Best Public Schools in Zip Code 33618

Zip code 33618 in Tampa, Florida, is home to three diverse schools within the Hillsborough district, which is ranked in the 36th percentile statewide, serving students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Carrollwood K-8 School stands out as the academic powerhouse, earning a 4-star rating and consistently outperforming district and state averages across nearly all subjects, with standout proficiency in Algebra 1 (88%) and strong ELA scores. In contrast, Gaither High School is a solid mid-to-high performer with a strong 93.9% graduation rate and excellence in US History (82%) and Biology (75%), though it struggles with Algebra 1 (45%) and high chronic absenteeism (43.6%). Dorothy Thomas Center is a small alternative school serving a high-needs population, with a 68.57% free/reduced lunch rate and an extremely high chronic absenteeism rate of 70.7%, but it spends $80,090 per student—nearly nine times that of Gaither—reflecting intensive resources for its specialized programs.

Key metrics reveal a tale of two schools with similar demographics but vastly different outcomes. Carrollwood K-8 and Gaither High both have about 36% of students receiving free/reduced lunch, yet Carrollwood’s chronic absenteeism rate is a low 20.7%, while Gaither’s is a high 43.6%, suggesting the high school environment may pose engagement challenges. Carrollwood’s strong 8th-grade math proficiency (65%) and Algebra 1 success (88%) do not translate to Gaither’s Algebra 1 proficiency (45%), indicating a possible curriculum misalignment or that top students may attend other high schools. Dorothy Thomas Center’s $80,090 per-student spending and 3.5:1 student-teacher ratio highlight the high cost of specialized education for its 35 students.

Interesting findings show that while the Hillsborough district is low-performing overall, zip code 33618 is a pocket of relative strength. Carrollwood K-8 is a top-tier school, and Gaither High is a consistent performer, both exceeding district averages. The feeder school effect is notable, as Carrollwood’s high achievers may not continue to Gaither, potentially due to magnet or private school options. Dorothy Thomas Center’s data underscores the intensive resources needed for alternative education, making it a high-cost, high-needs specialist within this diverse area.