Summary:
In zip code 33510, there is one high school, Brandon High School, serving grades 9 through 12 in the Hillsborough County school district, with a large enrollment of 1,835 students and a majority of students (53.46%) coming from low-income households.
Brandon High School presents a striking paradox: it boasts a very high graduation rate of 95.6% for the 2024-2025 school year, significantly exceeding 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 2023-2024—nearly double the state average of 31.4%. Academically, the school consistently underperforms across all core subjects, with proficiency gaps of 10 to 26 percentage points below state averages. For example, only 37% of 10th graders are proficient in English Language Arts compared to 61% statewide, and just 34% are proficient in Geometry versus 56% statewide. The school ranks in the bottom quartile of Florida high schools, with a 23rd percentile rank.
The key takeaway for parents is that Brandon High School appears effective at moving students toward graduation, likely through credit recovery or alternative pathways, but it struggles to build a strong academic foundation. The high student-teacher ratio of 24:1 and spending of $9,139 per student have not translated into competitive test scores. The most urgent issue is the absenteeism rate, which is a major barrier to learning and likely drives the low academic performance. While the school successfully graduates most students, families should investigate the rigor of the curriculum and the support systems in place to address attendance and academic challenges.
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