School Choices Detailed and Rated Hawks Point, Ruskin, 33570

Hawks there! I'm happy to help you find information about schools near the Hawks Point community in Ruskin, FL, within the 33570 ZIP code. Hawks Point is a residential community in Ruskin, located in Hillsborough County, and it falls under the Hillsborough County Public Schools district. Below, I’ll provide details on nearby schools, including their ratings, based on available data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche, and the Florida Department of Education. Ratings are often based on test scores, student progress, and other factors like parent reviews. Keep in mind that ratings can vary depending on the source and may change over time, so I recommend visiting the schools or checking the latest data for the most current information.

I’ll focus on public schools within a reasonable distance (approximately 5-10 miles) of Hawks Point, as well as mention any notable private or charter options if applicable. Hawks Point is near the intersection of 19th Avenue NE and US-41, so I’ll use that as a central point for proximity. Let’s break this down by school level: elementary, middle, and high schools.

Elementary Schools Near Hawks Point, Ruskin, FL 33570

1. Ruskin Elementary School

   • Address: 101 E College Ave, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance from Hawks Point: Approx. 1-2 miles
   • Grade Levels: PK-5
   • Rating (GreatSchools.org): 4/10 (as of recent data)
   • Details: This is the closest elementary school to Hawks Point. It serves a diverse student population and focuses on foundational skills. Test scores are below the state average in some areas like reading and math, but the school has programs for student support. Parent reviews mention a caring staff but note room for improvement in academic rigor.
   • Enrollment: Around 800-900 students (varies by year)
   • Contact: Check the Hillsborough County Public Schools website (hcps.net) for more info.

2. Cypress Creek Elementary School

   • Address: 4040 19th Ave NE, Ruskin, FL 33573
   • Distance from Hawks Point: Approx. 3-4 miles
   • Grade Levels: PK-5
   • Rating (GreatSchools.org): 5/10
   • Details: Located slightly north of Hawks Point, this school has slightly better test scores than Ruskin Elementary, with a focus on STEM programs and community involvement. It’s still considered average compared to state standards, but parent feedback highlights a positive environment.
   • Enrollment: Around 600-700 students
   • Contact: Available via hcps.net.

   Middle Schools Near Hawks Point, Ruskin, FL 33570

   1. Shields Middle School
   2. Address: 15732 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, FL 33573
   3. Distance from Hawks Point: Approx. 3-4 miles
   4. Grade Levels: 6-8
   5. Rating (GreatSchools.org): 3/10
   6. Details: This is the primary middle school serving the Ruskin area near Hawks Point. Test scores in math and reading are below the state average, and the school has faced challenges with student progress metrics. However, it offers extracurricular activities and has received mixed reviews from parents regarding teacher engagement.
   7. Enrollment: Around 1,200-1,400 students
   8. Contact: hcps.net for more details.

   High Schools Near Hawks Point, Ruskin, FL 33570

   1. Lennard High School
   2. Address: 2002 E Shell Point Rd, Ruskin, FL 33570
   3. Distance from Hawks Point: Approx. 2-3 miles
   4. Grade Levels: 9-12
   5. Rating (GreatSchools.org): 4/10
   6. Details: Lennard High School is the closest high school to Hawks Point and serves much of the Ruskin community. It has a graduation rate of around 85-90% (based on recent data), but test scores in core subjects are below state averages. The school offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses, career academies (like agriculture and health sciences), and sports programs. Parent and student reviews mention a supportive community but note concerns about academic challenges and facilities.
   7. Enrollment: Around 2,500-3,000 students
   8. Contact: hcps.net for specifics.

   Charter and Private School Options

   1. SouthShore Charter Academy
   2. Address: 1160 E Shell Point Rd, Ruskin, FL 33570
   3. Distance from Hawks Point: Approx. 2-3 miles
   4. Grade Levels: K-8
   5. Rating (GreatSchools.org): 6/10
   6. Details: This is a public charter school offering an alternative to traditional public schools. It emphasizes a personalized learning approach and has better test scores than some nearby public schools. It’s a smaller environment, which some parents prefer.
   7. Enrollment: Around 500-600 students
   8. Contact: Visit their website (southshorecharter.org) for application details.

3. Ruskin Christian School

   • Address: 820 College Ave W, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance from Hawks Point: Approx. 1-2 miles
   • Grade Levels: PK-12
   • Rating: Not widely rated on platforms like GreatSchools; reviews are anecdotal.
   • Details: This is a private, faith-based school offering a Christian curriculum. It’s a smaller setting with a focus on moral and academic development. Tuition costs apply, and class sizes are typically smaller than public schools. Parent feedback often praises the close-knit community but notes limited extracurriculars compared to larger schools.
   • Enrollment: Around 200-300 students
   • Contact: Check ruskinchristianschool.com for more info.

   Additional Notes on School Ratings and Selection

   • Rating Sources: The ratings provided are primarily from GreatSchools.org, which uses a 1-10 scale based on test scores, equity, and other metrics. Niche.com may offer different grades (e.g., letter grades like B- or C+), and the Florida Department of Education assigns school grades (A-F) based on state assessments. For the most accurate and updated ratings, I suggest visiting these websites or the Florida DOE’s school accountability reports.
   • School Boundaries: School assignments in Hillsborough County are based on zoning. Hawks Point residents are typically zoned for Ruskin Elementary, Shields Middle, and Lennard High, but boundaries can shift, and school choice programs may allow attendance at other schools. Use the Hillsborough County Public Schools’ “Find My School” tool on hcps.net to confirm zoning.
   • Performance Context: Many schools in the Ruskin area serve diverse populations with varying socioeconomic backgrounds, which can impact test scores and ratings. However, individual student experiences often depend on specific teachers, programs, and parental involvement.
   • Other Options: If you’re open to schools slightly farther away (e.g., in Apollo Beach or Wimauma, 5-10 miles), schools like Doby Elementary or Eisenhower Middle might have higher ratings (6-7/10 on GreatSchools). Transportation and zoning would need to be considered.

   How to Research Further

   • Visit Schools: Schedule tours or attend open houses to get a feel for the environment and meet staff.
   • Check State Data: The Florida Department of Education (fldoe.org) provides detailed school report cards with test scores, graduation rates, and more.
   • Parent Reviews: Websites like GreatSchools.org and Niche.com include parent and student feedback that can offer insights beyond numbers.
   • District Resources: Hillsborough County Public Schools (hcps.net) has information on school choice, magnet programs, and special education services.

   If you have specific needs (e.g., special education programs, gifted programs, or a preference for private schools), let me know, and I can dig deeper into those options. Also, if you’d like me to focus on a specific school or provide more details about extracurriculars or facilities, just ask! What are your priorities when choosing a school? That’ll help me tailor the info even more.