Summary:
Zip code 33547, encompassing the Lithia area, is home to a single high school, Newsome High School, which serves grades 9 through 12 and is part of the Hillsborough County school district.
Newsome High School is a standout performer, consistently ranking in the top 12% of all Florida high schools and earning a 5-star rating in the 2023-2024 school year. Its graduation rate is an exceptional 98.6%, significantly higher than the district average of 90.9% and the state average of 92.2%. The school also boasts a low chronic absenteeism rate of 17.7%, roughly half the district and state rates. With only 13.91% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, the school serves a more affluent population, which is a strong indicator of its high performance. Despite a high student-teacher ratio of 26.8:1, the school achieves top-tier academic results, suggesting that factors like a motivated student body and effective leadership compensate for larger class sizes. The school spends $7,693 per student, indicating efficient use of resources to achieve exceptional outcomes.
The most notable finding is the "Algebra 1 Anomaly." While Newsome High School excels in nearly every subject—with proficiency rates in US History (94%), Biology (89%), and 9th Grade ELA (84%) far exceeding state averages—its Algebra 1 proficiency rate is just 49%, which is 14 percentage points below both the district and state averages of 63%. This significant outlier suggests a potential issue with how Algebra 1 is taught or which students take the exam. Overall, the school demonstrates consistent upward trends in core subjects, making it a top choice for families in the area.
Thank you for your feedback!