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Relocating to Tampa/Clearwater Area from Ohio on August 1st
PHorWestchase May 24, 2011
Hi All,
I am literally worried sick about the schools in FL and am praying that someone can ease my fears. We will be relocating to the Tampa/Clearwater Area on August 1st from Ohio. We have been so spoiled by A rated schools (rated 10 on greatschools.com)and I just don't know what to do as far as education for my kids. We have narrowed it down to 2 areas (Palm Harbor and Westchase)but are still open to other suggestions. We have a daughter 10 (gifted and will be going into the 6th grade) and a son that is 3.5 and does not make the cutoff for VPK (he turns 4 on 9/13)so he will need to go to a school that offers pre-K/non VPK. We like the Lansbrook area of Palm Harbor, but the middle school (Tarpon Springs seems questionable at best based on reviews on greatschools.com). We have heard the Westchase schools are great, but we really would like to be closer the the water and St. Pete for my husbands job. Does anyone have feedback on Tarpon Springs Middle School or any of the private schools close to Lansbrook? Any other suggestions for areas with GREAT schools would also be appreciated. This is so scary, we just want to make the best choice.
Thank you for your help!
anniesbeads May 24, 2011
I am a college instructor, and if I can tell you that both schools are good; however, if I had a child in this age group, I would put my child in Palm Harbor. This is an excellent school and has a great faculty. I observed Palm Harbor and told myself that this is one district I would move to just for the schools.
I have not heard a lot of positives about Tarpon Springs Middle School. I know that many parents put their children in private schools. The best is Skycrest Christian School. They have a healthy philosophy, and if I am not mistaken, they have VPK. They also accept the Step Up for Success funds for the school.
I taught AP classes in a private school in the area. Many of the students had the background of Palm Harbor and Skycrest Christian School.
While the ratings on sites such as this are helpful, you have to realize that many times people who are disgruntled will give poor ratings. I would always check out a school for myself and talk to the administration before deciding on any school 70242
salomejb8 July 15, 2011
I'm not familiar with Westchase but heard all good things. Palm Harbor has great schools..I live in Saftey Harbor which also has good Middle/High(Saftey Harbor MS/Countryside HS). Tarpon is pretty so so..depends really on what you want for your child. If you want to be close to the water and close to St. Pete. Seminole is also a nice area. The schools are great. Elementry schools are Bardmoore and Starkey which that depends on what side of Starkey Road you live on. The Middle and High are both Osceola. Stay away from all school in Largo though. Good luck:)71653
legolizzie May 20, 2012
This doesn't help in regards to Westchase but the fundamental route (Coachman Fundamental Middle) is worth looking into.
Also, in the Clearwater area, Plumb Elementary is one of the best schools I've ever experienced. My brother went there (in the 80's) and my son (in the 2000's). It was consistently excellent over a 30 year spread and that's saying something... The principals truly cared, the teachers were involved with the students and parents, PTA is 100% and the children are happy (I had many bday parties and playdates :)). Also, and possibly most important, Plumb does so much more than prep for FCAT, a problem these days in Florida schools.
Hope this helps!
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