Local Schools Near Mandalay, Clearwater, 33767

The community of Mandalay in Clearwater, FL, with the ZIP code 33767, is located on Clearwater Beach, a popular coastal area. This region falls within Pinellas County, and the schools serving this area are part of the Pinellas County Schools district. Below, I’ll provide information on the schools (elementary, middle, and high) that are zoned for or near the Mandalay community, along with their ratings based on data from sources like GreatSchools.org, which uses a 1-10 scale based on test scores, student progress, and other factors. Note that school zoning can vary slightly based on specific addresses, so it’s always a good idea to confirm with the Pinellas County Schools district (https://www.pcsb.org/) for the exact assignment. I’ll also include approximate distances from the Mandalay area (central Clearwater Beach) and mention any notable private school options nearby.

Public Schools Near Mandalay, Clearwater, FL (33767)

1. Elementary School: Sandy Lane Elementary School

   • Address: 1360 Sandy Ln, Clearwater, FL 33755
   • Distance from Mandalay: Approximately 4-5 miles (a short drive across the Clearwater Memorial Causeway)
   • Rating: 3/10 on GreatSchools.org (as of the latest data)
   • Details: Sandy Lane Elementary serves students in grades K-5. The school has a diverse student body and offers standard public school programs. Ratings reflect challenges in test scores compared to state averages, but the school provides various support programs for student growth. Check the Pinellas County Schools website for specific zoning, as some parts of Clearwater Beach may be assigned to other elementary schools like Curtis Fundamental Elementary (a magnet school with a higher rating of 9/10, located about 6 miles away at 531 Beltrees St, Dunedin, FL 34698, but requires an application).

2. Middle School: Dunedin Highland Middle School

   • Address: 70 Patricia Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698
   • Distance from Mandalay: Approximately 6-7 miles
   • Rating: 4/10 on GreatSchools.org
   • Details: This school serves grades 6-8 and is the likely zoned middle school for the Mandalay area. It offers a range of academic and extracurricular programs, though test scores are below the state average in some areas. The school has a focus on student engagement and community involvement. Again, zoning should be verified, as some students might be assigned to Clearwater Intermediate (closer, at about 4 miles, 1220 Palmetto St, Clearwater, FL 33755, rated 2/10).

3. High School: Clearwater High School

   • Address: 540 S Hercules Ave, Clearwater, FL 33764
   • Distance from Mandalay: Approximately 6-7 miles
   • Rating: 5/10 on GreatSchools.org
   • Details: Clearwater High serves grades 9-12 and is the primary zoned high school for the Clearwater Beach area. It offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses, career and technical education programs, and various sports and clubs. The rating reflects average performance in test scores and college readiness metrics compared to other Florida high schools.

   Private Schools Near Mandalay, Clearwater, FL (33767)

   For families seeking alternatives to public schools, there are several private options within a reasonable distance of Mandalay. Private school ratings are less standardized but often based on parent reviews, academic reputation, and facilities.

4. Clearwater Academy International

   • Address: 801 Drew St, Clearwater, FL 33755
   • Distance from Mandalay: Approximately 4-5 miles
   • Type/Grades: Private, PK-12
   • Rating/Reviews: Generally positive parent feedback on platforms like Niche.com (often rated B or higher); known for personalized education.
   • Details: This school follows a curriculum based on the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard (Scientology-affiliated), focusing on individualized learning. Tuition and specific programs can be explored on their website (clearwateracademy.org).

5. St. Cecelia Interparochial Catholic School

   • Address: 1350 Court St, Clearwater, FL 33756
   • Distance from Mandalay: Approximately 5-6 miles
   • Type/Grades: Private, PK-8
   • Rating/Reviews: Well-regarded in the community with strong parent reviews (often 4-5 stars on Google Reviews).
   • Details: A Catholic school offering a faith-based education with an emphasis on academics and character development. More information is available at st-cecelia.org.

6. Delphi Academy of Florida

   • Address: 1831 Drew St, Clearwater, FL 33765
   • Distance from Mandalay: Approximately 6 miles
   • Type/Grades: Private, PK-12
   • Rating/Reviews: Positive feedback for small class sizes and unique curriculum (often rated highly on Niche.com).
   • Details: Another school with ties to Scientology-based educational methods, focusing on competency-based learning. Visit delphifl.org for tuition and enrollment details.

   Additional Notes on School Ratings and Selection

   • Ratings Context: GreatSchools.org ratings (for public schools) are primarily based on standardized test scores, student progress, and equity data. A lower rating doesn’t necessarily mean a school is “bad”—it could reflect socioeconomic challenges or other factors. Visiting schools, reading parent reviews, and checking recent performance data on the Florida Department of Education website (fldoe.org) can provide a fuller picture.
   • Zoning Verification: Since Mandalay (Clearwater Beach) is a small, specific area, school assignments can sometimes shift based on capacity or boundary updates. Use the Pinellas County Schools “School Zone Locator” tool at pcsb.org to confirm the exact schools for a specific address.
   • Transportation: Given the island location of Clearwater Beach, students often need to travel across the causeway to attend school. Pinellas County Schools provides bus services for eligible students, but families should check routes and schedules. Private schools may or may not offer transportation.
   • Magnet and Charter Options: Pinellas County offers several magnet and charter schools with specialized programs (e.g., Curtis Fundamental Elementary, mentioned above, or Clearwater Fundamental Middle School, rated 9/10, about 5 miles away). These often require applications or lotteries for admission.

   Conclusion

   For the Mandalay community in Clearwater, FL (33767), the primary public schools are Sandy Lane Elementary, Dunedin Highland Middle, and Clearwater High, with ratings ranging from 3/10 to 5/10 on GreatSchools.org, reflecting average to below-average performance compared to state standards. Private options like Clearwater Academy International and St. Cecelia Catholic School offer alternatives within a 5-6 mile radius, often with strong community reputations. I recommend contacting the Pinellas County Schools district or visiting school websites for the most current information on zoning, enrollment, and programs. If you have a specific address in Mandalay or prefer details on a particular school type (e.g., charter or preschool), let me know, and I can refine the search!