School Choices Detailed and Rated Haddington Circle, Sun City Center, 33573

Sun City Center, FL 33573, is a retirement community located in Hillsborough County, and the area around Haddington Circle is primarily residential with a focus on adult living. As such, schools in the vicinity may not be directly within the immediate neighborhood of Sun City Center, since it is a 55+ community with fewer families with school-aged children. However, I will provide information on schools in the broader Sun City Center area and nearby communities within a reasonable distance (approximately 5-10 miles), as well as their ratings based on available data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche, and the Florida Department of Education.

Overview of Schools Near Haddington Circle, Sun City Center, FL 33573

Below is a list of public and private schools in or near the Sun City Center area, focusing on elementary, middle, and high schools. Ratings are typically based on test scores, student progress, college readiness, and other factors as reported by GreatSchools.org (on a scale of 1-10) or other educational review platforms. Note that ratings can vary depending on the source and year, so I recommend checking the most current data. I’ve also included approximate distances from Haddington Circle.

Public Schools

Public schools in this area are part of the Hillsborough County Public Schools district, one of the largest school districts in Florida.

1. Cypress Creek Elementary School

   • Address: 4040 19th Ave NE, Ruskin, FL 33573
   • Distance: Approximately 2-3 miles from Haddington Circle
   • Type: Public Elementary (Grades K-5)
   • Rating: 5/10 (GreatSchools.org, based on test scores and student progress)
   • Details: This school serves a diverse student population and focuses on foundational skills in reading, math, and science. It has a student-teacher ratio of about 14:1.

2. Shields Middle School

   • Address: 15732 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, FL 33573
   • Distance: Approximately 3-4 miles from Haddington Circle
   • Type: Public Middle School (Grades 6-8)
   • Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org, based on test scores and equity)
   • Details: Shields Middle School offers a range of academic and extracurricular programs but has faced challenges with student performance in recent years.

3. Lennard High School

   • Address: 2002 E Shell Point Rd, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance: Approximately 5-6 miles from Haddington Circle
   • Type: Public High School (Grades 9-12)
   • Rating: 4/10 (GreatSchools.org, based on college readiness and test scores)
   • Details: Lennard High School provides Advanced Placement (AP) courses, career and technical education programs, and extracurricular activities. Graduation rates are around the state average.

4. Ruskin Elementary School

   • Address: 101 E College Ave, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance: Approximately 5 miles from Haddington Circle
   • Type: Public Elementary (Grades K-5)
   • Rating: 4/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: A community-focused elementary school with programs to support diverse learners. It has a slightly higher student-teacher ratio than Cypress Creek.

   Charter Schools

   Charter schools are publicly funded but operate with more autonomy than traditional public schools. There are a few options near Sun City Center.

5. SLAM Academy at Apollo Beach (Sports Leadership and Management)

   • Address: 5995 Covington Garden Dr, Apollo Beach, FL 33572
   • Distance: Approximately 6-7 miles from Haddington Circle
   • Type: Charter School (Grades 6-12)
   • Rating: 5/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: This school focuses on sports leadership and management alongside academics. It’s a smaller school with a specialized curriculum.

6. Winthrop Charter School

   • Address: 6204 Scholars Hill Ln, Riverview, FL 33578
   • Distance: Approximately 8-10 miles from Haddington Circle
   • Type: Charter School (Grades K-8)
   • Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Known for strong academic performance compared to nearby public schools, Winthrop Charter emphasizes a structured learning environment.

   Private Schools

   Private schools in the area often have smaller class sizes and may offer religious or specialized education.

7. Ruskin Christian School

   • Address: 820 College Ave W, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance: Approximately 5 miles from Haddington Circle
   • Type: Private (Grades PK-12)
   • Rating: Not widely rated on GreatSchools.org; reviews on Niche suggest average satisfaction
   • Details: A faith-based school offering a Christian curriculum with a focus on moral and academic development. Tuition and enrollment details are available directly from the school.

8. SouthShore Montessori School

   • Address: 6411 S US Hwy 41, Apollo Beach, FL 33572
   • Distance: Approximately 6-7 miles from Haddington Circle
   • Type: Private (Grades PK-3)
   • Rating: Limited data; generally positive parent reviews on Niche
   • Details: Focuses on Montessori methods for early childhood education, emphasizing self-directed learning.

   Additional Notes on School Ratings and Selection

   • Ratings Context: Ratings from GreatSchools.org and similar platforms are based on metrics like standardized test scores, student growth, and college readiness. However, they may not fully reflect the quality of education, community involvement, or specific programs that might be important to a family. Visiting schools or speaking with current parents can provide deeper insight.
   • School Boundaries: Since Sun City Center is a 55+ community, families with children may live in nearby areas like Ruskin or Apollo Beach. School assignments depend on zoning, which can be confirmed through the Hillsborough County Public Schools website (hcps.net) using a specific address.
   • Transportation: Public school bus services are available based on zoning, but distances may require personal transportation for charter or private schools.

   How to Research Further

   1. Hillsborough County Public Schools Website: Use the school locator tool at hcps.net to confirm zoning and bus routes for a specific address near Haddington Circle.
   2. GreatSchools.org: Provides detailed reviews, test score data, and parent feedback for most schools listed.
   3. Florida Department of Education: Offers report cards for schools, including performance metrics and accountability ratings (fldoe.org).
   4. School Visits: Many schools offer tours or open houses, especially for charter and private options.

   If you have a specific address or family needs (e.g., special education programs, extracurricular preferences), I can refine this list further. Additionally, if you’re looking for schools for grandchildren or other relatives outside the immediate Sun City Center community, let me know, and I can expand the search radius. Would you like more details on any specific school or type of school?