The three school districts that serve Greater Tampa Bay students all tout “B” or “B+” rankings. Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties’ school districts rank highly for academics, teachers, diversity, college preparation and clubs and activities, based directly on parent and student opinion.
Gathering these recorded opinions, nationally-recognized education review site Niche.com took many factors into consideration. Niche’s public relations specialist, Natalie Tsay, said that while each district had to perform well in all the factors, the top three districts collectively scored far above average for diversity in particular. The diversity ranking is based on race, economics and sports metrics.
“Because the culture and diversity grade is worth 10% of the best districts’ ranking, while sports are 2.5%, it’s safe to say diversity was these districts’ strongest factor and did the most to increase their overall grade and ranking,” Tsay said.
There are many important factors that might influence parents’ decision on where to enroll their children in school. Here is a closer look at what makes each of GTB’s districts stand apart.
Pinellas County School District
B+ | just under 100,000 students
Mission statement: “Educate and prepare each student for college, career and life”
Rankings
No. 1 Best School District in Tampa Area
No. 2 Best School District for Athletes in Tampa Area
No. 2 Most Diverse School District in Tampa Area
No. 13 of 69 Best School Districts in Florida
No. 13 of 69 Most Diverse School Districts in Florida
No. 15 of 67 Districts with the Best Teachers in Florida
— Niche 2022
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.
Superintendent Dr. Michael Grego let the district’s high ranking speak for itself. He said parents should feel confident sending their children into PCSD schools, which lead students to a bright future.
“Our graduates go on to the best colleges, universities, technical programs and military academies in the country,” Grego said.
The impressive student-to-teacher ratio of 13:1 among all elementary, middle and high schools allows students to work closely with educators, giving them the extra edge for success.
Grego implemented five forward-thinking initiatives for 100% student success, including Bridging the Gap, a program to close the gap between racially diverse students. Summer Bridge is an off-season curriculum to keep adolescents academically engaged on a season break. Other initiatives include Elevating Excellence, Pinellas Pathways to Graduation and Family Communication.
PCSD sets the bar high, with 80 magnet programs, countless certification programs, rigorous coursework and personalized pathways for success. The National Association of Music Merchants named PCSD the Best Community for Music Education. The fully accredited school is also nationally recognized, with an invitation to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2022. The Largo area district location rates high with Niche, getting an A- overall for cost of living, housing and being good for families.
PCSD’s philosophy is to ensure each student is challenged to exceed their expectations. The district achieves this by offering including 70 application programs; Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics programs; and magnet and career programs that academically engage students of all grade levels.
Hillsborough County School District
B+ | 220,252 students
Mission statement: “To provide an education that enables each student to excel as a successful and responsible citizen”
Rankings
No. 1 Best School District for Athletes in Tampa Area
No. 1 Most Diverse School District in Tampa Area
No. 2 Best School District in Tampa Area
No. 1 of 69 Most Diverse School Districts in Florida
No. 4 of 69 Best School Districts for Athletes in Florida
No. 28 of 69 Best School Districts in Florida
— Niche 2022
HCSD’s vision–– preparing students for life –– is backed by an engaging curriculum, a fully committed staff community service and scholarship opportunities that truly turn out young leaders ready to take on careers.
HCSD is a leader in workforce and career training, with 65 Career & Technical Education programs and 206 middle and high schools that have Career and Professional Education Academies. Thousands of students earn industry certifications and complete apprenticeships each year.
HCSD’s programs make getting ahead possible for all students. For example, the Realizing Exceptional Achievement at a Community Hospital program provides public transportation to real-life workplaces so students have easier access to on-the-job learning. Initiatives including Project PROMISE support neglected and at-risk students and offer the extra guidance they need for success.
Programs for gifted students challenge young minds in HCSD. Elementary, middle and magnet high schools offer a more tailored education, with STEM programs and performing arts, for example.
Pasco County School District
B | 79,340 students
Mission statement: “To provide a world-class education for all students”
Rankings
No. 3 Best School District in Tampa Area
No. 3 Best School District for Athletes in Tampa Area
No. 3 Most Diverse School District in Tampa Area
No. 20 of 69 Best School Districts for Athletes in Florida
No. 24 of 69 Most Diverse School Districts in Florida
No. 29 of 69 Best School Districts in Florida
— Niche 2022
PCSD has a vision that all students will graduate ready to achieve success in college, career and life.
The district has a wealth of choices for career academies, and it provides many opportunities to prepare to enter the workforce while gaining an education. PCSD’s Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education supports training and certifications in a variety of career fields, including medical, criminal justice, business management and analysis, culinary arts, aerospace technology, engineering, digital design and more.
In 2021-22, students earned 2,386 industry certifications in 61 Career and Technical Education programs, and the district awarded more than $475,000 in scholarships to assure students received the best higher education.
Students excel in PCSD’s Advanced Placement courses. The district was one of 250 in the U.S. and Canada, and one of only two in Florida, to land on the 10th annual AP District Honor Roll. The criteria are that access to AP courses must become accessible to a broader number of students and that the rate that students earn a score of 3 or higher on an AP exam must either maintain or improve. PCSD has earned this honor for multiple years.
Programs within the district, including Success Through Academic Readiness, offer homework assistance and targeted tutoring for student success. After-school enrichment and summer camp programs keep students academically engaged after hours and off-season.
High School Rankings
2022 Best Public High Schools in Pinellas County
- St. Petersburg Collegiate High School
- Palm Harbor University High School
- St. Petersburg High School
- East Lake High School
- Osceola Fundamental High School
- Largo High School
- Lakewood High School
- Boca Ciega High School
- Northeast High School
- Dixie M. Hollins High School
2022 Best Public High Schools in Hillsborough County
- Plant High School
- Strawberry Crest High School
- Steinbrenner High School
- Sickles High School
- Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School
- Robinson High School
- Newsome High School
- Bloomingdale High School
- Middleton High School
- Hillsborough High School
2022 Best Public High Schools in Pasco County
- James W. Mitchell High School
- Land O’ Lakes High School
- Wiregrass Ranch High School
- Dayspring Academy
- Wendell Krinn Technical High School
- Sunlake High School
- River Ridge High School
- Cypress Creek Middle/High School
- Wesley Chapel High School
- Gulf High School
— Niche
By Angela Underwood
