School Choices Detailed and Rated Lakes of Wellington, Lutz, 33549

The community of Lakes of Wellington is located in Lutz, FL, with the ZIP code 33549. Lutz is a suburban area in Hillsborough County, known for its family-friendly environment and proximity to Tampa. Below, I’ll provide information on schools near the Lakes of Wellington community, 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 information directly with the schools or the Hillsborough County Public Schools district.

I’ll focus on schools within a reasonable distance (approximately 5-10 miles) of the Lakes of Wellington community, as this is a typical range for families considering local schooling options. Since exact addresses within Lakes of Wellington may vary, I’m using a general central point in Lutz, FL 33549 for proximity estimates. Schools are categorized by level (elementary, middle, high) and include both public and private options where applicable.

Public Schools Near Lakes of Wellington, Lutz, FL 33549

Public schools in this area are part of the Hillsborough County Public Schools district, one of the largest in Florida. Below are some of the closest and most relevant schools based on zoning and proximity. Zoning can depend on your exact address, so I recommend using the Hillsborough County School Locator tool (available on their website) to confirm assigned schools.

Elementary Schools

1. Lake Myrtle Elementary School

   • Address: 22944 Weeks Blvd, Land O' Lakes, FL 34639 (approximately 5-6 miles from central Lutz 33549)
   • Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org as of recent data)
   • Details: Serves grades PK-5 with a focus on core academics and student support programs. Known for a strong community feel and decent test scores compared to state averages.
   • Student Population: Around 600-700 students
   • Notes: This school often serves parts of Lutz, though zoning should be confirmed.

2. Lutz K-8 School

   • Address: 202 5th Ave SE, Lutz, FL 33549 (approximately 2-3 miles from Lakes of Wellington)
   • Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Serves grades PK-8, offering a smaller, community-based environment. It has mixed reviews, with strengths in smaller class sizes but some concerns about facilities.
   • Student Population: Approximately 600 students
   • Notes: Conveniently located within Lutz, likely a zoned option for many in Lakes of Wellington.

3. Maniscalco K-8 School

   • Address: 939 Debuel Rd, Lutz, FL 33549 (approximately 3-4 miles)
   • Rating: 5/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Another K-8 option with a focus on integrating technology and project-based learning. Test scores are around state average.
   • Student Population: Around 500-600 students
   • Notes: May serve parts of the Lutz area depending on zoning.

   Middle Schools

   1. Charles S. Rushe Middle School
   2. Address: 18654 Mentmore Blvd, Land O' Lakes, FL 34638 (approximately 6-7 miles)
   3. Rating: 8/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   4. Details: Serves grades 6-8 and is highly regarded for academic performance, extracurriculars, and student engagement. Often praised for preparing students for high school.
   5. Student Population: Around 1,200-1,400 students
   6. Notes: Likely the zoned middle school for many in Lutz, though it’s slightly farther out.

4. Lutz K-8 School (as mentioned above)

   • Covers middle school grades (6-8) for some local students if zoned to this school.

   High Schools

   1. Steinbrenner High School
   2. Address: 5575 W Lutz Lake Fern Rd, Lutz, FL 33558 (approximately 5-6 miles)
   3. Rating: 9/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   4. Details: Serves grades 9-12 and is one of the top-rated high schools in the area. Known for strong academics, athletics, and college readiness programs. Test scores and graduation rates are well above state averages.
   5. Student Population: Around 2,300-2,500 students
   6. Notes: A popular choice for Lutz families, often the zoned high school for Lakes of Wellington residents.

5. Sunlake High School

   • Address: 3023 Sunlake Blvd, Land O' Lakes, FL 34638 (approximately 7-8 miles)
   • Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Serves grades 9-12 with a focus on STEM programs and career preparation. It has a good reputation but is slightly less highly rated than Steinbrenner.
   • Student Population: Around 2,000 students
   • Notes: May serve some parts of Lutz depending on zoning boundaries.

   Private Schools Near Lakes of Wellington, Lutz, FL 33549

   Private schools offer alternative education options, often with smaller class sizes, religious affiliations, or specialized curricula. Here are some notable private schools within a 10-mile radius.

   1. Lutz Learning Center
   2. Address: 621 Sunset Ln, Lutz, FL 33549 (approximately 2-3 miles)
   3. Type: Private, Non-denominational
   4. Grades: PK-8
   5. Rating: Not widely rated on GreatSchools, but parent reviews on Niche suggest a positive, nurturing environment.
   6. Details: Focuses on individualized learning with a small student body. Tuition information is available directly from the school.
   7. Student Population: Under 100 students (exact numbers vary)

6. Countryside Montessori Academy

   • Address: 5852 Ehren Cutoff, Land O' Lakes, FL 34639 (approximately 5-6 miles)
   • Type: Private, Montessori
   • Grades: PK-8
   • Rating: Limited public ratings, but Montessori schools are often praised for hands-on, child-centered learning.
   • Details: Emphasizes self-directed learning and mixed-age classrooms. Tuition varies by grade level.
   • Student Population: Small, typically under 200 students

7. Academy at the Lakes

   • Address: 2331 Collier Pkwy, Land O' Lakes, FL 34639 (approximately 5 miles)
   • Type: Private, Independent
   • Grades: PK-12
   • Rating: Highly regarded, often rated 4.5/5 on Niche for academics and college prep.
   • Details: A prestigious option with a rigorous curriculum, small class sizes, and strong extracurriculars. Tuition is on the higher end (around $15,000-$25,000 per year depending on grade).
   • Student Population: Around 400-500 students

   Charter Schools Near Lakes of Wellington, Lutz, FL 33549

   Charter schools are publicly funded but operate independently, often with specialized programs. Here are a couple of options nearby.

8. Learning Gate Community School

   • Address: 16215 Hanna Rd, Lutz, FL 33549 (approximately 3-4 miles)
   • Type: Charter
   • Grades: K-8
   • Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Focuses on environmental education and project-based learning. It’s a popular choice for families seeking an alternative to traditional public schools.
   • Student Population: Around 800 students
   • Notes: Admission is often lottery-based due to demand.

9. Imagine School at Land O' Lakes

   • Address: 2940 Sunlake Blvd, Land O' Lakes, FL 34638 (approximately 7 miles)
   • Type: Charter
   • Grades: K-8
   • Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Emphasizes character education alongside academics. Mixed reviews on consistency of teaching quality.
   • Student Population: Around 700-800 students

   Additional Notes on School Ratings and Selection

   • Ratings Sources: Ratings are primarily sourced from GreatSchools.org and Niche, which aggregate test scores, parent reviews, and other metrics. GreatSchools uses a 1-10 scale, while Niche often uses letter grades or 5-star scales. These are snapshots and may not reflect personal experiences or recent changes.
   • Zoning: Public school assignments depend on your specific address within Lakes of Wellington. Use the Hillsborough County Public Schools’ “Find My School” tool online to confirm zoned schools.
   • School Choice: Hillsborough County offers school choice programs, allowing students to apply to schools outside their zone (including magnet programs) if space is available.
   • Updates: School ratings and demographics can change yearly. Check the Florida Department of Education or individual school websites for the latest report cards.
   • Visiting Schools: I strongly recommend scheduling tours or attending open houses to get a feel for the environment, especially for private or charter schools.

   Summary of Top-Rated Options

   • **Best