School Choices Detailed and Rated Heatherwood Village, Northdale, 33624

Heather there! I'm happy to help you find information about schools near the Heatherwood Village community in Northdale, FL, within the 33624 ZIP code. Northdale is a suburban area in Hillsborough County, near Tampa, and it falls under the Hillsborough County Public Schools district, which oversees most of the public schools in the region. 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. I’ll also include a mix of public and private options within a reasonable distance (approximately 5-10 miles) from the Northdale/Heatherwood Village area. Keep in mind that ratings can vary depending on the source and criteria (test scores, parent reviews, etc.), and they’re just one factor to consider when choosing a school.

Location Context

Heatherwood Village is a neighborhood within Northdale, located in the northwest part of Tampa, near major roads like Dale Mabry Highway and Ehrlich Road. The 33624 ZIP code covers Northdale and nearby areas like Carrollwood. I’ll focus on schools closest to this area, prioritizing those within or just outside the ZIP code if they’re commonly attended by Northdale residents.

Public Schools Near Heatherwood Village, Northdale, FL (33624)

Hillsborough County Public Schools assigns students to schools based on zoning, which can be checked via the district’s website (hillsboroughschools.org) using your specific address. Below are the schools most likely to serve the Heatherwood Village area, along with ratings and details. Ratings are primarily sourced from GreatSchools.org (scale of 1-10) and supplemented with Niche ratings (letter grades) where available. These ratings are current as of the latest data I have access to (up to October 2023), but they can change, so I recommend verifying on the respective websites.

Elementary Schools

1. Northwest Elementary School

   • Address: 16438 Hutchison Rd, Tampa, FL 33625 (about 2-3 miles from Heatherwood Village)
   • GreatSchools Rating: 7/10
   • Niche Rating: B
   • Details: Serves grades PK-5 with approximately 600 students. Known for solid academic performance and a focus on STEM programs. Parent reviews often highlight the supportive teachers and active PTO. Test scores are above the district average in math and reading.
   • Distance: Likely the zoned elementary school for much of Northdale, depending on exact address.

2. Claywell Elementary School

   • Address: 4500 Northdale Blvd, Tampa, FL 33624 (about 1-2 miles from Heatherwood Village)
   • GreatSchools Rating: 6/10
   • Niche Rating: B-
   • Details: Serves grades PK-5 with around 700 students. Offers a mix of standard and gifted programs. Reviews mention a diverse student body and decent extracurriculars, though some parents note occasional overcrowding concerns.
   • Distance: Very close to central Northdale, often zoned for nearby neighborhoods.

   Middle Schools

   1. Hill Middle School
   2. Address: 5200 Ehrlich Rd, Tampa, FL 33624 (about 2-3 miles from Heatherwood Village)
   3. GreatSchools Rating: 6/10
   4. Niche Rating: B-
   5. Details: Serves grades 6-8 with approximately 900 students. Offers magnet programs in areas like environmental studies. Test scores are near the district average, with some parent feedback praising the elective options but noting challenges with class sizes.
   6. Distance: Commonly the zoned middle school for Northdale residents.

3. Walker Middle Magnet School (Magnet Option)

   • Address: 8282 N Mobley Rd, Odessa, FL 33556 (about 5-6 miles from Heatherwood Village)
   • GreatSchools Rating: 8/10
   • Niche Rating: A-
   • Details: Serves grades 6-8 as an International Baccalaureate (IB) magnet school. Highly rated for academics and diversity. Admission is application-based, not zoned, so it’s an option if you’re seeking a more rigorous curriculum.
   • Distance: A bit farther but accessible for families in 33624.

   High Schools

   1. Gaither High School
   2. Address: 16200 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618 (about 3-4 miles from Heatherwood Village)
   3. GreatSchools Rating: 5/10
   4. Niche Rating: B
   5. Details: Serves grades 9-12 with around 2,000 students. Offers AP courses, career academies (like veterinary science), and a variety of sports. Test scores are average for the district, with mixed reviews on school culture—some praise the opportunities, others mention overcrowding.
   6. Distance: Typically the zoned high school for Northdale/33624 residents.

4. Steinbrenner High School (Alternative Zoning or Choice)

   • Address: 5575 W Lutz Lake Fern Rd, Lutz, FL 33558 (about 5-7 miles from Heatherwood Village)
   • GreatSchools Rating: 7/10
   • Niche Rating: A-
   • Details: Serves grades 9-12 with strong academic performance and extracurriculars. Known for competitive sports teams and higher-than-average graduation rates. Some Northdale students may be zoned here depending on boundaries, or families can apply via school choice.
   • Distance: Slightly farther but still relevant for the area.

   Private Schools Near Heatherwood Village, Northdale, FL (33624)

   For families considering private education, there are several options within a reasonable drive. These schools often have different admission processes and tuition costs, so I recommend contacting them directly for specifics.

5. Carrollwood Day School

   • Address: 1515 W Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL 33613 (about 4-5 miles from Heatherwood Village)
   • GreatSchools Rating: Not rated on GreatSchools (private schools often lack public ratings)
   • Niche Rating: A+
   • Details: A private, non-sectarian school serving grades PK-12. Known for its IB program and strong college prep focus. Highly regarded in the Tampa area, with tuition reflecting the premium education (around $15,000-$25,000/year depending on grade).
   • Distance: Close to Northdale, just south on Dale Mabry Hwy.

6. Hillel Academy of Tampa

   • Address: 2020 W Fletcher Ave, Tampa, FL 33612 (about 5-6 miles from Heatherwood Village)
   • Niche Rating: A-
   • Details: A Jewish day school serving grades K-8, focusing on both secular and religious education. Smaller class sizes and a tight-knit community are often highlighted. Tuition varies, typically in the $10,000-$15,000 range.
   • Distance: Accessible via major roads from Northdale.

7. Tampa Day School

   • Address: 12606 Henderson Rd, Tampa, FL 33625 (about 3-4 miles from Heatherwood Village)
   • Niche Rating: B+
   • Details: A private school for grades 1-8, specializing in students with learning differences like ADHD or dyslexia. Offers individualized attention with smaller classes. Tuition is around $20,000/year.
   • Distance: Very close to the 33624 area.

   Charter Schools Near Heatherwood Village, Northdale, FL (33624)

   Charter schools are publicly funded but operate independently, often with a specific focus. Admission is typically by lottery or application.

8. Learning Gate Community School

   • Address: 16215 Hanna Rd, Lutz, FL 33549 (about 6-7 miles from Heatherwood Village)
   • GreatSchools Rating: 8/10
   • Niche Rating: A-
   • Details: A K-8 charter school with an environmental education focus. Highly rated for academics and parent involvement. Admission is lottery-based.
   • Distance: A bit north of Northdale but popular among local families.

   Additional Notes on Ratings and Selection

   • Ratings Explanation: GreatSchools ratings (1-10) are based on test scores, equity, and sometimes parent feedback. Niche ratings (A-F) incorporate broader factors like academics, diversity, and extracurriculars. A “6/10” or “B” is considered average to above average, while higher ratings indicate standout performance.
   • School Zoning: Public school assignments depend on your exact address in Heatherwood Village. Use the Hillsborough County Public Schools “Find My School” tool online to confirm zoning.
   • School Choice: Hillsborough County offers a school choice program, allowing families to apply to schools outside their zone (including magnets and charters) if space is available. Deadlines and processes are listed on the district website.
   • Updates: School ratings and boundaries can shift year to year due to enrollment changes, new policies, or redistricting. Check current data on GreatSchools.org, Niche.com, or the Florida DOE site (fldoe.org).

   Summary of Top-Rated Options

   • Highest-Rated Public: Walker Middle Magnet (8/10, A-) and Steinbrenner High (7/10, A-)
   • Highest-Rated Private: Carrollwood