LOCATION 

Clearwater is located almost directly west from Tampa across Tampa Bay between the intercoastal waterway and the Gulf of Mexico. The main route that runs north and south through Clearwater is US Highway 19.

TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS

The primary airport in the area is Tampa International Airport, but there are several other airports that help to reduce the flow of traffic out of Tampa. St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport is the second largest airport in the Tampa area serving about 1 million passengers a year. Sarasota Bradenton International lies just south of Tampa and Clearwater. 

BRIEF HISTORY

Clearwater was the original home of the Native American tribes, Timucuan, Calusa, and Apalachee. At that time there were clear springs bubbling out of the high bluffs near city hall and downtown. Hence the name Clear Water. 

Early settlers had named it Clear Water Harbor, which was later changed to Clearwater Harbor and the word Harbor was dropped around 1905. The Federal Armed Occupation Act of 1842 gave 160 acres of land to any man who would bear arms and cultivate the land. James Stevens the "Father of Clearwater" and Samuel Stevernson were some of the first settlers. The early settlers mostly farmed vegetables and cotton. Fish were plentiful. 

The first newspaper, "The Clear Water Times," was started by Reverend C. S. Reynolds. Clearwater grew steadily in the early part of the century, there were several peaks and valleys relative to real estate. However, after World War 2, the population steadily increased. 

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS

Clearwater--Beaches, Beaches, Beaches, some of the most beautiful beaches in the world are in Clearwater Florida. One of the most beautiful is Sand Key, with miles of white sand and usually warm and inviting water of the Gulf of Mexico. The sunsets from here are truly magnificent. 

The Restaurants and Clubs in the Clearwater, Tampa areas have to be some of the best. With all the competition for the tourist trade, if you're not serving the best food or having the best entertainment then you are just not going to survive here. 

HEALTHCARE  

The Healthcare in the Tampa, Clearwater area is also some of the best in the country. Not only are there many doctors in specialized fields but many of the hospitals are also specialized. The range of ages in the area from the elderly to new families starting out with newborns and young children are an attractive challenge to physicians of every specialty and to many general practitioners and nurse practitioners.  

EDUCATION

Clearwater Schools, Pinellas County Board of Education Mission Statement: 

The mission of the Pinellas County School Board is to provide the best opportunities for all students to succeed by adopting policies that ensure continual improvement of highest student achievement, safe learning environment and effective efficient operation. 

The Pinellas County school system is based on the Baldrige based system called the Classroom Learning System, which is a framework that organizes how work is done in the classroom. This system has led to more involvement by the student in what their learning, an increase in student achievement, and fewer disciplinary problems. This program was started in Pinellas County in 1998. 

Pinellas County has received several state quality awards and is well known in the national educational community as an innovative school district. They also host workshops nationwide on this method of education.