Catholic Schools in Tampa Area (Brandon, Temple Terrace: chapel, magnet schools, live in)

[Wings]

We are moving to Tampa next year and are considering Catholic shools for our kids (8 & 11). They go to a charter school now and we really like it but we are wary of regular public schools.

[NHtoFLMom]

Wings,
I live in the area of Tampa known as "New Tampa". My children attend the public schools here and I am extremely happy with their educational programs. However, in regards to your specific request of Catholic school information, I have several friends whose children attend Corpus Christi Catholic School. They live here in New Tampa and drive their children to that school, approximately 20 minutes away in Temple Terrace (also part of Tampa). There is also a very good charter school in Temple Terrace called Terrace Community School. It receives very high recommendations and I have other friends who send their children there. You can access information on that school through the Hillsborough County School District website. Look under the charter school section. Good luck with your move. I know moving with children can be especially challenging, as we are all concerned about good schools for our kids!

[Wings]

NHtoFLMom,
Thanks - I'll look into those. Where exactly is New Tampa? I see Temple Terrace on my map but not New Tampa.

[NHtoFLMom]

New Tampa is the 33647 zip code of Tampa. It is located just off of I-75, using the Bruce B. Downs exit. All of the communities in New Tampa are off of this main road. The southern tip of Wesley Chapel (33543), along Bruce B. Downs in Pasco County, is also sometimes referred to as New Tampa.

[bnepler]

It's a great area to raise children. Your not far from most places, yet you not in the city. I live just over the county line in Pasco county, Wesley Chapel. We were building at a fast pace but have been slowing down. It is kind of rural in both New Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

[Spree]

There are many Catholic schools in the area. Tampa/St Petersburg schools are under the Diocese of St Petersburg. The website is http://www.dioceseofstpete.org/ I live in the Brandon/Valrico/Lithia area (eastern Tampa suburbs) and there are two good Catholic schools (early childhood through 8th grade) to choose from.

~ b

[Wings]

Thanks for the responses! It gives me a starting point.

[Spooky08]

I know this information won't be of value to you now, 5 years later, but for everyone else relocating to North Tampa it might help. I am sending my kids to Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran School in Temple Terrace. It is pre-k-8th grade and is reasonably priced compared to many private schools in the area.

A lot of people love the public schools here, I am not a big fan of publics no matter what state because of the end-o-year testing...they all have to teach the test once gets get to third grade. I've tried both public and private schools (two different public and two different privates) and for our family, I believe the private school is what works best for our children both academically and socially. I like the very small class sizes and the discipline that prevents disruptions in the classrooms.

I have heard some great things about both charter and magnet schools if you can get into one!

[crazynip]

Originally Posted by Wings

NHtoFLMom,
Thanks - I'll look into those. Where exactly is New Tampa? I see Temple Terrace on my map but not New Tampa.

Drive North on I-75 about 5 miles past the world's largest confederate flag, it's on your right...

[Spooky08]

It is 20 min. drive in no traffic, but as I have found out driving my children from New Tampa to Christ Our Redeemer (which is right down the road from CC) that traffic is an absolute nightmare in the morning. It takes me about 45 mins. on average with bumper to bumper traffic. I would highly advise against it unless you have patience of a saint! I am going to pull my kids out next year!