study partly funded with a $100,000 state grant. “We envision a total redevelopment all the way out to the beltway and beyond,” says City Manager Mike Bollhoefer. Part of that development includes The Heritage at Plant Street, an M/I Homes community of single-family homes and townhomes on East Plant Street. The effort to upgrade that once-neglected stretch of road comes on the heels of even more activity on already-thriving West Plant Street. Plant Street Market, which encompasses more than 20 merchants including the popular Crooked Can microbrewery, opened in 2014 on the site of a demolished apartment complex. The market contains farm-to-table restaurants, a bakery, a butcher, a chocolatier, a wine bar and various sellers of artisanal food items. The $2 million project extended downtown’s footprint beyond City Hall and further solidified Winter Garden’s reputation as a foodie mecca. The concept is similar to that behind the wildly successful East End Market in Orlando’s Audubon Park neighborhood. There’s a satisfying full-circle feel to Winter Garden’s continued association with food. The city’s earliest settlers were primarily farmers, and not just of citrus. A year-round growing season, fertile soil and easy access to railroads serving Northern markets meant that agriculture of all varieties flourished. Later, as Central Florida’s economy became more dependent upon tourism, the city’s proximity to Walt Disney World and other attractions provided another economic shot in the arm. But it’s fair to say that Winter Garden didn’t really come into its own until the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy was established in 1986. The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit worked with local governments around the country to convert abandoned rail beds into trails for walking, hiking and biking. One result of that effort was the popular West Orange Trail, a 22-mile route that rambles right through the middle of Plant Street. In fact, the Winter Garden Station quickly emerged as a favorite stop for thousands of trail users every month. H2 2 H o r izo n W e st U pdate

Local boosters and businesspeople were happy to welcome the visitors, many of whom had never been to Winter Garden and were delighted by its picture-postcard ambience and its neighborly attitude. Today, about 1.3 million people annually visit downtown Winter Garden. And there’s plenty to do and see. The lovingly restored Garden Theatre, a circa-1930s movie house, is in the heart of the Historic District. Now a performingarts center, it hosts live theater, dance and musical programs as well as the annual Starlight Film Festival, which celebrates inventive, micro-budget productions. In addition, the city partnered with the Winter Garden Arts Association to convert the old Boyd Street Fire Station into a hub for visual art that now houses a gallery and a teaching facility. It’s the first step toward creation of an Art and Design District, which will offer artists both living space and studio space. And, of course, there’s eating. At the critically acclaimed Chef’s Table at the Edgewater Hotel, you can savor the likes of foie gras, terrine with oven-toasted brioche and apricot balsamic gastrique. Then there’s the fire-grilled filet with celery root and potato purée at Thai Blossom, the seared tuna and homemade soup at the Moon Cricket Grille, and what’s been touted by various critics as some of the best pizza in Central Florida at familyowned Winter Garden Pizza Company. Sure, it’s all very hip — except when it isn’t. Need to stock up on insecticides? Get a bottle of tail-and-mane shampoo for your horses or a 50-pound bag of feed for your catfish farm? Try Winter Garden Feed Company, which changed its name and moved from downtown Winter Garden to West Colonial Drive. And the city’s Heritage Foundation operates two museums: the Winter Garden Heritage Museum, located in the old Atlantic Coast Line Depot, and the Central Florida Railroad Museum, located in the old Tavares & Gulf Railroad Depot. Both museums offer free admission. The Winter Garden Farmers Market — here we go with food again — won an “America’s Favorite” award from America’s Farmland Trust a couple of years back. It’s held every Saturday and features locally grown produce, fresh flowers, baked goods and even live entertainment. 

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Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition, publisher of Horizon West Update, is an award-winning new-home publication from Winter Park Publishing Company LLC. The company also publishes real estate maps and maintains a comprehensive database of new homes at its website, thefloridahomebuyer.com. For more information call 407-448-8414. MICK LOCHRIDGE Editor

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ART FAULKNER Contributing Photographer ON THE COVER: The lifestyle center on Lake Hancock at Hamlin.


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The Lakehouse | Lakeshore Winter Garden, FL

Luxury communities in Central Florida from the mid-$400,000s to 1 million. Start your new home search today at TollBrothers.com/HW Design trends, tips & more at TollTV.com | Download the Toll Brothers App today Homes available nationwide. Brokers welcome. Prices subject to change without notice. Photos are images only and should not be relied upon to confirm applicable features. This is not an offering where prohibited by law. CBC1255158


E S TAT E o f T H E A RT L I V I N G . Now Selling in Downtown Winter Garden.

At Stanton Estates you’ll find authentic, old world charm and craftsmanship combined with contemporary convenience. From the colonial-style baseboards to the 8’ wood doors included throughout your home, to the open living areas and huge designer kitchens great for entertaining, you’ll find that all Jones Homes USA homes in Stanton Estates provide you with more style and value as the standard features are usually an upgrade from other builders. With single and two story homes in this exclusive Downtown Winter Garden community, it’s time to have the home you want and the home you deserve.

For more information, visit StantonEstatesFL.com | Call 407.499.8865

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45 Estate Homes From the mid $500s CRC #046154 All prices, terms and availability subject to change without notice.

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HOW TO

PICK A PRO How do you pick the right person to represent you or your home? Here are a few do’s and don’ts you should consider when selecting a real estate agent. Naturally, check to make certain the agent’s license is current. Also, find out if the agent is, in fact, a Realtor. “The National Association of Realtors has a code of ethics that will knock your socks off, and they are very strict in dealing with people who don’t abide by them,” said Donald R. Brenner, the late professor emeritus at American University and a specialist in housing issues. Also, only Realtors have access to Multiple Listing Services (MLS) through which members share listings and have access to many more properties than nonmembers. In addition, during your search you should:  ASK AROUND. Talk to people you trust for recommendations, particularly those who’ve had recent experience buying or selling a home.  LOOK ONLINE. Some websites, such as Zillow,

have agent reviews. Of course, anyone can post anything these days, so don’t rely strictly on online commentaries.  FIND A SPECIALIST. Look for someone with experience in your price range or your geographic area. Many pros advertise their areas of expertise.  CONDUCT INTERVIEWS. What is the agent’s specific marketing plan for your home? Is real estate the agent’s full-time profession? How many homes has the agent listed and sold this year?  CHECK REFERENCES. Get the names of the agent’s past clients and give them a call. Would they use the agent again?  AVOID “DUAL AGENCIES.” These are agencies that represent both the buyer and the seller. Your goal is to find someone who is in your corner exclusively. To find a Realtor, or for more information about Realtors and Orlando-area real estate, visit the Orlando Regional Realtor Association (ORRA) at orlrealtor.com.


2019 GUIDE TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS

■ SCHOOL GRADES ■ STANDARDIZED TEST PASSAGE RATES ■ HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION RATES A special feature of Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition


PUBLIC SCHOOLS School grades provide an easily understandable way to measure the performance of a school. Schools are graded A, B, C, D or F, and the grade is determined using up to 11 components. There are four achievement components, which are calculated using student performance on statewide standardized assessments, including comprehensive assessments, end-of-course (EOC) assessments and Florida Alternate Assessments (FAA). The achievement components measure the percentage of full-year enrolled students who achieve a passing score. There are also learning gains components and a middle school acceleration component, as well as high school acceleration and graduation rate components. Each component is worth up to 100 points in the overall calculation. The four achievement components — English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies — are shown on the following pages. Also shown are school grades for two years, high school graduation rates and the percentage of students on free or reduced lunch programs. For more information about the complexities of school grading, and to see results of the other components that determine school grades, visit the Florida Department of Education website at fdoe.com.

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2017

-

LAKE ORIENTA

60

61

60

-

C

C

79.3

-

59.7

-

LAWTON

80

77

83

-

B

A

26.0

-

BENTLEY

59

61

55

-

B

B

64.3

-

LAYER

62

67

55

-

B

B

63.6

-

CARILLON

74

77

75

-

A

B

33.0

-

LONGWOOD

64

69

77

-

B

-

68.1

-

CASSELBERRY

48

58

61

-

B

C

77.4

-

MIDWAY

46

52

41

-

C

C

90.1

-

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2016-17

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

83.2

B

Free or Reduced Lunch %

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

C

B

Graduation Rate 2016-17

C

-

Free or Reduced Lunch %

-

68

School Grade 2017

52

73

School Grade 2018

49

66

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

50

BEAR LAKE

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

ALTAMONTE

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

MAKING THE GRADE

SEMINOLE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

CHOICES IN LEARNING (CHARTER)

91

93

93

-

A

A

31.7

-

PARTIN

77

79

82

-

A

A

25.3

-

CRYSTAL LAKE

61

68

68

-

B

A

37.8

-

PINE CREST

30

33

31

-

D

D

92.2

-

EASTBROOK

55

63

59

-

C

B

60.5

-

RAINBOW

76

80

77

-

A

A

39.1

-

ENGLISH ESTATES

61

70

49

-

B

A

81.7

-

RED BUG

71

74

64

-

A

A

53.0

-

EVANS

73

80

74

-

A

A

42.0

-

SABAL POINT

74

85

66

-

A

A

36.6

-

FOREST CITY

63

62

65

-

B

B

76.9

-

SPRING LAKE

51

61

51

-

C

C

65.5

-

GENEVA

56

65

77

-

B

A

49.4

-

STENSTROM

67

73

70

-

A

A

47.1

-

GOLDSBORO MAGNET

64

68

77

-

B

B

61.6

-

STERLING PARK

71

69

72

-

B

B

59.9

-

HAMILTON

45

57

75

-

C

C

93.0

-

WALKER

76

81

76

-

A

B

24.2

-

HEATHROW

79

88

77

-

A

B

23.7

-

WEKIVA

73

77

73

-

A

A

37.6

-

HIGHLANDS

71

74

60

-

B

B

69.5

-

WICKLOW

49

58

50

-

B

C

88.4

-

IDYLLWILDE

47

46

42

-

C

D

88.5

-

WILSON

81

81

68

-

A

A

31.1

-

KEETH

76

73

68

-

A

A

35.7

-

WINTER SPRINGS

59

71

53

-

A

B

79.2

-

LAKE MARY

65

72

68

-

A

A

59.3

-

WOODLANDS

69

74

63

-

B

B

31.3

-

SEMINOLE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS CHILES

76

80

86

69

A

A

28.8

-

MILWEE

55

59

60

62

B

B

69.5

-

GREENWOOD LAKES

51

57

56

72

B

B

67.8

-

ROCK LAKE

62

71

60

84

A

A

42.3

-

INDIAN TRAILS

63

67

68

82

B

A

44.3

-

SANFORD

62

67

72

71

B

A

53.5

-

JACKSON HEIGHTS

71

79

74

88

A

A

35.3

-

SOUTH SEMINOLE

52

62

48

66

B

C

73.9

-

MARKHAM WOODS

61

68

63

73

B

B

48.6

-

TEAGUE

57

63

54

75

B

B

61.0

-

MILLENNIUM

54

60

51

68

B

B

72.2

-

TUSKAWILLA

53

63

59

64

B

B

58.4

-

88

SEMINOLE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS CROOMS ACADEMY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

75

HAGERTY

74

71

85

87

A

A

23.9

95

LAKE BRANTLEY

61

47

68

72

B

B

52.0

90

LAKE HOWELL

57

55

77

83

B

B

56.7

87

LAKE MARY

60

51

76

76

B

B

45.5

93

71

86

93

A

A

45.3

100

LYMAN

53

43

64

70

B

B

58.8

OVIEDO

68

70

89

88

A

A

38.7

91

SEMINOLE

58

47

58

76

B

B

57.4

89

WINTER SPRINGS

57

47

68

71

B

B

58.7

85

-

-

-

-

I

A

21.5

-

83

88

81

94

A

A

35.2

-

SEMINOLE COUNTY VIRTUAL FRANCHISE

SEMINOLE COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS GALILEO SCHOOL FOR GIFTED LEARNING K-8 (CHARTER)

76

74

70

89

A

B

26.8

6 0   H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N

-

SEMINOLE SCIENCE K-8 (CHARTER)


Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2017

Free or Reduced Lunch %

Graduation Rate 2016-17

B

100.0

-

MICHIGAN AVENUE

57

63

44

-

B

B

86.6

-

C

C

100.0

-

MILL CREEK

50

54

49

-

C

B

100.0

-

CHESTNUT SCHOOL FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

57

56

54

-

C

B

100.0

-

NARCOOSSEE

69

70

70

-

B

B

45.5

-

CYPRESS

50

53

44

-

C

C

100.0

-

DEERWOOD

36

35

30

-

D

C

100.0

-

EAST LAKE

58

61

49

-

C

B

85.5

-

FLORA RIDGE

41

45

43

-

D

C

51.9

-

HICKORY TREE

58

63

56

-

C

B

65.5

-

HIGHLANDS

50

49

55

-

C

C

100.0

-

KISSIMMEE

51

74

67

-

A

A

100.0

-

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2016-17

C

-

Free or Reduced Lunch %

-

55

School Grade 2017

55

46

School Grade 2018

51

39

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

52

CENTRAL AVENUE

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

BOGGY CREEK

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

OSCEOLA COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS NEPTUNE

57

57

60

-

C

A

100.0

-

PARTIN SETTLEMENT

60

59

47

-

C

B

85.4

-

PLEASANT HILL

43

49

50

-

C

C

98.3

-

POINCIANA ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS

44

45

56

-

C

C

100.0

-

REEDY CREEK

51

56

37

-

C

B

98.1

-

ST. CLOUD

68

71

72

-

B

B

58.0

-

SUNRISE

47

54

53

-

C

C

97.0

-

47

49

43

-

C

C

98.5

-

49

48

50

-

C

C

100.0

-

-

KOA

50

47

36

-

C

C

100.0

-

THACKER AVENUE SCHOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

LAKEVIEW

57

65

56

-

C

A

88.6

-

VENTURA

OSCEOLA COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS DENN JOHN

39

46

42

68

C

C

100.0

-

NARCOOSSEE

62

66

62

86

A

A

58.2

DISCOVERY INTERMEDIATE

37

32

34

67

C

C

100.0

-

NEPTUNE

50

50

52

75

B

B

91.5

-

HORIZON

47

49

50

75

B

B

92.3

-

PARKWAY

45

47

51

71

B

C

100.0

-

KISSIMMEE

39

42

41

74

C

C

100.0

-

ST. CLOUD

58

62

55

80

B

A

60.9

-

NEW DIMENSIONS

79

47

82

82

A

A

88.5

98

OSCEOLA

41

30

56

62

C

C

100.0

87

POINCIANA

39

26

53

49

C

C

98.4

88

PROFESSIONAL & TECHNICAL

80

83

85

93

A

A

68.5

100

ST. CLOUD

52

47

77

78

B

B

65.2

93

ST. CLOUD PREPARATORY ACADEMY

60

20

36

-

D

-

61.9

-

OSCEOLA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS AVANT GARDE ACADEMY OF OSCEOLA 6-12 (CHARTER)

30

24

25

59

D

C

100.0

-

CELEBRATION

60

45

74

75

B

C

61.9

91

FOUR CORNERS UPPER 9-12 (CHARTER)

49

34

41

57

C

C

69.7

-

GATEWAY

45

31

72

66

C

C

98.0

86

HARMONY

58

43

76

76

B

B

44.9

91

LIBERTY

43

21

54

49

C

C

96.8

89

OSCEOLA COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS AVANT GARDE ACADEMY POINCIANA K-8 (CHARTER) BELLALAGO ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER) CANOE CREEK ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER)

42

34

36

63

C

D

100.0

-

67

68

-

-

B

A

65.9

-

95

68

90

-

A

B

32.4

88

-

OSCEOLA SCIENCE K-8 (CHARTER) OSCEOLA VIRTUAL SCHOOL (SECONDARY) POINCIANA ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS PK-5 (CHARTER)

60

51

57

74

B

B

72.0

-

54

57

61

58

B

B

88.3

CELEBRATION SCHOOL K-8

79

81

82

94

A

A

28.1

44

45

56

-

C

C

100.0

-

-

P. M. WELLS ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER)

53

56

42

75

A

B

100.0

-

RENAISSANCE SCHOOL AT BOGGY CREEK K-8 (CHARTER) RENAISSANCE SCHOOL AT POINCIANA K-8 (CHARTER) RENAISSANCE SCHOOL AT TAPESTRY K-8 (CHARTER) ST. CLOUD PREPARATORY ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER) UCP OSCEOLA PK-2 (CHARTER) WESTSIDE SCHOOL K-8

FLORIDA CYBER K-12 (CHARTER)

39

27

41

43

D

C

9.7

-

FOUR CORNERS K-8 (CHARTER)

59

55

52

-

C

C

66.6

-

HARMONY COMMUNITY SCHOOL

71

71

74

92

A

A

38.9

-

KISSIMMEE ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER) MATER BRIGHTON LAKES ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER) MATER PALMS ACADEMY K-12 OSCEOLA COUNTY SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS 6-12 (CHARTER)

59

62

50

75

B

B

94.4

-

54

51

50

54

C

B

100.0

-

54

57

41

-

C

-

80.1

-

92

84

88

99

A

A

53.6

99

46

53

53

-

C

-

67.4

50

40

41

74

C

C

100.0

-

49

40

45

79

C

C

100.0

-

60

52

56

56

B

C

57.0

-

9

9

-

-

F

-

100.0

-

47

44

57

77

B

B

95.3

-

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61


53

75

64

-

A

B

100.0

LITTLE RIVER

57

62

52

-

C

C

100.0

-

APOPKA

58

67

61

-

B

B

100.0

-

LOCKHART

43

52

35

-

C

D

100.0

-

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2016-17

LAWTON CHILES

-

Free or Reduced Lunch %

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

-

65.8

School Grade 2017

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

100.0

A

School Grade 2018

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

A

A

Graduation Rate 2016-17

B

-

Free or Reduced Lunch %

-

67

School Grade 2017

50

73

School Grade 2018

65

67

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

54

ANDOVER

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

ALOMA

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ORANGE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS -

AVALON

75

81

80

-

A

A

30.9

-

LOVELL

39

47

51

-

C

C

100.0

-

AZALEA PARK

43

54

49

-

C

C

100.0

-

MEADOW WOODS

49

53

43

-

C

C

100.0

-

BALDWIN PARK

78

80

78

-

A

A

40.0

-

METROWEST

51

50

46

-

C

C

82.5

-

BAY LAKE

78

79

77

-

A

A

38.0

-

MICHAEL MCCOY

42

50

46

-

C

C

100.0

-

BAY MEADOWS

67

76

67

-

B

B

44.3

-

MILLENNIA

54

59

52

-

B

C

100.0

-

BONNEVILLE

54

62

55

-

C

A

100.0

-

MILLENNIA GARDENS

44

46

45

-

C

C

100.0

-

BROOKSHIRE

74

75

75

-

A

A

53.2

-

MOLLIE RAY

33

49

44

-

C

B

100.0

-

CAMELOT

66

74

69

-

B

A

68.0

-

MOSS PARK

76

78

62

-

A

A

39.8

-

CASTLE CREEK

57

61

60

-

C

B

100.0

-

NAP FORD COMMUNITY (CHARTER)

37

48

32

-

D

B

100.0

-

CATALINA

33

43

38

-

C

D

100.0

-

NORTHLAKE PARK COMMUNITY

74

73

67

-

B

A

46.4

-

CHENEY

63

72

67

-

A

B

100.0

-

OAK HILL

44

52

28

-

D

C

100.0

-

CHICKASAW

56

53

56

-

C

C

100.0

-

OAKLAND AVENUE (CHARTER)

68

74

64

-

B

A

33.1

-

CITRUS

56

64

58

-

C

B

100.0

-

OAKSHIRE

71

83

67

-

A

A

100.0

-

CLAY SPRINGS

57

66

59

-

C

B

100.0

-

OCOEE

46

56

47

-

C

B

100.0

-

COLUMBIA

69

78

80

-

A

A

63.3

-

ORANGE CENTER

50

50

45

-

C

C

100.0

-

CONWAY

52

56

49

-

C

B

100.0

-

ORLANDO SCIENCE (CHARTER)

83

83

78

-

A

A

49.0

-

CYPRESS PARK

42

52

53

-

C

D

100.0

-

ORLO VISTA

47

50

51

-

C

B

100.0

-

CYPRESS SPRINGS

75

78

76

-

A

A

58.0

-

PALM LAKE

70

76

80

-

A

A

51.5

-

DEERWOOD

77

74

65

-

A

A

63.7

-

PALMETTO

38

54

45

-

C

B

100.0

-

DILLARD STREET

46

58

53

-

C

C

100.0

-

PERSHING-PINE CASTLE

58

62

65

-

B

A

88.3

-

DOMMERICH

81

87

78

-

A

A

22.3

-

PHILLIS WHEATLEY

29

46

41

-

D

C

100.0

-

DOVER SHORES

60

65

55

-

B

A

100.0

-

PINAR

54

64

45

-

B

B

100.0

-

DR. PHILLIPS

77

82

88

-

A

A

39.1

-

PINE HILLS

42

56

43

-

C

C

100.0

-

DREAM LAKE

53

68

53

-

B

C

100.0

-

PINECREST CREEK (CHARTER)

50

56

18

-

C

B

93.0

-

DURRANCE

50

64

54

-

B

C

100.0

-

PINELOCH

45

51

42

-

C

C

100.0

-

EAGLE CREEK

77

80

87

-

A

A

42.6

-

PINEWOOD

41

43

58

-

C

D

100.0

-

EAGLES NEST

45

50

40

-

C

C

100.0

-

PRAIRIE LAKE

53

54

43

-

C

B

80.1

-

EAST LAKE

60

73

65

-

B

B

60.6

-

PRINCETON

74

76

65

-

A

A

41.5

-

ECCLESTON

34

44

30

-

C

C

100.0

-

RIDGEWOOD PARK

38

49

32

-

C

D

100.0

-

ENDEAVOR

67

66

60

-

A

B

72.7

-

RIVERDALE

46

46

45

-

C

B

100.0

-

ENGELWOOD

37

33

42

-

D

C

100.0

-

RIVERSIDE

42

43

39

-

D

C

100.0

-

FORSYTH WOODS

52

66

54

-

B

B

100.0

-

ROCK LAKE

22

29

29

-

F

B

100.0

-

HIAWASSEE

34

39

23

-

D

C

100.0

-

ROCK SPRINGS

59

62

50

-

C

C

72.7

-

HIDDEN OAKS

60

61

61

-

C

A

77.5

-

ROLLING HILLS

28

30

31

-

D

B

100.0

-

HILLCREST

82

80

66

-

B

A

37.0

-

ROSEMONT

28

38

25

-

D

D

100.0

-

HUNGERFORD

39

52

46

-

C

C

100.0

-

SADLER

45

45

44

-

C

C

100.0

-

HUNTERS CREEK

71

82

70

-

A

A

58.9

-

SAND LAKE

71

77

64

-

A

A

51.6

-

INDEPENDENCE

83

88

81

-

A

A

24.7

-

SHENANDOAH

70

80

66

-

A

A

60.9

-

IVEY LANE

29

44

33

-

F

B

100.0

-

SHINGLE CREEK

39

58

55

-

C

C

100.0

-

JOHN YOUNG

58

69

64

-

B

A

81.8

-

SOUTHWOOD

66

66

58

-

B

B

100.0

-

KEENES CROSSING

80

84

74

-

A

A

28.0

-

SPRING LAKE

51

61

51

-

C

C

100.0

-

KID’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE (CHARTER) OCOEE

31

32

35

-

D

D

80.1

-

STONE LAKES

79

86

78

-

A

A

33.6

-

KILLARNEY

59

63

66

-

A

A

100.0

-

LAKE COMO

51

57

42

-

C

C

100.0

LAKE GEM

42

50

41

-

C

C

100.0

-

LAKE GEORGE

56

58

64

-

C

B

100.0

-

LAKE SILVER

56

61

62

-

B

B

100.0

-

LAKE SYBELIA

66

69

56

-

C

C

62.9

-

LAKE WESTON

30

30

29

-

F

D

100.0

-

LAKE WHITNEY

83

89

82

-

A

A

25.4

-

LAKEMONT

72

75

68

-

A

A

55.6

-

LAKEVILLE

46

55

50

-

C

C

100.0

-

LANCASTER

48

62

45

-

B

C

100.0

-

LAUREATE PARK

82

85

75

-

A

-

22.1

6 2   H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N

SUN BLAZE

68

73

68

-

B

A

61.9

-

SUNRIDGE

60

64

56

-

B

C

63.0

-

SUNRISE

71

79

64

-

B

A

34.2

-

SUNSET PARK

72

70

62

-

A

A

33.6

-

TANGELO PARK

38

37

39

-

C

D

100.0

-

THORNEBROOKE

84

84

76

-

A

A

35.8

-

THREE POINTS

40

53

38

-

C

C

100.0

-

TILDENVILLE

64

73

59

-

B

C

83.1

-

TIMBER LAKES

75

84

69

-

A

A

46.2

-

UCP EAST (CHARTER)

49

57

39

-

C

C

66.8

-

UNION PARK

47

49

47

-

C

C

100.0

-

VENTURA

41

50

41

-

C

B

100.0

-

VISTA LAKES

69

76

61

-

B

A

59.0

-


Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2017

Free or Reduced Lunch %

Graduation Rate 2016-17

C

100.0

-

WHISPERING OAK

84

85

87

-

A

A

25.0

-

B

B

100.0

-

WILLIAM FRANGUS

44

50

41

-

C

B

100.0

-

WATERFORD

68

74

51

-

B

B

54.2

-

WILLIAM S. MAXEY

66

74

45

-

A

B

100.0

-

WEST CREEK

70

76

61

-

A

A

53.4

-

WINDERMERE

84

86

84

-

A

A

11.3

-

WEST OAKS

46

45

45

-

C

C

100.0

-

WINEGARD

45

49

49

-

B

C

100.0

-

WESTBROOKE

76

78

74

-

A

A

57.6

-

WOLF LAKE

69

81

62

-

A

A

51.5

-

WESTPOINTE

59

67

46

-

A

-

71.7

WYNDHAM LAKES

60

64

59

-

B

A

100.0

-

WETHERBEE

62

67

54

-

B

B

100.0

ZELLWOOD

47

58

54

-

C

C

100.0

-

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2016-17

C

-

Free or Reduced Lunch %

-

52

School Grade 2017

55

School Grade 2018

44 60

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

31 52

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

WASHINGTON SHORES WATERBRIDGE

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

ORANGE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

-

ORANGE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS APOPKA

43

48

50

59

C

C

79.1

-

LEGACY

54

49

45

75

B

C

72.9

-

AVALON

75

79

77

90

A

A

31.2

-

LIBERTY

-

-

-

-

I

C

100.0

-

BRIDGEWATER

73

73

70

87

A

A

32.4

-

LOCKHART

37

38

43

56

C

C

100.0

CARVER

26

28

28

46

C

C

100.0

-

MAITLAND

63

64

58

81

B

B

47.4

-

CHAIN OF LAKES

48

44

49

60

C

B

77.1

-

MEADOW WOODS

46

47

44

70

C

C

100.0

-

COLLEGE PARK

36

42

46

59

C

C

100.0

-

MEADOWBROOK

24

33

36

47

C

C

100.0

-

CONWAY

53

53

47

65

C

B

73.1

-

MEMORIAL

31

34

38

50

C

D

100.0

-

CORNER LAKE

50

50

48

52

C

C

71.8

-

OCOEE

46

45

52

73

C

B

80.5

-

DISCOVERY

63

69

70

88

A

A

48.1

-

ODYSSEY

53

52

59

64

B

B

70.4

-

FREEDOM

52

57

38

68

B

B

100.0

-

PIEDMONT LAKES

42

54

44

60

C

C

100.0

-

GLENRIDGE

63

71

61

78

A

A

52.3

-

ROBINSWOOD

33

27

35

65

C

C

100.0

-

GOTHA

55

49

52

68

C

A

66.1

-

SOUTH CREEK

57

52

55

66

B

B

100.0

-

HOWARD

71

68

64

77

A

B

51.7

-

SOUTHWEST

61

61

59

75

A

A

59.5

-

HUNTERS CREEK

72

76

69

77

A

A

57.8

-

STONEWALL JACKSON

47

46

45

59

C

C

100.0

-

INNOVATION

68

76

56

93

A

-

52.0

-

SUNRIDGE

71

71

69

86

A

A

36.6

-

JUDSON B. WALKER

31

29

35

48

D

C

100.0

-

TIMBER SPRINGS

67

68

65

80

B

-

58.8

LAKE NONA

75

82

73

93

A

A

46.1

-

UNION PARK

36

42

36

53

C

C

100.0

-

LAKEVIEW

50

51

44

66

C

B

73.0

-

WESTRIDGE

31

30

33

56

D

C

100.0

-

WOLF LAKE

52

55

52

75

B

B

64.9

-

84

ORANGE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS APOPKA

50

54

58

63

B

C

65.6

92

MAYNARD EVANS

28

35

52

50

C

D

100.0

COLONIAL

35

37

53

64

C

C

100.0

93

OAK RIDGE

29

42

55

58

C

D

100.0

91

CORNERSTONE CHARTER ACADEMY

72

55

82

89

A

B

43.0

97

OCOEE

44

34

57

57

C

C

78.0

93

CYPRESS CREEK

50

41

65

66

B

C

100.0

96

OLYMPIA

60

54

71

81

B

B

58.3

96

DR. PHILLIPS

59

50

67

66

B

C

60.8

94

TIMBER CREEK

74

67

87

77

A

B

39.2

98

EAST RIVER

46

41

63

68

C

C

61.5

92

UNIVERSITY

54

47

65

77

B

C

68.5

97

-

-

-

-

I

C

72.7

-

WEKIVA

42

31

55

61

C

C

100.0

91

60

60

62

64

B

B

71.1

96

WEST ORANGE

62

59

72

75

B

B

43.8

93

JONES

24

24

36

42

D

D

100.0

89

WILLIAM R. BOONE

63

60

76

79

A

B

55.0

96

LAKE NONA

66

53

70

70

B

B

50.6

96

WINDERMERE

67

57

79

74

B

-

31.6

-

LEGACY (CHARTER)

74

62

70

88

A

A

0.0

100

WINTER PARK

66

60

81

84

A

B

42.5

94

EDGEWATER FREEDOM

ORANGE COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS ARBOR RIDGE K-8

77

82

60

98

A

A

61.4

-

ORANGE COUNTY VIRTUAL K-12

-

-

-

-

I

A

25.6

-

BLANKNER K-8

72

73

77

82

A

A

36.5

-

38

29

45

36

D

D

100.0

-

83

85

86

89

A

A

46.7

96

BRIDGEPREP K-8 (CHARTER)

ORLANDO SCIENCE MIDDLE HIGH 6-12 (CHARTER)

CENTRAL FLORIDA LEADERSHIP ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER) CORNERSTONE ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER)

PASSPORT K-8 (CHARTER)

48

43

48

78

B

C

78.1

-

60

51

70

67

B

A

100.0

-

61

79

62

62

A

C

89.3

-

70

75

69

90

A

A

18.6

-

78

86

68

84

A

A

0.0

-

47

42

37

75

B

D

36.6

-

HOPE K-8 (CHARTER) INNOVATION MONTESSORI OCOEE K-8 (CHARTER)

62

49

61

77

C

C

6.2

44

48

31

85

C

C

23.5

-

LAKE EOLA K-8 (CHARTER)

87

84

77

96

A

A

0.5

-

44

38

35

44

C

C

33.2

-

-

-

-

-

I

C

100.0

-

PINECREST PREPARATORY K-8 (CHARTER) RENAISSANCE SCHOOL AT CHICKASAW TRAIL K-8 (CHARTER) RENAISSANCE SCHOOL AT CROWN POINT K-8 (CHARTER) RENAISSANCE SCHOOL AT GOLDENROD K-8 (CHARTER) RENAISSANCE SCHOOL AT HUNTERS CREEK K-8 (CHARTER)

60

61

48

77

B

B

62.8

-

WEDGEFIELD SCHOOL K-8

65

64

51

75

B

B

53.1

-

WINDY RIDGE K-8 (CHARTER)

78

84

78

91

A

A

55.5

-

LEGENDS ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER) OCPS ACADEMIC CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE PK-8 ORANGE COUNTY PREPARATORY ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER)

17

26

16

38

D

-

100.0

-

62

55

54

62

C

C

69.9

-

FA L L 2 0 1 9

 

63


School Grade 2018

School Grade 2017

KATHLEEN

44

42

34

-

C

D

100.0

-

-

KINGSFORD

49

55

37

-

C

C

100.0

-

Graduation Rate 2016-17

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

-

100.0

Free or Reduced Lunch %

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

100.0

B

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

C

B

Graduation Rate 2016-17

C

-

Free or Reduced Lunch %

-

73

School Grade 2017

42

62

School Grade 2018

52

51

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

38

ALTURAS

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

ALTA VISTA

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

POLK COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AUBURNDALE CENTRAL

36

38

45

-

C

D

100.0

-

LAKE ALFRED

55

59

65

-

C

C

99.8

BARTOW ACADEMY

85

85

79

-

A

A

33.5

-

LAKE SHIPP

39

47

52

-

C

C

100.0

-

BEN HILL GRIFFIN JR.

41

48

44

-

C

C

100.0

-

LAKELAND MONTESSORI SCHOOL HOUSE (CHARTER)

82

76

58

-

A

A

7.1

-

LAUREL

36

43

-

-

C

C

100.0

-

LENA VISTA

40

43

46

-

C

C

100.0

-

LEWIS ANNA WOODBURY

38

42

42

-

D

C

100.0

-

LINCOLN AVENUE ACADEMY

90

90

83

-

A

A

28.5

-

LOUGHMAN OAKS

40

42

46

-

C

C

97.5

-

MAGNOLIA MONTESSORI ACADEMY (CHARTER)

85

87

75

-

A

A

0.0

-

MCKEEL CENTRAL ACADEMY K-6

77

86

77

-

A

A

30.5

-

MEDULLA

49

54

53

-

C

C

93.1

-

NORTH LAKELAND

49

61

57

-

C

C

100.0

-

OSCAR J. POPE

35

46

33

-

C

C

100.0

-

PALMETTO

41

46

-

-

C

C

100.0

-

PHILIP O’BRIEN

46

45

36

-

D

C

100.0

-

PINEWOOD

55

58

42

-

C

C

100.0

-

POLK AVENUE

35

53

54

-

C

C

100.0

-

POLK CITY

47

54

47

-

C

B

96.3

-

PURCELL

46

57

35

-

C

C

100.0

-

R. BRUCE WAGNER

49

56

55

-

C

C

89.6

-

R. CLEM CHURCHWELL

64

78

60

-

B

A

84.5

-

SANDHILL

44

51

45

-

C

C

98.6

-

SCOTT LAKE

60

63

71

-

B

B

68.0

-

SLEEPY HILL

39

59

39

-

C

B

100.0

-

SOCRUM

41

55

42

-

C

C

97.9

-

SOUTH MCKEEL ACADEMY K-7

79

88

72

99

A

A

28.3

SOUTHWEST

45

61

53

-

C

B

100.0

-

SPESSARD L. HOLLAND

60

66

60

-

C

B

65.3

-

SPOOK HILL

34

46

55

-

C

D

100.0

-

VALLEYVIEW

77

88

78

-

A

A

40.4

-

WAHNETA

34

60

39

-

C

B

100.0

-

WALTER CALDWELL

40

39

30

-

D

D

97.9

-

WENDELL WATSON

55

60

62

-

B

B

69.9

-

WINSTON ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING

62

73

59

-

B

C

80.4

-

BERKLEY

71

78

69

-

A

A

45.6

-

BETHUNE ACADEMY

63

60

59

-

C

C

74.7

-

CARLTON PALMORE

53

60

63

-

C

B

90.2

-

CHAIN OF LAKES

67

75

68

-

A

A

73.9

-

CLARENCE BOSWELL

52

59

67

-

C

B

100.0

-

CLEVELAND COURT

63

78

71

-

B

A

72.4

-

COMBEE ACADEMY

40

49

58

-

C

C

100.0

-

CRYSTAL LAKE

28

29

40

-

C

D

100.0

-

DALE R. FAIR BABSON PARK

68

77

56

-

B

B

92.2

-

DIXIELAND

45

59

50

-

C

C

100.0

-

DR. N.E. ROBERTS

53

66

66

-

B

B

89.2

-

DUNDEE ACADEMY

49

57

-

-

C

B

87.4

-

EAGLE LAKE

46

61

57

-

B

C

100.0

-

EASTSIDE

31

41

15

-

C

C

100.0

-

EDGAR L. PADGETT

52

74

63

-

B

B

93.6

-

ELBERT

49

58

31

-

C

C

99.3

-

FLORAL AVENUE

54

56

64

-

C

B

100.0

-

FRANK E. BRIGHAM ACADEMY

73

78

76

-

A

A

39.7

-

FRED G. GARNER

33

37

37

-

C

F

100.0

-

GARDEN GROVE

54

67

54

-

B

C

85.0

-

GIBBONS STREET

32

31

52

-

D

D

100.0

-

GRIFFIN

23

22

26

-

D

F

100.0

-

HARTRIDGE ACADEMY

68

54

59

-

C

B

60.6

-

HIGHLAND CITY

58

59

53

-

C

C

80.8

-

HIGHLANDS GROVE

71

83

76

-

A

A

62.7

-

HILLCREST

55

75

54

-

B

C

100.0

-

HORIZONS

55

58

44

-

B

B

93.7

-

INWOOD

38

40

32

-

C

C

100.0

-

JAMES E. STEPHENS

31

41

38

-

C

C

100.0

-

JAMES W. SIKES

60

62

61

-

B

B

77.8

-

JANIE HOWARD WILSON

43

53

40

-

C

D

100.0

-

JESSE KEEN

32

46

44

-

C

C

100.0

-

JOHN SNIVELY

38

54

56

-

B

C

100.0

-

POLK COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS BARTOW

35

34

39

83

C

D

89.0

-

LAKE GIBSON

41

40

46

93

C

C

77.5

-

BERKLEY ACCELERATED (CHARTER)

67

86

63

77

A

A

43.7

-

LAKE MARION CREEK

26

20

19

62

D

D

100.0

-

BOK ACADEMY (CHARTER)

70

75

70

99

A

A

63.9

-

LAKELAND HIGHLANDS

54

58

48

96

B

C

46.2

-

CRYSTAL LAKE

31

34

39

82

C

C

100.0

-

LAKELAND MONTESSORI (CHARTER)

70

83

74

92

A

A

17.7

-

DANIEL JENKINS ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY

42

46

46

98

C

C

72.9

-

LAWTON CHILES ACADEMY

77

87

77

93

A

A

32.6

-

DENISON

33

32

31

71

C

C

93.3

-

MCLAUGHLIN FINE ARTS ACADEMY

23

21

23

54

D

F

100.0

-

DISCOVERY ACADEMY OF LAKE ALFRED (CHARTER)

50

53

49

74

B

B

77.6

-

MULBERRY

47

50

40

94

B

C

90.0

-

DUNDEE RIDGE

58

59

58

95

A

B

77.1

-

SHELLEY S. BOONE

30

34

22

74

C

C

100.0

-

JERE L. STAMBAUGH

27

25

28

78

C

D

99.5

-

SLEEPY HILL

35

32

43

95

C

C

95.9

-

JEWETT ACADEMY MAGNET

61

63

57

90

B

B

43.6

-

SOUTHWEST

36

32

35

90

C

C

96.5

-

KATHLEEN

36

34

39

86

C

D

100.0

-

UNION ACADEMY

79

80

75

93

A

A

33.1

-

LAKE ALFRED POLYTECH ACADEMY

34

35

33

92

C

D

100.0

-

WESTWOOD

30

36

42

85

C

C

100.0

-

6 4   H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N


LAKE REGION

35

33

74

53

C

C

77.0

77

-

LAKE WALES

54

56

59

62

B

C

70.6

87

LAKELAND

58

52

72

73

B

C

55.6

88

MCKEEL ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY 7-12

77

81

79

84

A

A

33.1

100

MULBERRY

35

53

78

64

B

D

74.2

87

POLK PRE-COLLEGIATE ACADEMY 9-10

90

81

98

83

A

A

23.0

-

-

-

-

-

A

A

0.7

99

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Graduation Rate 2016-17

School Grade 2017

83

57.9

Free or Reduced Lunch %

School Grade 2018

67.7

C

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

C

I

Graduation Rate 2016-17

C

-

Free or Reduced Lunch %

48

-

School Grade 2017

49

-

School Grade 2018

36

-

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

37

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

POLK COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS A

A

2.3

100

57

C

D

77.1

-

FORT MEADE MIDDLE/SENIOR

43

49

51

69

B

C

95.3

86

FROSTPROOF MIDDLE/SENIOR

37

43

34

69

C

C

89.7

79

GEORGE W. JENKINS

54

48

72

70

B

C

38.2

88

HAINES CITY

36

31

73

63

C

C

80.2

77

KATHLEEN

37

36

60

56

C

D

78.5

75

LAKE GIBSON

40

38

56

62

C

C

61.3

83

POLK STATE COLLEGE COLLEGIATE RIDGE COMMUNITY

41

35

51

58

C

C

67.9

85

TENOROC

32

39

51

52

C

D

87.2

71

-

-

-

-

I

C

67.0

-

69

69

60

99

A

A

66.1

-

54

56

47

97

B

B

71.7

-

53

54

43

96

B

B

77.4

-

Graduation Rate 2016-17

83

50

Free or Reduced Lunch %

-

37

School Grade 2017

-

49

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

-

DISCOVERY

CHAIN OF LAKES COLLEGIATE

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

BARTOW

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

AUBURNDALE

WINTER HAVEN

C

53

16

58

C

A

3.9

-

71

67

92

A

A

50.5

-

60

52

47

94

B

C

54.3

-

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2017

Free or Reduced Lunch %

Graduation Rate 2016-17

42

59 73

D

82.8

-

RIDGEVIEW GLOBAL STUDIES ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER) ROCHELLE SCHOOL OF THE ARTS K-8 (CHARTER) ROSABELLE W. BLAKE ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER)

School Grade 2018

83

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

40

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

42

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

POLK COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS CITRUS RIDGE - A CIVIC ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER) CYPRESS JUNCTION MONTESSORI K-8 (CHARTER) DAVENPORT SCHOOL OF THE ARTS K-8 (CHARTER) JEWETT SCHOOL OF THE ARTS K-8 (CHARTER)

MASCOTTE

51

55

35

-

C

C

87.2

-

MINNEOLA CONVERSION (CHARTER)

61

60

52

-

B

C

61.0

-

LAKE COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ALTOONA

53

54

30

-

C

C

83.8

-

ASTATULA

55

58

61

-

C

B

69.1

-

BEVERLY SHORES

39

36

34

-

D

C

95.3

-

PINE RIDGE

71

77

68

-

A

B

53.6

-

CLERMONT

45

52

40

-

C

B

84.8

-

ROUND LAKE

72

72

55

-

A

B

39.1

-

CYPRESS RIDGE

86

82

79

-

A

B

31.8

-

SAWGRASS BAY

51

52

50

-

C

C

79.7

-

EUSTIS

63

68

59

-

B

B

81.6

-

SEMINOLE SPRINGS

67

69

68

-

B

C

72.6

-

EUSTIS HEIGHTS

39

44

30

-

D

C

90.6

-

SORRENTO

62

72

60

-

B

B

63.5

-

FRUITLAND PARK

49

51

41

-

C

C

85.5

-

TAVARES

56

65

52

-

C

C

76.4

-

GRASSY LAKE

69

71

72

-

B

A

54.2

-

43

59

54

-

C

C

84.7

-

THE VILLAGES ELEMENTARY OF LADY LAKE

73

75

62

-

A

A

81.5

-

GROVELAND LEESBURG

47

47

46

-

C

C

93.9

-

TREADWAY

57

62

57

-

B

C

80.0

-

LOST LAKE

75

80

74

-

B

A

51.9

-

TRIANGLE

50

65

55

-

B

B

89.9

-

UMATILLA

66

70

58

-

B

B

76.3

-

-

LAKE COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS CARVER

47

48

47

66

C

C

83.3

-

MOUNT DORA

52

61

47

63

B

C

65.6

CLERMONT

48

55

58

70

B

B

68.2

-

OAK PARK

35

35

40

66

C

C

92.5

-

EAST RIDGE

64

65

62

83

A

A

56.6

-

TAVARES

48

54

42

65

C

C

71.2

-

EUSTIS

46

55

53

69

B

C

75.9

-

UMATILLA

38

55

47

79

C

C

78.9

-

GRAY

54

59

59

81

B

B

71.7

-

WINDY HILL

60

61

56

76

B

B

58.4

-

LAKE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS LEESBURG

37

45

52

62

C

C

78.6

67

MOUNT DORA

47

50

62

83

B

C

59.3

83

93

SOUTH LAKE

47

49

61

66

C

C

62.2

75

64.3

80

TAVARES

46

57

73

82

B

C

60.2

80

48.8

94

UMATILLA

36

27

59

62

C

C

73.2

87

ALTERNATIVE EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENTAL PROGRAM

60

57

78

80

B

B

85.7

93

EAST RIDGE

60

57

78

80

B

B

56.7

EUSTIS

46

56

51

65

B

C

LAKE MINNEOLA

61

52

72

69

B

B

FA L L 2 0 1 9

 

65


English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2017

Free or Reduced Lunch %

Graduation Rate 2016-17

PINECREST LAKES ACADEMY K-8 (CHARTER)

81

80

90

-

A

-

18.2

-

SPRING CREEK PK-8 (CHARTER)

47

56

50

61

B

B

88.7

-

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2017

Graduation Rate 2016-17

Free or Reduced Lunch %

School Grade 2017

School Grade 2018

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

17.6

-

LAKE COUNTY VIRTUAL K-12

78

71

82

79

A

A

26.1

92

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

School Grade 2018

School Grade 2017

Free or Reduced Lunch %

Graduation Rate 2016-17

Graduation Rate 2016-17

A

Free or Reduced Lunch %

A

Social Studies Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

92

Science Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

71

Mathematics Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

78

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

69

English Language Arts Achievement % Satisfactory or Higher

LAKE COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS IMAGINE SCHOOLS AT SOUTH LAKE K-8 (CHARTER)

BLUE LAKE

42

49

34

-

C

D

91.4

-

OSTEEN

56

56

62

-

C

C

79.4

-

CHAMPION

42

41

40

-

D

C

86.5

-

PALM TERRACE

29

31

43

-

D

D

95.6

-

CHISHOLM

65

71

77

-

B

B

68.1

-

PATHWAYS

62

66

55

-

B

B

53.6

-

CITRUS GROVE

54

59

54

-

C

B

73.9

-

PIERSON

40

55

51

-

C

C

89.6

-

CORONADO BEACH

71

83

79

-

A

A

42.5

-

PINE TRAIL

69

72

68

-

B

A

57.4

-

CYPRESS CREEK

75

75

75

-

B

A

38.4

-

PORT ORANGE

62

53

64

-

C

B

71.5

-

DEBARY

62

76

72

-

A

A

51.7

-

PRIDE

52

57

54

-

C

B

83.3

-

DELTONA LAKES

52

56

57

-

C

C

84.8

-

R. J. LONGSTREET

58

49

64

-

C

C

77.7

-

DISCOVERY

49

51

41

-

C

C

91.6

-

READ-PATTILLO

55

59

63

-

C

B

78.0

-

VOLUSIA COUNTY ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

EDGEWATER PUBLIC

51

62

55

-

C

C

78.8

-

SAMSULA ACADEMY

63

66

83

-

C

B

4.1

-

EDITH I. STARKE

43

60

57

-

C

C

97.0

-

SOUTH DAYTONA

42

53

49

-

C

D

85.4

-

ENTERPRISE

49

49

44

-

C

B

84.3

-

SPIRIT

48

49

56

-

C

C

85.5

-

FOREST LAKE

53

60

64

-

C

C

80.3

-

SPRUCE CREEK

58

66

47

-

C

B

70.4

-

FREEDOM

61

68

51

-

C

B

59.0

-

SUGAR MILL

60

66

69

-

C

C

76.3

-

FRIENDSHIP

49

55

44

-

C

C

92.7

-

SUNRISE

48

54

58

-

C

C

83.8

-

GEORGE W. MARKS

53

57

59

-

C

C

72.0

-

SWEETWATER

83

89

85

-

A

A

52.3

-

HORIZON

64

71

63

-

C

A

68.9

-

THE READING EDGE ACADEMY

56

65

47

-

C

B

10.0

-

INDIAN RIVER

57

68

54

-

B

C

77.0

-

TIMBERCREST

65

73

67

-

B

B

76.4

-

LOUISE S. MCINNIS

43

61

52

-

B

B

91.6

-

TOMOKA

70

77

73

-

A

A

57.1

-

MANATEE COVE

61

70

66

-

B

B

77.4

-

TURIE T. SMALL

41

44

59

-

C

B

98.3

-

ORANGE CITY

47

46

57

-

C

C

85.5

-

VOLUSIA PINES

49

58

54

-

C

B

84.1

-

ORMOND BEACH

67

78

44

-

A

A

80.6

-

WESTSIDE

36

40

41

-

D

C

95.9

-

WOODWARD AVENUE

50

59

58

-

C

C

78.9

-

ORTONA

55

62

42

-

C

C

82.3

-

OSCEOLA

58

65

64

-

C

B

73.3

-

VOLUSIA COUNTY MIDDLE SCHOOLS CAMPBELL

34

34

37

61

C

C

94.2

-

HERITAGE

-

-

-

-

I

B

79.9

-

CREEKSIDE

67

70

72

81

A

A

44.2

-

NEW SMYRNA BEACH

51

54

66

74

B

B

64.8

-

DAVID C. HINSON SR.

58

65

70

74

A

B

63.7

-

ORMOND BEACH

60

62

64

72

B

B

60.1

-

DELAND

44

52

52

67

B

C

74.6

-

RIVER SPRINGS

-

-

-

-

I

B

67.4

-

DELTONA

46

52

61

52

B

B

84.0

-

SILVER SANDS

58

62

67

74

A

B

65.0

-

GALAXY

49

48

65

68

C

B

81.6

-

SOUTHWESTERN

46

43

52

71

C

C

77.4

-

VOLUSIA COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS ATLANTIC

50

53

82

56

B

C

67.5

89

PINE RIDGE

42

44

64

60

C

C

75.1

77

DELAND

48

42

66

66

C

B

63.0

77

SEABREEZE

61

65

74

77

B

B

45.6

86

DELTONA

44

44

70

70

B

C

76.3

76

SPRUCE CREEK

66

63

78

69

A

B

43.4

90

MAINLAND

41

32

60

59

C

C

75.8

78

UNIVERSITY

52

48

71

72

B

B

64.5

78

NEW SMYRNA BEACH

-

-

-

-

I

B

57.5

-

T. DEWITT TAYLOR MIDDLE-HIGH

41

37

57

59

C

C

82.1

82

77

69

78

88

A

A

46.5

-

VOLUSIA COUNTY COMBINED SCHOOLS BURNS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL K-8 (CHARTER)

75

72

78

95

A

A

46.0

-

HOLLY HILL K-8

34

37

41

57

C

C

95.4

-

6 6   H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N

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rsh R d

15A

e

Main St

Rd

e Bl v d

Sipes Ave

Lake Ashby Rd

Pell Rd ill B

lvd

N Central Ave S Central Ave

St way

road

R La ed B ke ug Rd

WB

Econlockhatchee Trl

Chickasaw Trl

Alafaya Trl

eh Pin

Snow Hill Rd

Lone Palm Rd

Hancock Lone Pine Rd

Chickasaw Trl

Snow Hill Rd

d

aR

awill Tusk

Tuskawilla Rd

Alafaya Trl

Lake Howell Rd

Temple Dr

Lakemont Ave

e Exwy

Ramp

Kirby Smith Rd

Bee Lin

Conway Gardens Rd

Chickasaw Trl

Goldenrod Rd

Crystal Lake Dr

Cameron Ave

Pa rk

Sanford Ave Dr

r oD

SO rlan d

ve E Lake St

od A

Ave

do

rlan

NO

Winter Park Rd Bumby Ave

Beardall Ave

S French Ave

N Airport Blvd

Upsala Rd

Rd S Country Club Rd N Country Club Rantoul Ln

gwood Lake Mary Rd

Lon

Range Line Rd

Lo n

Ora nge Ave

P r e v a t t Av e

g Jr

er Kin

D r M a rt i n Lu t h K e n t u c k y Av e

Veterans Memorial Pkwy

rm

N No l

lto n aB De

d Blv

eall

rd B

Cha r l e s R

icha

Boggy Creek Rd

Clapp Simms Duda Rd

rco o Rd ssee

Fells Cove

Lake Myrtle

Simpson Rd eR

East Lake Tohopekaliga

Partin Settlement Rd

Kings Hwy

d

ore

Cypress Ave 10th St 16th St

St. Cloud

Lake Lizzie

Bay Lake

Lake Colin

Buck Lake

Alligator Lake

Hickory Tree Rd

Harmony

Cat Lake

ns

o Br

534

Nova Rd

Trout Lake

Ln

Deer Run Rd

No

441

Coon Lake

rove

Kissimmee Park Rd

ek Rd

Cypress Pkwy

192

d

R va

Lake Preston

Lake Joel

g Sun

Lake Tohopekaliga

Lake Center

Rummell Rd

Mississippi Ave Hickory Tree Rd

tun

Vermont Ave

Nep

Tram Rd

Na

Smith St

P rovid

Woodland Blvd

Fatio Rd Orange Blvd

Lake Emma Rd

Markham Woods Rd

Palm Springs Dr

Parramore Ave

Rio Grande Ave

Orange Blossom Trl

You Pkw ng y

John Young Pkwy

Texas Ave

Orange Blossom Trl

Bermuda Ave

Thacker Ave

Buena Ventura Lakes

Rockwood Dr

Poinciana Blvd

13

Irlo

Bourne Rd

Rinehart Rd

Longwood Markham Rd

Lake Markham Rd

Raymond Ave

Montgomery Rd

Maitland Ave

Orlando Ave

Bear Lake Rd

Forest City Rd

Magnolia Homes Rd

Tampa Ave

Ivey Ln

Bruton Blvd

ak Turkey L e Rd

Dr Phillips Blvd Della Dr

Wes tw Blvd ood

Appopka-Vineland Rd

r

Thornton Ave

Powers Dr

Hastings St

Hiawassee Rd

Kirkman Rd

Clark Rd

Good Homes Rd ApopkaVineland Rd

Forest City Rd

Lakeville Rd

Hiawassee Rd

Apopka Vineland Rd

Rose Ave

Sheeler Rd

Hu nt Club Blvd

Wekiwa Springs Rd

Thompson Rd

Park Ave Hempel Ave

Mercy Dr

Rock Springs Rd

Vick Rd

Marden Rd

World Dr

Line Dr

Plymouth Sorrento Rd

Brick Lake

Lake Gentry

on M

OSCEOLA COUNTY

em o

ria l Hw

y

192

Marion Rd

Ho

Poinciana Pkwy

Jack

Watkins Rd

d

Watkins Rd

R aw

lop

Lake

Cypress Lake

523 Lake Hatchineha

Flori

das

Tpk

e

Kissimmee KisRiver sim eR

r

kR

e re

ive

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me

no

Lake Pierce

Ca

ne

Lake Mabel Loop Rd

Rd

Pine St

I

Cr

Hatc hin Cana eha l

Dr La ke sh or e

Binion Rd

opka Rd Ocoee Ap

Maguire Rd

Windermere Rd

Avalon Rd

Pine Hills Rd

Duxbury Ave

Round Lake Rd Round Lake Rd

Vineland Rd

World D

d

Lake

kR

Wilson Rd Old Lake Wilson Rd

ar sP

530

Hickory Tree Rd

East

os

Cocoa Water Plant Rd

Lake Mary Jane Rd

Lake Mary Jane

15

Canoe Cre

Blvd

Dallas Blvd

M

Narcoossee Rd

Lake Hart

Tindall Rd

ke Floridas Tp

Powerline Rd

d

Hartzog Rd

Rd

eR

528

Caspian

542

Bee Line Exwy Ramp

Pope St

sse

Sand Hill Rd

ek

520

d

o rco

wy Gn

da

ri l Flo tra Cen

oe

Rd

r Cre

o Tayl

13

Moss Park Rd

n Ca

p

r

Econlockhatchee River

417

Lake Nona

Wheeler Rd

Wheeler Rd

ial D

Wewahootee Rd

Orlando Int'l Airport

d Ol

m

as R d

Fort Christmas Rd

Colon

Bee Line Exwy

15

Kissimmee Park Rd

Cr u

t

Ch rist m

Na

528

sh ke

Loop Rd

r Fo

y

eR

d

Dallas Blvd

Pin

as R

St Johns River

tt Rd

Judge Rd

La

Buckeye

Rd

ng

stm

Bithlo

50

rl aT fay Ala

You

Chri

Lake Picke

420

Lake Pickett Rd

Rd

Riv

as

Lake Pickett

uota

Trl

a Gnw

436

stm

hns

Chul

Tanner Rd

420

hri

SEMINOLE COUNTY

420

l Florid

551

Hoffner Ave

Cabbage Slough

46

St Jo

Lockwood Blvd

aya Alf

Woodbury Rd

Little Econlockhatchee River

Curry Ford Rd

port Air lvd B

6th St

Volusia Ave

Ave

Ce ntra l

Umatilla Rd r Du nc an D

Rd

Monroe St

mp

Haines Creek Rd

Ca

t

yS

wa

ad

rt C

Centra

ke sh Dr ore

ut

Bro

Alafaya Trl

erhill Rd Und

e Lak

Mills Lake Lake Mills Rd

419

Dean Rd

El Prado Ave

Chuluota

419

Fo

ORANGE

408

wy

Puzzle Lk

Brumley Rd

E 2nd St

434

Union Park

Lake Underhill Dr

Pershing Ave

Semoran Blvd

La

co

E

Dean Rd

Econlockhatchee Trl

Valencia College Ln

Lake Nixon

Lake Eva

Rouse Rd

Goldenrod Rd

Forsyth Rd

Dixie Belle Dr

Old 9 Foot Rd

yS

d Blvd

Long Lake

Bath Lake

Lokanotosa Trl

425

eH

Round Lake

Oviedo

Alafaya Trl

d

nR

University Blvd

S tat

al

Camp Rd

Rd

Spirit Lake Rd

Bo

an

iv

Dea

Semoran Blvd Ranger Blvd

Gaston Foster Rd

Tindel

rla

halet

McCulloch Rd Rd McCulloch

Ravlerson Cv Old Mims Rd

Canal Rd

be

Thompson

Waverly

552

Michigan Ave

South Port Can

Lake Hatchineha Rd

Dundee

550

540

Deep Lake

417

tan YucaDr

Bee Line Exwy

Tradeport Dr

546

Cypress Gardens

Lake Proctor

Buck Lake

Puzzle Lake

Boggy Creek Rd

Lake Russell

Tim

540A

542

Conway Rd

ALT 27

Lake Hamilton

Bennett Rd

Rd

Lake Eloise

ven

ill

nh

Eagle Lake Lake Loop Rd Mc Leod

Lake Marion

544

Lake Hamilton

Azalea Park

t

Koa S

Av

Boggy Creek Rd

a

Lk Harney

426

Lake Hayes

Sand Rd

tur

Lake Harney

Lake Charm Geneva Dr

Chapman Rd

551

527A

Florida Pkwy

Gopher Slough

d

R art NH Harts Lake Geneva

Island Pond

426

417

Buen

or e

Eagle Lake

Lake Lulu

Country Club Rd

Ave

ma

Alo

Wetherbee Rd

Meadow Wood

Rd

Lake

417

Bear Guilly Lake e

r Blvd

Buckeye Rd

Lake Winter Inwood Cannon 542 Lake Haven Lake Jan Deer Howard Lake Lake Mariam Phyl 540 Otis

Hanging Moss Rd

d

Lake Lake Conine Lake Fannie Smart

15

527

eola

Howard Ave

University Blvd

436

Blv

Lake Hartridge

544

17

Tradeport D

la Rd

E Osceo

Osc

46

Kentucky St

434

Ave

Summerfield Rd

na

655

Haines City

544

92

4th St

W

Marquette Ave

r ek D

Ariana

Pleasant Hill Rd

Lake Rochelle

Lake Henry Lucerne Park Rd

Aloma

426

cia

Lake Mariana

gold

Dike Rd

Howell Branch Rd

Goldenrod

Gatlin Ave

Little Lake Conway

580

17 Lake Haines

Mari

580

re on C

507

Lake Alfred

Tower Lake

Mari

urndale Lake

Lake Lowry

South Blvd

Lake

Lake Alfred

Hammock Lake

Reaves Rd

Lake Ann

Conway

528A

Kissimmee

St

E Airport Blvd

EL a D ke

in Po

Lake Van

Morris Rd

Reedy Creek

Poinciana Place

Davenport

Vine St

Pershing Ave Gatlin Ave

a

Campbell Ham Brown Rd

Lake Arietta

559

Bonnet Lake

Lake Lowry Rd

557

547

441

Lake Margaret Dr

415

Lake Cockran

Little Lake Howell

Casselberry

Landstreet Rd

Thorpe Rd

91

Trl

e Laurel Av

557

Lake uliana

92

n dendro Rhodo Ave

North Blvd

17

Lake Mattie

ossom

17

Lake St. Charles

Gum Lake

y

Cla

nge Bl

17

557A

9A

Rd

547 4

Patrick St

Blvd

d

Osceola Pkwy

a cian

ell R

Old Grade Rd

Fuss

92 17

417

International Dr

4

Loughman

527A

46

Winter Springs

Curry Ford Rd

Belle Isle Conway Pine LakeNela Castle Ave

535

Osceola Pkwy

S Ora

Lake Jessamine

Taft-Vineland Rd

y

423

Osceola Pkwy

Osceola Polk Line Rd

582

Williamsburg

Michigan Ave

Edgewood

Lancaster Rd

Bee Line Exwy

Poin

l Rd

528

da Pkw Central Flori

Holden Ave

Sky Lake

482

Dr

d lan

d

Gen tle Rd

nal

e Vin

d

R hinn Brown S

Tri County Rd Deen Stil

Tangelo Park

Kaley St

527

Holden Heights

Oak Ridge Rd

423

Sand Lake Rd

atio

Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy

Sandhill Rd

nR

ma

od

Rd

Funie Oak Island Rd Steed Rd

Go

an Fleet

POLK COUNTY

192

192

Conroy Rd

Big Sand Lake

rn Inte

Oak Ridge

43rd St

4

439

4

Clear Lake

East-West Exwy

Landsta

536

Mcleod Rd

25th St

Silver Lake Blvd Silver Lake Dr

ary

St Johns River

Lake Jessup

Executive Airport 408

Robinson St

d

Buena Vista Dr

429

192

e

South St

r

545

er Dr ent ot C Epc

Tp k

Conroy Rd

Lake Buena Vista

Vista Blvd

435

as

Washington St

Orange Blvd Columbia StCenter

e uir MagBlvd

kR ree B og g y C

Car Care Dr

Bay Lake

Lake Mann

Maytown Rd

17

Glenridge Way

Daetwyler Dr

Seven Seas Dr

Avalon Rd

474

535

50 Colonial Dr

John Young Pkwy

mp

Bay Lake

Seven Seas Lagoon

Orlando

e Rd

427

Lake Bingham

Corrine Dr

Orange Ave

Asian Way

Seidel Rd

Smith St

Floridas Tpke

Sawgrass Lake

27

wa

Raleigh St

Doctor Phillips

Lake Sheen

Lake Mabel

Old Winter Garden

e Hiawasse Metrowest Rd Blvd

rid

Lake Tibet Butler

d

438

2nd Ave

ock Hanc Lake Rd

sR

416

438

431

Lake Virginia

92

4

Celery Ave

13th St

Pineway Dr

Palmer Ave

Winter Park

Fairview Shores

Ferncreek Ave

am

ew Lee Rd ate rD r

423

Doyl

419

Howell Branch Rd

Lake Maitland

17

Bumby Ave

Re

441

North Ln

Pine Hills

vd

E Lake M

436 Lake Howell

the Woods

Lake Ave

Eatonville

t Bl

S Triplet Lake

Horatio Ave

Ed g

or

r Casselberry Se m Red Bug Lake Fern oran Blv Red Bug Lake Rd d Park Lake of

Maitland

Kennedy Blvd

o

Prairie Lake

Maitland Blvd

Lk Butler

Big Lk

t e e n Rd Lk Bethel

Sanford

25th St Deforest Lake

434 Lake Wildmere Lake Hodge Dog Track Rd Lake Kathryn Seminola Blvd Lake Lake Dr Triplet

Adelaine LakeE Altamonte Dr

Lake Seminary

414

Rd

E nt e r p r i s e O s

Dr

92

Park Ave

535

Porter Rd

Lake Needham

Lockhart

Long Lake

gw

Pine St Pine St

Bachman Rd

Hammond Lake

Island Lake

Rundle Rd

d

OrlovistaRd

526

91 F lo

Bay Hill

Chase Rd

Overstreet Rd

dR

Winegard Rd

Cypress Lake

Gre Rd en S

Shell Pond Rd

Pike Lake

Conroy Rd

St

Dixie Lake

e ett qu Fic Rd

an

Doyle

L ak e sh ore

Se m in

1st St

46

Longwood

North St

Summerlin Ave e Orang Ave

Main

Trout Lake

W Vin inte ela r G nd dn Rd

FicquetteHancock Rd

545

Lake Louisa

Ov erl

W

Lake Mary

427

Longwood Hills Rd

Island Lake

Colonial Dr

408

Westover Roberts Rd

Lake Butler

Lake Nellie

lvd

435

Gotha Rd

Lake Down

Ave

Windermere

Mann Rd

Malcolm Rd

Ocoee

439

Park

Lake Butler Blvd

Rd

aB

Beggs Rd

Silver Star Rd

Professional Pkwy

Tilden Rd

Stone Rd

Lotus

Lake Alma

Altamonte Spring Springs Lake

John Young Pkwy

545

ms A D Mi

Woodlawn Cemetary Rd

Rd

50 Roper Rd

535

Tiny Rd

Marsh

545

Hartwood Marsh Rd

Bear Lake

pka Rd

Johns Lake

27

561

Old Apo

Johns Lake

Colonial Dr

pk

Semoran Blvd Mirror Lake 436

Forest City Lake

4

Wekiva Springs

434

Sand Lake Rd

Bear Lake

Silver Star Rd

Lake Starke

Kissimmee Ave

Story Rd

Oakland Ave

Lakewood Ave

12th St

Oakland

455

50

438

Plant St

Ap o

Clarcona Ocoee Rd

oee na Oc Clarco Rd

Wurst Rd

437

Winter Garden

Lake Minnehaha

429

Fullers Cross Rd

Minneola

Clermont

Keene Rd

435

Semoran Blvd

South Apopka

McCormick Rd

Ingram Rd

Montverde

Lake Minneola

50

Lake Apopka

455

27

565

437

561A

436 424

Lake Brantley

Lake Wekiva

ar y Ave

d

Main St

Michael Gladden Blvd

Boy Scout Rd

Harmon Rd

Lake Apopka

565A

Apopka

Lust Rd

561

5

Lake Mccoy Votaw Rd

Theresa Lk

l l is R

Welland Rd

455

Trl

Deltona

ed E

om

Grace Lake Williamson Rd

Wek iva Springs Rd

92

Little Crystal Lake Loch Low

Lake Mary

Greenwood Lake Green Way Blvd

Lake Myrtle

e

Mc Garity Lk

d

Re

loss

Lake Danson Crystal Lake

Lk Ashby

sR

ge B

Roach Rd

Twin Lakes

Lake Emma

Wekiva River

B lv d

rm an

nc

hn

Oran

19

561A

Lake Prevatt

Welch Rd

Wayside Dr

Lake Mary Blvd Rice Lake

l vd

Jo

Ave

441

E No

vd

Lk Gleason

Dupont Ho Lk wl El k c a m B l v d Angela Lk

ole Blvd

Markham Rd Lake Irish Sawyer Lake Banana Lake Island Lake Marietta Lake

Wekiva River

Three Island Lks

St

Laughlin Rd

Palm

448A

435

Ponkan Rd

Sylvan Lake

Oste e n

Sadler Rd

Golden Gem Rd

Jones Ave

Kelly Park Rd

D eb

W Airp

Haas Rd

Ondich Rd

Sadler Ave

Sadler Ave

Astatula

Shepherd Lake

ORANGE COUNTY

435 Wadsworth Rd

Lake Markham

433

Neighborhood Lakes

435

41

Lake Ola

48

437

Alt 4

448

46

Baird Ave

437

448

561

Mount Plymouth

eH

46

415

Rd

d

Lk Monroe

17

Blvd

Orange

431

Yankee Lake

n

F ort S m ith B lvd

D i r k sen Dr

Strickl Ba

k

lv

Mount Dora

Wekiva River

Wekiva River

Sax

B dy

46A Wolf Branch Rd

448

Lake Beauclair

St Johns River

El k camB

on

Highland St

11th Ave

Lake Beauclair

561

FPL Reservoir

Black Water Creek

437

Limit Ave

44B

46 Oakland Park

Lake Dora

Lake Idamere

DeBary

VOLUSIA COUNTY

Muck Lk

e le

Howlan d B l v

a

Rd

441

Lk Colby

4

H ighbank s Rd

44

Bay St

Alfred St

Lake Frances

Lake Helen

Sa x o n Bl v d

rise

Radio Rd

LAKE COUNTY

44A

44B

Burleigh Blvd

Little Lake Harris

44A

44

M a in St

Orange City

Black Water Creek

Orange Ave

Tavares

19

439

452 Eustis Lake Eustis

ke Harris

Blue Spring State Park

St Johns River

44

Lake Dalhousie

G r a v e s Av e

erp

19A

Mid Florida Lakes

Howey-inthe-Hills

450

47 472 2

17

Ent

Rd

Willis V McCall Rd

19

Bassville 473 Park

441

Lake Norris

Rd

Cr

Glenc

L ak

nd

Isla Silver Lake

W 1st St

d

lda

473

Treadway School Rd

Hontoon Island State Park

Lake Umatilla

452

Orange Camp Rd

Mc G reg or Rd

ce

SamsulaSpruce C re e k

44

Lk Winnemisett

S u m m i t Av e

R et

era

Em

44 Silver Lake

Collins St

Southridge Golf Course

Ta y lor Rd

St a t e

Black Water Swamp

Umatilla

B eresford Ave

Tracy Lake

42

Ocala St

De Land

De Land Southwest

Lk Beresford

Blue Lk

Ne w York Av e

B l u e L a k e Av e

m Kis

450

Bear Lake

Lake Akron

Central Ave

Lake Yale

We s t De Land

44

K e p le r Rd

Lake Talmadge

M i n n e s o t a Av e

42

ru

T South Tomoka Wildlife Management Area

North De Land

P l y m o u t h Av e

Be l t i n e

S p r i n g G a r d e n Av e

I n t e r n a t i o n a l Sp

B

ay edw

lvd

nd y Blvd

G r a n d Av e

Twin St Johns Lks River

Ha zen Rd

Black Water Swamp

450

Sp

Gl enwood Rd Mercers Fernery Rd

eralda Marsh

or

Carter Rd

Alexander Springs Creek

MARION COUNTY

92

Ta yl

Lk Woodruff

445

19

Williams Rd


ORANGE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

SPONSORED BY

TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R

On the following pages you’ll find some of our favorite Central Florida new-home communities in Orange County. In addition to addresses, prices, product types, amenities and builders, the listings also show designated public schools. Elementary schools are first, middle schools are second and high schools are third. In parentheses alongside the schools are the 2018-2019 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors.

Bradford Creek 14106 Creekbed Circle, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • lennar.com

Schools/Grades: William S. Maxey (A); SunRidge (B+); West Orange (A) Amenities: Gated community; children’s play area Builders: Lennar Homes, 407-796-9081 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $450s Notes: Near shopping and dining at Winter Garden Village; easy access to S.R. 429; homes feature a tankless natural gas water heater and more.

Eagle Creek 10350 Emerson Lake Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32832 • lennar.com, joneshomesusa.com

Schools/Grades: Eagle Creek (A); Lake Nona (A); Lake Nona (B) Amenities: Gated community; golf course, tennis courts, pool, health/fitness center, clubhouse Builders: Lennar Homes, 407-796-9088; Jones Homes USA, 407-636-9261 Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the mid-$400s; single-family, from the $300s Notes: Village Center with elegant hotel planned; near Lake Nona’s Medical City and Orlando International Airport; 40 minutes to the Atlantic beaches.

Estancia at Windermere 1106 Estancia Woods Loop, Windermere, FL 34786 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Windermere (A); Bridgewater (B); West Orange (A) Amenities: Natural-gas community featuring elegant, environmentally efficient homes Builders: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-765-5025 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $700s Notes: Prestigious community just minutes from downtown historic Windermere and outstanding shopping and dining; residents enjoy recreation on the Butler Chain of Lakes.

Estates at Sweetwater Country Club 2633 Roveri Avenue, Sweetwater, FL 32712 • ashtonwoods.com

Schools/Grades: Clay Springs (C); Piedmont Lakes (C); Wekiva (C) Amenities: Gated community; across from Wekiva Springs State Park, clubhouse, swimming pool Builder: Ashton Woods Homes, 407-512-8120 Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the low $300s; single-family, from the mid-$300s Notes: Lawn care provided

Gatherings of Lake Nona 7573 Laureate Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32832 • beazer.com

Schools/Grades: Eagle Creek (A); Lake Nona (B); Lake Nona (A) Amenities: Internet and cable included; each home has a private balcony and a one-car garage Builders: Beazer Homes, 321-445-5050 Products/Prices: Condominiums, from the $260s Notes: 55-plus active-adult community featuring new condos with elevator access; residents enjoy maintenance-free living with easy access to Lake Nona’s Medical City and S.R. 417.

FA L L 2 0 1 9

69


ORANGE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

SPONSORED BY

TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R

Goldenrod Reserve 4190 South Goldenrod Road, Orlando, FL 32822 • parksquarehomes.com Schools/Grades: Three Points (C); Odyssey (B); Colonial (C) Amenities: Gated community; pool, tot lot Builder: Park Square Homes, 407-529-3515 Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the mid-$200s Notes: Complete lawn care and common-area maintenance provided.

Hamlin Reserve 15349 Shonan Gold Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • ashtonwoods.com

Schools/Grades: Keene’s Crossing (A); Bridgewater (B); Windermere (B) Amenities: Clubhouse, pool, walking trails, parks and green spaces, waterfront village and marina Builders: Ashton Woods Homes, 407-413-8598 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $320s; townhomes, from the $290s Notes: Located just 20 minutes from downtown Orlando; walk to the waterfront village and marina, which will be home to a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment options as well as miles of trails and lakefront boardwalks.

Lakeshore 8818 Lakeshore Point Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • tollbrothers.com • liveatlakeshore.com

Schools/Grades: Independence (A); Bridgewater (B); Windermere (B) Amenities: On-site clubhouse and community pool, walking trails, neighborhood parks, lakes Builders: Toll Brothers, 407-778-5200 Products/Prices: Single family and townhomes, from the high $400s Notes: Luxurious community featuring executive and estate homes with exquisite architectural appointments, outstanding standard features and hundreds of customization options.

Latham Park 14406 Shocklach Drive, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • ashtonwoods.com

Schools/Grades: Independence (A); Bridgewater (A); West Orange (B) Amenities: Community pool and cabana, surrounded by lakes and conservation areas Builders: Ashton Woods Homes, 407-413-8598 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $320s Notes: Features four series of single-family homes with water and conservation-view homesites available; located near schools, shopping and dining at the Lakeside Village Center, Winter Garden Village at Fowler Groves and historic downtown Winter Garden.

Laureate Park at Lake Nona South Narcoossee Road, Orlando, FL 32827 • lakenona.com/live/neighborhoods/laureate-park

Schools/Grades: Eagle Creek (A); Lake Nona (B); Lake Nona (A) Amenities: Pool, bike trails, dog park, pocket parks, fitness center, community garden Builders: Ashton Woods Homes, 407-543-6451; Craft Homes, 407-443-0528; David Weekley Homes, 407-865-8296; Dream Finders Homes, 904-738-0165; Pulte Homes, 866-300-4793; Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-671-8838 Products/Prices: Single-family, mid-$200s-$800s; townhomes, from the low $300s Notes: Traditional neighborhood development adjacent to Lake Nona’s Medical City; variety of architectural styles available; planned Village Center; streets named for Nobel Prize winners.

7 0   H O M E B U Y E R // C E N T R A L F L O R I D A E D I T I O N


SPONSORED BY

TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R

ORANGE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES Oakland Park 15211 East Oakland Avenue, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • liveatoaklandpark.com, davidweekleyhomes.com, dreamfindershomes.com, jjbuilding.com, rcbhomes.com, vintageestatehomes.com

Schools/Grades: Tildenville (B); Lakeview (B); West Orange (A) Amenities: Pool and recreation area, pocket parks, West Orange Trail runs through community, charming streetscape with sidewalks Builders: David Weekley Homes, 407-865-8295; Dream Finders Homes, 407-347-3387; J&J Building, 407-476-7520; RCB Homes, 407-876-0729; Vintage Estate Homes, 407-721-0743 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$300s Notes: Located just minutes from historic downtown Winter Garden on the shores of Lake Apopka; certified green homes in a traditionally styled neighborhood.

Orchard Hills and Orchard Park Tiny Road and Magnolia Ridge Loop, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • lennar.com, kbhome.com

Schools/Grades: Keene’s Crossing (B); Bridgewater (A); West Orange (B) Amenities: Clubhouse, resort-style pool, fitness center, rec room Builders: Lennar Homes, 407-495-1272; KB Home, 407-587-3580 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $300s; townhomes, from the high $240s Notes: Located on the north side of Horizon West; minutes from major attractions; multimilliondollar amenities complex planned; just 7 miles from historic downtown Winter Garden.

Overlook at Hamlin 7719 Minutemen Loop, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Independence (A); Bridgewater (B); West Orange (B) Amenities: Community clubhouse, splash park, fitness center, walking trails, pool, sports lawn, fire pit, waterfront amphitheater, covered pavilion Builders: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-905-4651 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $400s to over $1 million Notes: Located on the north side of Horizon West, just minutes from major attractions and 7 miles from historic downtown Winter Garden; multimillion-dollar amenities complex planned; waterfront homesites available.

Oxford Chase 505 Avalon Road, Winter Garden, FL 34787 • mattamyhomes.com

Schools/Grades: SunRidge (B); SunRidge (A); West Orange (B) Amenities: Two gated entrances Builders: Mattamy Homes, 407-499-8733 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $340s Notes: An impressive variety of luxury estate homes with four to six bedrooms and old-time front porches; generous homesites; neighborhood paths and trails; near shopping and dining at Winter Garden Village.

Poe Reserve 1383 Ralph Poe Drive, Apopka, FL 32703 • marondahomes.com

Schools/Grades: Apopka (B); Apopka (C); Apopka (B) Amenities: Intimate neighborhood Builders: Maronda Homes, 866-617-3803 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $270s Notes: Located near S.R. 441 and S.R. 451 in Apopka; Florida’s Turnpike also easily accessible; excellent shopping and restaurants are only minutes away; near state parks with camping, canoeing, biking and swimming.

FA L L 2 0 1 9

71


ORANGE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

SPONSORED BY

TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R

Preserve at Crown Point 1960 Crown Point Parkway, Ocoee, FL 34761 • mattamyhomes.com

Schools/Grades: Prairie Lake (B); Lakeview (B); Ocoee (C) Amenities: Gated community; pool, park, cabana Builders: Mattamy Homes, 407-955-5113 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $290s Notes: Located on the banks of Lake Apopka, Florida’s third largest lake; a short drive to downtown Ocoee and Winter Garden as well as Walt Disney World and other theme parks.

Reserve at Sawgrass 3948 Parkhouse Drive, Orlando, FL 32824 • beazer.com

Schools/Grades: Wetherbee (B); South Creek (C); Cypress Creek (B) Amenities: Cabana and pool, playground Builders: Beazer Homes, 407-459-4952 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $380s Notes: Close to shopping and restaurants, Florida Mall, Lake Nona Town Center and Lake Nona’s Medical City; easy access to Florida’s Turnpike and major highways.

Vineyard Square II 13821 Ingelnook Drive, Windermere, FL 34786 • kbhome.com

Schools/Grades: Keene’s Crossing (A); Bridgewater (A); Windermere (B) Amenities: Neighborhood pool and cabana, tot lot, passive park Builders: KB Home, 407-587-3580 Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the high $290s Notes: Near major employers, including Walt Disney World, Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge and Universal Orlando Resort; close to dining, shopping and entertainment in downtown Windermere and Winter Garden Village; near hiking, walking and biking at Tibet-Butler Preserve.

Visit Central Florida’s largest searchable new-home database There are plenty of websites with new-home listings. But there’s only one that’s as detailed, current and hyper-local as thefloridahomebuyer.com. Our data-gathering staff constantly updates our web content and provides a searchable database that includes pictures, floorplans, builder information and community profiles. It’s everything you see here in print plus much more. Check out the print version of Homebuyer: Central Florida Edition, then expand your search online.

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SEMINOLE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

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On the following pages you’ll find some of our favorite Central Florida new-home communities in Seminole County. In addition to addresses, prices, product types, amenities and builders, the listings also show designated public schools. Elementary schools are first, middle schools are second and high schools are third. In parentheses alongside the schools are the 2018-2019 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors.

Enclave at Altamonte 182 Sun Palm Lane, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701 • ashtonwoods.com

Schools/Grades: Lake Orienta (B); Milwee (B); Lyman (B) Amenities: Community pool, cabana, fire pit and playground, energy-efficient designs Builders: Ashton Woods, 407-413-8598 Products/Prices: Three-story townhomes, from the high $290s Notes: Only 108 townhomes; within walking distance of local shopping and dining; homes may be personalized; excellent access to I-4 and most major highways.

Hawk’s Crest Howell Branch Road, Winter Park, FL 32792 • meritage.com • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Eastbrook (B); Tuskawilla (B); Lake Howell (B) Amenities: Gated community; splash pad, lake, pond, park, playground, community pool, cabana, play lawn, picnic tables and grilling area Builders: Meritage Homes, 407-392-3380; Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-756-5025 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid $300s Notes: Located along the southern shores of Lake Howell.

Retreat at Lake Charm 1101 Fieldstone Circle, Oviedo, FL 32765 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Lawton (B); Jackson Heights (A); Oviedo (A) Amenities: Gated community; just 46 homesites, tot lot Builders: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-846-0603 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$400s Notes: Near shopping, restaurants and the Oviedo Mall; convenient access to Orlando International Airport, area theme parks and major employment centers.

Serenity Cove 5827 Serene Cove, Sanford, FL 32771 • parksquarehomes.com

Schools/Grades: Bentley (B); Markham Woods (B); Seminole (A) Amenities: Maintenance of common area, mature trees Builder: Park Square Homes, 407-529-3459 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $500s Notes: Only seven homesites.

Southern Oaks 31 Robin Nest Drive, Oviedo, FL 32765 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Lawton (A); Jackson Heights (A); Oviedo (A) Amenities: Two gated entries, two tot lots, covered bus stops and passive recreation areas Builders: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-439-0012 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid $400s Notes: Intimate, gated neighborhood of just 96 homes; close to excellent Seminole County schools; a Publix store is within 2.5 miles; the Oviedo Mall and many other major retail chains and restaurants are just a short drive; access to major transportation corridors.

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SPONSORED BY

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Steeple Chase 3757 Farm Bell Place, Lake Mary, FL 32746 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Woodlands (B); Markham Woods (B); Lake Mary (A) Amenities: Gated; site ponds, pocket parks, lake views Builders: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-756-5025 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $600s Notes: Offers direct access to the Seminole Wekiva Trail; close to employment centers, including the Lake Mary business corridor; ample room for private pools; tech-ready wiring in homes.

Whitetail Run 3673 Kershaw Place Oviedo, FL 32765 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Carillon (A); Jackson Heights (A); Hagerty (A) Amenities: Stunning lake and preserve views, oversized building sites Builder: Taylor Morrison Homes 407-756-5025 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $400s Notes: Community contains only 31 homesites.

Wyndham Preserve

2869 East Lake Mary Boulevard, Sanford, FL 32773 • parksquarehomes.com

Schools/Grades: Hamilton (B), Midway (C), or Pine Crest (C); Sanford (A); Seminole (A) Amenities: Gated; future pool, cabana and dog park Builders: Park Square Homes, 407-529-3525 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $300s Notes: Located just minutes from S.R. 417 and I-4; 40- and 60-foot wide homesites; homes include paver driveways, entries and lanais.

OSCEOLA COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

SPONSORED BY

TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R

On the following pages you’ll find some of our favorite Central Florida new-home communities in Osceola County. In addition to addresses, prices, product types, amenities and builders, the listings also show designated public schools. Elementary schools are first, middle schools are second and high schools are third. In parentheses alongside the schools are the 2018-2019 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors.

Eagle Lake 2783 Creekmore Court, Kissimmee, FL 34746 • lennar.com

Schools/Grades: Bellalago Charter Academy K-8 (B); Liberty (C) Amenities: Community pool and clubhouse, soccer field, tennis and basketball courts, walking trail Builders: Lennar Homes, 407-501-7764 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $230s Notes: Amenity-rich, established community with ponds, a 64-acre bald eagle preserve, two pools, clubhouse, soccer field, and basketball and tennis courts; on the shores of Lake Toho.

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OSCEOLA COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

Hanover Lakes 3325 Hickory Tree Road, St. Cloud, FL 34772 • hanoverfamilybuilders.com

Schools/Grades: Hickory Tree (B); St. Cloud (B); Harmony (B) Amenities: Resort-style pool and splash pad; boat access to pristine chain of lakes; homesites with private docks available; nature park with dock and pavilion; low HOA dues Builder: Hanover Family Builders, 407-315-2628 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid $200s Notes: Unique waterfront community on the Alligator Chain of Lakes.

Hanover Square 5405 Hanover Square Drive, St. Cloud, FL 34771 • kbhome.com

Schools/Grades: Narcoossee (B); Narcoossee (B); Gateway (C) Amenities: Pool, cabana, tot lot and walking trail Builders: KB Home, 407-587-3580 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $260s Notes: Easy commute to Lake Nona’s Medical City; convenient to Narcoossee Road, U.S. 192, Boggy Creek Road and S.R. 417; 20-minute drive to the Orlando International Airport; near Ralph Chisholm Park with public boat access to Lake Toho.

Harmony U.S. 192 and East Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Harmony, FL 34773 • 321-805-4457 lennar.com, meritagehomes.com, richmondamerican.com

Schools/Grades: Harmony Community School K-8 (B); Harmony (B) Amenities: Golf course, tennis courts, pool, boat facilities, clubhouse, parks, town square Builders: Lennar Homes, 407-501-7298; Meritage Homes, 877-275-6374; Richmond American Homes, 407-775-7080 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $250s; active-adult community, from the $190s Notes: 11,000-acre master-planned community committed to healthy lifestyles and living in “harmony” with wildlife and nature; 70 percent of land is set aside as dedicated green space; two natural lakes for boating and fishing; numerous parks and hiking trails; Harmony Golf Preserve; schools within walking distance; town square with restaurants, grocery store, shops and swim club.

Hickory Grove Old Hickory Tree Road, St. Cloud, FL 34772 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Hickory Tree (B); St. Cloud (B); St. Cloud (B) Amenities: Resort-style pool and cabana, playground Builders: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-756-5025 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$200s Notes: Easy access to S.R. 528, S.R. 417 and I-4 via Florida’s Turnpike; close proximity to shopping, dining, recreation and employment, including major theme parks; less than 20 minutes from Lake Nona’s Medical City and 30 minutes from Orlando International Airport.

Overlook Reserve 4823 Marcos Circle, Kissimmee. FL 34758 • hanoverfamilybuilders.com

School/Grades: Sunrise (C); Horizon (C); Poinciana (C) Amenities: Zero-entry resort-style swimming pool with splash pad, pool cabana, tot lot Builder: Hanover Family Builders, 407-543-2281 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $230s Notes: Convenient access to Orlando International Airport and Lake Nona’s Medical City.

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Pinewood Gardens 2851 Wadeview Loop, St. Cloud, FL 34772 • hanoverfamilybuiders.com, richmondamerican.com

Schools/Grades: Neptune (B); Neptune (B); St. Cloud (B) Amenities: Intimate community with pond-front homesites available Builders: Hanover Family Builders, 407-499-8493; Richmond American Homes, 407-775-7083 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $230s Notes: Easy access to S.R. 528, S.R. 417 and I-4 via Florida’s Turnpike; near shopping, dining and recreation, including major theme parks.

Reedy Reserve 3312 Reedy Glen Drive, Kissimmee, FL 34758 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Reedy Creek (B); Bellalago Academy (K-8) (B); Liberty (C) or Poinciana (C) Amenities: Community pool and cabana, play fields, park Builders: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-756-5025 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $240s Notes: Phase 1 encompasses 119 homesites, each a minimum of 50 feet wide; some homesites back up to water; Phase 2 coming soon.

Segovia 1250 Myers Road, Kissimmee, FL 34743 • parksquarehomes.com

Schools/Grades: Ventura (C); Parkway (C); Gateway (C) Amenities: An exclusive community of only 83 homesites Builders: Park Square Homes, 407-529-3472 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$200s Notes: Spacious floorplans ranging in size from 1,349 to 2,798 square feet; near Florida’s Turnpike and the Central Florida GreeneWay; a short drive to downtown Orlando; convenient to Lake Toho and the attractions.

Turtle Creek South Narcoossee Road, St. Cloud, FL 34771 • dreamfindershomes.com, khov.com

Schools/Grades: Lakeview (B); Narcoossee (B); Harmony (B) Amenities: Resort-style pool, cabana, tot lot Builders: K Hovnanian® Homes, 407-279-3324; DreamFindersHomes, 904-738-0165 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid $200s Notes: Easy access to Florida’s Turnpike and S.R. 417; just minutes from Lake Nona’s Medical City and St. Cloud’s Waterfront Park on Lake Toho.

Westerly 5715 Nova Road, St. Cloud, FL 34771 • richmondamerican.com, drhorton.com

Schools/Grades: Hickory Tree (C); Narcoossee (A); Harmony (B) Amenities: A quiet oasis from the hustle and bustle of city living Builders: Richmond American Homes, 407-287-6288; D.R. Horton, 844-509-7696 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid $200s Notes: Minutes from the heart of downtown St. Cloud, Harmony Square and other shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities; easy access to major thoroughfares including S.R. 417 and S.R. 528 (the Beachline), putting downtown Orlando, the theme parks, Lake Nona’s Medical City and the Atlantic beaches within easy reach.

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LAKE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

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TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R

On the following pages you’ll find some of our favorite Central Florida new-home communities in Lake County. In addition to addresses, prices, product types, amenities and builders, the listings also show designated public schools. Elementary schools are first, middle schools are second and high schools are third. In parentheses alongside the schools are the 2018-2019 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors.

Ardmore Reserve Blarney Street, Minneola, FL 34715 • dreamfindershomes.com, hanoverfamilybuilders.com

Schools/Grades: Grassy Lake (B); East Ridge (B); Lake Minneola (B) Builders: Dream Finders Homes, 904-738-0165; Hanover Family Builders, 407-965-2274 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the high $270s Notes: Located in the rolling hills of Minneola, close to elementary and high schools and just minutes from shopping, restaurants, and indoor and outdoor entertainment options, including the Minneola Athletic Complex and the South Lake Trail.

Bentwood 35110 Sweet Leaf Lane, Leesburg, FL 34788 • drhorton.com

Schools/Grades: Treadway (B); Tavares (C); Tavares (C) Amenities: Park with pond view, meditation benches, picnic tables, grills, swing set Builders: D.R. Horton Express Homes, 844-509-7696 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $200s Notes: Naturally wooded community; easy access to Highway 441 and S.R. 44, oversized homesites, many abutting conservation areas; nearby recreation includes parks, shopping, dining, golf, boating, fishing and a movie theater.

Cypress Oaks Oglethorpe Drive, Groveland, FL 34736 • hanoverfamilybuilders.com

Schools/Grades: Groveland (C); Clermont (B); South Lake (C) Amenities: Lakefront community pool and cabana Builders: Hanover Family Builders, 407-871-3394 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $240s Notes: Easy access to S.R. 27, S.R. 50 and Florida’s Turnpike; adjacent to the South Lake Trail and near historic downtown Clermont.

RedTail 21600 Covered Bridge Lane, Sorrento, FL 32776 • redtailclub.com, arthurrutenberghomes.com, vintageestatehomes.com

Schools/Grades: Spring Creek Charter (C); Mount Dora (C); Mount Dora (C) Amenities: Golf, pool, clubhouse, fitness center, playground, tennis court, tot lot Builders: Arthur Rutenberg Homes, 352-735-3472; Vintage Estate Homes, 407-462-5671 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $400s Notes: Beautiful rural setting; 7,152-yard, Dave Harman-designed golf course; 10-acre practice facility; two practice putting greens; full-time PGA professionals on staff.

Sawgrass Bay Sawgrass Bay Boulevard, Clermont, FL 34714 • homedynamics.com

Schools/Grades: Sawgrass Bay (C); Windy Hill (B); East Ridge (B) Amenities: Nature trails, playground, pool and cabana, conservation areas Builders: Express Homes, 352-989-4882; Home Dynamics, 352-988-5955 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid $200s Notes: Near Chain of Lakes, Lake Louisa State Park and Lakeridge Winery; 25 miles west of downtown Orlando; Sawgrass Bay Elementary School on site; close to championship golf courses.

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LAKE COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

SPONSORED BY

TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R

Serenoa 17617 Serenoa Boulevard, Clermont, FL 34714 • ashtonwoods.com

Schools/Grades: Sawgrass Bay (C); Windy Hill (B); East Ridge (B) Amenities: Gated community; clubhouse, swimming pool, lap pool, splash pad, fitness center, playground, dog park Builder: Ashton Woods Homes, 407-512-812 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$200s Notes: Residents will enjoy a community clubhouse complete with fitness center and flex room, as well as a resort-style pool, splash park area and playground.

The Canyons at Highland Ranch 516 Bellflower Way, Clermont, FL 34715 • taylormorrison.com

Schools/Grades: Grassy Lake (B); East Ridge (B); Lake Minneola (B) Amenities: Park, pool, cabana, splash pad, mail kiosk, pet stations, 4 miles of walking trails Builders: Taylor Morrison Homes, 407-756-5025 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$260s Notes: Three beautiful collections of homes are offered; easy access to the 7-mile South Lake Trail; five public golf courses nearby.

Venezia 202 Messina Place, Howey-In-The-Hills, FL 34737 • dreamfindershomes.com

Schools/Grades: Astatula (B); Tavares; (C); Tavares (C) Amenities: Oversized homesites, marsh and preserve views Builders: Dream Finders Homes, 904-738-0165 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $220s Notes: Walking distance from a recreational lake; close to many golf courses and Lakeridge Winery.

Windsong 5512 Windsong Oak Drive, Leesburg, FL 34748 • hanoverfamilybuilders.com

Schools/Grades: Leesburg (C); Oak Park (C); Leesburg (C) Amenities: Pool and cabana, playground, conservation areas Builders: Hanover Family Builders, 407-871-3422 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the low $200s Notes: Only 3.4 miles to Florida’s Turnpike and U.S. 27; nestled among the rolling hills for which Lake County is known.

Visit Central Florida’s largest searchable new-home database at

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VOLUSIA COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

SPONSORED BY

TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R

On the following page you’ll find some of our favorite Central Florida new-home communities in Volusia County. In addition to addresses, prices, product types, amenities and builders, the listings also show designated public schools. Elementary schools are first, middle schools are second and high schools are third. In parentheses alongside the schools are the 2018-2019 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors.

Bentley Green 2406 Oxmoor Drive, DeLand, FL 32724 • mattamyhomes.com

Schools/Grades: Freedom (C); DeLand (B); DeLand (C) Amenities: Pool, cabana, parks Builders: Mattamy Homes, 386-401-5939 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid $200s Notes: Well-appointed single-family homes in historic DeLand; close to restaurants, antique shopping and Stetson University.

Halifax Plantation 3500 Merritt Drive Ormond Beach, FL 32174 • halifaxplantation.com

Schools/Grades: Pine Trail(B); Ormond Beach (B); Seabreeze (B) Amenities: Gated community; clubhouse, restaurant, lounge, golf course, tennis courts, pool, fitness center Builders: Vanacore Homes, 888-519-1309 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid $200s Notes: Minutes to the Atlantic Ocean, the Intercoastal Waterway and Tomoka State Park.

Sawyer’s Landing at Victoria Trails Model nearby at: 134 No Name Key Drive, DeLand, FL 32720 • marondahomes.com

Schools/Grades: Freedom (C); DeLand (B); DeLand (C) Amenities: Oversized homesites Builders: Maronda Homes, 866-617-3803 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the $220s Notes: Historic DeLand is home to Stetson University and unique shopping, dining and museums as well as memorable festivals.

Venetian Bay 424 Luna Bella Lane, Suite 122, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 • venetianbay.info

Schools/Grades: Chisholm (B); New Smyrna Beach (B); New Smyrna Beach (I) Amenities: Golf course, driving range, putting green, splash pad, pool, clubhouse, restaurant, lounge Builders: Adley Homes, 386-944-9000; Paytas Homes, 386-402-8185; Platinum Home Builders, 386-690-5339; The Johnson Group, 386-767-8000 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid-$200s Notes: Close to beaches; miles of trails for walking or biking.

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POLK COUNTY - SELECTED NEW-HOME COMMUNITIES

SPONSORED BY

TRUSTCO BANK Your Home Town Bank R

On the following page you’ll find some of our favorite Central Florida new-home communities in Polk County. In addition to addresses, prices, product types, amenities and builders, the listings also show designated public schools. Elementary schools are first, middle schools are second and high schools are third. In parentheses alongside the schools are the 2017-2018 school grades, which are based on Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test (FCAT) scores, among other factors.

Lake Lucerne 108 Sunfish Drive, Winter Haven, FL 33881 • kbhome.com

Schools/Grades: Fred G. Garner (C); Denison (C); Winter Haven (I) Amenities: Near Lake Eva Park and Lake Eva Beach Builders: KB Home, 407-587-3580 Products/Prices: Single-family homes, from the high $180s Notes: Near 50 lakes for fishing, boating and skiing; convenient to employers, including Winter Haven Hospital and Publix corporate headquarters; near resorts, including Legoland Florida Resort and Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo; easy access to shopping and dining in Winter Haven; convenient to U.S. 27 and Polk Parkway.

Providence 131 Chadwick Drive, Davenport, FL 33837 • providenceflorida.com

Schools/Grades: Loughman Oaks (C); Shelley S. Boone (C); Ridge Community (C) Amenities: Gated community; clubhouse and restaurant, resort-style pool, tennis courts, fitness center, volleyball court, children’s playground and picnic area Builders: ABD Development Company, 863-427-7528; Lennar 877-821-4943; D.R. Horton 863-420-3121; Emerald Homes, 863-420-8951; Park Square Homes, 407-529-3425; FID Capital Group, 407-868-0186 Products/Prices: Single-family, from the mid $200s; golf club villas, from the low $300s Notes: Michael Dasher-designed 18-hole championship golf course; exclusive waterfront and golf course homesites available.

William’s Preserve 581 Sardinia Circle, Davenport, FL 33837 • hanoverfamilybuilders.com

Schools/Grades: Loughman Oaks (C); Shelly S. Boone (C); Ridge (C); Davenport School of the Arts (A) Amenities: Community pool and cabana, gated entrance, tot lot, conservation area Builder: Hanover Family Builders, 407-588-9237 Products/Prices: Townhomes, from the high $180s; single-family, from the $220s Notes: Minutes to Walt Disney World Resort; convenient access to I-4, S.R. 429 and U.S. 27.

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