School Choices Detailed and Rated Laughton Place, Sun City Center, 33573

Sun City Center, FL, is a retirement community located in Hillsborough County, and the area around the specific community of Laughton Place in ZIP code 33573 offers access to several schools. Since Sun City Center is primarily an age-restricted community for seniors (55+), many residents may not have school-aged children, but the surrounding area still has educational options for families or visiting grandchildren. Below, I’ll provide information on schools near Laughton Place in Sun City Center, FL, including public and private options, along with their ratings based on available data from sources like GreatSchools.org and the Florida Department of Education. Note that ratings can vary depending on the source and may change over time, so I recommend verifying the latest information.

Location Context

Laughton Place is a subdivision within the Kings Point area of Sun City Center, located in the southern part of Hillsborough County. The schools listed below are within a reasonable driving distance (approximately 5-15 miles) from this community, as Sun City Center itself does not have schools directly within its boundaries due to its retirement focus.

Public Schools Near Laughton Place, Sun City Center, FL 33573

Public schools in this area are part of the Hillsborough County Public Schools district. Here are the closest schools by level (elementary, middle, and high), along with their ratings and approximate distance from Laughton Place:

1. Elementary Schools

   • Cypress Creek Elementary School
   • Address: 4040 19th Ave NE, Ruskin, FL 33573
   • Distance: Approximately 3-4 miles from Laughton Place
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 5/10 (GreatSchools.org, based on test scores, equity, and student progress)
   • Details: This school serves a diverse student population and focuses on foundational skills. It has mixed reviews regarding academic performance but offers various programs for student support.
   • Ruskin Elementary School
   • Address: 101 E College Ave, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance: Approximately 5-6 miles from Laughton Place
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 4/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Located in nearby Ruskin, this school has a focus on community engagement but faces challenges with test scores compared to state averages.

2. Middle Schools

   • Shields Middle School
   • Address: 15732 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, FL 33573
   • Distance: Approximately 4-5 miles from Laughton Place
   • Grade Levels: 6-8
   • Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: This school serves the Ruskin and Sun City Center areas. It has lower-than-average test scores but offers extracurricular activities and support programs.
   • Beth Shields Middle School (Note: This may be a duplicate or alternate name for Shields Middle School in some sources; confirm locally)
   • Rating and Details: Similar to above if it’s the same school.

3. High Schools

   • Lennard High School
   • Address: 2002 E Shell Point Rd, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance: Approximately 5-6 miles from Laughton Place
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: 4/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Lennard High School offers a range of academic and vocational programs. It has a diverse student body and average graduation rates, with some areas for improvement in test scores.
   • East Bay High School (slightly farther but still accessible)
   • Address: 7710 Old Big Bend Rd, Gibsonton, FL 33534
   • Distance: Approximately 10-12 miles from Laughton Place
   • Grade Levels: 9-12
   • Rating: 5/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Located in Gibsonton, this school has a slightly better rating than Lennard and offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses and extracurriculars.

   Private Schools Near Laughton Place, Sun City Center, FL 33573

   Private school options are more limited in the immediate vicinity of Sun City Center, but there are a few within a reasonable driving distance:

4. SouthShore Montessori School

   • Address: 201 2nd St NW, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance: Approximately 5-6 miles from Laughton Place
   • Grade Levels: Preschool-3rd Grade
   • Rating: Not widely rated on GreatSchools.org; reviews are generally positive for early childhood education
   • Details: This school follows the Montessori method, focusing on individualized learning for young children. Tuition and enrollment details should be confirmed directly with the school.

5. First Baptist Christian School of Ruskin

   • Address: 820 College Ave W, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance: Approximately 5-6 miles from Laughton Place
   • Grade Levels: K-12
   • Rating: Limited data on GreatSchools.org; parent reviews are mixed but often praise the small class sizes and faith-based curriculum
   • Details: A faith-based school offering a Christian education with a focus on traditional values. Contact the school for tuition and admission information.

   Charter Schools Near Laughton Place, Sun City Center, FL 33573

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

6. SouthShore Charter Academy

   • Address: 1160 E Shell Point Rd, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance: Approximately 5 miles from Laughton Place
   • Grade Levels: K-8
   • Rating: 6/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: This charter school emphasizes a rigorous curriculum and has better-than-average test scores compared to nearby traditional public schools. Enrollment may require a lottery system.

7. Winthrop Charter School (slightly farther)

   • Address: 6204 Scholars Hill Ln, Riverview, FL 33578
   • Distance: Approximately 12-15 miles from Laughton Place
   • Grade Levels: K-8
   • Rating: 8/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Details: Located in Riverview, this school is highly rated for academic performance and offers a structured learning environment. It’s a bit farther but may be worth considering for families seeking higher-rated options.

   Additional Notes on School Ratings

   • GreatSchools.org Ratings: These are based on a 1-10 scale, factoring in test scores, student progress, college readiness, and equity. Ratings below 5 often indicate challenges in academic performance or resources, while ratings of 7 or above are considered above average.
   • Florida Department of Education: Schools in Florida also receive letter grades (A-F) based on state assessments. You can check the latest grades on the Florida DOE website (fldoe.org) for the most current data.
   • Demographics and Community: The Ruskin and Sun City Center areas have a diverse student population, and some schools face socioeconomic challenges that can impact ratings. However, many schools offer strong community support and extracurricular opportunities.

   How to Choose a School

   • Visit Schools: If you’re considering enrollment, schedule tours or attend open houses to see the facilities and meet staff.
   • Check Enrollment Zones: For public schools, confirm zoning with Hillsborough County Public Schools (hcps.net) as boundaries can shift.
   • Transportation: Sun City Center is not directly served by school bus routes for all schools, so consider driving distance and traffic (e.g., I-75 can be busy during rush hours).
   • Special Programs: Look into whether schools offer programs like gifted education, special needs support, or extracurriculars that match your child’s interests.

   Conclusion

   Near Laughton Place in Sun City Center, FL 33573, the primary public school options include Cypress Creek Elementary, Shields Middle, and Lennard High, with ratings ranging from 3/10 to 5/10 on GreatSchools.org, reflecting average to below-average performance compared to state standards. Charter schools like SouthShore Charter Academy (6/10) and private options like First Baptist Christian School provide alternatives, though they may require additional travel or tuition costs. For families seeking higher-rated schools, options in Riverview (like Winthrop Charter) may be worth the extra distance.

   If you have specific needs (e.g., a particular grade level, special education, or extracurricular focus), let me know, and I can refine the search or provide more detailed information. Additionally, I recommend checking the Hillsborough County Public Schools website or contacting schools directly for the most up-to-date enrollment and performance data.