Best Middle Schools in Tampa, FL

The city of Tampa, Florida is home to 26 middle schools that are part of the Hillsborough County School District. These schools serve students in grades 6-8 and demonstrate a wide range of academic performance, with some standout high-achieving institutions as well as lower-performing schools.

Among the top-performing middle schools in Tampa are Coleman Middle School, Terrace Community Middle School, and Wilson Middle School. These schools boast exceptional test scores, with 70-100% proficiency in most subjects, and low rates of economic disadvantage, with free/reduced lunch rates under 18%. In contrast, many other Tampa middle schools struggle with proficiency rates below 50% and higher rates of economic disadvantage.

Across the district, chronic absenteeism is a significant challenge, with an average rate of 31.4% - much higher than desired. Additionally, the data suggests that while increased per-student spending does not guarantee better performance, smaller class sizes may contribute to the success of the highest-achieving schools. Overall, the Tampa middle school landscape reveals stark disparities in academic achievement, highlighting the need to address equity and resource allocation to ensure all students have access to a quality education.