Summary:
This analysis examines five high schools in Tampa, Florida's zip code 33610, serving grades 9-12 within the Hillsborough County School District, a mix of three comprehensive schools and two specialized centers.
Tampa Bay Technical High School is the standout performer, consistently earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the top 30% of Florida high schools. It boasts a 99.1% graduation rate and the lowest chronic absenteeism (29.2%) in the area, all while spending the least per student ($8,918) among the comprehensive schools. In contrast, King High School spends significantly more ($12,101 per student) but has the lowest test scores and state ranking of the three comprehensive schools. Middleton High School shows a positive trend, jumping from a 2-star to a 3-star rating and moving from the 46th to the 59th percentile in state rankings, though its graduation rate (86.8%) and chronic absenteeism (50.3%) remain challenges. The specialized schools, Carver Exceptional Center and Pace Center For Girls, serve only 46 students each with unique needs, reflected in Carver's extreme $72,074 per-student spending and 3.2:1 student-teacher ratio.
Chronic absenteeism is a systemic crisis, with Middleton and King both exceeding 50%—far above the district average of 31.3%—while Tampa Bay Tech is the only school below that average. All schools serve high-need populations, with free/reduced lunch eligibility ranging from 48% at Middleton to 93% at Pace Center. The data reveals Tampa Bay Tech as a model of efficiency and success, Middleton as an upward-trending school, and King as a paradox of high spending without proportional academic outcomes, making these key considerations for parents evaluating options in this area.
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