Best Schools in Clearwater, Florida

Clearwater's public school system spans 28 ranked schools across Pinellas County School District, covering a meaningful performance range that rewards purposeful research. The city's average school score lands at 6.9 out of 10 — a solid baseline — and 16 of those 28 schools, or 57%, clear the 7-out-of-10 threshold. That majority-above-average profile puts Clearwater in a stronger position than many Florida coastal cities of comparable size.

At the top of the rankings, Kings Highway Elementary Magnet School earns a 9.2 — the highest score in the city and a significant pull factor for families with elementary-age children. The magnet designation matters: admission is typically application-based, so parents should verify enrollment windows and program fit early. Two other elementary schools sit close behind — High Point Elementary at 9.0 and Ponce de Leon Elementary at 8.8 — giving families in the upper tier genuine options without relying on a single school. Clearwater Fundamental Middle School (8.8) is the standout at the middle level, offering structured academic programming that appeals to parents seeking a more traditional instructional model. Leila Davis Elementary rounds out the top five at 8.6.

The elementary tier is notably strong across Clearwater. Four of the five highest-rated schools serve K–5 students, which means families entering during those years have the most choices. The middle and high school landscape narrows at the top end, and parents should look carefully at specific attendance zones and program tracks when planning moves or enrollment timing.

Practically speaking, Clearwater's 57% above-7 rate means more than half the city's schools deliver above-average outcomes — but the remaining 43% shows real spread below that line. Address-level research is essential here. Two houses on different streets can sit in noticeably different school zones. Parents should cross-reference MySchoolScout scores with each school's individual academic growth data and look at both proficiency rates and year-over-year trend lines before drawing conclusions.