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Wharton High School

Q: Is Wharton High School a good school?

Wharton High School ranks 446 th of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades 9-12

446^th

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 838 Florida High Schools

Better than 47% of Florida high schools

Summary

Wharton High School in Tampa, FL, is a large traditional public high school serving 2,130 students in grades 9-12 in the New Tampa area of Hillsborough County, where 40.5% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Wharton faces significant challenges, particularly with chronic absenteeism—43.8% of students were chronically absent in 2023-2024, nearly 1.5 times the district average and far higher than nearby Wiregrass Ranch High School (26.8%) in Pasco County. This absenteeism likely drives the school's academic struggles, especially in foundational subjects. Algebra 1 proficiency is just 31%, roughly half the state average, while 9th and 10th-grade English Language Arts scores consistently trail district and state averages by 5-8 percentage points. The graduation rate has declined from 90.9% to 86.9%, now below both district (90.9%) and state (92.2%) averages. In contrast, nearby Pasco schools like Cypress Creek High School (98.9% graduation rate) and Wiregrass Ranch (97.1%) demonstrate stronger performance across nearly every metric, suggesting district-level policies and school culture play a major role.

There are some bright spots: Wharton students perform at or above state averages in Biology 1 (75% proficient) and US History (75% proficient), indicating instructional capacity isn't uniformly weak. However, these strengths don't offset core weaknesses in math and reading. Notably, Wharton's per-student spending of $9,230 exceeds that of top-performing Pasco schools like Wiregrass Ranch ($8,258) and Cypress Creek ($7,852), showing funding isn't the primary issue. To improve, Wharton must aggressively address chronic absenteeism and implement targeted interventions in math and literacy, using the success of nearby Pasco schools as a benchmark for what's achievable in the same geographic area.

2,130

Students ?

23.7

Student/teacher ratio ?

$9,230

Per pupil spending ?

40.5%

Free/discounted lunch ?

20150 Bruce B Downs Blvd
Tampa, FL 33647

(813) 631-4710

District: Hillsborough

Racial breakdown:

African American:

31.6%

Hispanic:

30.7%

White:

25.5%

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Compare Wharton High School to nearby high schools!

At a glance

▬ Ranking trend: Holding steady — 51st percentile in 2016 → 47th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Florida average (57% vs 64% meeting standards)

!Graduation rate below the Florida average (87% vs 92%)

!High chronic absenteeism (44% vs 31% Florida)

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school57%

District avg63%

Florida avg64%

446^th of 838

Florida public high schools ?

Bottom 47%▼ down 4 pts since 2016

From top 49% (2016) to bottom 47% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Florida High Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

22^nd of 41High Schools in the Hillsborough

45^th of 70Hillsborough among Florida districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Florida percentile	Rating
2026	41.9	446 of 838	46.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	37.0	499 of 844	40.9%	★★☆☆☆
2024	34.5	482 of 807	40.3%	★★☆☆☆
2023	36.1	432 of 792	45.5%	★★☆☆☆
2022	38.2	410 of 774	47.0%	★★☆☆☆
2021	38.2	383 of 746	48.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	45.1	329 of 734	55.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	44.0	337 of 716	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2017	45.1	326 of 714	54.3%	★★★☆☆
2016	43.5	343 of 693	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2014	47.3	347 of 687	49.5%	★★☆☆☆
2013	46.4	320 of 648	50.6%	★★★☆☆
2012	41.3	318 of 606	47.5%	★★☆☆☆
2011	66.6	203 of 622	67.4%	★★★☆☆
2010	65.0	218 of 620	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2009	63.3	222 of 587	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2008	63.2	214 of 577	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2007	58.9	234 of 563	58.4%	★★★☆☆
2006	64.2	165 of 477	65.4%	★★★☆☆
2005	61.6	198 of 487	59.3%	★★★☆☆
2004	57.3	218 of 484	55.0%	★★★☆☆

By subject vs Florida (2025-2026) ?

Biology 175%~ state avg

US History75%~ state avg

Geometry54%~ state avg

English Language Arts52%-8 vs state

Algebra 131%-32 vs state

2.3

3 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★2

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, May 24, 2019

My son is about to graduate with Honors and go on to attend UCF. He had a very good 4 years at Wharton in the AP program. Also, the Track Team coaches are excellent! Close Quote

by a student
Tuesday, January 6, 2015

I grew up in the New Tampa area, a very beautiful and upscale community but the schools are everything but. I had a choice between Freedom and Wharton and wish I could have been bussed to a different district. Parents, please don't think that because a neighborhood is nice that a school is going to be. I faked sick multiple times a week because I was too afraid to go to school because of the high amount of gangs, drugs and violence. Close Quote

Schools Near Wharton High School

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				FAST English Language Arts (2026)		EOC Algebra 1 (2026)	EOC Geometry (2026)	EOC Biology 1 (2026)	EOC US History (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2025)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Wharton High School	Public	9-12	20150 Bruce B Downs Blvd	Tampa	33647	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 631-4710	2,130	90	23.7	40.5%	543 (25.5%)	673 (31.6%)	654 (30.7%)	127 (6.0%)	4 (0.2%)	3 (0.1%)	126 (5.9%)	41.9	446^th of 838 public high schools	46.8%		37	499^th of 844 public high schools	40.9%	53	52.0	53.0	31.0	54.0	75.0	75.0	$9,230	$889	$8,342
Freedom High School	Public	9-12	17410 Commerce Park Blvd	Tampa	33647	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 558-1185	1,869	84	22.3	47.7%	383 (20.5%)	478 (25.6%)	839 (44.9%)	75 (4.0%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	93 (5.0%)	30.9	573^rd of 838 public high schools	31.6%		26.9	618^th of 844 public high schools	26.8%	45	45.0	51.0	24.0	39.0	62.0	65.0	$9,720	$1,083	$8,637
Wiregrass Ranch High School	Public	9-12	2909 Mansfield Blvd	Wesley Chapel	33543	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	No	(813) 346-6000	2,218	89	24.8	16.0%	926 (41.7%)	241 (10.9%)	633 (28.5%)	268 (12.1%)	5 (0.2%)	12 (0.5%)	133 (6.0%)	60.3	220^th of 838 public high schools	73.7%		61.2	208^th of 844 public high schools	75.4%	12	70.0	71.0	62.0	65.0	75.0	76.0	$8,258	$550	$7,709
Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel High School	Public, Charter	9-12	33347 State Road 54	Wesley Chapel	33543	Pasco County	Pasco	Yes	(n/a)	No	(n/a)	(813) 355-0002	82	2	41.0	36.6%	17 (20.7%)	7 (8.5%)	51 (62.2%)	2 (2.4%)	2 (2.4%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (3.7%)	68.3	155^th of 838 public high schools	81.5%		58.2	232^nd of 844 public high schools	72.5%	77	87.0	90.0	52.0	54.0	83.0	86.0	$10,536	$00	$10,536
Wesley Chapel High School	Public	9-12	30651 Wells Rd	Wesley Chapel	33545	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	No	(813) 794-8700	1,928	94	20.5	25.6%	699 (36.3%)	346 (17.9%)	649 (33.7%)	94 (4.9%)	3 (0.2%)	8 (0.4%)	129 (6.7%)	53.1	300^th of 838 public high schools	64.2%		46.1	383^rd of 844 public high schools	54.6%	83	64.0	65.0	44.0	54.0	77.0	76.0	$8,576	$552	$8,024
Dr Kiran C Patel High School	Public, Charter	9-12	10721 Raulerson Ranch Rd	Tampa	33637	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	Yes	No	No	No	(813) 694-7667	639	24	26.6	7.2%	197 (30.8%)	118 (18.5%)	175 (27.4%)	103 (16.1%)	2 (0.3%)	2 (0.3%)	42 (6.6%)	80.5	64^th of 838 public high schools	92.4%		80.2	75^th of 844 public high schools	91.1%	11	85.0	90.0	70.0	80.0	92.0	93.0	$8,159	$25	$8,134
Building Construction Academy At Bowers Whitley	Public	9-12	13609 N 22nd St	Tampa	33613	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 558-1750	76	7	10.3	61.8%	12 (15.8%)	21 (27.6%)	34 (44.7%)	1 (1.3%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (10.5%)								(n/a)							$36,472	$6,632	$29,840
Focus Academy	Public, Charter	6-12	304 Druid Hills Rd	Temple Terrace	33617	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	Yes	No	No	No	(813) 443-5558	110	10	11.0	52.7%	32 (29.1%)	30 (27.3%)	40 (36.4%)	4 (3.6%)	1 (0.9%)	0 (0.0%)	3 (2.7%)								(n/a)							$26,318	$716	$25,602
Cypress Creek High School	Public	9-12	8701 Old Pasco Rd	Wesley Chapel	33544	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	No	(813) 346-4400	2,006	90	22.3	20.8%	941 (46.9%)	215 (10.7%)	656 (32.7%)	74 (3.7%)	4 (0.2%)	4 (0.2%)	112 (5.6%)	51.9	312^th of 838 public high schools	62.8%		52.1	306^th of 844 public high schools	63.7%	6	68.0	67.0	52.0	51.0	75.0	67.0	$7,852	$425	$7,426
West University Charter High	Public, Charter	9-12	11602 N 15th St	Tampa	33612	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	Yes	No	No	Yes	(813) 971-5011	419	7	59.8	30.3%	45 (10.7%)	165 (39.4%)	187 (44.6%)	5 (1.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	15 (3.6%)	1.5	812^th of 838 public high schools	3.1%		2.5	793^rd of 844 public high schools	6.0%	19	7.0	15.0	10.0	0.0	9.0	9.0	$8,790	$613	$8,178

Frequently Asked Questions about Wharton High School

Is Wharton High School a good school?

Wharton High School ranks 446^th of 838 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

How many students attend Wharton High School?

In the 2024-25 school year, 2,130 students attended Wharton High School.

What schools feed into Wharton High School?

Wharton High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Dr Carter G Woodson K-8 School
Elementary : Heritage Elementary School
Elementary : Hunter's Green Elementary School
Elementary : Pizzo K-8 School
Elementary : Pride Elementary School
Elementary : Shaw Elementary School
Elementary : Turner-Bartels K-8 School
Elementary : Witter Elementary School
Middle : Benito Middle School

What is the racial makeup of Wharton High School?

Students at Wharton High School are 32% African American, 31% Hispanic, 25% White, 6% Asian, 6% Two or more races.

What district is Wharton High School in?

Hillsborough

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.