Good schools around and in St. Petersburg? (Tampa, Sawgrass: to rent, home)

[cjtex23]

Hello...

I'll be moving to the area (probably St. Pete) because of a great job offer, but I'm not sure what the schools (elementary through high school) are like in the area. I have no children yet, but I've worked my butt off to get where I am in life and if I'm going to have children, it will be in the next three or four years. Are the schools good, or should I look elsewhere when I look to purchase in about 2 years (want to rent first).

Thanks!
Kim

[Davachka]

Though I'm not familiar with that area, we too are looking at a move to Tampa and the quality of schools was a priority.

We have been using GreatSchools.net

You can type in an address, city, anything and it lists the schools in the area as well as how they rate.
Good Luck!

[cjtex23]

Great info. Thank you!

Kim

[EB2]

This is my own personal opinion.

I spent a little under 3 1/2 years attending schools in St. Petersburg (all of middle school, and a short bit of elementary). The schools are...okay....I guess. I'm not really big on them, to be honest. However, some are better than others. The teachers are up and leaving, and have little to no protection (though, I'm sure this is the case in most places). My mom did substituting for several years, and would come home with horror stories (being sworn at, told that she wasn't liked and would be shot, she's been hit by a 5 year old..etc). We live in a decent part of the city, and she would have her choice at where she would teach, so teacher abuse isn't limited to particular areas.

Honestly, if I had the choice, I'd choose a private school over a public in St. Pete. You might be able to find a decent elementary (I've heard decent things about Rio Vista, Sawgrass - and my mom seemed to really like working at these schools, as well). However, middle schools and high schools are limited more than elementary.

Good luck in whatever decision you make.

[cjtex23]

Thank you, EB2. I've heard FL isn't the place I want to send children to school, but hey, all states have their problems in schools now. I agree with the public v. private. Thank you for spending the time to respond!

Kim