Welcome to IDEA Tampa Bay

Nationally ranked, tuition-free public schools coming to Tampa Bay in 2021

Our Impact

IDEA Tampa Bay is actively engaging with the local community, recruiting students for our launching 2021 schools, developing school sites, and recruiting top-notch principals, educators, and operations team members for future schools. Cultivating communication partnerships, champions, and advocates that will enable IDEA Tampa Bay to most effectively provide a high-quality education to students as they progress along the road to and through college is a top priority in our new region.

WELCOME, FUTURE IDEA TAMPA BAY FAMILIES!

The next step in joining IDEA is completing a paper application or submitting it online via STREAM. You may choose to apply to multiple IDEA Tampa Bay schools and submit one application per child. Any family can submit an application at any time.

At IDEA Tampa Bay, we will host three lottery events to randomly select students to fill spots for the school year. During the lottery, applicants in each grade level offered will be selected at random and placed on a lottery – ordered applicant roster.

The Dates of the Tampa Bay Lottery are:
1. November 14, 2020 (Focus: Lottery priorities 1 – 4)
2. January 16, 2021 (Focus: Lottery Priorities 1 – 6)
3. February 27, 2021 (Focus: Lottery Priorities 1 – 7)

Lottery priorities are listed below, (click priorities 4 – 6 to learn more about the schools/zones that fall under these categories).

1. Siblings of IDEA Students

2. Children of Employees

3. Existing Students/Transfers

4. Students residing in or attending the following 9 PLPs:

5. Students residing in or attending PLPs in Hillsborough County:

6. Students living in opportunity zones

Not sure if you live in an opportunity zone? Click here to check your status with your home address.

7. Anyone that has submitted an application within the Tampa Bay region and does not fall into the above priorities.

Families can find their attendance zones by entering their address at this link: School Attendance Zone Locator.

After the completion of each lottery round, families will be notified of the outcome via email and phone. For the 2021-22 school year, we will have three lottery rounds beginning November 14, 2020. The application is now open.

Ready to apply? Click the button below to get started.

IDEA's two founding locations in Tampa Bay are official! Take a look:

4

SCHOOLS

In 2021, IDEA Tampa Bay will be home to four schools.

960

STUDENTS

In 2021, we will serve a total of 960 students between our academy and college prep campuses. We will open with grades K-2 & 6, and will grow to serve grades K-12 when fully scaled.

100%

COLLEGE BOUND

Since IDEA’s first graduating class in 2007, 100% of our seniors have been accepted to colleges and universities nationwide.

PERSONALIZED LEARNING

Through small learning groups and daily access to technology, every student learns at the level and speed just right for them.

Expert Teachers

Our teachers bring subject matter expertise and an unwavering commitment to set each student on a path to success.

FAMILY PARTNERSHIP

Our school is family. Parents, teachers, and administrators work as a team to help each student reach their full potential.

IDEA believes a quality K – 12 public education is the key to success in college and life and is committed to helping every student achieve their own success. Personalized learning, critical thinking skills, mastery of core subjects and continued support through college is IDEA’s recipe for success.

Work at IDEA

We are a looking for hard-working, talented individuals to help make college a reality for all children in the Tampa Bay region. From the classroom to transportation and everything in between – your work will directly deliver on IDEA’s mission.

IDEA Florida Board Meetings and agendas

IDEA Florida’s first Board of Directors meeting will be on May 3, 2019: Board Meeting Agenda – Meeting Minutes

Board of Directors Meeting- October 7, 2019: Notice of Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting- October 7, 2019: Meeting Agenda – Meeting Minutes

Board of Directors Meeting – December 19, 2019: Notice of Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting – December 19, 2019: Meeting Agenda – Meeting Minutes

Board of Directors Meeting- February 26, 2020: Notice of Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting – February 26, 2020: Agenda

Board of Directors Meeting – June 9, 2020: Notice of Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting – June 9, 2020: Agenda

Board of Directors Meeting – August 7, 2020: Notice of Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting – August 7, 2020: Agenda

Board of Directors Meeting- October 27, 2020: Notice of Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting – October 27, 2020: Agenda

Board of Directors Meeting- February 12, 2021: Notice of Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting- February 12, 2021: Agenda

Board of Directors Meeting- March 2, 2021: Notice of Meeting

Board of Directors Meeting- March 2, 2021: Agenda

2020-21 Board Agendas

Board of Directors Meeting – August 7, 2020: Notice of Meeting
Board of Directors Meeting – August 7, 2020: Agenda
Board of Directors Meeting- October 27, 2020: Notice of Meeting
Board of Directors Meeting – October 27, 2020: Agenda
Board of Directors Meeting- February 12, 2021: Notice of Meeting
Board of Directors Meeting- February 12, 2021: Agenda
Board of Directors Meeting- March 2, 2021: Notice of Meeting
Board of Directors Meeting- March 2, 2021: Agenda
Board of Directors Meeting – April 23, 2021: Notice of Meeting

2019-20 Board Agendas

IDEA Florida’s first Board of Directors meeting will be on May 3, 2019: Board Meeting Agenda – Meeting Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting- October 7, 2019: Notice of Meeting
Board of Directors Meeting- October 7, 2019: Meeting Agenda – Meeting Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting – December 19, 2019: Notice of Meeting
Board of Directors Meeting – December 19, 2019: Meeting Agenda – Meeting Minutes
Board of Directors Meeting- February 26, 2020: Notice of Meeting
Board of Directors Meeting – February 26, 2020: Agenda
Board of Directors Meeting – June 9, 2020: Notice of Meeting
Board of Directors Meeting – June 9, 2020: Agenda