The top-rated high schools in Tampa for 2026 are Brooks Debartolo Collegiate High School (8.2/10), Plant High School (7.5/10), and Sickles High School (7.3/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of 32 high schools with real test data included in this ranking. Schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Tampa's ranked high school landscape spans 28 schools, with composite scores ranging from well below average to a top mark of 7.4/10 earned by Tampa Residential Facility. That spread tells a real story: only 4 schools — 14% of the ranked pool — clear the 7-out-of-10 threshold, while the metro average sits at 5.5/10. Knowing where a school lands relative to those benchmarks is a useful starting point before weighing other factors. The table below lets you sort by overall score, student-teacher ratio, and other key metrics to find the right fit. Columbus Residential Juvenile Facility, Robinson High School, Carver Exceptional Center, and Plant High School round out the top five, each posting scores at or above 6.9/10. Use the columns to zero in on what matters most — whether that's academic performance, school size, or something else entirely.
Ranked by composite score; the tick is the score on the 1–10 axis.
Scores are based on 2024-25 data from the NCES Common Core of Data and Florida education department. Rankings are relative to all public high schools in Florida. Learn about our methodology.
Hillsborough
593 students · 17.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 16% in Florida · charter
Hillsborough
2,458 students · 22.8:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 27% in Florida
Hillsborough
2,389 students · 24.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 30% in Florida
Hillsborough
1,302 students · 20.3:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 41% in Florida
Hillsborough
2,121 students · 23.1:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 43% in Florida
Hillsborough
2,025 students · 21.5:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 47% in Florida
Hillsborough
1,565 students · 22.4:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 9th–12th
Top 47% in Florida
Hillsborough
48 students · 4.0:1 student-teacher ratio · grades 6th–12th
Top 49% in Florida
According to MySchoolScout's 2026 rankings, Brooks Debartolo Collegiate High School is the top-rated high school in Tampa with a composite score of 8.2/10. The score blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic performance, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools — with equity shown as context, not scored.
Tampa has 37 high schools, including 6 charter schools. Of these, 32 have enough data for a full composite rating on MySchoolScout.
Among 32 Tampa high schools with a composite score, the average is 5.6/10. Scores range from 1.0 (bottom of the state) to 10.0 (top 1% in Florida).
Schools with enough data receive a 1-10 composite score that blends Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, with growth counting most in elementary and middle grades. Equity data is shown for context but not scored. All scores are computed within Florida, so schools are compared to peers in the same state. Data comes from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments.
A score of 7 or above means a school is in roughly the top 30% of its state. A 5 is average. Anything above 8 is exceptional. Our ratings are relative to other schools in Florida, not a national comparison, because each state has different testing standards.
Tampa has 6 charter high schools in its directory. Charter schools that meet this ranking's data requirements are included alongside traditional public schools using the same composite scoring methodology.
Consider your child's learning style. Some children thrive in smaller settings (look for student-teacher ratios under 14:1), while others do well in larger, more social environments. The schools on this list range widely in size and approach.
Look beyond the composite score. A school ranked #15 might be the best fit if it excels in growth (improving student outcomes year over year) even if its raw academic score is lower. Click into individual school profiles to see the breakdown.
Visit your top choices. Walk the hallways during a school day. Watch how teachers interact with students. Ask about before- and after-school care, transportation, and parent involvement. These details matter more than any dataset.
Guide
A comprehensive guide to school choice in Florida. Compare public, private, and charter schools using data on test scores, accountability, cost, and outcomes for the 2026-27 school year.