Summary:
Brandon, Florida is home to a single high school, Brandon High School, which serves grades 9 through 12 as part of the Hillsborough County school district, a district ranked 45th out of 70 in Florida.
Brandon High School presents a complex picture for parents. On one hand, the school boasts an impressive graduation rate of 95.6% for the 2024-2025 school year, significantly higher than both the district (90.9%) and state (92.2%) averages. However, this success is sharply contrasted by a severe chronic absenteeism crisis, with 57.2% of students chronically absent in the 2023-2024 school year—nearly double the district and state averages. Academic proficiency is a major concern, as the school consistently scores 15-25 percentage points below state averages across all subjects, including Algebra 1 (44% vs. 63% state), Biology 1 (48% vs. 74% state), and 10th-grade English Language Arts (37% vs. 61% state). The school has received a 1-star rating for three consecutive years, placing it in the 23rd to 25th percentile statewide.
The key takeaway is a stark disconnect: Brandon High School excels at graduating students but struggles to ensure they are present and learning at grade level. With over 53% of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch and a high student-teacher ratio of 24:1, the school faces significant challenges. While there are slight improvements in some subjects, the overarching issue of chronic absenteeism appears to be the primary driver of low test scores. Any parent considering this school should be aware that while the path to a diploma is strong, the school's academic performance and attendance issues require serious attention and likely targeted intervention to improve student outcomes.
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