Help! Tampa area - moving there in 30 days or so..

Well - the two areas you name are about 40 minutes from each other where your ex will actually be working, so you'll need to know that first before better suggestions come your way is best guess.

Are you "more beach" or "more city" in terms of preferred daily/weekend life? Do you want to be forced to evacuate during hurricanes or reside outside of mandatory evac routes? Will your kids be going to school(s) near your wife or you? (and we have Publix grocery stores which are usually quite good and they're everywhere.)


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Traffic sucks, keep that in mind.

 

Look at Westchase (that's where I'm at).

 

All of those areas are generally safe, but it's the same with everyplace these days - there's at least 3 out of 100 who are just evil ******-canoes...

I used to live on Siesta Key - after getting told and/or escorted off the island by authorities many times for hurricanes, I moved east to a home we built in a non-evac zone... made of concrete with impact everything and kept a small cottage (since destroyed in last year's storm surge) for beach time.

Private or public schools? Ages of kids? I asked Grok the following and it spit this out... don't know if it's helpful or not!

"what are the best public and private K-12 schools in the following areas? Land-o-lakes, Dunedin, Lutz, Clearwater and Palm Harbor? Rank by school and list area next to each school."

Below is a ranking of the best public and private K-12 schools in Land O'Lakes, Dunedin, Lutz, Clearwater, and Palm Harbor, Florida, based on available data from sources like Niche, U.S. News, and other educational rankings. Schools are ranked by their overall quality, considering factors such as academic performance, test scores, student-teacher ratios, and parent/student reviews. Each school is listed with its corresponding area. Since comprehensive rankings specific to these areas are limited, I’ve synthesized the most relevant information and prioritized schools with strong reputations and high ratings. If a specific area lacks a standout school in one category (public or private), I’ve noted it.

Top Public K-12 Schools Palm Harbor University High School (Palm Harbor) Niche Grade: A Enrollment: ~2,500 Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Overview: Known for its strong academic programs, including the International Baccalaureate (IB) program and a robust medical magnet program. It ranks highly in Pinellas County for college prep and test scores. Land O'Lakes High School (Land O'Lakes) Niche Grade: A Enrollment: ~2,000 Student-Teacher Ratio: 20:1 Overview: Ranked 90th in Florida by Niche, it offers diverse AP courses and strong extracurricular programs. Students praise the variety of learning styles accommodated by teachers, though some note a need for greater diversity. Sunlake High School (Land O'Lakes) Niche Grade: A- Enrollment: ~2,100 Student-Teacher Ratio: 21:1 Overview: A top-performing school in Pasco County, known for strong athletics and academic programs. It’s frequently cited in local rankings for its college readiness. East Lake High School (Palm Harbor/Tarpon Springs area, near Palm Harbor) Niche Grade: A- Enrollment: ~2,200 Student-Teacher Ratio: 22:1 Overview: Offers an engineering academy and strong AP programs. It ranks well in Pinellas County for math and reading proficiency. Steinbrenner High School (Lutz) Niche Grade: A- Enrollment: ~2,400 Student-Teacher Ratio: 23:1 Overview: A highly rated public school in Hillsborough County, known for its competitive academics and athletics. It’s a top choice for families in Lutz. Note: Dunedin and Clearwater lack standout public high schools in the top tier based on available data. Dunedin High School and Clearwater High School have average ratings (B/B- on Niche) and don’t rank as highly as the above schools. Middle and elementary schools like Curtis Fundamental Elementary (Clearwater) and Tarpon Springs Fundamental Elementary (near Palm Harbor) are notable but don’t cover the full K-12 range.

Top Private K-12 Schools Academy at the Lakes (Land O'Lakes) Niche Grade: A+ Enrollment: 445 Student-Teacher Ratio: 8:1 Overview: A top-ranked private school in the Tampa Bay area, offering a rigorous college-prep curriculum and personalized attention. It’s praised for its small class sizes and strong community. Carrollwood Day School (Lutz/Tampa, near Lutz) Niche Grade: A+ Enrollment: ~1,000 Student-Teacher Ratio: 5:1 Overview: Offers an IB program and a focus on individualized learning. It’s highly rated for academics and extracurriculars, with a low student-teacher ratio. Lakeside Christian School (Clearwater) Niche Grade: A- Enrollment: ~400 Student-Teacher Ratio: 12:1 Overview: A Christian school serving K-12 since 1975, known for its faith-based education and solid academics. It serves the greater Clearwater area. St. Cecelia Interparochial School (Clearwater) Niche Grade: B+ Enrollment: ~700 Student-Teacher Ratio: 15:1 Overview: A Catholic school offering a comprehensive K-8 program with a strong community focus. It’s accredited and well-regarded in Clearwater, though it doesn’t cover high school grades. Cornerstone Christian School (Dunedin) Niche Grade: B Enrollment: ~200 Student-Teacher Ratio: 10:1 Overview: A smaller Christian school serving preK-8, emphasizing character development and academics. It’s a community-driven option for Dunedin families. Note: Palm Harbor lacks a top-tier private K-12 school in the provided data. Schools like New Horizons Private School (preK-5) and Florida Montessori (up to 8th grade) are present but don’t cover the full K-12 range or rank as highly.

Area Summary Land O'Lakes: Strong in both public (Land O'Lakes High, Sunlake High) and private (Academy at the Lakes) options, making it a top area for school choice. Palm Harbor: Dominates public school rankings with Palm Harbor University High and East Lake High but lacks a standout private K-12 school. Lutz: Steinbrenner High is a strong public option, and Carrollwood Day School (nearby) is a top private choice. Clearwater: Has solid private options (Lakeside Christian, St. Cecelia) but weaker public high schools compared to Palm Harbor or Land O'Lakes. Dunedin: Limited in both categories, with Cornerstone Christian as a notable private school (K-8) and no top-tier public high schools. Sources and Notes Rankings and data are primarily drawn from Niche, U.S. News, and local sources like Tampa Bay Times and Patch. Some schools (e.g., St. Cecelia, Cornerstone) don’t cover the full K-12 range but are included as they are significant in their areas. If you need more specific metrics (e.g., test scores, exact rankings) or want to focus on a particular grade level, let me know, and I can refine the list. For the most current or detailed information, check school district websites (Pasco County Schools, Pinellas County Schools, Hillsborough County Schools) or Niche.com for updated reviews.