Dorothy C. York PK-8 Magnet School in Apollo Beach earned the highest middle school ranking in the Apollo Beach and Ruskin area in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report Best Schools rankings, landing at No. 153 statewide.

York, at 5995 Covington Garden Drive, was the only school in the immediate area to appear on Hillsborough County Public Schools' list of top-200 middle and K-8 schools, according to a district announcement released Oct. 21. The rankings evaluate schools on student performance in math and reading while factoring in socioeconomic conditions.

HCPS Superintendent Van Ayres said in the district's statement that the recognition reflects daily work across the system. "Our students continue to rise to high expectations because of the dedication of our teachers, school leaders, staff and families," Ayres said.

Across Hillsborough County, nine middle and K-8 schools placed in the top 200 statewide. Walker Middle Magnet School led the district at No. 34, followed by Coleman Middle at No. 61 and Martinez Middle at No. 69. Williams Middle Magnet ranked No. 79, Roland Park K-8 Magnet No. 90, Wilson Middle No. 92, Maniscalco K-8 No. 114, York No. 153 and Randall Middle No. 163.

Apollo Beach K-8 School, at 501 Apollo Beach Blvd., did not crack the top 200 middle school list but posted strong numbers on its own. The school's math proficiency rate hit 76%, compared with 54% districtwide and 56% statewide, according to its U.S. News profile. In reading, 63% of students scored at or above proficiency, against 49% districtwide and 51% statewide.

Apollo Beach K-8's math performance earned a "Well Above Expectations" rating from U.S. News. The school serves 794 students with a 17:1 student-teacher ratio, better than the district average. It ranked No. 609 among 2,268 Florida elementary schools but was listed as unranked in the Florida middle school category.

The rankings used state assessment data from the 2023-2024 school year, according to U.S. News.