Overview
Highland Ranch is a Mattamy Homes master-planned community in the 34711 ZIP code — Clermont's well-established south US-27 corridor, one of Lake County's most recognizable real estate addresses. Developed primarily in the mid-2010s, Highland Ranch brought Mattamy's resort-style planning formula to one of Clermont's most competitive neighborhoods: close to the historic downtown, close to South Lake Hospital, and surrounded by the kind of rolling Central Florida hill country that draws buyers from flat coastal markets. The community is fully or nearly built out depending on the phase, meaning buyers are typically purchasing resale or remaining new inventory rather than waiting on future phases.
Amenities & Community Programming
Highland Ranch's amenity center sets it apart from similarly priced communities in the corridor. The resort-style pool is the social centerpiece, supplemented by a clubhouse available for private events, sports courts, and playground equipment. What distinguishes Highland Ranch beyond the infrastructure is the organized social calendar — community events, seasonal gatherings, and resident-organized activities generate a level of neighborhood cohesion that is harder to find in more recently opened communities still filling out their population. The HOA coordinates events that draw a cross-section of the neighborhood's age range, which skews toward growing families and active professionals in their 30s–50s.
Homes & Pricing
Highland Ranch homes are single-family, ranging from approximately $380K to $580K in the current resale and remaining new-inventory market. Floor plans run from approximately 1,800 to 3,500+ square feet with 3–5 bedrooms, open-concept kitchens and living areas, and 2-car garages standard. Mattamy's standard finishes from the mid-2010s build period include quality exterior elevations and energy-efficient construction consistent with that era's Florida building code updates. Many resale homes have been upgraded with extended tile, custom cabinetry, and outdoor living improvements. Screened lanais and summer kitchen rough-ins are common in the larger floor plans.
Schools
Highland Ranch sits in the 34711 ZIP code and is served by Lake County Schools. Typical school assignments pull from the southern Clermont cluster: elementary is often Grassy Lake Elementary or Sawgrass Bay Elementary (both newer schools built to accommodate the corridor's growth), middle school is East Ridge Middle or Windy Hill Middle, and high school is East Ridge High. East Ridge High sits near the US-27 and SR-50 intersection and serves much of south and east Clermont. Lake County Schools has made substantial infrastructure investment in the corridor to keep pace with population growth. Verify specific assignments with Lake County Schools' boundary tool, as the southern Clermont zone continues to evolve.
Location & Clermont Character
US-27 south puts Highland Ranch residents within 5 minutes of South Lake Hospital (AdventHealth South Lake), one of Lake County's primary medical facilities. Clermont's historic downtown — Montrose Street's retail strip, the Clermont waterfront, and Lake Minneola — is about 5–8 minutes north on US-27. The Clermont chain of lakes, including Lake Minneola and Lake Louisa, shapes the character of the area's recreation: boating, kayaking, and the Clermont Waterfront Park draw residents who want Florida-lifestyle access without driving to the coast. The South Lake Trail system, popular with cyclists regionally, has trailheads within a short drive. Downtown Winter Garden and its Plant Street boutique corridor are about 20 minutes east on SR-50 or SR-429.
Who Moves to Highland Ranch
Highland Ranch draws a high proportion of relocating families from Orange and Seminole counties who want newer construction, larger lots, and lower price-per-square-foot than the metro core can offer at this level of finish. South Lake Hospital proximity makes the community appealing to healthcare workers and medical professionals employed at the hospital or its affiliated practices. The active social programming attracts buyers who prioritize community integration over just a home purchase — neighbors here tend to know their neighbors. For buyers comparing Clermont's new-build communities, Highland Ranch competes most directly with Serenoa and Wellness Ridge but has the advantage of a more established streetscape and mature landscaping.
