Local Schools Near Grayston Place, Sun City Center, 33573

Sun City Center, FL, is a retirement community located in Hillsborough County, and the area around Grayston Place in the 33573 ZIP code has access to several schools serving families in the vicinity. While Sun City Center is primarily an age-restricted community for seniors (55+), there are nearby neighborhoods and areas where families with children reside, and schools are available in the surrounding region. Below, I’ll provide information on schools near Grayston Place, Sun City Center, FL 33573, including public and private options, along with their ratings based on data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche, and the Florida Department of Education. Ratings are typically based on test scores, student progress, college readiness, and other factors. Note that ratings can vary depending on the source and may change over time, so I recommend checking the most current data.

Location Context

Grayston Place is located within or near Sun City Center, south of Tampa, in Hillsborough County. The schools listed below are within a reasonable driving distance (approximately 5-15 miles) from the 33573 ZIP code, as Sun City Center itself does not have many schools directly within its boundaries due to its retirement community focus. The schools serve nearby communities like Ruskin, Apollo Beach, and Wimauma.

Public Schools Near Grayston Place, Sun City Center, FL 33573

Public schools in this area are part of the Hillsborough County Public Schools district, one of the largest school districts in Florida. Below are some of the closest schools, categorized by level (elementary, middle, high), with their approximate distance from Sun City Center, ratings, and key details.

Elementary Schools

1. Cypress Creek Elementary School

   • Address: 4040 19th Ave NE, Ruskin, FL 33573
   • Distance: Approximately 3-5 miles from Grayston Place
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 5/10 (GreatSchools.org, based on test scores and student progress)
   • Details: This school serves a diverse student population with a focus on foundational skills. It has around 600-700 students and offers programs like ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) due to the area's demographics. Parent reviews often mention a supportive staff but note challenges with class sizes.

2. Ruskin Elementary School

   • Address: 101 E College Ave, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance: Approximately 6-8 miles from Grayston Place
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 4/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Ruskin Elementary serves around 800 students and focuses on community engagement. It has mixed reviews, with some parents appreciating the teachers’ dedication while others cite concerns about resources and academic performance.

3. Doby Elementary School

   • Address: 6720 Covington Garden Dr, Apollo Beach, FL 33572
   • Distance: Approximately 8-10 miles from Grayston Place
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Located in Apollo Beach, Doby Elementary is one of the higher-rated elementary schools in the area, with strong test scores in math and reading. It serves around 700 students and has positive feedback for its extracurricular activities and parent involvement.

   Middle Schools

   1. Shields Middle School
   2. Address: 15732 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, FL 33573
   3. Distance: Approximately 5-7 miles from Grayston Place
   4. Grade Levels: 6-8
   5. Rating: 4/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   6. Details: Shields Middle School serves around 1,200 students and offers various academic and elective programs. It has faced challenges with student performance on standardized tests but has initiatives for student support and improvement.

4. Eisenhower Middle School

   • Address: 7620 Old Bend Rd, Gibsonton, FL 33534
   • Distance: Approximately 10-12 miles from Grayston Place
   • Grade Levels: 6-8
   • Rating: 5/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Eisenhower serves a large student body (around 1,300 students) and offers programs like AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) to prepare students for college. Reviews are mixed, with some concerns about discipline but praise for certain teachers and programs.

   High Schools

   1. Lennard High School
   2. Address: 2002 E Shell Point Rd, Ruskin, FL 33570
   3. Distance: Approximately 5-7 miles from Grayston Place
   4. Grade Levels: 9-12
   5. Rating: 5/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   6. Details: Lennard High School serves around 2,500 students and offers a variety of Advanced Placement (AP) courses and career-focused programs. It has a diverse student body and a graduation rate of about 90%. Reviews highlight strengths in sports and some academic programs but note challenges with overcrowding.

5. East Bay High School

   • Address: 7710 Old Big Bend Rd, Gibsonton, FL 33534
   • Distance: Approximately 10-12 miles from Grayston Place
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: East Bay High School has around 2,200 students and offers AP courses, career academies, and a strong athletics program. It has a slightly higher rating than Lennard due to better test scores and college readiness metrics. Parent feedback often mentions a supportive environment but some concerns about class sizes.

   Private Schools Near Grayston Place, Sun City Center, FL 33573

   Private school options are more limited in the immediate Sun City Center area but are available within a 10-15 mile radius. These schools often have smaller class sizes and may offer religious or specialized curricula.

6. Ruskin Christian School

   • Address: 820 College Ave W, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance: Approximately 6-8 miles from Grayston Place
   • Grade Levels: PK-12
   • Rating: Not widely rated on GreatSchools.org; Niche gives it a B- based on limited reviews
   • Details: This is a small, faith-based school with a focus on Christian education. It has around 200-300 students across all grades. Tuition information is available upon request from the school, and reviews suggest a close-knit community with an emphasis on values.

7. SouthShore Montessori School

   • Address: 7030 Big Bend Rd, Gibsonton, FL 33534
   • Distance: Approximately 10-12 miles from Grayston Place
   • Grade Levels: PK-3
   • Rating: Limited data; generally positive parent feedback on Niche
   • Details: This school follows the Montessori method, focusing on individualized learning for young children. It’s a smaller institution with a focus on early childhood education. Tuition varies based on program and age.

   Charter Schools Near Grayston Place, Sun City Center, FL 33573

   Charter schools are publicly funded but operate independently, often with specialized curricula. A few options are available nearby.

   1. SLAM Apollo (Sports Leadership and Management)
   2. Address: 5739 Tyson Rd, Apollo Beach, FL 33572
   3. Distance: Approximately 8-10 miles from Grayston Place
   4. Grade Levels: 6-12
   5. Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   6. Details: SLAM focuses on sports leadership and management, integrating athletics with academics. It’s a smaller school with around 500-600 students and appeals to families interested in sports-related careers.

8. Winthrop Charter School

   • Address: 6204 Scholars Hill Ln, Riverview, FL 33578
   • Distance: Approximately 12-15 miles from Grayston Place
   • Grade Levels: K-8
   • Rating: 8/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Winthrop is a highly regarded charter school with strong academic performance and a focus on college preparatory education. It serves around 1,300 students and often has a waitlist due to high demand.

   Additional Notes on School Ratings and Selection

   • Ratings Sources: Ratings are primarily sourced from GreatSchools.org and Niche, which use metrics like test scores, graduation rates, and parent reviews. However, ratings are subjective and may not fully reflect a school’s environment or fit for a specific student. Visiting schools or speaking with current families can provide deeper insight.
   • School Boundaries: Since Sun City Center is a retirement community, families living near Grayston Place may be zoned for schools in Ruskin, Apollo Beach, or surrounding areas. Use the Hillsborough County Public Schools’ boundary locator tool (available on their website) to confirm zoning based on a specific address.
   • Transportation: Hillsborough County provides bus services for public school students within designated zones, but families should verify routes and availability. Private and charter schools may not offer transportation.
   • Special Programs: Some schools offer magnet programs, gifted education, or special needs support. Contact the Hillsborough County Public Schools district or