Families searching for preschool in Tampa have three nearby AEA locations to choose from: Citrus Park, Westchase, and Asturia in Odessa. All three run on the same hands-on STEAM curriculum, the same age range, and the same hours, so the real question usually isn’t which one is better, it’s which one is closest to where you live, work, or drop off an older sibling.
Below is a side-by-side look at each location, what stays consistent across all three, and how to decide which one fits your family.
In this article
- Comparing AEA’s Tampa-area locations
- Citrus Park
- Westchase
- Asturia (Odessa)
- What stays the same at every location
- How to choose the right one for your family
- FAQ
Why Tampa Families Have More Than One Nearby Option
Tampa Bay has grown fast, and families are spread across a wide stretch of Hillsborough and Pasco counties, not just downtown. Rather than asking every family to drive into one central location, AEA runs three separate campuses along the same general corridor, close enough together that most Tampa Bay families will have one within a reasonable drive, but far enough apart that each one genuinely serves its own neighborhood.
Comparing AEA’s Tampa-Area Locations
| Location | Address | Area | Easy Access Via |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citrus Park | 10011 Westpark Preserve Blvd, Tampa, FL 33625 | Northwest Hillsborough County, Tampa | Veterans Expressway (SR 589) |
| Westchase | 8080 Countryway Blvd, Tampa, FL 33635 | Northwest Hillsborough County, bordering Citrus Park | Veterans Expressway (SR 589), Hillsborough Ave |
| Asturia | 15180 Virginia Station, Tampa, FL 33556 | Odessa, Pasco County (Tampa Bay area) | Suncoast Parkway, State Road 54 |
Citrus Park
10011 Westpark Preserve Blvd, Tampa, FL 33625
Our Citrus Park location sits in northwest Hillsborough County, close to the Veterans Expressway and the Citrus Park Mall area. The surrounding neighborhood is a well-established, mostly single-family community with several parks and the Upper Tampa Bay Trail running nearby, popular with families who value an easy commute along SR 589. It’s a good fit for families in Citrus Park, Carrollwood, or Northdale.
Westchase
8080 Countryway Blvd, Tampa, FL 33635
Westchase borders Citrus Park to the west and is known for its master-planned neighborhoods, a public golf course, and easy access to the Veterans Expressway and Hillsborough Avenue. It’s a walkable, amenity-heavy community with its own elementary and middle schools nearby, which makes it a natural fit for families who already have a child enrolled at a Westchase-area school. Families in Westchase, Town ‘N Country, or nearby parts of Citrus Park often find this location the most convenient.
Asturia (Odessa)
15180 Virginia Station, Tampa, FL 33556
Asturia is a newer, master-planned community in Odessa, just north of Citrus Park and Westchase via the Suncoast Parkway. The area is built around walking trails, parks, and green space, and it’s grown quickly as Tampa Bay’s suburban footprint has expanded north along SR 54. It’s the right pick for families further north in Odessa, Trinity, or Wesley Chapel who don’t want to drive all the way into Tampa proper.
What Stays the Same at Every Location
Choosing between three locations can feel like a bigger decision than it needs to be. In practice, a few things don’t change no matter which one you pick:
- Curriculum: Every classroom runs on the same hands-on STEAM curriculum (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), woven into daily activities rather than taught as a separate subject
- Ages served: Infants through school-age children, so families don’t need to switch schools as their child grows
- Hours: Consistent full-day hours built around working families’ schedules
- VPK: Florida’s Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten program is available at every location
That consistency is intentional. A family who starts at Citrus Park and later moves to Odessa can transfer to Asturia without their child experiencing a different curriculum or classroom philosophy, just a shorter drive.
How to Choose the Right Location for Your Family
Since the curriculum and quality are consistent across all three, the decision usually comes down to logistics:
- Commute: Which location sits closest to home, work, or your daily route?
- Siblings: If you have an older child in school nearby, which location makes drop-off and pickup easiest?
- Growth plans: If you’re planning to move within the Tampa Bay area, which location will still make sense in a year or two?
A quick tour of your closest location is usually the fastest way to confirm it’s the right fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is pre-K free in Florida?
Yes. Florida’s Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) program is free for all 4 year olds the year before kindergarten, regardless of income, and it’s available at every AEA location.
What ages do AEA’s Tampa-area locations serve?
Citrus Park, Westchase, and Asturia all serve children from infancy through school age, so families can stay at the same school as their child grows.
Is the curriculum different at each location?
No. All three locations run on the same hands-on STEAM curriculum and follow the same daily structure, so quality and consistency don’t change based on which one you choose.
How do I decide between Citrus Park, Westchase, and Asturia?
Commute is usually the deciding factor, since the programs themselves are consistent. Picking the location closest to home, work, or a sibling’s school is a reasonable place to start.
Find the Right Tampa-Area Location for Your Family
Citrus Park, Westchase, and Asturia, all one STEAM curriculum.