August 12, 2025

Hillsborough County Reports Significant Academic Improvements

News Summary

Hillsborough County officials have announced notable improvements in student achievement for the upcoming school year. Superintendent Van Ayres credited the dedication of students, teachers, and administrators. The new comprehensive assessment system highlights advancements in high school, middle school, and elementary school performance, showcasing effective core instruction and progress monitoring. Several schools have upgraded their grades, contributing to an overall positive trend in academic performance across the district’s schools.

Tampa, Florida – Hillsborough County officials announced significant improvements in student achievement for the 2024-25 school year following the recent release of state school grades. This marks a notable upward trend in the overall academic performance within the district’s schools.

Superintendent Van Ayres highlighted the hard work and dedication exhibited by students, teachers, support professionals, and school administrators as major contributors to these achievements. A targeted approach focused on high-quality core instruction and consistent progress monitoring has been crucial in driving these enhancements across the county.

The changes in Florida’s school assessment system from the previous year introduced a more comprehensive evaluation structure. The updated system now consists of five achievement components and four learning gains components, also incorporating metrics for middle school acceleration, graduation rates, and measures for college and career readiness. Such modernization aims to provide a more thorough understanding of student performance and school effectiveness.

High School Performance Highlights

Among the high schools in southeastern Hillsborough County, several notable advancements were recorded. Five high schools earned letter grade upgrades: Riverview and Strawberry Crest improved from B to A, Armwood elevated from C to B, and Lennard advanced from C to B. Meanwhile, schools such as Bloomingdale and Newsome maintained their A grades, while Durant, East Bay, Spoto, and Plant City High sustained steady B grades. Brandon and Sumner also remained consistent with C grades.

Hillsborough County is home to 28 district-operated high schools, with the notable addition of Morgan High in Wimauma this academic year.

Middle School Improvements

In middle schools, Mulrennan School made a significant jump from B to A. Burnett and Turkey Creek schools improved from D to C, demonstrating notable progress in student achievement. However, Progress Village saw a drop from B to C. Schools that maintained their A grades include Barrington and Randall, with Burns retaining a B grade. Dowdell, Eisenhower, Giunta, Mann, Marshall, Rodgers, Shields, and Tomlin reported C grades.

Elementary School Achievements

In the elementary sector, 36 schools achieved an A grade, with highlighted schools including Alafia, Bevis, Boyette Springs, Brooker, FishHawk Creek, Lithia Springs, Stowers, and Valrico. Walden Lakes improved from B to A, while Sessums, Summerfield, and Symmes elementary schools transitioned from C to B. A small number of schools experienced setbacks, with four dropping from A to B, notably including Brooker.

A total of 61 elementary schools within the county received C grades, with significant drop-offs reported from schools such as Belmont, Limona, Lincoln, Mintz, Nelson, and Seffner, which fell from B to C. Additionally, five schools countywide received a D grade, with Wimauma experiencing a notable decline from B to D.

Charter School Performance

In the realm of charter schools, 48 institutions reported a total of 18 A grades, 16 B grades, and 12 C grades. Kids Community College Riverview Southeast received a D, while Walton Academy recorded an F. Significantly, the Patricia J. Sullivan Metropolitan Ministries Partnership School, serving children from a homeless shelter, achieved its first A grade since its establishment in 1998.

Local A-grade charter schools include Riverview Academy High School, Riverview Academy of Math and Science, Winthrop Charter School, and Valrico Lake Advantage Academy. B-grade facilities comprise RCMA Wimauma Community Academy and Kids Community College Riverview South, whereas C-grade charter institutions include Advantage Academy of Hillsborough and BridgePrep Academy of Riverview.

Conclusion

The overall trends indicate an encouraging improvement in the academic performance and grading of schools within Hillsborough County for the 2024-25 school year. These gains reflect a collective effort from all educational stakeholders and signal a positive direction for future academic outcomes in the district.

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Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE TAMPA WRITER

The TAMPA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETampa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tampa, Hillsborough County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Florida State Fair, and Tampa Riverfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and United Way Suncoast, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and technology that power the local economy such as BayCare Health System, Grow Financial Federal Credit Union, and KnowBe4. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERESTPetersburg.com, and HERETallahassee.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

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