School Choices Detailed and Rated Mills Bayou, Ruskin, 33570

Mills Bayou is a community located in Ruskin, Florida, within the 33570 ZIP code. Ruskin is part of Hillsborough County, and the area 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 Mills Bayou, including public schools zoned for the area and some nearby private school options. I’ll also include ratings and relevant details based on data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche, 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 most current information through the Hillsborough County Public Schools website or visiting the schools.

Public Schools Near Mills Bayou, Ruskin, FL 33570

Public schools are assigned based on zoning, and Mills Bayou falls within specific attendance boundaries. You can confirm exact zoning through the Hillsborough County Public Schools’ School Locator tool (available on their website). Below are the schools most likely to serve the Mills Bayou community, along with their ratings and details as of the latest available data (2023). Ratings are primarily sourced from GreatSchools.org (on a scale of 1-10) and may include additional insights from Niche or state report cards.

1. Ruskin Elementary School

   • Type: Public Elementary School (Grades PK-5)
   • Address: 101 E College Ave, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance from Mills Bayou: Approximately 1-2 miles
   • Rating: 4/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Overview: Ruskin Elementary serves the local community with a focus on foundational education. The school has a diverse student population and offers programs like ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) to support non-native speakers. Test scores are below the state average in some areas, but the school is working on improvement initiatives.
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 14:1
   • Enrollment: Around 800-900 students

2. Shields Middle School

   • Type: Public Middle School (Grades 6-8)
   • Address: 15732 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, FL 33573 (nearby area)
   • Distance from Mills Bayou: Approximately 3-5 miles
   • Rating: 3/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Overview: Shields Middle School serves students in the Ruskin area transitioning from elementary to high school. The school offers a range of academic and extracurricular programs but faces challenges with test scores and student performance compared to state averages.
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 16:1
   • Enrollment: Around 1,200-1,400 students

3. Lennard High School

   • Type: Public High School (Grades 9-12)
   • Address: 2002 E Shell Point Rd, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance from Mills Bayou: Approximately 2-3 miles
   • Rating: 4/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Overview: Lennard High School is the primary high school for the Ruskin area. It offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses, career and technical education programs, and various sports and clubs. Graduation rates are close to the state average, though standardized test scores lag behind in some subjects.
   • Student-Teacher Ratio: Approximately 18:1
   • Enrollment: Around 2,500-3,000 students

   Charter Schools Near Mills Bayou, Ruskin, FL 33570

   Charter schools are publicly funded but operate independently and may have different enrollment processes (e.g., lotteries). Here are some options near Mills Bayou:

4. Winthrop Charter School

   • Type: Public Charter (Grades K-8)
   • Address: 6204 Scholars Hill Ln, Riverview, FL 33578 (near Ruskin)
   • Distance from Mills Bayou: Approximately 5-7 miles
   • Rating: 7/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Overview: Winthrop Charter School is a well-regarded option with a focus on academic rigor and character development. It often has a waitlist due to high demand.
   • Enrollment: Around 1,300 students

5. SLAM Academy Tampa (Sports Leadership and Management)

   • Type: Public Charter (Grades 6-12)
   • Address: 7110 US Hwy 301 S, Riverview, FL 33578 (near Ruskin)
   • Distance from Mills Bayou: Approximately 6-8 miles
   • Rating: 4/10 (GreatSchools.org)
   • Overview: SLAM Academy focuses on sports leadership and management alongside academics. It’s a unique option for students interested in sports-related careers.
   • Enrollment: Around 500-600 students

   Private Schools Near Mills Bayou, Ruskin, FL 33570

   Private schools are not zoned and require separate application and tuition. Here are a couple of options within a reasonable distance:

6. Ruskin Christian School

   • Type: Private (Grades PK-12)
   • Address: 820 W College Ave, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance from Mills Bayou: Approximately 1-2 miles
   • Rating: Not widely rated on GreatSchools; reviews on Niche are generally positive (around 4/5 stars from limited reviews)
   • Overview: This faith-based school offers a Christian curriculum with smaller class sizes and a focus on moral development alongside academics. Tuition varies by grade level.
   • Enrollment: Around 200-300 students

7. Livingstone Academy

   • Type: Private (Special Needs Focus, Grades K-12)
   • Address: Located in nearby Riverview, FL (exact address varies as it serves multiple locations)
   • Distance from Mills Bayou: Approximately 5-10 miles
   • Rating: Not widely rated; specialized focus
   • Overview: Livingstone Academy caters to students with autism and other special needs, offering tailored education plans. It’s a niche option for families seeking specialized support.

   Additional Notes on School Ratings and Selection

   • Ratings Context: GreatSchools.org ratings (1-10) are based on test scores, student progress, equity, and other factors. A lower rating doesn’t necessarily mean a school is “bad”—it may reflect socioeconomic challenges or other external factors. Visiting schools and speaking with staff or parents can provide deeper insight.
   • School Choice Options: Hillsborough County offers magnet programs, school choice, and virtual learning options. For example, students can apply to magnet schools like Robinson High School (IB program) or Middleton High School (STEM focus), though these are farther from Ruskin and require applications.
   • Transportation: Public school students in zoned schools typically have access to bus services if they live beyond a certain distance (check with the district). Charter and private schools may not provide transportation.

   How to Verify Zoning and Get More Information

   • Hillsborough County Public Schools Website: Use the “Find My School” tool at https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/ to confirm zoning for a specific address in Mills Bayou.
   • School Contact: Reach out directly to schools for open house dates, enrollment details, or specific programs.
   • Florida Department of Education: Check school report cards at https://www.fldoe.org/ for state-assigned grades (A-F) based on performance metrics.

   Summary of Schools and Ratings Near Mills Bayou, Ruskin, FL 33570

   School Name	Type	Grades	Rating (GreatSchools)	Approx. Distance
   Ruskin Elementary School	Public	PK-5	4/10	1-2 miles
   Shields Middle School	Public	6-8	3/10	3-5 miles
   Lennard High School	Public	9-12	4/10	2-3 miles
   Winthrop Charter School	Charter	K-8	7/10	5-7 miles
   SLAM Academy Tampa	Charter	6-12	4/10	6-8 miles
   Ruskin Christian School	Private	PK-12	Not widely rated	1-2 miles
   Livingstone Academy	Private (Special)	K-12	Not widely rated	5-10 miles

   If you have a specific address within Mills Bayou or additional preferences (e.g., focus on special needs, sports, or arts programs), I can refine this list further. Let me know if you’d like more details on a particular school or assistance with contacting the district!