²ÝÁñÉçÇø

²ÝÁñÉçÇø School Review - Established 2003

Carrollwood Day School

1515 W. Bearss Avenue Tampa, FL 33613
Tel: (813) 920-2288

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • Top Ranked FL School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-12
  • Enrollment: 1,263 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $25,000
  • Acceptance rate: 78%
  • Average class size: 16 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: ✓Verified school update
Carrollwood Day School Photo #1 - CDS's early childhood program builds on the children`s natural curiosity. Our teachers cultivate in them the desire and understanding necessary to continue to seek and use knowledge in an ever-changing world. Our children learn new information through their desire to problem solve and to delve further into their world.
Carrollwood Day School Photo #2 - Science is a core part of the curriculum beginning in preschool. Students in the IB Diploma Programme (grades 11 and 12) select a two-year course in chemistry, physics, or biology. In addition to learning scientific methods and research skills through practical experimental work, these courses raise awareness of the social, moral economic, and environmental implications of using science and technology.
Carrollwood Day School Photo #3 - Technology is embedded in the curriculum at all levels enabling students to learn the skills they will need to succeed in a digital world. In addition to computer labs, classrooms share laptop carts in grades 1 - 5, and the middle and upper school have a one-to-one laptop program.
Carrollwood Day School Photo #4 - Elementary students learn about beat, rhythm, and pitch through the singing of songs, movement, and the playing of instruments. Younger students begin with rhythm instruments and in third-grade students learn to play the soprano recorder. Students create grade-level curriculum-related shows that are performed in front of the elementary school and parents and there are full school performances each year.
Carrollwood Day School Photo #5 - Carrollwood Day School's MakerLab provides many opportunities for our students to create, design, and explore. Every day students can be heard sharing their exciting STEEM experiences in the MakerLab. Through trial and error, they are learning that they are creative young inventors and problem solvers. They are gaining essential skills that will use as the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.
Carrollwood Day School Photo #6 - Carrollwood Day School offers a competitive athletic program for students of all skill levels. Our athletes and coaches understand the importance of representing our school well. The focus is on excellent sportsmanship, teamwork, and the development of competitive teams and individuals. CDS athletic teams regularly qualify to compete in post-season competition.
School location map
REQUEST INFO
SAVE SCHOOL

Quick Facts (2026-27)

  • Top Ranked FL School
  • Grades: Nursery/Preschool-12
  • Enrollment: 1,263 students
  • Yearly Tuition: $25,000
  • Acceptance rate: 78%
  • Average class size: 16 students
  • Application Deadline: Jan. 15 / rolling
  • Source: ✓Verified school update

School Rankings

Carrollwood Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Florida for:

Category
Attribute
Student Body
Largest student body
Sports offered
Most sports offered
Extra-curric.
Most extracurriculars offered

School Facts

Religious Affiliation
Nonsectarian
Grades Offered
Grades Nursery/Preschool-12
Students By Grade

Distribution of Students By Grade

GradeCarrollwood Day School
Nursery14
Pre-K64
Kind64
172
272
372
472
585
6101
787
8102
9120
10121
11117
12100
Download Table: Download as CSV | Download as XML | Download as JSON
Download Full School Data: Full School Dataset XML | Full School Dataset JSON

Note: Data may not be displayed on any public-facing website or service that replicates or resembles a school search or review portal without prior written permission. See our Terms of Service.

Year Founded
1982
Summer School Offered
Yes
Awards
 Blue Ribbon School - Selected in 2004
School Motto
Education with Character

Student Body

Total Students
1,263 students
Student Body Type
Co-ed
% Students of Color
20%
State avg.: 48%

Academic Profile

Total Classroom Teachers
100 teachers
Student-Teacher Ratio
13:1
National avg.:
% Faculty w/Advanced Degree
48%
Average Class Size
16 students
Matriculation DataMatric. Data
Classroom Dress Code
Casual
School uniforms for kindergarten - grade 12
Number of AP Courses
2 courses
List of Courses Offered
Advanced Courses
IB DP Biology 11 [SL/HL]IB DP Biology 12 [SL/HL]
IB DP Chemistry 11 [SL/HL]IB DP Chemistry 12 [SL/HL]
IB DP Computer Science 11 [SL / HL]IB DP Computer Science 12 [SL / HL]
IB DP English 11 [SL/HL]IB DP English 12 [SL/HL]
IB DP English B 11 [SL]IB DP English B 12 [SL]
IB DP Environmental Systems and Societies 11 [SL]IB DP Environmental Systems and Societies 12 [SL]
IB DP French 11 [SL]IB DP French 11 ab initio [SL]
IB DP French 12 [SL]IB DP French 12 ab initio [SL]
IB DP Global Politics 11 [SL/HL]IB DP Global Politics 12 [SL/HL]
IB DP History 11 [SL/HL]IB DP History 12 [SL/HL]
IB DP Math 11 [HL]IB DP Math 11 [SL]
IB DP Math 12 [HL]IB DP Math 12 [SL]
IB DP Math Studies 11 [SL]IB DP Math Studies 12 [SL]
IB DP Music 11 [SL/HL]IB DP Music 12 [SL/HL]
IB DP Physics 11 [SL]IB DP Physics 11 [SL/HL]
IB DP Physics 12 [SL]IB DP Physics 12 [SL]
IB DP Psychology 11 [SL/HL]IB DP Psychology 12 [SL/HL]
IB DP Spanish 11 [HL]IB DP Spanish 11 [SL]
IB DP Spanish 11 ab initio [SL]IB DP Spanish 12 [SL]
IB DP Spanish 12 ab initio [SL]IB DP Spanish A 12 [SL]
IB DP Theatre Arts 11 [SL/HL]IB DP Theatre Arts 12 [SL/HL]
IB DP Theory of Knowledge 11IB DP Theory of Knowledge 12
IB DP Visual Arts 11 [SL/HL]IB DP Visual Arts 12 [SL/HL]
School Membership(s)School Assoc.
National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
International Baccalaureate World School (IB)
Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS)

Tuition & Financial Aid

Admission Deadline
Jan. 15 / rolling
Yearly Tuition Cost
$25,000
View national tuition avg.
Tuition Notes
2025-2026 Tuition: $20,050 (Preschool) $21,135 (Kindergarten) $25,370 (Lower School) $29,005 (Middle School) $32,455 (Upper School)
Acceptance Rate
78%
National avg.: 82%
College Acceptance Rate
100%
Admissions Director
Dawn Schweitzer
Admissions Associate
Michelle Cáceres

Sports

Total Sports Offered
18 sports
Sports
BaseballBasketball
CheeringCross Country
DanceE-sports
Flag FootballFootball
GolfLacrosse
SoccerSoftball
SwimmingTennis
Track and FieldVolleyball
WeightliftingWrestling
Colors
White, Black, Grey, Red
School Mascot
Patriot

Extracurriculars

Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
51 extracurriculars
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
20/20 Club (Middle School)3D Design and Printing Club (Middle School)
Action Club / Student Council (Elementary)AV Club
Book Club (Middle School)CDS Ambassadors
ChessComputer Programming
Dance CommitteeDiversity Club
Drama ClubEnvironmental Clubs (High School & Middle School)
Film Aficionado (Middle School)Forensics
French National Honor SocietyGirls Coding Club (Middle School)
Guitar Ensemble (Middle School)History Club
Human Rights ClubInstrumental Music Lessons
International Club (Middle School)Intramural Sports (Elementary)
Jr. Thespian TroupeJunior Spanish Honor Society
Key ClubMath Club (Middle School)
Middle School French Honor SocietyModel United Nations
Mu Alpha ThetaNational Beta Club (Middle School)
National Honor SocietyNational Jr. Beta Club
Patriot Society (Middle School Leadership Club)Pep Squad (Elementary)
Robotics ClubSADD
Spanish ClubSpanish National Honor Society (Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica)
STEM Club (Middle School)Strategy Games
String Ensemble (Middle School)Student Advisory Board
Student Athletic BoardStudent Council (Middle School)
Student Government (High School)The International Thespian Society
Toastmasters InternationalWriting / Newspaper Club (Middle School)
Year Book Club


Arts and Music Programs:
Creative Writing ClubFrench Club

School Notes

  • Carrollwood Day School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School authorized to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students in preschool through 5th grade the Middle Years Programme (MYP) for students in grades 6 through 10, and the Diploma Programme (DP) for students in grades 11 and 12.
  • CDS was the first school in Florida authorized by the prestigious International Baccalaureate Organization to offer the full continuum of IB programming and the sixth school in the United States to achieve this distinction.
  • CDS is a community of discovery and learning, empowering individuals to make a difference, developing and refining skills needed to be constructive citizens in an ever-changing world.
  • Carrollwood Day School stands out as a leader in its mission to educate the whole child.
  • In recognition of its academic excellence, CDS was selected as a 2004 No Child Left Behind - Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education and in 2017, the school was awarded the prestigious distinction of National School of Character for the second time. CDS emphasizes performance and moral character and believes that intelligence must operate within the context of high moral standards.
  • CDS stresses the importance of building an ethical learning community in its quest for academic excellence and develops the values and principles that will define its students as the future leaders of a global society.
  • CDS was founded in 1982 and currently serves students from two-years-old through high school on two campuses in north Tampa.
  • Preschool and kindergarten students attend our Early Childhood Campus at 12606 Casey Road.
  • First grade through high school classes are located at CDS's upper campus located at 1515 W. Bearss Avenue.
Source: Verified school update
REQUEST FREE INFORMATION

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Carrollwood Day School cost?
Carrollwood Day School's tuition is approximately $25,000 for private students.
What is the acceptance rate of Carrollwood Day School?
The acceptance rate of Carrollwood Day School is 78%, which is lower than the national average of 81%.
What sports does Carrollwood Day School offer?
Carrollwood Day School offers 18 interscholastic sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cheering, Cross Country, Dance, E-sports, Flag Football, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Weightlifting and Wrestling. Carrollwood Day School is ranked as one of the top 20% of private schools in Florida for most sports offered.
What is Carrollwood Day School's ranking?
Carrollwood Day School ranks among the top 20% of private schools in Florida for: Largest student body, Most sports offered and Most extracurriculars offered.
When is the application deadline for Carrollwood Day School?
The application deadline for Carrollwood Day School is Jan. 15 / rolling (applications are due on Jan. 15 but additional applications are reviewed year-round as space permits ).

School Reviews

Endorse Carrollwood Day School. Endorsements should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:

  • Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
  • Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
  • Academic or athletic awards
Endorse this school

Recent Articles

When Your Child Outpaces the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø School Curriculum
When Your Child Outpaces the ²ÝÁñÉçÇø School Curriculum
Learn what parents can do when a child finishes private school coursework early, including acceleration, curriculum compacting, advanced classes, enrichment, and signs the school needs a new plan.
How Much Teacher Access Does Your Child Get?
How Much Teacher Access Does Your Child Get?
Learn how to evaluate teacher access at private schools, including extra-help time, advising, communication, academic support, and the questions families should ask before choosing a school today.
When a ²ÝÁñÉçÇø School Teacher Leaves Midyear
When a ²ÝÁñÉçÇø School Teacher Leaves Midyear
When a private school teacher leaves midyear, parents need clear answers. Learn what schools should do, what children may experience, and when a departure signals deeper concerns.
School location map

Request Info

Did You Know?

The average private school tuition in Tampa, FL is $13,068 for elementary schools and $14,169 for high schools (read more about average private school tuition across the country).
The average acceptance rate in Tampa, FL is 80% (read more about average acceptance rates across the country).

Related School Videos

52:09

33:00

21:08

0:29

Related School News


  • Go and meet some of the other developers in town and see if there’s a way ...

  • WINTER HAVEN — No matter what happened during Thursday’s Class 3A state volleyball final, ...

  • Jamie Melton, a high school English instructor at the $25,000-a-year Carrollwood Day School in Tampa, ...

View all past news stories

Most Popular Articles

School Rankings by Category
School Rankings by Category
 Why ²ÝÁñÉçÇø School?
Why ²ÝÁñÉçÇø School?
Enrollment Trends 2026: ²ÝÁñÉçÇø School Admissions Outlook
Enrollment Trends 2026: ²ÝÁñÉçÇø School Admissions Outlook

More Articles

The Journey to Enrollment
Funding the Future
Leadership in ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Education
Excellence in School Security
Advanced Learning Frameworks

Quick Links

SCHOOL SEARCH TOOLS:
SCHOOL BY TYPE (FL):
OPEN-HOUSES & JOBS:
PUBLIC & BOARDING SCHOOLS:
PRIVATE SCHOOL DATA: