School Choices Detailed and Rated Pirate's Point, Ruskin, 33570

Pirate's Point 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 Pirate's Point, 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 Pirate's Point in Ruskin, FL, as this is a typical range for local school assignments and commuting. If you have a specific radius or preference (e.g., only elementary schools), let me know!

Public Schools Near Pirate's Point, Ruskin, FL (33570)

Hillsborough County Public Schools assigns students to schools based on zoning, so the schools listed below are likely to serve the Pirate's Point community. You can confirm zoning through the Hillsborough County Public Schools website (hcps.net) by entering your address.

Elementary Schools

1. Ruskin Elementary School

   • Address: 101 E College Ave, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance: Approximately 1-2 miles from Pirate's Point
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 3/10 (based on test scores and student progress)
   • Florida Department of Education School Grade (2022-2023): C
   • Overview: Ruskin Elementary serves a diverse student population with a focus on foundational skills. Test scores in math and reading are below the state average, but the school offers various support programs for students.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 800-900 students
   • Additional Info: Offers before- and after-school care programs.

2. Cypress Creek Elementary School

   • Address: 4040 19th Ave NE, Ruskin, FL 33573 (nearby ZIP code but serves parts of 33570)
   • Distance: Approximately 3-4 miles from Pirate's Point
   • Grade Levels: K-5
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 5/10
   • Florida Department of Education School Grade (2022-2023): B
   • Overview: This school has shown improvement in recent years with better-than-average performance in some subject areas compared to other local schools. It emphasizes STEM programs and community involvement.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 600-700 students

   Middle Schools

   1. Shields Middle School
   2. Address: 15732 Beth Shields Way, Ruskin, FL 33573
   3. Distance: Approximately 3-5 miles from Pirate's Point
   4. Grade Levels: 6-8
   5. Rating:
   6. GreatSchools.org: 3/10
   7. Florida Department of Education School Grade (2022-2023): C
   8. Overview: Shields Middle School serves a large portion of the Ruskin area. It offers a variety of extracurricular activities, but academic performance in math and reading lags behind state averages.
   9. Enrollment: Approx. 1,200-1,400 students

   High Schools

   1. Lennard High School
   2. Address: 2002 E Shell Point Rd, Ruskin, FL 33570
   3. Distance: Approximately 2-3 miles from Pirate's Point
   4. Grade Levels: 9-12
   5. Rating:
   6. GreatSchools.org: 4/10
   7. Florida Department of Education School Grade (2022-2023): C
   8. Overview: Lennard High School is the primary high school for Ruskin residents. 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, but test scores are below average in some areas.
   9. Enrollment: Approx. 2,500-3,000 students

   Charter Schools Near Pirate's Point, Ruskin, FL

   Charter schools are publicly funded but operate independently, often with a specific educational focus. 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 (just outside Ruskin)
   • Distance: Approximately 5-7 miles from Pirate's Point
   • Grade Levels: 6-12
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 4/10
   • Florida Department of Education School Grade (2022-2023): C
   • Overview: Focuses on sports leadership and management alongside academics. It’s a smaller school with a specialized curriculum for students interested in sports-related careers.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 300-400 students

4. Winthrop Charter School

   • Address: 6204 Scholars Hill Ln, Riverview, FL 33578
   • Distance: Approximately 6-8 miles from Pirate's Point
   • Grade Levels: K-8
   • Rating:
   • GreatSchools.org: 7/10
   • Florida Department of Education School Grade (2022-2023): A
   • Overview: A highly rated charter school with a focus on academic excellence and character development. It often has a waitlist due to high demand.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 1,300 students

   Private Schools Near Pirate's Point, Ruskin, FL

   Private schools often require tuition and may have specific admission requirements. Here are a couple of options nearby.

5. Ruskin Christian School

   • Address: 820 College Ave W, Ruskin, FL 33570
   • Distance: Approximately 1-2 miles from Pirate's Point
   • Grade Levels: PK-12
   • Rating: Not widely rated on platforms like GreatSchools due to smaller size and private status. Parent reviews on Niche give it moderate to positive feedback (approx. 3.5/5).
   • Overview: A faith-based school offering a Christian curriculum with smaller class sizes. It emphasizes moral and spiritual development alongside academics.
   • Enrollment: Approx. 200-300 students
   • Tuition: Varies; contact the school for current rates (typically $5,000-$8,000/year depending on grade level).

6. Livingstone Academy (Special Needs Focus)

   • Address: Located in nearby Riverview, FL (approx. 5-7 miles from Ruskin)
   • Distance: Approximately 5-7 miles from Pirate's Point
   • Grade Levels: K-12 (specialized for autism and related needs)
   • Rating: Limited public ratings; highly regarded by families for specialized education.
   • Overview: Focuses on students with autism and other learning differences, offering tailored education plans.
   • Enrollment: Small, typically under 100 students
   • Tuition: Contact the school for details; often higher due to specialized services.

   Additional Notes on School Ratings and Selection

   • Ratings Context: Ratings from GreatSchools.org (1-10 scale) and Florida DOE grades (A-F) are based on standardized test scores, student growth, and other metrics. However, they don’t always reflect the full picture of a school’s environment, teacher quality, or extracurricular offerings. Visiting schools or speaking with current parents can provide deeper insight.
   • School Choice Options: Hillsborough County offers magnet programs, school choice options, and virtual schooling through Hillsborough Virtual School. For example, students might apply to magnet programs at other schools if they qualify (e.g., IB programs or STEM academies).
   • Transportation: Public school students in zoned schools typically have access to bus services if they live beyond a certain distance (check with HCPS). Charter and private schools may not provide transportation or may charge extra for it.

   How to Verify School Zoning and Get More Info

   • Hillsborough County Public Schools Website: Use the “School Locator” tool at hcps.net to confirm which schools serve Pirate's Point by entering your exact address.
   • Florida Department of Education: Visit fldoe.org for detailed school report cards and performance data.
   • GreatSchools.org and Niche.com: These sites offer parent reviews and additional data on test scores and demographics.
   • School Tours: Contact schools directly to schedule visits or attend open houses, especially for charter and private options.

   If you have a specific address within Pirate's Point, I can help narrow down the exact zoned schools. Additionally, if you’re looking for preschools, after-school programs, or schools with specific focuses (e.g., arts, STEM), let me know, and I can expand the search accordingly!