School Choices Detailed and Rated Heather Lakes, Brandon, 33511

Heather Lakes is a community located in Brandon, FL, within the 33511 ZIP code. This area falls under Hillsborough County, which is served by the Hillsborough County Public Schools district, one of the largest school districts in Florida. Below, I’ll provide information on the schools near Heather Lakes, 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. Keep in mind that ratings can vary depending on the source and may change over time, so I recommend verifying the most current data directly with the schools or district.

I’ll focus on schools within a reasonable proximity to Heather Lakes, generally within a 5-mile radius, as this is a typical range for local school assignments and commuting. If you have a specific radius or type of school (e.g., only elementary or private) in mind, let me know!

Public Schools Near Heather Lakes, Brandon, FL 33511

Public schools in this area are zoned based on address, so the exact schools assigned to a specific home in Heather Lakes may vary slightly. You can confirm zoning through the Hillsborough County Public Schools website (hcps.net) by entering your address into their school locator tool. Below are schools commonly associated with or near the Heather Lakes community:

Elementary Schools

1. Mintz Elementary School

   • Address: 1510 Heather Lakes Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511
   • Distance: Approximately 0.5–1 mile from Heather Lakes (very close, often the assigned elementary school for the community)
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 5/10 on GreatSchools.org (as of recent data); rated "C" by the Florida Department of Education (2022-2023)
   • Details: Mintz Elementary has a diverse student body and offers standard curriculum with some focus on STEM programs. Parent reviews often mention a supportive staff but note occasional concerns with class sizes.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 800 students
   • Contact: (813) 744-8353

2. Brooker Elementary School

   • Address: 812 Dewolf Rd, Brandon, FL 33511
   • Distance: Approximately 2–3 miles from Heather Lakes
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 6/10 on GreatSchools.org; rated "B" by the Florida Department of Education
   • Details: Known for a strong community feel and active parent involvement. Offers after-school programs and extracurriculars.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 900 students
   • Contact: (813) 744-8184

   Middle Schools

   1. McLane Middle School
   2. Address: 306 N Knights Ave, Brandon, FL 33510
   3. Distance: Approximately 2–3 miles from Heather Lakes
   4. Grade Levels: 6-8
   5. Rating: 4/10 on GreatSchools.org; rated "C" by the Florida Department of Education
   6. Details: A larger middle school with a focus on preparing students for high school through various academic tracks and extracurricular activities like sports and band.
   7. Enrollment: Approx. 1,000 students
   8. Contact: (813) 744-8100

   High Schools

   1. Brandon High School
   2. Address: 1101 Victoria St, Brandon, FL 33510
   3. Distance: Approximately 2–3 miles from Heather Lakes
   4. Grade Levels: 9-12
   5. Rating: 5/10 on GreatSchools.org; rated "C" by the Florida Department of Education
   6. Details: A comprehensive high school offering Advanced Placement (AP) courses, career and technical education programs, and a variety of sports and clubs. It has a large student body and a diverse set of opportunities.
   7. Enrollment: Approx. 1,800 students
   8. Contact: (813) 744-8120

   Charter Schools Near Heather Lakes

   Charter schools are publicly funded but operate independently and may have different enrollment processes (often lottery-based). Here are a couple of options nearby:

3. Winthrop Charter School

   • Address: 6204 Scholars Hill Ln, Riverview, FL 33578
   • Distance: Approximately 4–5 miles from Heather Lakes
   • Grade Levels: K-8
   • Rating: 8/10 on GreatSchools.org; rated "A" by the Florida Department of Education
   • Details: A highly regarded charter school with a focus on academic excellence and character development. Enrollment is competitive due to high demand.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 1,300 students
   • Contact: (813) 678-5120

4. Pivot Charter School

   • Address: 3020 S Falkenburg Rd, Riverview, FL 33578
   • Distance: Approximately 5 miles from Heather Lakes
   • Grade Levels: 6-12
   • Rating: 3/10 on GreatSchools.org; rated "C" by the Florida Department of Education
   • Details: Offers a blended learning model with online and in-person instruction, catering to students who need flexible scheduling.
   • Contact: (813) 626-6724

   Private Schools Near Heather Lakes

   Private schools often require tuition and may have specific admission requirements. Here are a few notable options in the area:

5. Bell Shoals Baptist Academy

   • Address: 2102 Bell Shoals Rd, Brandon, FL 33511
   • Distance: Approximately 3–4 miles from Heather Lakes
   • Grade Levels: PK-8
   • Rating: Not rated on GreatSchools.org (private schools often lack standardized ratings); generally well-reviewed by parents on Niche for its faith-based education
   • Details: A Christian school offering a curriculum rooted in Baptist values, with small class sizes and a focus on moral development alongside academics.
   • Tuition: Approx. $6,000–$8,000 per year (varies by grade; contact school for current rates)
   • Contact: (813) 689-9183

6. Providence Christian School

   • Address: 5416 Providence Rd, Riverview, FL 33578
   • Distance: Approximately 5 miles from Heather Lakes
   • Grade Levels: K-12
   • Rating: Positive parent feedback on Niche; no standardized rating available
   • Details: A private Christian school emphasizing biblical teachings alongside a college-preparatory curriculum. Offers sports and fine arts programs.
   • Tuition: Approx. $7,000–$9,000 per year (varies by grade)
   • Contact: (813) 661-0588

   Additional Notes on School Ratings and Selection

   • Ratings Context: Ratings from GreatSchools.org (1-10 scale) and Florida DOE (A-F scale) are based on standardized test scores, graduation rates, and other metrics. However, they don’t always reflect the full picture of a school’s environment, teacher quality, or extracurricular offerings. Visiting schools or speaking with current parents can provide deeper insight.
   • School Zoning: Heather Lakes residents are typically zoned for Mintz Elementary, McLane Middle, and Brandon High, but rezoning happens periodically. Use the Hillsborough County School Locator (available on hcps.net) to confirm assignments for a specific address.
   • Transportation: Public schools generally provide bus services for zoned students living beyond a certain distance (usually 2 miles). Charter and private schools may not offer transportation or may charge for it.
   • Special Programs: Some schools offer magnet programs, International Baccalaureate (IB), or special needs services. For example, Brandon High has career-focused academies. Contact the district for details on applying to out-of-zone programs.

   How to Research Further

   • Hillsborough County Public Schools Website: hcps.net – Use the school locator tool and explore individual school profiles.
   • GreatSchools.org: Search by ZIP code (33511) for updated ratings and parent reviews.
   • Florida Department of Education: fldoe.org – Access school report cards and performance data.
   • School Tours: Many schools offer open houses or virtual tours, especially during enrollment periods.

   If you have a specific address within Heather Lakes, I can help narrow down the exact zoned schools. Additionally, if you’re looking for preschools, after-school programs, or schools with specific features (e.g., gifted programs, sports emphasis), let me know, and I can tailor the information further!