Photo: Michel Rathwell from Cornwall, Canada · CC BY 2.0Clearwater’s public schools outscore 58% of Florida districts
The grade covers the public school district serving Clearwater, from kindergarten through graduation, on state tests and graduation. Each state writes its own tests, so this is the one TownRatings grade compared within Florida, not nationally.
From Florida state tests taken in spring 2022, when 95% of students in the tested grades sat them, and the class of 2023’s four-year graduation rate, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Clearwater’s schools, in brief
Against towns with similar incomes
Among the 461 Florida towns with household incomes within a quarter of Clearwater’s, its schools beat 47%, lower than their 58% against all the state’s districts. The grade ↓
Above the state in math, below in reading
Reading proficiency is 51% and math 54% in spring 2022, against 52% and 52% statewide; 88% of the class of 2023 graduated in four years, against 88%. Test scores ↓
Spending and class size
The district spends $13,166 per student, against $13,006 across Florida (FY2024). Spending doesn’t count toward the grade. Districts ↓
Seven elementary schools, then two middle and two high schools
Which school depends on the address at every step. Enrollment is down 8% since 2020–21. See the path ↓
Choice beyond the district
Plato Academy Clearwater, Enterprise Charter High School, Discovery Academy of Science, Skycrest Christian School (private), St. Cecelia Interparochial School (private), Clearwater Academy International (private), Delphi Academy of Florida (private), Countryside Christian Academy (private), Learning Independence for Tomorrow Inc (private), Washburn Academy (private), Iva Christian School (private), Community Learning Center Academy (private), The Depaul School for Dyslexia (private), First Lutheran School (private), Genesis Christian Academy (private), Next Level Nation Academy (private) and Every Kids A Genius (private) are in town. Every school ↓
Written from the figures on this page. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023; each school’s own letter uses 2020–21 results.
What’s behind Clearwater’s grade
B: better than 58% of Florida school districts, #333 of 638 Florida towns. Test scores and graduation are both above the Florida average; test scores are the stronger of the two.
Where will my kid go?
Pick a grade. These are the public schools that serve Clearwater, with each school’s own grade.
6th grade in Clearwater · depends on your address
Clearwater Fundamental Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 736 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Oak Grove Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 724 students · 18:1 students per teacher
7th grade in Clearwater · depends on your address
Clearwater Fundamental Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 736 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Oak Grove Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 724 students · 18:1 students per teacher
8th grade in Clearwater · depends on your address
Clearwater Fundamental Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 736 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Oak Grove Middle School
Grades 6–8 · 724 students · 18:1 students per teacher
9th grade in Clearwater · depends on your address
Clearwater High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,543 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Countryside High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,396 students · 20:1 students per teacher
10th grade in Clearwater · depends on your address
Clearwater High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,543 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Countryside High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,396 students · 20:1 students per teacher
11th grade in Clearwater · depends on your address
Clearwater High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,543 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Countryside High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,396 students · 20:1 students per teacher
12th grade in Clearwater · depends on your address
Clearwater High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,543 students · 21:1 students per teacher
Countryside High School
Grades 9–12 · 1,396 students · 20:1 students per teacher
Clearwater’s public schools are run by Pinellas County School District. To confirm the school for a specific address, ask the district.
The district
Spending and class size are shown but don’t count toward the grade. Each district’s own page has every school.
Close to the state in reading
Clearwater vs. its neighbors
Schools grades for the Florida towns that share Clearwater’s borders.
| Town | Schools | Main districts |
|---|---|---|
| Clearwater | B | Pinellas County |
| Dunedin | B | Pinellas County |
| Largo | B | Pinellas County |
| Safety Harbor | B | Pinellas County |
| Belleair | B | Pinellas County |
| Belleair Beach | B | Pinellas County |
All 5 neighbors share Pinellas County with Clearwater, so their letters differ mainly through other districts.
Every school in Clearwater
33 schools. Each public school’s letter compares its own 2020–21 reading and math results with Florida’s other public schools (the newest school-level results we have).
Questions about Clearwater’s schools
Are Clearwater’s schools good?
They sit near the middle of Florida: the public schools Clearwater children attend outscore 58% of Florida’s school districts on tests and graduation, a B Schools grade, #333 of 638 Florida towns. Among towns with similar incomes they beat 47%. Tests are from 2021–22, graduation from the class of 2023.
What school district is Clearwater in?
Pinellas County School District, which runs grades PK–12 and enrolls 87,876 students in 150 schools (2024–25).
Where do Clearwater kids go to high school?
One of 2 high schools, depending on your address: Clearwater High School and Countryside High School.
What is Clearwater’s graduation rate?
88% of the class of 2023 in Pinellas County School District graduated in four years, against 88% across Florida.
How much does Clearwater spend per student?
$13,166 in Pinellas County School District (FY2024), against $13,006 across Florida. Spending doesn’t count toward the grade.
Are there private schools in Clearwater?
Yes: Skycrest Christian School (religious, grades PK–8, 567 students), St. Cecelia Interparochial School (Catholic, grades PK–8, 454 students), Clearwater Academy International (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 334 students), Delphi Academy of Florida (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 279 students), Countryside Christian Academy (religious, grades K–8, 245 students), Learning Independence for Tomorrow Inc (special education, grades K–12, 170 students), Washburn Academy (nonsectarian, grades PK–12, 161 students), Iva Christian School (religious, grades K–12, 108 students), Community Learning Center Academy (nonsectarian, grades K–8, 89 students), The Depaul School for Dyslexia (special education, grades 1–8, 86 students), First Lutheran School (religious, grades PK–8, 78 students), Genesis Christian Academy (religious, grades K–12, 24 students), Next Level Nation Academy (religious, grades K–9, 16 students) and Every Kids A Genius (nonsectarian, grades 2–11, 13 students). Clearwater also has 3 charter schools, free and open by application.
Parents talk
What Clearwater families are saying about school.
Looking for colleges? Colleges near Clearwater → They have their own page.
School data: state test results (2021–22, with participation) and four-year graduation rates (class of 2023) reported to the U.S. Department of Education (EDFacts via ED Data Express); each school’s own letter uses its 2020–21 results (EDFacts via the Urban Institute); schools and enrollment from NCES (2024–25; private schools 2023–24); spending from the Census Bureau’s school finance survey (FY2024). The School Grade is our own summary, graded within Florida. Stars are from neighbors.