You don't have to send your child to the school down the street. Hillsborough County operates one of the largest school choice programs in Florida, giving families the option to apply for magnet programs, career academies, and out-of-zone schools across the district. For Valrico families, this opens up specialized programs that might not be available at your zoned campus.

Here's how the system works, which programs are worth considering, and how to navigate the application process without missing deadlines.

How School Choice Works in Hillsborough County

Hillsborough County's Magnet/Choice program allows students to apply to attend schools outside their assigned zone. This isn't open enrollment -- you apply, and acceptance depends on available capacity, program requirements, and sometimes a lottery.

Key facts:

• Any student in the district can apply. You don't need to live near the school.
• Transportation is usually the family's responsibility. The district provides bus service for some magnet programs, but not all. If you're commuting from Valrico to a magnet school in central Tampa, plan on driving.
• Acceptance is not guaranteed. Popular programs fill up fast. Some use lotteries; others have academic requirements (minimum GPA, test scores, auditions).
• You keep your spot year to year once accepted, as long as your child meets the program's academic and behavioral standards.

Magnet Programs Accessible from Valrico

Hillsborough County operates more than 100 magnet and choice programs across the district. Here are the ones most relevant and accessible for Valrico families:

STEM and Science Magnets

Ferrell Girls Preparatory Academy (Middle school, Tampa) An all-girls STEM magnet that offers a focused science and math curriculum. Strong option for families who want a single-gender learning environment. Transportation from east Hillsborough is available on a limited basis.

Franklin Boys Preparatory Academy (Middle school, Tampa) The boys' counterpart to Ferrell. STEM-focused with a structured academic environment.

Middleton High School IB Program (High school, Tampa) Middleton offers a full International Baccalaureate program -- the only traditional IB program in Hillsborough County public high schools. If IB is specifically important to your family and neither Bloomingdale nor Newsome's AICE program fits, Middleton is the option. The drive from Valrico is 25-35 minutes depending on traffic.

Performing and Visual Arts

Blake High School (High school, Tampa) Blake is Hillsborough County's premier performing arts magnet. Students audition for programs in dance, theater, vocal music, instrumental music, and visual arts. If your child is seriously pursuing the arts, Blake is the destination school. The campus is in central Tampa, so Valrico families should plan for a 30+ minute commute.

Greco Middle School Magnet (Middle school, Temple Terrace) Greco offers a fine arts magnet with programs in band, orchestra, chorus, dance, and visual arts. Solid stepping stone for students who want to attend Blake or pursue arts in high school.

Career and Technical Academies

Lennard High School Agriculture Academy (Ruskin) Closer to Valrico than most magnet options, Lennard's agriculture program is a draw for students interested in agricultural science, environmental studies, and veterinary sciences.

Strawberry Crest High School (Dover) Strawberry Crest is just north of Valrico and offers career academies in engineering, health sciences, and information technology. For Valrico families, this is one of the most accessible magnet-style options with minimal commute.

Cambridge/AICE Programs (Not Technically Magnets, But Similar)

Both Bloomingdale High School and Newsome High School offer Cambridge AICE programs. These aren't magnet programs -- they're available to zoned students who meet academic requirements -- but they function similarly by providing a rigorous, college-prep curriculum within the neighborhood school.

If your child is zoned for Bloomingdale or Newsome and qualifies for Cambridge, you may not need to look at magnet schools at all. The AICE diploma carries weight with college admissions and earns students Bright Futures scholarship eligibility.

The Application Timeline

This is where families trip up. The window is narrow, and missing a deadline means waiting a full year.

Step	Typical Timeline
Application opens	Early November
Application deadline	Mid-January
Lottery/selection process	February-March
Acceptance notifications	March-April
Enrollment confirmation	April-May
School year begins	August

The exact dates change each year. Check the Hillsborough County Magnet/Choice page starting in October for the current year's calendar.

Important: Don't Miss the January Deadline

The single biggest mistake families make is assuming they can apply anytime. You can't. The application window is roughly two months, and late applications are not accepted for most programs. Set a reminder for November 1 to start the process.

How to Apply: Step by Step

1. Research programs. Visit the district's magnet/choice website and review available programs by grade level. Attend open house events -- most magnet schools hold at least one in November or December.

2. Complete the online application. Hillsborough County uses an online application portal. You'll need your child's student ID, current school information, and the program(s) you're applying to. Most families can apply to up to three programs in ranked order.

3. Submit required materials. Some programs require auditions (performing arts), portfolios (visual arts), or minimum GPA/test scores (IB, certain STEM magnets). Know the requirements before you apply.

4. Wait for notification. If the program receives more applications than available spots, a lottery determines admission. You'll receive notification by mail or email in the spring.

5. Confirm enrollment. If accepted, you must confirm by the deadline or lose your spot. Don't sit on the acceptance letter.

Tips for Getting Accepted

• Apply to multiple programs. Rank your top three choices. If you don't get your first pick, you may still get your second.
• Attend open house events. Some programs note attendance as a sign of genuine interest, and you'll learn details that aren't on the website.
• Meet academic requirements early. If a program requires a minimum GPA, make sure your child's grades are solid well before the application window. There's no waiver for falling just short.
• Prepare for auditions. Arts magnets at Blake and Greco take auditions seriously. Students should prepare their pieces months in advance, not the week before.
• Have a backup plan. Your zoned school is still your guaranteed option. If magnet applications don't work out, Bloomingdale and Newsome are both strong schools in their own right.

Is School Choice Worth the Commute from Valrico?

This depends entirely on the program and your family's logistics. A few things to weigh:

The commute is real. Most magnet schools are in central or south Tampa, which means 25-40 minutes each way from Valrico -- longer during school-zone traffic. That's 5-7 hours per week in the car.

Extracurriculars get complicated. If your child plays sports or does after-school activities at a magnet school in Tampa, you're making that drive twice in one day.

Some programs justify the drive. Blake's performing arts program is genuinely world-class. Middleton's IB program opens doors that no Valrico-area school can match. If the program aligns with your child's passion, the commute is a trade-off worth making.

For most Valrico families, the local options are strong enough. Newsome and Bloomingdale both offer rigorous academics, competitive athletics, and Cambridge/AICE programs. Unless your child needs something specific that these schools don't offer, the neighborhood school is often the best choice.

FAQ

How many magnet programs can I apply to in Hillsborough County? Families can typically rank up to three programs on their application. If you're not selected for your first choice, you'll be considered for your second and third.

Is transportation provided for magnet programs? The district provides bus transportation for some magnet programs, but not all. Check the specific program listing for transportation availability. From Valrico, most families end up driving.

Can my child transfer back to their zoned school if the magnet program isn't a good fit? Yes. Students can return to their zoned school at any time. Most families who transfer back do so at natural transition points (end of semester or school year).

What's the difference between a magnet program and school choice? Magnet programs have a specific academic focus (STEM, arts, IB, etc.) and may have admission requirements. School choice is a broader term that includes magnets plus general out-of-zone transfers based on available capacity.

When should I start preparing for magnet school applications? Start researching programs in the fall of the year before you want to enroll. Applications typically open in November with a January deadline. For programs requiring auditions or portfolios, begin preparation in the summer.

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Thinking about a move to get closer to a better school? Browse Valrico neighborhoods or start your home search. Barrett Henry at (813) 733-7907 can help you find the right home in the right school zone.