A quality education at private schools can place students on the fast track to a successful life after graduation. Whether secular or faith-based, these schools offer advanced curriculum, many extracurriculars and enrichment classes that provide valuable knowledge and meaningful experiences. They provide a direct path toward the best colleges and careers, preparing students to triumph through obstacles in life. Parents can be more involved in their children’s education and form relationships with teachers at private schools.
Families have plenty of quality private schools to choose from in Greater Tampa Bay. Whatever path students and their families may choose, GTB’s institutions offer innovative learning methods to suit every unique mind, learning style, ability and aspiration.
Many local private schools are highly ranked by multiple review sites. Among GTB’s highest ranked private institutions are Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa and Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg, both K-12 schools. On Niche’s list of the Best Private High Schools in Florida in 2022, Berkeley Prep ranked at No. 6, while Shorecrest came in at No. 17.
According to Natalie Tsay, spokesperson for Niche, the review site’s methodology for ranking private schools differs from public school systems since they are not required to report to the Department of Education.
“This is why we do not rank public and private schools against each other, as it would be apples to oranges from a data standpoint,” Tsay said. “For the 2022 Best Private High Schools in America, we ranked 4,290 schools. That’s a lot of tough competition.”
When it comes down to it, GTB’s diverse private education system rated high by review sites confirms students here have some of the best seats in Florida’s school systems. Factoring together the next-level education that private schools provide, with the abundance of highly ranked institutions in the area, and it becomes clear that local students will have every opportunity for success in GTB.
Best Private K-12 Schools in the Tampa Area
- Berkeley Preparatory School (A+) — Tampa
- Shorecrest Preparatory School (A+) — St. Petersburg
- Carrollwood Day School (A+) — Tampa
- Academy of the Holy Names (A+) — Tampa
- Academy at the Lakes (A+) — Land ‘O Lakes
- Admiral Farragut Academy (A+) — St. Petersburg
- Canterbury School of Florida (A) — St. Petersburg
- American Youth Academy (A) — Tampa
- Paideia Classical Christian School (A) — Tampa
- Universal Academy of Florida (A) — Tampa
- Seffner Christian Academy (A) — Seffner
- Lakeland Christian School (A) — Lakeland
- Wider Horizons School (A) — Spring Hill
- Cambridge Christian School (A) — Tampa
- Saddlebrook Preparatory School (A) — Wesley Chapel
— Niche, 2022
Best of Class
Take a round of applause for Greater Tampa Bay’s overall highest ranked private schools:
Berkeley Preparatory School
Mission Statement: “To establish and maintain a school dedicated to providing the best possible environment within which to nurture the intellectual, emotional, spiritual and physical development of each student; to aid students attending the school to achieve academic excellence in preparation for higher education, and to instill in them a strong sense of morality, ethics and social responsibility so that they may eventually attain their highest potential as human beings; to offer a challenging and demanding curriculum which will stress the importance of religious values and will provide comprehensive programs in the sciences, arts and athletics; and to promote the moral and spiritual values of the Christian tradition as professed by the Episcopal Church.”
The well-rounded experience at Berkeley Prep is so much more than academic. Nurturing students’ spiritual, mental and physical well-being are just as crucial as intellectual development. Berkeley recognizes all as important factors for youth to grow from a student to a graduate, ready to take on secondary education, a career and life.
Berkeley Prep has certainly earned its place at the top of the rankings in GTB. Students shine in all areas, with 80% participating in athletics, 86% passing AP exams, 100% of students going to college after graduation and 20% of the Class of 2021 recognized as National Merit Scholars. Educators lead with intelligence and experience. The average instructor has 18 years of experience in a teaching profession, more than 70% have advanced degrees, and all continue to develop and learn in their careers.
In addition to academics and athletics, Berkeley students thrive in a diverse and supportive social environment. They learn the value of making a positive difference in the world through community service and development of character. Many participate in one or more of the roughly 100 co-curricular activities and clubs. This Episcopal school educates approximately 1,400 children from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.
- National Rankings
- Best Christian High Schools in America — No. 16 of 1,987
- Best Private K-12 Schools in America — No. 54 of 2,560
- Best Private High Schools in America — No. 121 of 4,290
- Best High Schools for STEM in America — 152 of 8,246
- Best College Prep Private High Schools in America — 162 of 4,180
- Florida Rankings
- Best Christian High Schools in Florida — No. 1 of 157
- Best High Schools for STEM in Florida — No. 4 of 444
- Best Private K-12 Schools in Florida — No. 5 of 210
- Best Private High Schools in Florida — No. 6 of 271
- Best College Prep Private High Schools in Florida — No. 7 of 266
- Best High Schools for Athletes in Florida — No. 224 of 1,198
- Most Diverse Private High Schools in Florida — No. 277 of 638
— Niche, 2022
Shorecrest Preparatory School
Mission Statement: “Shorecrest is a college preparatory school that educates a diverse community of students to become lifelong learners in the pursuit of personal and academic excellence, physical well-being, creative achievement and the development of a commitment to social responsibility.”
Shorecrest takes a student-centered approach, guided by a philosophy that balances the importance of students growing not only intellectually, but blossoming into empathetic, independent, confident and capable members of society.
The approach to learning at Shorecrest is both progressive and pragmatic. Students are challenged to take risks, set goals, let their creativity shine and strive for excellence in academics, athletics, arts and personal development. Meanwhile, they master practical skills like problem solving, effective communication, research and critical thinking that directly applies to real-world situations.
Shorecrest places the power in students’ hands. They are trusted to decide for themselves which curriculum, programs and passions they would like to pursue. Teachers gain an understanding of each student’s unique skills, strengths and interests and help foster confidence and independence.
Students’ growth and development is supported through every stage at Shorecrest. Children as young as 3 years old begin their journey of learning through the Experiential School of Tampa Bay at Shorecrest. Students advance through the lower, middle and upper schools, gaining autonomy and direction along the way. One-on-one guidance in the College Center helps upper school students identify the right fit for them, resulting in a senior students’ 100% acceptance rate into their choice of college or university.
- National Rankings
- Best Private K-12 Schools in America — No. 200 of 2,560
- Best College Prep Private High Schools in America — No. 213 of 4,180
- Best Private High Schools in America — No. 351 of 4,290
- Best High Schools for STEM in America — No. 470 of 8,246
- Florida Rankings
- Best College Prep Private High Schools in Florida — No. 11 of 266
- Best Private K-12 Schools in Florida — No. 14 of 210
- Best Private High Schools in Florida — No. 17 of 271
- Best High Schools for STEM in Florida — No. 22 of 444
- Best High Schools for Athletes in Florida — No. 280 of 1,198
- Most Diverse Private High Schools in Florida — No. 328 of 638
— Niche, 2022
Tampa Preparatory School
Mission Statement: “Tampa Prep is a place to…
Think — Where a rigorous grounding in skills and knowledge is just the beginning — where teachers and students share inquiry, reflection and analysis on the path to personal understanding.
Create — Where people celebrate the imagination in geometric proofs and formal essays, on canvas, computer and stage, in poetry readings and morning assemblies.
Be Yourself — Where people respect differences and can find their place in a diverse community.
Aspire to Excellence — Where students develop winning attitudes in academics, athletics and arts.
Go Beyond — Where Florida Keys, North Carolina mountains, museums, concert halls and community service become classrooms that foster deeper understandings of one’s self, others and the world.”
Tampa Prep places a strong emphasis on community, collaboration and serving a higher purpose beyond one self. Students in sixth through 12th grades are guided by five core values — curiosity, honesty, kindness, respect and responsibility. Nurturing students’ social, mental and emotional well-being and encouraging them to be themselves is integral to an education at Tampa Prep.
Tampa Prep also prides itself on its innovative and progressive approach to learning. It has adopted several unique practices to benefit students, including a delayed school start time of 8:50 a.m., wellness seminars for mental health, active learning environments, innovative flipped classrooms, student involvement in interviewing faculty, making athletics part of the school schedule, internships for seniors, meditation at the start of most classes and a culture of creativity and innovation.
Approximately 700 students attend Tampa Prep, and it has served the Tampa community since 1974.
- National Rankings
- Best College Prep Private High Schools in America — No. 311 of 4,180
- Best Private High Schools in America — No. 456 of 4,290
- Florida Rankings
- Best College Prep Private High Schools in Florida — No. 17 of 266
- Best Private High Schools in Florida — No. 22 of 271
- Best High Schools for STEM in Florida — No. 55 of 444
- Best High Schools for Athletes in Florida — No. 175 of 1,198
- Most Diverse Private High Schools in Florida — No. 226 of 638
— Niche, 2022
By Angela Underwood and Jewell Tomazin
