Public schools in Tampa Bay Area (Lutz, Keystone: house, neighborhoods, buy)

[Krnsu]

If I want to stick to traditional public school, not charter or magnet, is Westchase the only area with decent school? Elementary schools seem great but when it comes to middle and high!!! Their ratings are so bad. Other than westchase, do I have to go up to palm harbor? Any recommendations? And what are the odds or getting accepted with lottery system for these charter and magnet schools?

[FL_Expert]

Westchase schools vary depending on the exact location and they’re not the best in the area. Keystone, Chevel, Lutz, etc have better schools. Look at the district map for Steinbrenner High School, which is the best in the Tampa Bay Area second only to Plant. If you’re looking purely for good schools live in the Steinbrenner district and figure out your favorite elementary and middle schools from there.

[castlechurch]

Westchase is not really great for public schools outside of elementary.

The neighborhoods around Hutchinson and the Veterans Expressway and Gunn Hwy. are generally good for pricing, schools, and general location. We have Steinbrenner high, Northwest Elementary and Ben Hill Middle. Other parts of that area will have Hammond Elementary and Walker Middle, and either Steinbrenner or Sickles High.

But if your child is only elementary age...don't make a buy based on High School zoning. A lot can change at a school in the 10 years between when your child goes to elementary and starts high school.

[EngGirl]

I would actually look at high schools when searching for the house making sure house is not on the edge of zoning, in this case chances for rezoning are smaller in the future.

Plant High and Steinbrenner High are very good schools for example. I would consider these the best in Tampa Bay area

[castlechurch]

Originally Posted by EngGirl

I would actually look at high schools when searching for the house making sure house is not on the edge of zoning, in this case chances for rezoning are smaller in the future.

Plant High and Steinbrenner High are very good schools for example. I would consider these the best in Tampa Bay area

That's a good point, if you are not on the edge of a zone you are less likely to be cut in a rezoning. Steinbrenner has the most likelihood of re-zoning due to the large area it covers and the growth in that area, should a new school be built.

[MortonR]

Originally Posted by Krnsu

If I want to stick to traditional public school, not charter or magnet, is Westchase the only area with decent school? Elementary schools seem great but when it comes to middle and high!!! Their ratings are so bad. Other than westchase, do I have to go up to palm harbor? Any recommendations? And what are the odds or getting accepted with lottery system for these charter and magnet schools?

Fishhawk Ranch has more/better rated schools than Westchase.

First of all, you've got to meet the residency requirements to apply for a magnet school in Hillsborough County, so if you're looking at it from a relocation standpoint, you'll have to establish residency first before you can apply. Getting into a magnet is a total crapshoot depending on the program. You'll have a tougher time getting into a IB magnet like King HS than a performing arts or science-based magnet, for example. Magnet schools also have lousy transportation if you're looking to get it from the school district, so plan on car pooling with other families in your area who might have students in the magnet schools.

Also, magnet schools in most of Hillsborough County are typically located in lower socioeconomic areas, and can also have a "regular" school for the students in that area. This can make is quite rough, as there's a clear division between the "haves" and "have nots" in the school, making interaction between the two groups tense at times.

Blake HS or Progress Village Middle are both examples of this arrangement.

RM