Bell Creek Academy High School
General Information
Overview
Bell Creek Academy High School is a tuition-free public charter school located in Riverview, Florida, serving students in grades 6 through 12. As part of the greater Hillsborough County region, the school emphasizes a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum combined with career exploration and technology integration.
The campus describes its mission as providing students a “well-rounded college preparatory and career exploration high school education, through a challenging academic program supported by technology, on-site learning experiences via local business and the opportunity to tie classroom learning with the real world of work.” (source: school about page) The institution holds accreditation through Cognia, reflecting a commitment to continuous improvement and educational excellence. Student culture is oriented around the “Panther” identity, with a focus on academic performance, STEM enrichment, and dual-enrollment opportunities.
Contact Information
Address: 13221 Boyette Road, Riverview, Florida 33569, United States. (source: about page)
Phone Number: 813-793-6075. (source: niche)
Email Address: The school lists its main contact through the general office; families may contact the admissions/enrollment office via the school’s charter management network. (source: about page)
School Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | 2013 (construction began May 2013 and the campus opened for the 2013-14 school year) (source: Wikipedia) |
| Grades Served | 6–12 (Middle and High School combined) (source: niche and school website) |
| School Type | Public Charter School (managed by Charter School Associates) (source: Wikipedia & about page) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | Approximately 21 : 1 (source: niche) |
| Enrollment | ~1,131 students (grades 6–12) (source: niche) |
| Accreditation | Cognia accreditation (source: about page) |
| School Motto / Mission | “Provide students with a well-rounded college preparatory and career exploration high school education…” (source: about page) |
| Mascot | Panthers (source: Wikipedia) |
Bell Creek Academy High School Rankings
| Level | Ranking Detail |
|---|---|
| State (Florida) | Niche reports the school is ranked #35 of 166 Best Charter High Schools in Florida. (source: niche) |
| County (Hillsborough) | Ranked #2 in Best Public Middle Schools in Hillsborough County on Niche; though the ranking refers to the 6–8 segment of the school. (source: niche) |
| National / Global | Not publicly ranked in global homogeneous rankings (as a pre-college institution) |
Bell Creek Academy High School Academics
Bell Creek Academy High School Faculties / Departments
- English-Language Arts (Reading & Writing)
- Mathematics (Algebra, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, Statistics)
- Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Environmental Science)
- Social Studies (U.S. History, World History, Civics)
- Foreign Languages and Global Studies
- Business and Finance (Academy of Business & Finance) (source: about page)
- Legal Studies (Academy of Legal Studies) (source: about page)
- Marine & Environmental Science (Academy of Marine & Environmental Science) (source: about page)
- Information Technology (Academy of Information Technology) (source: about page)
- Electives, Fine Arts, Physical Education & Health
Bell Creek Academy High School Courses and Programs / Majors
While Bell Creek Academy is a secondary school rather than a university offering majors, it provides robust academy-based programs that function similarly to specialization tracks:
- Academy of Business & Finance: courses in entrepreneurship, financial management, business applications
- Academy of Legal Studies: courses in law, public administration, mock trial preparation
- Academy of Marine & Environmental Science: courses in marine biology, environmental conservation, field study
- Academy of Information Technology: courses in computer science, cybersecurity, digital design
- Dual-Enrollment and Advanced Placement (AP) courses: students can take college-level coursework to earn early college credit (source: niche)
- STEM enrichment programs, Cambridge programme offerings and career internship/real-world capstone projects (source: school about page)
Online Learning
Bell Creek Academy provides digital learning support through its charter platform, enabling students to access online assignments, blended learning modules and virtual support when necessary. The school’s curricular design mentions Florida Virtual School elective options and capstone projects that may incorporate online components (source: about page). During any remote learning periods, the school is equipped with infrastructure and procedures to maintain continuity of instruction and student engagement.
Average Test Scores
| Test / Metric | Recent Data |
|---|---|
| Reading Proficiency | ~80% of students at least proficient in reading (source: niche) |
| Math Proficiency | ~67% of students at least proficient in mathematics (source: niche) |
| Average SAT | 1190 (based on 217 responses, source: niche) |
| Average ACT | 24 (based on 44 responses, source: niche) |
Retention and Graduation Rates
Bell Creek Academy reports an average graduation rate of approximately 95% for its high school cohort (source: niche). The school’s design, serving grades 6 through 12, places emphasis on retention within the continuum of students who begin in earlier grades and progress through graduation. The academy model and support services are designed to encourage student persistence, facilitate transitions between grade levels, provide intervention when needed, and maintain a strong college-and-career ready focus that supports retention and successful completion.
Bell Creek Academy High School Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
As a charter school with open enrollment and public status, Bell Creek Academy does not operate selective admissions based strictly on GPA or national test scores like a university. Admission eligibility is typically determined by zone/charter enrollment criteria rather than cut-off GPA or SAT/ACT ranges. However, prospective students and families are encouraged to review prior academic performance and demonstrate readiness for a rigorous college-preparatory environment.
Bell Creek Academy High School Acceptance Rate
| Year | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|
| Current | Not publicly published (open enrollment charter model) |
Bell Creek Academy High School Application Requirements
Families interested in enrolling their child at Bell Creek Academy High School must complete the charter school’s registration process, provide proof of residency (or meet charter eligibility criteria), submit prior school records/transcripts where applicable, provide immunization and health records per Florida law, and attend orientation or information session if required. Prospective students entering the high school grades should review the academy tracks, be willing to engage in a college-preparatory curriculum, and communicate with counselors about dual-enrollment or specialized pathways. The school values student commitment to academic growth, collaboration, and career readiness.
Application Process
- Submit an inquiry or registration form for the charter school enrollment.
- Provide required documentation: residency proof, prior transcripts/records, health/immunization records.
- Review and select academy pathway or track (Business & Finance, Legal Studies, Marine & Environmental Science, IT).
- Attend orientation or meet with school staff/counselor to discuss course planning.
- Confirm enrollment and receive schedule placement.
Bell Creek Academy High School Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Grade Level | Deadline / Notes |
|---|---|
| Grades 6–12 (general enrollment) | Rolling enrollment subject to available seats; families advised to apply early for best choice of academy track and scheduling |
Essay Prompt
Not applicable — the school does not require an essay prompt as part of general enrollment in the same way universities do.
Bell Creek Academy High School Scholarships
As a public charter school, Bell Creek Academy does not charge tuition and therefore does not offer “scholarships” in the traditional sense for tuition reduction. However, students may have access to scholarship opportunities through dual-enrollment programs, college readiness initiatives and external community scholarships facilitated by the school’s counseling office.
Bell Creek Academy High School Tuition Fee (Costs)
| Grade Level | Annual Tuition |
|---|---|
| Grades 6-12 | $0 (public charter school, tuition-free for eligible students) |
Bell Creek Academy High School Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics (Gender, Age, Race/Ethnicity)
Bell Creek Academy High School serves students typically aged about 11 through 18 (grades 6–12). The gender distribution is roughly balanced; according to Niche data, the student-teacher ratio is 21:1 (source: niche). In terms of race/ethnicity, public data show approximately 22% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch (which correlates with socioeconomic diversity) and the school has a strong “A” grade for diversity in the Niche report (source: niche). Specific breakdowns of race and ethnicity in publicly published form are limited, but the school indicates a commitment to inclusivity.
Low-Income Students / Students with Disabilities
Approximately 22% of students at Bell Creek Academy High School are listed as eligible for free or reduced lunch programs, indicating a meaningful portion of students from lower-income households (source: niche). The school also provides supports for students with disabilities and special education services in accordance with Florida charter school requirements, though specific percentages of students with disabilities are not publicly detailed. These support structures allow the school to provide access to rigorous academics while also attending to individual student needs.
Student Body (Total Students, International Students, etc.)
| Category | Number / Approximate |
|---|---|
| Total Enrollment (Grades 6-12) | ~1,131 students (source: niche) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio | ~21 : 1 (source: niche) |
| Free/Reduced Lunch Eligible | ~22% of student body (source: niche) |
School Diversity
Bell Creek Academy High School demonstrates a significant commitment to student diversity and inclusive culture. With a charter model that draws from the broader Riverview area and serves grades 6-12, the school brings together middle and high school levels in a cohesive academic environment, which supports peer mentoring and continuity. The “A” grade in diversity from Niche reflects a student body that includes varying socioeconomic backgrounds, dual-language learners, and students engaged in advanced pathways.
The school’s academy tracks (Business & Finance, Legal Studies, Marine & Environmental Science, Information Technology) broaden access to specialized interests and fields, helping students from diverse backgrounds explore career and college paths. The presence of dual enrollment and internship options further supports students who may be first in their families to pursue college. Through structured support, advising and data-driven interventions, the school works to reduce achievement gaps and foster success for all learners. The focus on technology, real-world experience and student pathways helps ensure that the benefits of academic preparation extend across demographic lines.
Average Earnings
As a secondary institution, Bell Creek Academy High School does not track alumni earnings in the same way post-secondary institutions do. However, the school’s strong academic performance (average SAT ~1190, average ACT ~24), high graduation rate (~95%), and dual-enrollment/career-track programs indicate that students are well positioned for post-secondary education and entry-level career opportunities. These outcomes suggest that alumni who leverage the school’s preparation are more likely to access higher education or workforce training programs that may lead to higher earnings over time.
The emphasis on college-ready and career-exploratory programming, alongside specialized tracks in business, legal studies, marine/environmental science and IT, enables students to develop market-relevant skills and credentials—factors known to correlate with stronger earning potential. Though specific salary data are not published, the structural supports and student achievement metrics provide confidence that the school is creating favorable conditions for its graduates’ long-term success.
Bell Creek Academy High School Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
Bell Creek Academy High School employs a dedicated team of educator professionals, instructional facilitators, and support staff aligned with its charter mission. Given the student-teacher ratio of 21 : 1, teachers are able to engage with students individually while operating within the frameworks of a college-preparatory charter environment. The staff includes specialists in dual‐enrollment coordination, career pathway instruction, technology integration, and experiential learning.
Support roles such as counselors, internship coordinators, and academy administrators help guide students through their chosen tracks and post-secondary planning. Ongoing professional development is embedded in the school’s design, respecting the Cognia accreditation framework for leadership capacity, learning capacity and resource capacity (source: about page).
Faculty Profiles
Faculty at Bell Creek Academy High School bring diverse expertise across their respective tracks and departments. For example, instructors in the Academy of Information Technology are versed in cybersecurity, digital design and programming, while faculty in the Academy of Marine & Environmental Science hold credentials in environmental education and field research. Teachers in the business and legal studies tracks often draw from professional experience in entrepreneurship, finance or legal practice, enhancing relevance for students. Many faculty members also serve as advisors for capstone projects, coordinate internships with local businesses, and guide dual enrollment arrangements with partner institutions.
The school’s emphasis on college and career readiness means that staff engage not only in traditional classroom instruction but also in mentorship, real-world collaborative projects and individualized student planning. Reviews from students note that the faculty are committed to helping students thrive academically—though some reviews mention the need for more extracurricular resources. (source: niche reviews) The professional expertise and career-oriented nature of the faculty help define the school’s identity and prepare students for both higher education and workforce pathways.
Bell Creek Academy High School Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
Bell Creek Academy High School is a day school serving grades 6 through 12 and does not provide on-campus housing or residential facilities. The campus is located at 13221 Boyette Road in Riverview, Florida. Student life encompasses a blend of middle school and high school programs, creating a continuum of community from grade 6 through grade 12.
Extracurricular opportunities include athletics (football, volleyball, basketball, golf, bowling and more) and a variety of clubs; review data suggests that while academic resources are strong, the breadth of clubs and extra-curricular offerings is somewhat more limited compared to larger public high schools (source: niche reviews). Students engage in academy-based elective choices, capstone experiences, internships and dual-enrollment options, all of which enrich the campus culture. The “Panther” identity fosters school spirit and participation in academic challenges, STEM initiatives and community service. Families highlight the smaller size and tighter community as a strength, though some note that the school is still in growth and elective variety may expand.
Transportation
Transportation to Bell Creek Academy High School is facilitated by the charter campus located within Riverview, and students commonly access the school by family drop-off, carpool or charter-arranged buses (depending on arrangements for charter enrollment). The campus is accessible via major local roads and is located in the greater Tampa Bay area. On-campus mobility supports transitions between middle and high school wings, specialist classrooms (academies for business, IT, marine science, legal studies), common areas, athletics facilities and labs.
Because the school serves grades 6 through 12, scheduling and movement are designed to accommodate younger and older students in a shared environment, with careful supervision and routines for arrival, dismissal, class changes and extracurricular involvement. The charter’s organization ensures that students arriving by various means can access the campus safely and participate in the full day of academic and enrichment activities.