“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character — that is the goal of true education.” — Martin Luther King, Jr.
Learning is a lifelong endeavor, and Greater Tampa Bay is a place where students of all ages can meet their goals. Whether it is elementary or graduate school, the area’s institutions challenge students to excel.
Nationally recognized education reviewer Niche notes the greatness in grades kindergarten through 12th in Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties’ school districts, where public, private, charter, magnet and e-school make up dozens of diverse schooling opportunities.
With city and neighborhood data to rate primary schools, Niche’s comprehensive profiles give letter grades to districts, with Pinellas and Hillsborough with a B+ and Pasco a B. Together, all three school districts collectively rank high in areas including college prep and clubs and activities.
From Special Needs To Advanced Degrees
GTB offers numerous options to suit every academic need or goal, whether that means customized courses for learning disabilities or highly focused technical learning for trades.
A long list of accredited private schools ensures parents have the power of choice for their children’s education, while the area’s public school systems offer customized learning with magnet programs, technical high schools, International Baccalaureate programs, dual enrollment and more.
Area districts all have faith-based schools representing diverse religions and theologies. In addition to having numerous Catholic and other Christian schools to choose from, faiths including Islam and Judaism and are represented in academics throughout the region.
At-home learning remains an option during the pandemic as well, with all Sun Coast virtual schools continuing to rise to the demand during uncertain times with co-enrollment and supportive services.
Non-traditional career and technical programs tout top food service, automotive and HVAC programs among dozens of other career choices that prepare students for the workforce upon graduation.
Special needs learners thrive in local schools, with options including the Florida Autism Center of Excellence in Tampa and the Center Academy with locations throughout GTB and beyond. Gifted and high-achieving students also advance in an array of schools and programs that offer honors and early college and dual enrollment curriculum.
Secondary Schools Are Second To None
While Niche recognizes primary school excellence, U.S. News & World Report runs down the top high public, private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities in GTB.
St. Petersburg State College, Florida’s oldest community and state school founded nearly a century ago, graduates the highest entry-level wage professionals in the Sunshine State, while the University of South Florida’s high funding opportunities make the research institute accessible to disadvantaged students.
The area’s public university system — comprised of 12 universities and a combined enrollment of more than 300,000 students — operates annually on an $8.5 billion budget. Meanwhile, the Sun Coast’s private higher education institutions including the University of Tampa and Saint Leo University offer an academic, social and financial fit for students seeking a more intimate educational setting.
No matter what top-ranked college or university, collectively, the campuses produce top area athletes who take sports to the next level. The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, made up of more than a handful of Champa Bay athletes, proves the region’s colleges and universities stand out in the world of sports.
Secondary and graduate schools also produce top political leaders representing the region and education system, which combines competitive pricing and the career curriculums that continuously advance young professionals to the next level. According to the Florida Department of Education, 65% of the state’s high school graduates pursue post-secondary education.
Best Public High Schools
- St. Petersburg Collegiate High School A+
- Plant High School A+
- Strawberry Crest High School A+
- Steinbrenner High School A
- Sickles High School A
- Palm Harbor University High School A
- Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School A
- Robinson High School A
- Newsome High School A
Best Private High Schools
- Berkeley Preparatory School A+
- Shorecrest Preparatory School A+
- Tampa Preparatory School A+
- Carrollwood Day School A+
- Academy of the Holy Names A+
- Academy at the Lakes A+
- Jesuit High School A+
- Admiral Farragut Academy A
- Canterbury School of Florida A
- American Youth Academy A
Source: Niche.com, 2022 Best Public High Schools/Private High Schools in the Tampa Area
Did You Know?
- A Florida state statute and audit waives application fees, tuition and other costs for students over 60 years old based on class availability. As a result, education for Emeritus dominants the community college scene, with the American Council on Education reporting nearly half of all students aged 50 and above go back to school to socialize, sharpen the brain or take retirement to the next level by learning a new trade.
- The region’s primary school districts are among the biggest in Florida. Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties rank third, eighth and 10th largest, respectively, making the vast student population stand out in the Sunshine State.
- Eckerd College was one of the first Sunshine State institutions to invite animals on campus. The Pets-in-Residence program is perfect for first-year students and pets who cannot imagine parting for an academic career. The college’s pet policy paved the way for other higher education institutions, genuinely making it a diverse campus of four-legged alumni.
- Long before the University of Tampa was famous for its academic quality, Gulf Coast beaches and diverse population, it was an exclusive hotel built in the late 1800s. It hosted celebrities including the Queen of England, Teddy Roosevelt, Booker T. Washington and Babe Ruth. The hotel’s grand dining room, which is not part of Plant Hall, was where the Sultan of Swat reportedly signed his first baseball contract. However, the Great Depression was the hotel’s demise, and by 1941, the University of Tampa turned once Victorian-style suites into classrooms after signing a 99-year lease with the city for $1 a year.
By Angela Underwood
