Is East Lake High School a good school?

Yes. East Lake High School is consistently rated A by the Florida Department of Education, making it one of the highest-rated public high schools in Pinellas County and the broader Tampa Bay area. The school offers International Baccalaureate programs, Advanced Placement courses, career academies, and competitive athletics. For families prioritizing a top-rated public high school in Pinellas County, East Lake is among the strongest options available.

Is East Lake FL in Pinellas County or Pasco County for schools?

Most of East Lake FL is in Pinellas County and served by the Pinellas County School District, which assigns students to East Lake High School, East Lake Middle School, and Brooker Creek or Cypress Woods Elementary. However, some East Lake addresses along the northern boundary are in Pasco County and are assigned to Pasco County schools. To determine which county your specific property falls in, verify the county line using the Pinellas County Property Appraiser website (pcpao.gov) or by calling the school districts directly.

How do East Lake FL schools compare to other Tampa Bay school districts?

East Lake FL schools, particularly East Lake High School, rank among the strongest in the Tampa Bay region. Pinellas County overall is rated B by FLDOE, but East Lake-area schools consistently outperform the district average with A ratings. Sarasota County has the highest district average in the region overall. Hillsborough County is large with significant variation by address. For families who want strong public high school performance in Pinellas County specifically, East Lake High is one of the top choices.

What private schools are near East Lake FL?

Private school options near East Lake FL include Calvary Christian Academy in the Clearwater area (PK-12), Tarpon Springs Elementary as an IB public magnet option (apply early), and various charter options. For Catholic education, St. Petersburg Catholic High is the major option but requires a 30 to 40-minute commute from East Lake. The Pinellas County School District also operates several magnet programs that East Lake families can apply to, including IB programs at specific schools. Home education co-ops are active in the area for families choosing that path.

Quick Answer

East Lake FL is served by the Pinellas County School District, one of Florida's larger districts with an overall B grade from FLDOE. East Lake High School is consistently rated A by the state. Elementary-age students in East Lake typically attend Brooker Creek Elementary or Cypress Woods Elementary, then East Lake Middle School Academy of Engineering, then East Lake High School. Verify your exact zone at pinellas.k12.fl.us or (727) 588-6000. Call Barrett at (813) 733-7907 for help finding the right East Lake neighborhood for your family.

East Lake FL Schools Guide: Ratings, Zones, and What Families Need to Know

Q: What schools serve East Lake FL?

East Lake FL is primarily served by the Pinellas County School District. The typical school chain for East Lake addresses is Brooker Creek Elementary (K-5) at 4980 East Lake Rd. or Cypress Woods Elementary (K-5) at 3111 Keystone Rd., then East Lake Middle School Academy of Engineering, then East Lake High School at 1300 Silver Eagle Dr. Some northern East Lake addresses fall in Pasco County and are assigned to Pasco County schools. Always verify your specific address zone at pinellas.k12.fl.us or (727) 588-6000 before purchasing.

East Lake FL is one of Pinellas County's top family destinations precisely because of its schools. The East Lake corridor, covering the unincorporated community straddling the Pinellas-Pasco county line near Palm Harbor and Tarpon Springs, sits in one of Florida's better-regarded school districts and is served by some of the district's highest-rated schools. For families relocating to the Tampa Bay area and prioritizing school quality, East Lake is a top consideration.

This guide covers the specific schools serving East Lake, their ratings, how to verify your zone, private school options, and how Pinellas County schools compare to surrounding counties.

Which School District Serves East Lake FL?

Pinellas County School District (Primary)

The majority of East Lake FL falls within Pinellas County, served by the Pinellas County School District. The district serves approximately 100,000+ students across Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Largo, Pinellas Park, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, and East Lake. FLDOE has rated the district overall in the B range, but individual school grades vary significantly, with East Lake's assigned schools consistently among the district's top performers.

Pasco County School District (Northern Portions)

Some East Lake addresses along the northern boundary fall within Pasco County, served by the Pasco County School District. Properties in the Trinity/New Port Richey-adjacent northern East Lake sections may be assigned to Pasco County schools rather than Pinellas County schools. This distinction matters because the two districts have different performance profiles, boundary logistics, and magnet program options. Always verify your specific address zone before purchasing if school district is a primary factor.

Elementary Schools Serving East Lake FL

Brooker Creek Elementary

Brooker Creek Elementary serves students in the central East Lake corridor. The school is located at 4980 East Lake Rd., Tarpon Springs, FL 34688. It consistently receives A ratings from FLDOE and is considered one of the top elementary schools in Pinellas County. The school is named for the adjacent Brooker Creek Preserve, one of Pinellas County's largest natural areas, which creates a distinctive natural setting. Enrollment capacity and current grades: verify current rating at fldoe.org.

Cypress Woods Elementary

Cypress Woods Elementary serves portions of the East Lake community, particularly areas near the Keystone Road corridor. The school is located at 3111 Keystone Rd., Tarpon Springs, FL 34688. Like Brooker Creek, Cypress Woods typically receives high ratings from FLDOE and draws families who prioritize academic performance. Check zone eligibility by address at pinellas.k12.fl.us before assuming assignment.

Middle School: East Lake Middle School Academy of Engineering

School Overview

East Lake Middle School Academy of Engineering serves grades 6 through 8 for most East Lake addresses. The school incorporates a STEM engineering focus into its curriculum, providing project-based learning aligned with the engineering academy designation. It is located in the East Lake Road area of Tarpon Springs/East Lake. FLDOE ratings have been consistently strong. The academy designation can affect admission and application processes for students outside the standard attendance zone who wish to apply.

Transition from Elementary

The transition from East Lake elementary schools to the middle school follows standard Pinellas County feeder patterns. Students assigned to Brooker Creek or Cypress Woods Elementary typically continue to East Lake Middle School. Confirm the feeder school chain for your specific address, as zone boundaries can shift and some addresses have different feeding patterns.

High School: East Lake High School

Academic Performance

East Lake High School is consistently rated A by FLDOE, making it one of the highest-rated public high schools in Pinellas County and among the top in the Tampa Bay region. The school is located at 1300 Silver Eagle Dr., Tarpon Springs, FL 34688. It offers International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP) programs, career academies, dual enrollment options, and extracurricular activities across athletics, arts, and clubs. The high school's graduation rate and college acceptance metrics are strong.

Sports and Extracurricular

East Lake High School competes in FHSAA athletics across multiple sports. The school's facilities include modern athletic fields and a track. Fine arts, theater, band, and competitive academic teams are also strong. For families where extracurricular opportunities are as important as academic ratings, East Lake High is a genuinely competitive choice within the Tampa Bay region.

School	Grades	Location	FLDOE Rating	Notes
Brooker Creek Elementary	K-5	4980 East Lake Rd, Tarpon Springs	A (consistent)	Adjacent to Brooker Creek Preserve
Cypress Woods Elementary	K-5	3111 Keystone Rd, Tarpon Springs	A (typical)	Keystone Road area of East Lake
East Lake Middle (Academy of Engineering)	6-8	East Lake Rd area, Tarpon Springs	A-B (typical)	STEM engineering focus
East Lake High School	9-12	1300 Silver Eagle Dr, Tarpon Springs	A (consistent)	IB, AP, career academies

How to Verify Your East Lake School Zone

Pinellas County School District

To verify your school zone for a specific East Lake address, visit pinellas.k12.fl.us and use the district's address lookup tool. You can also call the Pinellas County School District at (727) 588-6000. Because East Lake straddles the Pinellas-Pasco county line in some areas, confirm which county your specific address falls in first.

Pasco County (If Applicable)

If your East Lake address falls within Pasco County, verify your school zone at pasco.k12.fl.us or call (813) 794-2000. Pasco County schools serving northern East Lake areas are generally in the Trinity/Land O'Lakes corridor and include Odessa Elementary, Seven Springs Middle, and J.W. Mitchell High School, which is also highly rated.

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Private School Options Near East Lake FL

School	Type	Location	Grades	Notes
Calvary Christian Academy	Christian private	Clearwater area	PK-12	Long-established, competitive
Pinellas Preparatory Academy	Charter school	Largo	6-12	STEM focus, IB curriculum
Tarpon Springs Elementary (IB)	IB public magnet	Tarpon Springs	K-5	Open enrollment; apply early
St. Petersburg Catholic High	Catholic private	St. Petersburg	9-12	Commute 30-40 min from East Lake
Christian Home Educators of Pinellas	Homeschool co-op	Various	K-12	Support network for home educators

How Pinellas County Schools Compare to Surrounding Counties

District	FLDOE District Grade	East Lake High Quality	Notes
Pinellas County	B	East Lake High: A	District B, but East Lake schools consistently outperform district avg
Pasco County	B	J.W. Mitchell High: A	Strong northern Pasco schools, Trinity/East Lake corridor
Hillsborough County	B	Varies widely by school	Larger district; quality varies more by address
Sarasota County	A	Generally A-B range	Highest-rated district in region overall
Manatee County	B	Varies by school	Improving; some B-C schools in eastern areas

Internal Resources

Barrett Henry

Broker Associate, REMAX Collective | License #BK3010265

Barrett has 23+ years of real estate experience across Tampa Bay and central Florida. He works with buyers, sellers, and investors in Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Polk, Citrus, and surrounding counties. Learn more about Barrett or contact him directly.