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best high schools in tampa

The Best High Schools in Tampa, FL

Tampa boasts some of Florida’s top public high schools, with several consistently rated schools ranking among the best in the state and nation. We’ve got everything, from stellar academics to impressive extracurriculars. The Hillsborough County Public Schools district, serving over 220,000 students across more than 250 schools, is one of the largest school districts in the nation and ranks as the top district. 

With so many choices, picking one can feel overwhelming. It’s tough! As a parent, I know how overwhelming it can be to find the perfect school for your kid. You want a place that will challenge, inspire, and teach them how to be good humans and “world citizens,” enabling them to fly through college admissions. 

So, I did the homework for you! Let’s spill the tea on the best high schools in Tampa.

What Makes Tampa High Schools So Great?

The top high schools in Tampa give their students the tools and understanding necessary to excel both in college and later in life. Tampa’s high schools are known for their impressive average student performance on state assessments. These institutions emphasize a challenging academic program that pushes students to excel.

The best high schools in Tampa are setting up the next generation for success with their focus not only on academic excellence but also positively shaping our community and inspiring students to become leaders. Tampa’s public and private schools provide various extracurricular options like athletics and arts programs. This lets students follow their passions beyond academics while also building leadership abilities and teamwork skills for a comprehensive learning experience.

Finding the best high school in Tampa is essential whether you’re a concerned parent or an eager student. Look at schools’ graduation rates, state test scores, how well they prepare students for college, and what kind of clubs or sports they offer. This way, you’ll pick one that helps your budding young adult achieve their dreams and prepares them well for what’s next in life.

Top High Schools in Tampa, Florida

In the last couple of years, 19 Hillsborough County high schools have been ranked among the top 100 in Florida by U.S. News & World Report. Plant High School, Steinbrenner High School, and Sickles High School all ranked in the top 50, showcasing the strength of the district’s high school offerings. However, Tampa, Florida, has many choices when it comes to incredible high schools!

Highest Ranked: Plant High School

Situated in South Tampa, Plant High School stands out as one of Florida’s best high schools year after year within Hillsborough County. Plant excels by prioritizing student preparation for higher learning through diverse Advanced Placement (AP) offerings and demanding coursework designed to meet collegiate standards. 

This dedication shows; they celebrate an exceptional graduation rate of 96% (as ranked by U.S. News in 2024). Plus, their impressive commitment shines through with a noteworthy college readiness index hitting around the high mark—70.8.

At Plant High School, education goes beyond textbooks with a competitive athletics program, including football, basketball, and track and field. With such a varied mix of students and plenty of clubs to join or events to attend after classes end for the day — there really is something here for everyone.

Classical Preparatory School

Classical Preparatory School in Pasco County is an A-rated, K-12 top charter school providing a tuition-free, liberal arts, classical education that ranks #2 for Florida high schools. It has an impressive 100% graduation rate and 81.2 college readiness index (U.S. News & World Report, 2024). According to their home page, it ranks in the top 1% for the national average for college readiness. They also have an athletics program.

Newsome High School

Newsome High School, located in the city of Lithia, is third-ranked for high schools in the Tampa area (U.S. News & World Report, 2024). Newsome has a near-perfect graduation rate of 99% and a college readiness index of 62.0 (2024). The school is known for its strong athletics program and offers a variety of AP courses.

Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School

Fifth-ranked for the Tampa area, Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School is a charter school that focuses on preparing students for college, founded with support from pro-football Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks and former San Francisco 49ers owner Edward J. DeBartolo, Jr. The school offers an extensive academic program with a 97% graduation rate, a 57.3 college readiness index, and a strong minority enrollment of 65% (U.S. News & World Report, 2024).

Steinbrenner High School

If you’re looking at standout high schools in Hillsborough County, don’t miss Steinbrenner High School. Located in Lutz and honoring Yankees legend George Steinbrenner, this school ranks sixth among Florida high schools and has impressed parents and locals since it opened in 2009.

Like Plant, Steinbrenner boasts impressive academic achievements. In 2024, it was ranked with a graduation rate of 97% and a college readiness index of 58.5 (U.S. News & World Report, 2024). The school offers a wide range of AP courses and has a strong focus on STEM education.

More than an academic powerhouse, Steinbrenner students can explore interests outside class through numerous clubs and teams—from an impressive marching band that wins awards to a cheerleading squad known for taking home state titles.

Alonso High School

With strong diversity and named for the first Hispanic to be president of the National Education Association (Braulio Alonso), Westchase’s Alonso High School boasts a four-year International Baccalaureate program. It offers a wide range of sports, including football and flag football, lacrosse, soccer, baseball, wrestling, swimming and diving, golf, and cheerleading, plus the full gamut of academic and arts clubs. 

Sickles High School

Just shy of the top ten Tampa high schools is Sickles High School in Hillsborough County, nestled in Citrus Park. At Sickles, the emphasis on rigorous academics shines through its variety of AP and honors courses. The school’s dedication to getting students ready for college pays off, too—Sickles has an impressive graduation rate of 97% and a college readiness score of 51.0 (U.S. News & World Report, 2024).

Academics aren’t the only highlight at Sickles; their athletics program is also impressive, with competitive football, soccer, and track teams. Students can join various clubs or extracurriculars that allow them to pursue passions beyond the classroom, too.

Honorable Mention: Academy of the Holy Names

Academy of the Holy Names is a private co-ed Catholic elementary school and a college prep high school for young women. The Academy sits on 19 acres across scenic Bayshore Boulevard near downtown Tampa. It has strong academics, as well as athletics, such as basketball, rowing, and dance, as well as clubs like debate, theater, language, and pre-law.

Honorable Mention: Jesuit High School

Jesuit is a top-rated, all-boys Catholic college prep school, with 94% of students continuing on to four-year colleges. It ranks #2 for all-boy high schools across Florida (no wonder – its student/teacher ratio is 16:1). Their athletics programs are among the best in Florida; their football team, the Tigers, hit the top of the scoreboard with the Florida High School Athletic Association. Likewise, the academic programs at Jesuit include AP and bridge programs. And don’t forget their social activities and clubs – from theatre masque to Latin to astronomy, your budding scholar can take his pick!

Ready to Make the Move to Tampa?

Are you relocating to Tampa? Finding a high school where your young adult will thrive can take time and exploration. At the end of the day, the “best” school is the one that feels like home. So take a deep breath, trust your gut, and know that wherever your kid ends up, they’re gonna crush it. Because with good schools like these in Tampa, how could they not?

If you need help figuring out what school to send your child to here, please let me, Kimmie Cimino Fine, be your guide! I was born and raised here, and I love giving my clients the scoop on all things Tampa. I am happy to show you around Tampa’s best (and hidden) neighborhood real estate gems so you have an edge on phenomenal properties up for grabs before anyone else does. Drop me a line today, and we’ll get you going with listings and showings!

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