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Champions

At Zellwood we have an intense focus on early literacy skill development. Most of our teachers have completed rigorous coursework in the Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching foundational skills and that expertise is utilized daily during whole and small group lessons. The impact of this instructional approach is reflected in our Kindergarten and First Grade data which exceeds county averages. In addition to teaching the state standards in all subjects, we are deeply rooted in conservation and environmentalism. We have several clubs including the Green Eagles and the Gardening Club through which students and staff exemplify the characteristics of a Green School. Our program was named the best Green School program in OCPS during the 2024-2025 school year! Additionally, we are an Apple Distinguished School which provides iPads to all students. Teachers are encouraged to use the technology to increase engagement and productivity in the classroom. 

There are many ways to get involved at Zellwood! We have community partnerships through the Partners In Education program. These parternships allow us to establish mutually supportive relationships between the school and community. If you are interested in becoming a partner, please reach out to Jayme Losch at jayme.losch@ocps.net. We also have a Parent Teacher Association (PTA) chapter at our school which works hard to raise funds that are used to support our students and staff in a variety of ways. Additionally, we have our School Advisory Council (SAC) which works with the school principal to provide input into the School Improvement Plan and budgetary expenses. Throughout the year we host many after school events for families including Literacy and Math Nights, Movie Nights, and Multicultural Night. These events provide the perfect opportunity for families to come and learns ways to support their child’s educational journey. 

Zellwood Elementary began as a one room schoolhouse in 1878. At that time, one teacher served students in grades 1-10. In 1927, Zellwood became an official elementary school. The campus was rebuilt in 1959 and the current building was erected in 2012. The campus is surrounded by nature, which reflects the focus on conservation and environmentalism found in the school. We are fortunate to have hundreds of species of wildlife in such close proximity, making our campus distinct from many others in OCPS. 

2024 Gold Level Champion School – Everglades Foundation 

2024 Green School Champion – Orange County Public Schools

2024 US Department of Education Green Ribbon School

2023 Florida Green School

2024 Apple Distinguished School