HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOLS SHINE IN 2026–2027 U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT RANKINGS

 

MEDIA CONTACT:                      

Tanya Arja or Debra Bellanti

Hillsborough County Public Schools

Office of Communications

813-272-4060

 

 

 

Tampa, Fl. (August 18, 2026) - Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) is proud to announce that all eligible high schools earned recognition in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools ranking, with nine schools ranked among Florida's top 200 public high schools. This achievement further reflects the district's commitment to academic excellence and preparing students for success in college, careers, and beyond.

 

The rankings come on the heels of HCPS earning its first districtwide "A" grade in more than a decade and reflect the continued academic progress being made across schools throughout Hillsborough County.

 

The U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools Rankings evaluate nearly 18,000 public high schools nationwide on factors including college readiness, state assessment performance, curriculum breadth, underserved student performance, and graduation rates.

 

"These rankings reflect what happens every day in our classrooms across Hillsborough County,” said Superintendent Van Ayres. “Our teachers challenge students with rigorous academics, meaningful learning experiences, and opportunities to think critically, solve problems, and prepare for life beyond graduation. When students are engaged, supported, and inspired to achieve their best, results like these follow."

 

One high school ranked among the top 50 schools in Florida, while nine ranked among the state's top 200.

 

 

The district's strong performance in the rankings highlights the impact of strategic investments in academic achievement, innovative programs, high-quality educators, and student support services.

 

For more information about the rankings, visit Search Best High Schools - US News.

 

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