Choosing the path for a child’s education, starting with a school district
Pinellas County School District
- Mission statement: “Educate and prepare each student for college, career and life”
Rankings
- No. 10 Most Diverse School District in Florida
- No. 14 Best School District in Florida
- No. 19 Best School District for Athletes in Florida
- No. 316 Most Diverse School District in America
Pinellas County schools inspire greatness in their students by making student achievement, excellence for all, preparation for life after graduation and a positive and safe environment for kids their priority.
Equity and inclusion are important to Pinellas County as a whole, and this directly translates to the school district. In 2016, PCSD launched Bridging the Gap, a plan to close the achievement gap between racially diverse students and address six target areas: graduation rates, grade level proficiency, participation and performance in accelerated courses, disciplinary infractions, eligibility for Exceptional Student Education programs and minority hiring.
Extracurriculars such as music, arts and athletics, plus STEM and career-prep programs, make education at PCSD a well-rounded experience.
PCSD was recognized by Magnet Schools of America and the Brookings Institute for its robust school choice programs. At 91.5%, PCSD had the highest graduation rate of the 10 largest districts in Florida in 2021.
Hillsborough County School District
- Mission statement: “To provide an education that enables each student to excel as a successful and responsible citizen”
Rankings
- No. 1 Most Diverse School District in Florida
- No. 3 Best School District for Athletes in Florida
- No. 24 Best School District in Florida
- No. 106 Most Diverse School District in America
HCSD carries out its vision of preparing students for life in many ways, from the hands-on instruction in small class sizes to scholarship opportunities, college and career prep, and a culture of academic and personal achievement. The district has a high graduation rate of 89.2% and a 16:1 student-teacher ratio, lower than the state average of 18:1.
Preparing students for the workforce is a top priority at HCSD, with numerous career and technical education programs and STEM curriculum at every single school in the district. HCPS offers STEM lessons in all schools, with some having even more specialized and specific programs. These include forensic science classes, computer science and coding activities as well. With a mantra of “Prepare Students for Life!”, HCPS leans in to all things STEM.
HCSD events including the Regional STEM Fair, the Hillsborough County Brain Bowl, the Trebuchet Competition and the Robotics Competition offer a sense of challenge and competition, combined with extra opportunities to learn new skills.
Pasco County School District
- Mission statement: “To provide a world-class education for all students”
Rankings
- No. 23 Best School District for Athletes in Florida
- No. 24 Most Diverse School District in Florida
- No. 25 Best School District in Florida
- No. 810 Most Diverse School District in America
PCSD has a vision that all students will graduate ready to achieve success in college, career and life.
“Advanced” is a good word to describe PCSD schools: it was the 10th annual Advanced Placement District of the Year winner, and students earned 239 advanced diplomas and more than 38,000 college credits, in the 2021-22 school year.
Career and technical education is also strongly supported in this district, with more than 2,000 industry certifications earned in 2021-22. The more than 60 CTE programs are tied to thriving industries in the Pasco County area, such as health science, architecture and construction, hospitality and tourism, information technology, business and management, engineering and technology, manufacturing and more.
Pasco County School District offers three STEM pathways comprised of nine schools. Two STEM Magnet schools already in the district, Bayonet Point Middle School and Centennial Middle School, are nationally certified. Magnet Schools of America recognized the middle schools for their high-quality magnet programs. Both schools have traditional athletic offerings, as well. The district plans to open a new STEM school for grades six through 12 in August 2023.
Students are supported greatly both in and out of school, with programs such as Success Through Academic Readiness offering tutoring and homework assistance. The nonprofit Pasco Education Foundation, Inc. channels funds from the private sector into programs enhancing public education, to encourage imaginative and creative approaches to teaching and to recognize and reward excellence in education.
–– All of the rankings are according to Niche 2023.
High School Rankings
Best Public High Schools in Pinellas County
- Palm Harbor University High School
- Osceola Fundamental High School
- St. Petersburg Collegiate High School
- East Lake High School
- Largo High School
- Lakewood High School
- Tarpon Spring High School
- St. Petersburg High School
- Boca Ciega High School
- Countryside High School
Best Public High Schools in Hillsborough County
- Plant High School
- Steinbrenner High School
- Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School
- Newsome High School
- Robinson High School
- Sickles High School
- Tampa Bay Technical High School
- Bell Creek Academy High School
- Strawberry Crest High School
- Middleton High School
Best Public High Schools in Pasco County
- Land O’ Lakes High School
- Wiregrass Ranch High School
- James W. Mitchell High School
- Sunlake High School
- River Ridge High School
- Dayspring Academy
- Wesley Chapel High School
- Cypress Creek Middle/High School
- Wendell Krinn Technical High School
- Pasco Eschool-Virtual Franchise
–– All of the rankings are according to U.S. News & World Report 2022.
By Jewell Tomazin.
