St. Pete Beach FL Schools Guide: Ratings & School Zones

Q: Is Pinellas County Schools a good school district?

Yes. PCS consistently earns B or higher District grades from the Florida DOE. The district offers AP, IB at multiple campuses, dual enrollment, and an extensive magnet/choice program. All Pinellas communities share the same district.

Q: How do I find the school zone for a St. Pete Beach address?

Use the address lookup at pinellasschools.org/enrollment. Enter the specific street address. Do not rely on ZIP code generalizations; zone boundaries can split individual streets.

Quick Answer

St. Pete Beach FL schools are part of Pinellas County Schools (PCS). Most St. Pete Beach addresses zone to Gulf Beaches Elementary, Azalea Middle School, and Boca Ciega High School. The district is the same county-wide PCS system serving all of Pinellas County. Many St. Pete Beach families also opt for private schools given the community's income demographics. Verify your exact zone at pinellasschools.org/enrollment. Call Barrett at (813) 733-7907 for neighborhood-specific guidance.

St. Pete Beach FL Schools Overview

St. Pete Beach is a small barrier island city (population approximately 9,200) in southern Pinellas County. The city is entirely served by Pinellas County Schools (PCS), the county-wide public school district. St. Pete Beach has no independent school district. All public school students attend PCS schools assigned based on home address.

Because St. Pete Beach is a wealthy beach community, many families choose private schools over the assigned public schools. The city's demographics support strong parental involvement in whichever schools their children attend. For families for whom school assignment is a key factor in their purchase decision, verifying the exact zone for any specific address is essential before making an offer. Use the address lookup at pinellasschools.org/enrollment.

What Is the Pinellas County Schools District?

Pinellas County Schools (PCS)
301 4th Street SW
Largo, FL 33770
Phone: (727) 588-6000
Website: pinellasschools.org

PCS is one of Florida's largest school districts, serving more than 100,000 students across Pinellas County. The district operates traditional schools, magnet schools, charter schools, and alternative programs. PCS consistently earns District grades of B or higher from the Florida Department of Education. Students in St. Pete Beach have access to all PCS magnet and choice programs countywide through the district's annual application process.

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What Elementary School Serves St. Pete Beach FL?

Gulf Beaches Elementary School

200 128th Avenue
Treasure Island, FL 33706
Phone: (727) 588-3891

Gulf Beaches Elementary is the primary elementary school serving St. Pete Beach (ZIP 33706) and adjacent Treasure Island. The school serves grades Pre-K through 5. Despite being a smaller school by PCS standards (reflecting the relatively small permanent resident population of the beach communities), Gulf Beaches Elementary participates in the full PCS curriculum including arts integration and STEM programming.

The school draws students from several beach communities including St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, and parts of South Pasadena. This creates a relatively unique school community reflecting the coastal, often-international character of these beach cities. Parent involvement is strong. Verify your specific St. Pete Beach address at pinellasschools.org/enrollment as zone boundaries can apply to specific streets.

What Middle School Serves St. Pete Beach FL?

Azalea Middle School

7855 22nd Avenue North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710

Azalea Middle School serves most St. Pete Beach addresses for grades 6-8. The school is located in St. Petersburg, approximately 20-30 minutes from St. Pete Beach by car. Azalea Middle participates in the standard PCS middle school curriculum with offerings in core academics, arts, music, and physical education. The PCS magnet middle school system gives Azalea students the option to apply to specialized magnet programs countywide if they qualify and are selected through the lottery/application process.

Note: Middle school zone assignments in St. Pete Beach should always be verified at pinellasschools.org/enrollment. Some addresses may have different middle school assignments depending on specific street location within the city.

What High School Serves St. Pete Beach FL?

Boca Ciega High School

924 Pasadena Avenue South
South Pasadena, FL 33707
Phone: (727) 588-3521

Boca Ciega High School is the traditional public high school serving St. Pete Beach and the surrounding south Pinellas beach communities. The school serves grades 9-12 and is located in South Pasadena, approximately 10-20 minutes from most St. Pete Beach addresses. Boca Ciega participates in the PCS AP (Advanced Placement) program and offers dual enrollment options through St. Petersburg College for qualifying juniors and seniors.

Boca Ciega has a strong arts and performing arts culture reflecting the beach community's creative character. The school also competes in FHSAA athletics. Academic performance is consistent with PCS district averages. Families wanting a PCS IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma Programme high school can apply through the PCS magnet system to IB campuses such as Seminole High or Palm Harbor University High, though these involve significant daily commutes from St. Pete Beach.

What Private Schools Are Near St. Pete Beach FL?

Given St. Pete Beach's affluent demographics, a significant share of families choose private schools. The most commonly considered private options within 20-30 minutes of St. Pete Beach include:

Academy of the Holy Names

Academy of the Holy Names is an independent Catholic school (PreK-12) located in Tampa, approximately 35-45 minutes from St. Pete Beach. It is one of Tampa Bay's most academically rigorous college-preparatory schools, particularly for girls at the upper school level. Many St. Pete Beach families with Tampa professional commutes find this a practical school choice. It accepts Step Up for Students scholarships for qualifying families.

Canterbury School of Florida

Canterbury School of Florida is a nonsectarian private college-preparatory school (PreK-12) in St. Petersburg, approximately 20-30 minutes from St. Pete Beach. Canterbury is known for small class sizes, strong college placement, and a community-oriented culture. It accepts Step Up for Students scholarships for qualifying families.

Shorecrest Preparatory School

Shorecrest Preparatory is an independent college-preparatory school serving students from age 3 through 12th grade, located in St. Petersburg (approximately 20-30 minutes from St. Pete Beach). Shorecrest is known for strong academics, a nationally competitive debate program, and a well-regarded upper school. It is one of Pinellas County's most prestigious private schools. Contact the school directly for current tuition rates and availability.

St. Petersburg Catholic High School

St. Petersburg Catholic High School is a co-educational Catholic high school (grades 9-12) in St. Petersburg. It is approximately 20-30 minutes from St. Pete Beach. The school offers a college-preparatory curriculum with Catholic faith integration and competes in FHSAA athletics. Tuition is lower than many independent private schools; it accepts Step Up for Students scholarships.

How Do St. Pete Beach Schools Compare to Nearby Communities?

Community	High School	Elementary	Private School Access
St. Pete Beach	Boca Ciega HS	Gulf Beaches Elem	Canterbury, Shorecrest (20-30 min)
Seminole	Seminole HS (IB)	Several options	Multiple within 15-20 min
St. Petersburg	Multiple HS options	Multiple zones	Canterbury, Shorecrest, St. Pete Catholic
Indian Rocks Beach	Largo HS	Anona Elem or Gulf Beaches	Calvary Christian, others
Safety Harbor	Countryside HS	Safety Harbor Elem	Several within 15-25 min

For families specifically seeking an IB Diploma Programme high school in PCS, Seminole High School is a common target and is approximately 25-35 minutes from St. Pete Beach. The PCS magnet/choice application window typically opens in the fall; contact PCS at (727) 588-6000 for current program openings.

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Explore More St. Pete Beach and Pinellas County Resources

St. Pete Beach City Guide St. Pete Beach Homes for Sale St. Pete Beach Market Data Buyer's Guide Schools Guide Commute Guide Pros and Cons Real Estate Guide Cost of Living Property Taxes New Construction Investment Property Waterfront Homes St. Petersburg Real Estate Largo Real Estate Seminole Real Estate Pinellas Park Homes Indian Rocks Beach Pinellas County Hub Best Neighborhoods ViVi Property Management Mortgage Calculator

About Barrett Henry: Barrett Henry is a Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker Associate at REMAX Collective with 23+ years of real estate experience. He specializes in Pinellas County residential real estate, helping buyers and sellers navigate one of Florida's most competitive markets. Learn more about Barrett or call (813) 733-7907.

Frequently Asked Questions

What high school serves St. Pete Beach FL?

Most St. Pete Beach addresses zone to Boca Ciega High School (924 Pasadena Ave S, South Pasadena FL 33707, (727) 588-3521). Boca Ciega offers AP courses, dual enrollment through St. Petersburg College, and arts programs. Verify your specific address at pinellasschools.org/enrollment. Families wanting an IB Diploma Programme school can apply to Seminole High or Palm Harbor University High through the PCS magnet system.

What elementary school serves St. Pete Beach FL?

Gulf Beaches Elementary (200 128th Ave, Treasure Island FL 33706, (727) 588-3891) serves most St. Pete Beach (ZIP 33706) addresses. The school serves Pre-K through 5th grade. Verify your specific address at pinellasschools.org/enrollment as zone boundaries apply to specific streets.

Are there good private schools near St. Pete Beach FL?

Yes. Canterbury School of Florida and Shorecrest Preparatory School (both in St. Petersburg, 20-30 min) are two of Pinellas County's most respected private schools. St. Petersburg Catholic High School is a more affordable private option. Many St. Pete Beach families also commute to Academy of the Holy Names in Tampa (35-45 min) given professional Tampa work schedules. Step Up for Students and FES scholarships help income-qualifying families access private school at reduced or no cost.

Is Pinellas County Schools a good school district?

Yes. PCS consistently earns District grades of B or higher from the Florida Department of Education and is one of Florida's better-performing large districts. The district offers AP courses, IB programmes at multiple campuses, dual enrollment through St. Petersburg College, and an extensive magnet and choice program. All Pinellas communities, including St. Pete Beach, share the same district and have access to the same programs.

How do I find the school zone for a St. Pete Beach address?

Use the address lookup tool at pinellasschools.org/enrollment. Enter the specific street address to get the assigned elementary, middle, and high school. Do not rely on ZIP code or general neighborhood information, as zone boundaries can split individual streets. Verify before making an offer if school assignment is a factor in your purchase decision.