Pinellas County Schools Overview
Pinellas County Schools (pcsb.org) serves all of Clearwater and the rest of Pinellas County. The district operates approximately 100,000 students across 140+ schools. Florida grades schools A through F based on standardized test performance, graduation rates, and college/career readiness. School grades for individual Clearwater schools are updated annually by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE).
School assignment in Clearwater depends entirely on your specific address. The district uses attendance boundaries, not broad neighborhood names. Use the school locator at pcsb.org to confirm the elementary, middle, and high school assigned to any property before buying.
High Schools Serving Clearwater FL
| High School | Address | Phone | Serves (General Area) |
|---|
| Clearwater High School | 540 S Hercules Ave, Clearwater 33765 | (727) 298-5800 | Central/south Clearwater, parts of North Clearwater |
| Countryside High School | 3000 SR-580 W, Clearwater 33761 | (727) 724-1385 | Countryside area, portions of central north Clearwater |
| East Lake High School | 1300 Silver Eagle Dr, Tarpon Springs 34688 | (727) 942-5400 | East Lake ZIP 33765, north Clearwater |
| Dunedin High School | 1651 Pinehurst Rd, Dunedin 34698 | (727) 469-5100 | Northwest Clearwater/Dunedin border areas |
East Lake High School and Countryside High School consistently earn strong Florida school grades. Both offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual enrollment with St. Petersburg College (SPC), and International Baccalaureate (IB) program options. Confirm your specific address assignment at pcsb.org.
Middle Schools in Clearwater FL
| Middle School | Address | Grades | Notes |
|---|
| Safety Harbor Middle School | 901 1st Ave N, Safety Harbor 34695 | 6-8 | Serves portions of East Clearwater |
| Oak Grove Middle School | 1370 S Belcher Rd, Clearwater 33764 | 6-8 | Central Clearwater, near US-19 |
| Dunedin Highland Middle School | 70 Patricia Ave, Dunedin 34698 | 6-8 | NW Clearwater border areas |
| Carwise Middle School | 2101 Keystone Rd, Palm Harbor 34683 | 6-8 | East Lake/north Clearwater students |
Elementary Schools in Clearwater FL
Selected Elementary Schools by Area
Clearwater has more than a dozen elementary schools. A few notable ones by area:
| Elementary School | Address | Notes |
|---|
| Belleair Elementary | 1055 Ponce de Leon Blvd, Clearwater 33756 | South Clearwater/Belleair border |
| Garrison-Jones Elementary | 1800 Montclair Rd, Dunedin 34698 | NW Clearwater/Dunedin border |
| Leila Davis Elementary | 1400 Druid Rd, Clearwater 33756 | Central Clearwater area |
| McMullen-Booth Elementary | 2330 McMullen-Booth Rd, Clearwater 33759 | NE Clearwater/Safety Harbor border |
| Oldsmar Elementary | 195 St Petersburg Dr E, Oldsmar 34677 | Eastern Clearwater area buyers |
| Cypress Woods Elementary | 7825 Cypress Walk Dr, New Port Richey 34654 | East Lake area option |
Use pcsb.org to confirm the exact elementary assignment for your address. Boundaries shift occasionally.
Magnet Programs Near Clearwater FL
Pinellas County Schools operates a robust magnet program network. Students apply district-wide through a lottery process. Some magnet programs in or near Clearwater include:
| School / Program | Focus Area | Application Process |
|---|
| Plumb Elementary Magnet | IB Primary Years Programme | District magnet lottery |
| Pinellas Central Elementary Magnet | Visual and Performing Arts | District magnet lottery |
| Oak Grove Middle (partial magnet) | Communication Arts / STEM | District magnet lottery |
| Clearwater High IB Programme | International Baccalaureate Diploma | IB application + acceptance criteria |
| SPC Collegiate High (dual enrollment) | Early college, all of Pinellas | Application via pcsb.org |
According to Pinellas County Schools, magnet program applications open each fall for the following school year. Visit pcsb.org/magnet for application windows, program details, and transportation eligibility.
Private Schools in Clearwater FL
| School | Type | Grades | Approx. Tuition |
|---|
| Clearwater Central Catholic High School | Catholic / diocesan | 9-12 | $9,000-$14,000/yr |
| Calvary Christian Academy | Christian | K-12 | $7,500-$12,000/yr |
| Pinellas Preparatory Academy | Charter / college prep | 6-12 | Tuition-free charter |
| St. Cecelia Interparochial School | Catholic K-8 | K-8 | $6,500-$10,000/yr |
Florida's Family Empowerment Scholarship and Step Up For Students programs can offset private school tuition for qualifying families. Visit stepupforstudents.org and familyempowerment.org for eligibility details.
School Choice and Open Enrollment in Clearwater
Florida's school choice framework allows students to apply to out-of-zone public schools when space is available. Pinellas County Schools runs a Choice program each spring for the following school year. Application windows open in January or February, and seats are granted by lottery. Transportation is typically not provided for choice placements outside the home zone.
Charter schools also operate in Pinellas County. Pinellas Preparatory Academy (grades 6-12) is a well-regarded charter option. Charter schools are tuition-free public schools with separate enrollment processes.
What to Ask About Schools When Buying a Home
1. Confirm the school assignment for the specific address
Neighborhood descriptions and listing data are not reliable for school assignments. Always confirm at pcsb.org before making an offer.
2. Ask about recent school grade history
Florida school grades can change year to year. A school with a consistent A or B grade over multiple years is more reliable than a one-year outlier. The FLDOE school grades archive (fldoe.org) shows historical ratings.
3. Check for upcoming boundary changes
Pinellas County periodically redraws school attendance boundaries. Major new residential development can trigger boundary studies. Check with the Pinellas County Schools planning department if you are buying in a rapidly growing area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What school district serves Clearwater FL?
Clearwater is served by Pinellas County Schools (pcsb.org), Florida's seventh-largest school district with approximately 100,000 students. School assignments are based on your specific home address. Use the pcsb.org school locator to confirm which schools serve a property before buying.
What are the best high schools in Clearwater FL?
East Lake High School and Countryside High School are consistently among the top-rated high schools in Pinellas County. Both offer AP courses, dual enrollment with St. Petersburg College, and strong extracurricular programs. Clearwater High School serves downtown and mid-city areas.
Does Clearwater have magnet school programs?
Yes. Pinellas County Schools operates a district-wide magnet school system. Several schools in and near Clearwater offer magnet programs in arts, STEM, International Baccalaureate, and career/technical education. Magnet seats require a separate application with a lottery for oversubscribed programs.
Are there private schools in Clearwater FL?
Yes. Clearwater has several private school options including Clearwater Central Catholic High School, various faith-based K-8 schools, and independent private schools. Private school tuition in the area generally ranges from $7,000 to $22,000 per year. Florida's Family Empowerment Scholarship and Step Up For Students scholarships can offset private school costs for qualifying families.
How do I find which school my Clearwater home is zoned for?
Use the school locator at pcsb.org with the specific property address. School zones can change and boundary addresses are occasionally rezoned, so always verify using the official tool rather than relying on neighborhood descriptions or listing data.
Related Clearwater Resources
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