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Best Public Schools in Tampa, FL


At a glance
161
Schools
102,662
Students
2
Districts
14
5-star schools
Top rankedGrady Elementary School24th of 2,240 Florida elementary schools
Biggest riser
Muller Elementary Magnet School up 462 spots statewide this year
Smallest classes
Hospital/Homebound/Homebased Programs 6.7 students per teacher
SchoolDigger ratings
5★
4★
3★
2★
1★
0★
23 schools without a SchoolDigger rating (too few tested students)
Summary:

This analysis examines 157 schools in Tampa, Florida, which serve students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and are primarily part of the Hillsborough school district, a below-average performing district ranked 45th out of 70 in the state.

The data reveals a stark divide in school performance, heavily influenced by socioeconomic factors. Top-performing schools like Dr Kiran C Patel High School (92nd percentile, 100% graduation) and Plant High School (91st percentile, 98.6% graduation) have very low rates of students on free/reduced lunch (under 15%). In contrast, struggling schools like West University Charter High (3rd percentile, 39.6% graduation) and Potter Elementary School (1st percentile) have high poverty rates (over 70%) and chronic absenteeism exceeding 55%. This pattern is consistent across all levels, with elementary standouts like Bryant Elementary School (99th percentile) and Grady Elementary School (99th percentile) serving affluent populations, while Twin Lakes Elementary School (1st percentile) serves a high-poverty community.

Chronic absenteeism is a critical warning sign, with the district average at 31.3%. Schools with rates above 40%, such as Seminole Heights Charter High School (90.4% absenteeism, 7th percentile), almost universally rank in the bottom 25% of the state. Charter school performance is highly variable; Terrace Community Middle School (97th percentile) excels, while others like West University Charter High struggle. Notably, higher per-student spending does not guarantee success, as King High School spends $12,101 per student but ranks in the bottom 32%, while Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School spends just $8,159 per student and is a top performer.

Showing the top 100 of 161 schools. Load all 161 schools.
Ranking:
Map legend
E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private





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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.





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