50 Years of Academic Excellence
by Charlotte Skipper
As we hit the halfway mark of the 2025-2026 academic year, a handful of schools in the Seminole County Public Schools district are celebrating the same milestone – 50 years of educating young minds.
Four local schools opened in 1975: Woodlands Elementary in Longwood, Sterling Park Elementary in Casselberry, Tuskawilla Middle in Oviedo, and Lake Orienta Elementary in Altamonte Springs.
Bennett Lloyd, coordinator at the Museum of Seminole County History, says the surge of school openings in ‘75 could have been the result of two major causes: the Space Race and the Civil Rights Movement.
As rockets blasted into the galaxy just down the road at NASA, Florida’s east coast saw a major uptick in population growth. With computing and aerospace businesses popping up – from IBM to Zorba computers of Telcon Industries to Lockheed Martin – surrounding land was quickly being transformed from agriculture to housing for the first time in Seminole County history.
Additionally, school integration was making its way down South, and Seminole County was under pressure from the federal government to show progress. With new regulations coming their way, and with plenty more children living in the area, these four schools were part of a solution to make education more accessible. Even though funding complications and institutional changes followed in the ensuing decades, all four schools have remained strong.
“These schools persist, reflecting those optimistic days when regular moon landings inspired the elementary children wandering brand-new hallways,” says Bennett.
Woodlands Elementary School
Although Woodlands Elementary sits on E.E. Williamson Road now, this wasn’t always its original home. Cathy Lambert, principal of Woodlands since 2023, says the original school building was transported from State Road 436 to its current home in January of 1976. Over the years, new infrastructure and technology has transformed its once humble campus into a flourishing environment for students, fostering a more dynamic and engaging education.
Woodlands will be commemorating its half-century of success on February 28, when all past, present, and future Wildcats can enjoy a picnic and day of fun on campus. As Cathy looks ahead to the next 50 years, she hopes the pride of generations of Woodlands students remains as strong as it is today.
“My dream is for Woodlands to remain a place where excellence, innovation, and a love of learning flourish for decades to come,” says Cathy. “We cheer for every student, and together we create a place where curiosity, pride, and achievement thrive.”
Tuskawilla Middle School
Tuskawilla Middle’s 50th anniversary reminds students and alumni of the school’s resilience in the face of adversity. In April of 1991, the original building was destroyed by an arson-related fire. It was then rebuilt to become the tri-level building of today, greatly improving efficiency compared to its original curved triangle model.
Principal Randy Shuler has seen thousands of students excel over his nine years at the school, especially since the launch of Explore, Create, Innovate (ECI) during his second year as principal. This program focuses on career exploration and entrepreneurship. Randy says nearly 85 percent of the school’s students are reaping the benefits of ECI courses each year.
“I enjoy seeing students actively engaged in learning and witnessing those light bulb moments in the classroom,” he says. “I am truly fortunate to serve in a school community that feels like a family, where everyone is committed to helping one another grow.”
Randy invites former faculty and staff to reminisce at the home of the Titans during a 50th anniversary reunion on February 5. Many other schoolwide activities, such as decades-themed school dances, a spirit week, and a collaboration between art classes to create on-campus artwork are also in the works.
Sterling Park Elementary School
For Principal Kellie Cashion, the best part about Sterling Park Elementary’s past 50 years is the sense of community that many share for the school.
“Sterling Park is a place where students, families, and staff truly care for one another,” says Kellie. “Personally, I love the everyday moments. Getting hugs, high-fives, and fist-bumps from students, hearing about their birthdays or milestones, and sharing their excitement.”
Kellie says the school’s proudest accomplishment in recent years has been improving its grade to a B for the 2024-2025 school year. She attributes this achievement to students, teachers, and families staying committed to academic excellence.
Sterling Park Elementary will be celebrating its 50th birthday on January 30. Although most details of the party are being kept under wraps until the big day, the school is gathering stories and photos from the community to enhance its historic records. Sterling Park also recently received a grant from the Seminole Cultural Arts Council for a mural to be created on campus. The mural, to be painted on canvases that can be preserved, will showcase the pride of the Eagle community over the decades.
Lake Orienta Elementary is Groovy, Baby
Lake Orienta Elementary School celebrated its 50th birthday in the grooviest of styles, marking a half-decade of teaching young minds in our community.
The disco party took place in October, on the 50th day of the 2025-2026 school year, featuring a cool retro theme. Students, teachers, and staff dressed in their best 1970s-inspired outfits and did a schoolwide dance – the perfect way to mark Lake Orienta’s first year in 1975.
Students and families ended the evening at Kelly’s Homemade Ice Cream in Maitland for Spirit Night, raising funds for the school while devouring sweet treats.