Recently, I've encountered families preparing to move to Tampa who are considering withdrawing their applications simply due to the high tuition fees of private schools. Many are unaware that Catholic private schools offer discounts for parishioners or have separate scholarship tracks, often leading them to give up after only looking at the full price.

Among the top private schools in Tampa are Berkeley Preparatory School and Academy of the Holy Names. Berkeley's tuition ranges from $17,560 to $23,660 per year, and according to the school, their college acceptance rate is 100 percent. Recent graduates have gone on to attend Duke, Georgetown, Vanderbilt, and the University of Florida.

Both schools operate with small class sizes and a wide range of extracurricular activities. Berkeley is known to maintain a student body of around 1,300 while also providing individual college counseling.

The GreatSchools rating is a metric scored from 1 to 10, primarily used for comparing public schools. When choosing a private school, it's more accurate to look at Niche reviews and the school's own college admission data.

Academy of the Holy Names is a Catholic school offering high school programs for girls, with tuition around $25,500 per year. This school also reports a 100 percent college acceptance rate. Since both schools are affiliated with the Catholic diocese, they often have separate tuition adjustment tracks such as parishioner discounts or sibling discounts, so it's best not to make judgments based solely on the full price and to inquire directly with the admissions office. Both Berkeley and Holy Names require standardized test scores for admission, so preparing for the ISEE or SSAT in advance can make the application process smoother. Testing dates typically cluster from fall to winter, so it's advisable to check those in advance.

Jesuit High School is also mentioned as a top private school in the Tampa area. All three schools have campuses located near South Tampa, which naturally shifts interest to the housing prices in the South Tampa area when considering commuting options.

In South Tampa, particularly in areas like Hyde Park, Palma Ceia, and Bayshore, it is rare to find even older homes in need of repairs for under $600,000 as of 2026, and well-maintained single-family homes often exceed $1.2 million. In contrast, the overall median home price in Hillsborough County is around $395,000, indicating that South Tampa has a significantly higher price range than the county average.

Recently, the rate of price increases has moderated to around 3 to 5 percent per year. Properties that are priced according to the market and are well-maintained tend to go under contract within 21 to 35 days after listing.

For investors looking for rental income, it's worth noting that neighborhoods with good school districts like South Tampa tend to have steady tenant demand, but this is a general trend and does not guarantee the profitability of specific properties. Tampa has seen a steady influx of people from other states in recent years, maintaining a consistent demand for housing. Particularly in neighborhoods with good school districts, properties tend to sell quickly, so if you have an area of interest, setting up property alerts in advance can be beneficial. If you're planning a move, scheduling a visit to the school admissions office to get a feel for the campus atmosphere can also be helpful.

For families moving from out of state, the absence of state income tax in Florida can be an attractive factor, but it's important to also consider Hillsborough County property taxes and hurricane insurance premiums to get a realistic estimate of living costs. If you're interested in a property, it's practical to first obtain recent property tax bills and insurance quotes.

While school district ratings can be referenced through GreatSchools or Niche scores, school district boundaries can change, so it's wise to double-check the assigned school before finalizing any contracts. This article does not constitute investment or legal advice, and it is recommended to consult with professionals before making any contracts or applying for financial aid.