Best Tampa suburbs that have excellent schools? (Palm Harbor, University: 2015, lawyers)

[obfg5]

My family and I are relocating to Tampa this summer. We have three children, ages 9, 6, and 5. Our top priority is living in a suburb that offers excellent elementary, middle, and high schools. We are definitely going to take commute into consideration, but for now, I would like to know what suburbs have the best schools, and then we'll take it from there. Thank you!

[craigtnelson]

I swear, this question is asked every day. Does anyone use the search feature?

[Stewabby]

Fishhawk Ranch has the best suburban schools. Other suburbs with good schools that spring to mind are New Tampa, Westchase and Palm Harbor.

[DUNNDFRNT]

Originally Posted by obfg5

My family and I are relocating to Tampa this summer. We have three children, ages 9, 6, and 5. Our top priority is living in a suburb that offers excellent elementary, middle, and high schools. We are definitely going to take commute into consideration, but for now, I would like to know what suburbs have the best schools, and then we'll take it from there. Thank you!

The attached map is for high school rankings as you can see from west to east Palm Harbor, East Lake, Lutz, Wiregrass (wesley chapel), Fishawk/Lithia.

[lizw32]

Depends on the type of suburb you want to live in. Surprisingly (well, it was for me - when I first moved over here I was concerned about finding good public schools for my 5 and 4 year old after all the horror stories I'd heard about the Florida public school system) there are plenty of good elementary, middle and high schools in the Tampa Bay area. Lutz, Odessa, Greater Northdale all have excellent schools and are a bit closer than Fishhawk I think. Odessa and Lutz become more rural depending on how north you go. Northdale is more 'sterotypical' suburban, I think. Plenty of neighborhoods with families, all the stores/restaurants you could need, a fantastic Y and rec center,etc...Palm Harbor and Safety Harbor are also good, but like Fishhawk - more of a commute. Lutz, Odessa and Northdale are all easily accessible from the expressway, 75,etc..I've just bought a house near the Citrus Park Westfield mall. The schools there are ok/good, but if I'd had more time, I would have preferred to wait a bit and find something in Northdale but due to time constraints had to buy quickly. Still, LOVE the neighborhood I've bought in, so it's all good

[SULAW2015]

Originally Posted by obfg5

My family and I are relocating to Tampa this summer. We have three children, ages 9, 6, and 5. Our top priority is living in a suburb that offers excellent elementary, middle, and high schools. We are definitely going to take commute into consideration, but for now, I would like to know what suburbs have the best schools, and then we'll take it from there. Thank you!

Public or Private?
If Public, none are excellent to my standards.
So what do you mean by "excellent"?
If private, there is Berkeley Prep is excellent @ $17k per year.

[Stewabby]

Originally Posted by SULAW2015

Public or Private?
If Public, none are excellent to my standards.
So what do you mean by "excellent"?
If private, there is Berkeley Prep is excellent @ $17k per year.

If SULAW stands for Stetson Law School then I would think you would be a little more open minded about the public school system here considering you are willing to pay a lot of money to attend a third or fourth tier law school. Palm Harbor, South Tampa and Lithia all have excellent schools and you don't need to spend $17 grand a year.

[The Villages Guy]

Palm Harbor having great schools was a big plus for us, when deciding where to move here. Although we have no kids in school, it is an important factor in keeping your home value up. One of the many reasons why Palm Harbor is so desirable.

[SULAW2015]

Originally Posted by Stewabby

If SULAW stands for Stetson Law School then I would think you would be a little more open minded about the public school system here considering you are willing to pay a lot of money to attend a third or fourth tier law school. Palm Harbor, South Tampa and Lithia all have excellent schools and you don't need to spend $17 grand a year.

She wants to move to a suburb of Tampa and take the commute into consideration.
Palm Harbor is 45 minutes to 1hr. and 30 minute commute to downtown Tampa.
South Tampa has very good schools, but not a suburb of Tampa, and has a high cost of housing.
Lithia is 35 minutes to 1 hr. and 20 minute commute to downtown Tampa.

PS Your attack on Stetson is invalid as half the trial lawyers in Tampa attended there and the trial advocacy program is #1 in the country.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by SULAW2015

PS Your attack on Stetson is invalid as half the trial lawyers in Tampa attended there and the trial advocacy program is #1 in the country.

That doesn't say much for trial lawyers in Tampa:

"Offering a tropical setting and some outstanding academic programs, the Stetson University School of Law is a diamond in the rough. It is still a low-ranking, regional institution however, and students should be aware of the limitations that come with a Stetson Law degree."

Stetson University School of Law

Ouch.

RM