School Choices Detailed and Rated Point Heron, Ruskin, 33570

Point Heron is a community located in Ruskin, FL, 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 Point Heron, including public and private options, along with their ratings based on available data from sources like GreatSchools.org, Niche, and the Florida Department of Education. Ratings are often 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 checking the most current data or visiting the schools for a firsthand impression.

I’ll focus on schools within a reasonable distance (approximately 5-10 miles) of Point Heron in Ruskin, FL, as this is a typical range for families considering local schooling options. If you have a specific radius or preference (e.g., only elementary schools), let me know!

Public Schools Near Point Heron, Ruskin, FL (33570)

Hillsborough County Public Schools assigns students to schools based on zoning, so the exact school your child attends may depend on your specific address within Point Heron. You can confirm zoning through the Hillsborough County Public Schools website (hcpsweb.hillsboroughcounty.org/schoollocator). Below are the schools most likely to serve the Ruskin area near Point Heron:

Elementary Schools

1. Ruskin Elementary School

   • Address: 101 E College Ave, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance: Approximately 2-3 miles from Point Heron
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 3/10 on GreatSchools.org (based on test scores and student progress as of recent data)
   • Details: Ruskin Elementary serves a diverse student population with a focus on foundational skills. Test scores are below the state average in reading and math, but the school offers programs like after-school care and community involvement initiatives.
   • Enrollment: Around 800-900 students
   • School Type: Public, Traditional

2. Cypress Creek Elementary School

   • Address: 4040 19th Ave NE, Ruskin, FL 33573
   • Distance: Approximately 4-5 miles from Point Heron
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating: 5/10 on GreatSchools.org
   • Details: This school has slightly better performance in test scores compared to Ruskin Elementary, with a focus on STEM programs and student engagement. It serves a growing area near Ruskin.
   • Enrollment: Around 600-700 students
   • School Type: Public, Traditional

   Middle Schools

   1. Shields Middle School
   2. Address: 15732 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, FL 33573
   3. Distance: Approximately 5-6 miles from Point Heron
   4. Grade Levels: 6-8
   5. Rating: 3/10 on GreatSchools.org
   6. Details: Shields Middle School serves students in the Ruskin and Sun City Center areas. Test scores are below the state average, but the school offers extracurricular activities and support programs for student growth.
   7. Enrollment: Around 1,200-1,400 students
   8. School Type: Public, Traditional

   High Schools

   1. Lennard High School
   2. Address: 2002 E Shell Point Rd, Ruskin, FL 33570
   3. Distance: Approximately 3-4 miles from Point Heron
   4. Grade Levels: 9-12
   5. Rating: 4/10 on GreatSchools.org
   6. Details: Lennard High School is the primary high school for the Ruskin area. It offers Advanced Placement (AP) courses, career and technical education programs, and a variety of sports and clubs. Graduation rates are close to the state average, though test scores lag slightly behind.
   7. Enrollment: Around 2,500-3,000 students
   8. School Type: Public, Traditional

   Charter Schools Near Point Heron, Ruskin, FL

   Charter schools are publicly funded but operate independently, often with specialized curricula. Enrollment may require an application or lottery system.

3. SLAM Academy Tampa (Sports Leadership and Management)

   • Address: 7110 US Hwy 301 S, Riverview, FL 33578 (near Ruskin)
   • Distance: Approximately 8-10 miles from Point Heron
   • Grade Levels: 6-12
   • Rating: 4/10 on GreatSchools.org
   • Details: SLAM Academy focuses on sports leadership and management, integrating athletics with academics. It’s a smaller school with a unique mission, appealing to students interested in sports-related careers.
   • Enrollment: Around 400-500 students
   • School Type: Public Charter

4. Winthrop Charter School

   • Address: 6204 Scholars Hill Ln, Riverview, FL 33578 (near Ruskin)
   • Distance: Approximately 9-10 miles from Point Heron
   • Grade Levels: K-8
   • Rating: 7/10 on GreatSchools.org
   • Details: Winthrop Charter is known for stronger academic performance compared to some local traditional schools, with an emphasis on college preparatory education. It’s a popular choice for families in the Ruskin/Riverview area.
   • Enrollment: Around 1,300 students
   • School Type: Public Charter

   Private Schools Near Point Heron, Ruskin, FL

   Private schools often require tuition and may have religious affiliations or specific educational philosophies. Here are a couple of options near Ruskin:

5. Ruskin Christian School

   • Address: 820 College Ave W, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance: Approximately 2-3 miles from Point Heron
   • Grade Levels: PK-12
   • Rating: Not widely rated on platforms like GreatSchools; reviews on Niche are generally positive (around 4/5 from limited parent feedback)
   • Details: A faith-based school offering a Christian curriculum with smaller class sizes. It emphasizes moral values alongside academics and provides extracurricular activities.
   • Enrollment: Around 200-300 students
   • School Type: Private, Religious (Christian)

6. Livingstone Academy (Special Needs Focus)

   • Address: Locations in nearby Riverview and surrounding areas; check for closest campus
   • Distance: Approximately 8-10 miles from Point Heron
   • Grade Levels: Varies, often K-12 for students with autism or special needs
   • Rating: Not widely rated; focused on specialized education
   • Details: This school caters to students with specific learning needs, offering tailored programs. It’s an option for families seeking alternative education settings.
   • Enrollment: Small, varies by campus
   • School Type: Private, Specialized

   Additional Notes on Ratings and Performance

   • GreatSchools.org Ratings: These are based on a 1-10 scale, with factors like test scores (e.g., Florida Standards Assessments), student progress, and equity. Schools in the Ruskin area often score lower than the state average, which may reflect socioeconomic challenges in the community rather than the quality of teaching alone.
   • Florida Department of Education School Grades: Schools in Florida receive letter grades (A-F) based on state assessments. For the most recent grades, visit the FDOE website (fldoe.org). As of the last public data (2022-2023), many local schools like Ruskin Elementary and Shields Middle received a "C" grade, while Lennard High School also typically falls in the "C" range.
   • Parent and Community Feedback: Ratings don’t tell the whole story. Visiting schools, speaking with parents, and attending open houses can provide insight into the school culture and environment.

   How to Choose a School

   • Zoning: Confirm which public schools serve your specific address in Point Heron using the Hillsborough County School Locator tool.
   • Needs and Interests: Consider if your child would benefit from a charter school’s specialized focus, a private school’s smaller classes, or a traditional public school’s broader offerings.
   • Transportation: Some charter and private schools may not offer bus services, so factor in commute times from Point Heron.
   • Extracurriculars: Look into sports, arts, or clubs offered by each school if these are important to your family.

   Resources for More Information

   • Hillsborough County Public Schools: www.hillsboroughschools.org
   • GreatSchools.org: For ratings and parent reviews
   • Niche.com: For additional school rankings and community feedback
   • Florida Department of Education: For official school grades and performance data (fldoe.org)

   If you’d like me to dig deeper into a specific school, provide data on a different area, or focus on a particular grade level, just let me know! I can also help with information on preschools, after-school programs, or other educational resources near Point Heron in Ruskin, FL.