For Immediate Release

Contact: Tanya Arja
Office of Communications
813-272-4060

Tampa, Fla. – (July 11, 2019) – The number of “A” and “B” graded schools operated by Hillsborough County Public Schools has climbed to 99 in the newest School Accountability Report data from the Florida Department of Education.

Three Hillsborough Schools increased by two letter grades in the 2019 report, which was released today. Anderson Elementary School in South Tampa rose from a “C” to an “A,” Muller Elementary Magnet School in North Tampa climbed from a “C” to an “A,” and Summerfield Crossings Elementary School in South Hillsborough County moved from a “D” to a “B.”

Schools graded “A” and “B” now make up 46% off all district-operated schools in Hillsborough, a 3 percentage point increase from 2018. Included among our district’s “A” schools are Plant High School in South Tampa, Steinbrenner High School in Lutz, Newsome High School in Lithia and Sickles High School in Citrus Park—which were ranked as the top 4 high schools in the Tampa Bay area last month by U.S. News & World Report.

This year’s results are the first to come after our district launched our Achievement Schools initiative, providing more support and resources to our 50 highest needs schools. The state’s grades show positive progress. As we work toward a goal of zero “D” or “F” schools, the number of Achievement Schools with a “D” or “F” grade has decreased, from 26 last year to 22 this year.

“We are honing in on the schools that are most in need,” Superintendent Jeff Eakins said. “I am proud of the work that has been done over the past year. I see strong progress and know that it’s all due to our school leaders, our teachers and our students. We will remain focused on those schools that have the greatest challenges.”

Out of the 50 Achievement Schools, 18 improved a letter grade and another 12 schools maintained a “C” grade or higher.

The above information reflects schools operated by Hillsborough County Public Schools; for details on traditional and charter schools, visit http://www.fldoe.org/accountability/accountability-reporting/school-grades.

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