Wharton High School

Q: Is Wharton High School a good school?

Wharton High School ranks 482 nd of 807 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Summary:

Wharton High School is a public high school in Tampa, Florida, serving 2,289 students in grades 9-12. The school is part of the Hillsborough School District, which is ranked 45 out of 68 districts in the state and has a 2-star rating from SchoolDigger.

Wharton High School stands out for its diverse student population, with 26.61% White, 31.19% African American, and 31.5% Hispanic students. However, the school has faced challenges, including a decline in four-year graduation rates from 92.7% in 2019-2020 to 84.5% in 2022-2023, which is lower than the state and district averages. Additionally, Wharton High School has experienced a significant increase in chronic absenteeism, rising from 17.2% in 2019-2020 to 43.4% in 2022-2023, which is notably higher than the state and district averages. The school's test scores are also consistently lower than the state and district averages across various subjects and grade levels.

When compared to nearby schools, Brooks Debartolo Collegiate High School and Dr. Kiran C. Patel High School consistently outperform Wharton High School in terms of state rankings, test scores, graduation rates, and chronic absenteeism. On the other hand, West University Charter High School and Bowers-Whitley Career Center have significantly lower performance metrics compared to Wharton High School. The school's diverse student population and high percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch, ranging from 46.09% to 57.65%, suggest that socioeconomic factors may play a significant role in the school's performance.

Detail:

Public 9-12

20150 Bruce B Downs Blvd
Tampa, FL 33647

(813) 631-4710

District: Hillsborough

SchoolDigger Rank:
482^nd of 807 Florida High Schools

Per Pupil Expenditures: $7,381

Feeder schools for Wharton High School:

Elementary:	Dr Carter G Woodson K-8 School
	Heritage Elementary School
	Hunter's Green Elementary School
	Kimbell Elementary School
	More...
	Pizzo K-8 School
	Pride Elementary School
	Shaw Elementary School
	Turner-Bartels K-8 School
	Witter Elementary School
Middle:	Benito Middle School

Student/teacher ratio: 23.4

Number of students: 2,289

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

31.5%

African American:

31.2%

White:

26.6%

Free/discounted lunch recipients: 46.1%

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Performance Trends

Compare Details Wharton High School ranks worse than 59.7% of high schools in Florida. It also ranks 25^th among 42 ranked high schools in the Hillsborough School District. (See more...)

Compare Details In 2024 the calculated Average Standard Score was 34.55. (See more...)

The four-year cohort graduation rate measures the percentage of students at Wharton High School who earn a standard high school diploma within four years of starting ninth grade.

Chronic absenteeism in a school refers to a situation where students repeatedly miss school, with the threshold often defined as missing 10% or more of school days for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Student Body

Compare Details Student population at Wharton High School is diverse. Racial makeup is: Hispanic (31.5%), African American (31.2%), White (26.6%). (See more...)

Compare Details 46.1% of students are receiving a free or discounted lunch. (See more...)

Teachers

Compare Details The student/teacher ratio at Wharton High School is 23.4. 34 high schools in the Hillsborough School District have better student/teacher ratios. (See more...)

Compare Wharton High School employs 97.5 full-time teachers.

Finance

Compare Details The average total spent per student at Wharton High School is $7,381. 31 high schools in the Hillsborough School District spend more per student.

Schooldigger Rankings:

Wharton High School was not ranked this year due to insufficient test score data.

SchoolDigger ranks Wharton High School 482^nd of 807 Florida public high schools. (See Wharton High School in the ranking list.)

Hillsborough:

SchoolDigger ranks Hillsborough 45^th of 68 Florida school districts. (See district ranking list.)

Average Parent Rating:

Read all reviews and ratings detail for Wharton High School.

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Rank History for Wharton High School

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Year	Avg Standard Score	Statewide Rank	Total # Ranked High Schools	FL State Percentile
2004	57.33	218^th	484	55.0%
2005	61.61	198^th	487	59.3%
2006	64.23	165^th	477	65.4%
2007	58.89	234^th	563	58.4%
2008	63.19	214^th	577	62.9%
2009	63.30	222^nd	587	62.2%
2010	64.96	218^th	620	64.8%
2011	66.57	203^rd	622	67.4%
2012	41.29	318^th	606	47.5%
2013	46.36	320^th	648	50.6%
2014	47.31	347^th	687	49.5%
2016	43.45	343^rd	693	50.5%
2017	45.11	326^th	714	54.3%
2018	44.05	337^th	716	52.9%
2019	45.08	329^th	734	55.2%
2021	38.15	383^rd	746	48.7%
2022	38.17	410^th	774	47.0%
2023	36.08	432^nd	792	45.5%
2024	34.55	482^nd	807	40.3%

See the entire list of Florida High School Rankings!

Data source: test scores: Florida Department of Education, rankings: SchoolDigger.com

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Review counts

All ratings (Avg rating: 2.3)

33%

67%

by a parent
Friday, May 24, 2019

My son is about to graduate with Honors and go on to attend UCF. He had a very good 4 years at Wharton in the AP program. Also, the Track Team coaches are excellent! Close Quote

by a student
Tuesday, January 6, 2015

I grew up in the New Tampa area, a very beautiful and upscale community but the schools are everything but. I had a choice between Freedom and Wharton and wish I could have been bussed to a different district. Parents, please don't think that because a neighborhood is nice that a school is going to be. I faked sick multiple times a week because I was too afraid to go to school because of the high amount of gangs, drugs and violence. Close Quote

Enrollment information for Wharton High School

Compare

Year	White	African American	Asian	Hispanic	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Not Specified	Total
1998	738	591	40	262	5	n/a	n/a	0	1636
1999	967	731	60	344	10	n/a	n/a	0	2112
2000	1052	810	55	406	10	n/a	n/a	0	2333
2001	1129	814	58	387	9	n/a	n/a	0	2397
2002	930	652	60	418	3	n/a	n/a	0	2063
2003	930	652	60	418	3	n/a	n/a	0	2063
2004	961	625	55	410	2	n/a	n/a	0	2053
2005	938	672	63	464	2	n/a	n/a	0	2139
2006	962	689	83	522	2	n/a	n/a	0	2258
2007	918	740	83	516	4	n/a	n/a	97	2358
2008	881	749	92	521	11	n/a	n/a	113	2367
2009	890	708	91	525	13	n/a	n/a	126	2353
2010	974	735	109	551	16	n/a	n/a	94	2479
2011	929	714	119	592	14	1	94	0	2463
2012	867	705	119	587	10	5	88	0	2381
2013	868	731	103	588	7	5	103	0	2405
2014	814	701	107	579	8	4	111	0	2324
2015	752	676	103	599	6	5	120	0	2261
2016	793	741	111	637	7	7	125	0	2421
2017	764	748	133	666	5	8	119	0	2443
2018	754	771	137	685	8	8	108	0	2471
2019	743	729	132	701	6	14	104	0	2429
2020	673	673	117	668	5	9	96	0	2241
2021	603	655	113	624	2	9	98	0	2104
2022	627	682	102	670	3	8	115	0	2207
2023	609	714	113	721	2	2	128	0	2289

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Enrollment/Ethnicity

For more information about how the Department of Education defines ethnicity, see Defining Race and Ethnicity Data, National Center for Education Statistics

Students eligible for free or discounted lunch at Wharton High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1998	1636	91.0	18.0	38.4
1999	2112	118.0	17.9	33
2000	2333	132.0	17.7	39.3
2001	2397	142.0	16.9	33.2
2002	2063	121.0	17.0	30.9
2003	2063	121.0	17.0	30.9
2004	2053	124.0	16.6	31.5
2005	2139	126.0	17.0	39.2
2006	2258	98.0	23.0	34.6
2007	2358	102.0	23.1	36.1
2008	2367	130.0	18.2	36.4
2009	2353	139.0	17.8	38.4
2010	2479	132.0	18.7	41.7
2011	2463	131.0	18.8	42.3
2012	2381	128.5	18.5	40.5
2013	2405	128.0	18.7	43.3
2014	2324	127.0	18.2	46.9
2015	2261	128.0	17.6	50.5
2016	2421	124.0	19.5	51.5
2017	2443	124.0	19.7	50.2
2018	2471	127.0	19.4	53.3
2019	2429	116.0	20.9	50.7
2020	2241	118.0	18.9	51.7
2021	2104	117.0	17.9	57.7
2022	2207	100.5	21.9	51.3
2023	2289	97.5	23.4	46.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Students eligible for discounted/free lunch:

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides low-cost or free meals to students in U.S. public and nonprofit private schools based on household income. Those with incomes below 130% of the poverty line receive free lunch, while those between 130% and 185% qualify for reduced-price lunch. The percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch serves as a marker for poverty, as it reflects the socioeconomic status of families in a given school or district. A higher FRPL rate typically indicates a higher concentration of low-income families, suggesting that the school or district may face additional challenges in providing adequate resources and support for student success.

Student/Teacher Ratio Wharton High School

Compare

Year	# Students	Full-time Teachers	Student/Teacher ratio	% Free/Discounted Lunch
1998	1636	91.0	18.0	38.4
1999	2112	118.0	17.9	33
2000	2333	132.0	17.7	39.3
2001	2397	142.0	16.9	33.2
2002	2063	121.0	17.0	30.9
2003	2063	121.0	17.0	30.9
2004	2053	124.0	16.6	31.5
2005	2139	126.0	17.0	39.2
2006	2258	98.0	23.0	34.6
2007	2358	102.0	23.1	36.1
2008	2367	130.0	18.2	36.4
2009	2353	139.0	17.8	38.4
2010	2479	132.0	18.7	41.7
2011	2463	131.0	18.8	42.3
2012	2381	128.5	18.5	40.5
2013	2405	128.0	18.7	43.3
2014	2324	127.0	18.2	46.9
2015	2261	128.0	17.6	50.5
2016	2421	124.0	19.5	51.5
2017	2443	124.0	19.7	50.2
2018	2471	127.0	19.4	53.3
2019	2429	116.0	20.9	50.7
2020	2241	118.0	18.9	51.7
2021	2104	117.0	17.9	57.7
2022	2207	100.5	21.9	51.3
2023	2289	97.5	23.4	46.1

Data source: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Dept of Education.

About Student-Teacher Ratio

Student/teacher ratio is calculated by dividing the total number of students by the total number of full-time equivalent teachers. Please note that a smaller student/teacher ratio does not necessarily translate to smaller class size. In some instances, schools hire teachers part time, and some teachers are hired for specialized instruction with very small class sizes. These and other factors contribute to the student/teacher ratio. Note: For private schools, Student/teacher ratio may not include Pre-Kindergarten.

Finances

Per Pupil Expenditures for Wharton High School

Year	Expenditures from Federal Funds	Expenditures from State and Local Funds	Total Expenditures Per Pupil (All Funds)
2018	$286 (4.4%)	$6,224 (95.6%)	$6,510
2019	$294 (4.3%)	$6,587 (95.7%)	$6,881
2020	$417 (5.6%)	$7,001 (94.4%)	$7,419
2021	$857 (11.4%)	$6,633 (88.6%)	$7,489
2022	$959 (13.5%)	$6,148 (86.5%)	$7,108
2023	$1,260 (17.1%)	$6,121 (82.9%)	$7,381

Data source: Florida Department of Education

Pre and Post Pandemic Data

Impact of COVID-19 on Wharton High School

The coronavirus has had a profound impact on education in America. Learning shifted online overnight, attendance numbers dwindled, and enrollment decreased. SchoolDigger.com is making it easier for you to better assess how COVID-19 has impacted your school. Through the collection of pre-pandemic (2019) and current data, SchoolDigger.com is sharing test scores, enrollment numbers and school demographics from schools across the country – and we make it easy to see how impacted schools compare locally and statewide.

Rankings

Rank Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Rank Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Ranks 329^th of 734 High schools	Ranks 432^nd of 792 High schools	9.7%

Test Scores

	% proficient Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	% proficient Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
9th Grade English Language Arts (Wharton High School)	55	41	14%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	55	50	5%
9th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	55	51	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Wharton High School)	49	41	8%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Hillsborough)	53	49	4%
10th Grade English Language Arts (Florida)	53	49	4%
End of Course Biology 1 (Wharton High School)	59	51	8%
End of Course Biology 1 (Hillsborough)	67	62	5%
End of Course Biology 1 (Florida)	67	63	4%
End of Course US History (Wharton High School)	74	59	15%
End of Course US History (Hillsborough)	73	65	8%
End of Course US History (Florida)	70	63	7%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Wharton High School)	32	23	9%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Hillsborough)	63	60	3%
End of Course Algebra 1 (Florida)	62	54	8%
End of Course Geometry (Wharton High School)	44	40	4%
End of Course Geometry (Hillsborough)	57	53	4%
End of Course Geometry (Florida)	57	50	7%

Student Body

	Number of students Pre-pandemic (2018-2019)	Number of students Post pandemic (2022-2023)	Change (%)
Total Students	2429	2289	5.8%
African American	729	714	2.1%
American Indian	6	2	66.7%
Asian	132	113	14.4%
Hispanic	701	721	2.9%
Pacific Islander	14	2	85.7%
White	743	609	18%
Two or More Races	104	128	23.1%
% Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	50.7%	46.1%	4.6%

Schools Near Wharton High School

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2024)				Ranking (2023)				FAST English Language Arts (2024)		EOC Algebra 1 (2024)	EOC Geometry (2024)	EOC Biology 1 (2024)	EOC US History (2024)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2023)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2024)	Statewide Rank (2024)	State Percentile (2024)	SchoolDigger Rating (2024)	Average Standard Score (2023)	Statewide Rank (2023)	State Percentile (2023)	Rank Change from Previous Year	FAST English Language Arts 9th Grade	FAST English Language Arts 10th Grade	EOC Algebra 1 End of Course	EOC Geometry End of Course	EOC Biology 1 End of Course	EOC US History End of Course	Per Pupil Expenditures Total	Sub-total from Federal Funds	Sub-total from State/Local Funds
Wharton High School	Public	9-12	20150 Bruce B Downs Blvd	Tampa	33647	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 631-4710	2,289	98	23.4	46.1%	609 (26.6%)	714 (31.2%)	721 (31.5%)	113 (4.9%)	2 (0.1%)	2 (0.1%)	128 (5.6%)	34.5	482^nd of 807 public high schools	40.3%		36.1	432^nd of 792 public high schools	45.5%	50	36.0	45.0	33.0	38.0	55.0	65.0	$7,381	$1,260	$6,121
Freedom High School	Public	9-12	17410 Commerce Park Blvd	Tampa	33647	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	Yes	(813) 558-1185	1,837	86	21.4	54.0%	454 (24.7%)	454 (24.7%)	758 (41.3%)	70 (3.8%)	3 (0.2%)	5 (0.3%)	93 (5.1%)	30.3	537^th of 807 public high schools	33.5%		29.2	511^th of 792 public high schools	35.5%	26	35.0	41.0	24.0	49.0	55.0	55.0	$8,268	$1,496	$6,772
Wiregrass Ranch High School	Public	9-12	2909 Mansfield Blvd	Wesley Chapel	33543	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	No	(813) 346-6000	2,114	95	22.2	24.8%	985 (46.6%)	234 (11.1%)	586 (27.7%)	196 (9.3%)	7 (0.3%)	10 (0.5%)	96 (4.5%)	64	181^st of 807 public high schools	77.6%		66	163^rd of 792 public high schools	79.4%	18	62.0	66.0	52.0	64.0	79.0	72.0	$7,402	$861	$6,540
Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel High School	Public, Charter	9-12	33347 State Road 54	Wesley Chapel	33543	Pasco County	Pasco	Yes	(n/a)	(n/a)	(n/a)	(813) 355-0002	0				0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()	0 ()								(n/a)
Wesley Chapel High School	Public	9-12	30651 Wells Rd	Wesley Chapel	33545	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	No	(813) 794-8700	1,826	82	22.2	40.3%	780 (42.7%)	294 (16.1%)	567 (31.1%)	77 (4.2%)	5 (0.3%)	7 (0.4%)	96 (5.3%)	48.4	322^nd of 807 public high schools	60.1%		50.4	281^st of 792 public high schools	64.5%	41	62.0	50.0	38.0	44.0	68.0	70.0	$7,067	$877	$6,191
Dr Kiran C Patel High School	Public, Charter	9-12	10721 Raulerson Ranch Rd	Tampa	33637	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	Yes	No	No	No	(813) 694-7667	751	35	21.4	12.1%	261 (34.8%)	148 (19.7%)	200 (26.6%)	92 (12.3%)	4 (0.5%)	3 (0.4%)	43 (5.7%)	78.4	74^th of 807 public high schools	90.8%		79.2	79^th of 792 public high schools	90.0%	5	70.0	77.0	70.0	70.0	88.0	87.0	$8,397	$2,121	$6,277
Building Construction Academy At Bowers Whitley	Public	9-12	13609 N 22nd St	Tampa	33613	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	No	No	No	No	(813) 558-1750	54	9	6.0	68.5%	7 (13.0%)	17 (31.5%)	29 (53.7%)	1 (1.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	6.8	698^th of 807 public high schools	13.5%		7.8	674^th of 792 public high schools	14.9%	24	17.0	0.0					$39,784	$7,386	$32,399
Focus Academy	Public, Charter	6-12	304 Druid Hills Rd	Temple Terrace	33617	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	Yes	No	No	No	(813) 443-5558	123	11	11.1	52.8%	43 (35.0%)	26 (21.1%)	42 (34.1%)	5 (4.1%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	7 (5.7%)								(n/a)							$19,873	$120	$19,753
Cypress Creek High School	Public	9-12	8701 Old Pasco Rd	Wesley Chapel	33544	Pasco County	Pasco	No	No	No	No	(813) 346-4400	1,851	86	21.6	35.0%	952 (51.4%)	166 (9.0%)	574 (31.0%)	61 (3.3%)	9 (0.5%)	4 (0.2%)	85 (4.6%)	51	292^nd of 807 public high schools	63.8%		53.6	249^th of 792 public high schools	68.6%	43	54.0	54.0	32.0	59.0	68.0	72.0	$7,164	$943	$6,221
West University Charter High	Public, Charter	9-12	11602 N 15th St	Tampa	33612	Hillsborough County	Hillsborough	Yes	No	No	Yes	(813) 971-5011	407	9	45.2	68.1%	53 (13.0%)	197 (48.4%)	145 (35.6%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	1 (0.2%)	10 (2.5%)	2.6	773^rd of 807 public high schools	4.2%		5.5	702^nd of 792 public high schools	11.4%	71	9.0	9.0	0.0	4.0	8.0	15.0	$7,245	$2,123	$5,122

Frequently Asked Questions about Wharton High School

What schools feed into Wharton High School?

Wharton High School is fed by the following schools:

Elementary : Dr Carter G Woodson K-8 School
Elementary : Heritage Elementary School
Elementary : Hunter's Green Elementary School
Elementary : Kimbell Elementary School
Elementary : Pizzo K-8 School
Elementary : Pride Elementary School
Elementary : Shaw Elementary School
Elementary : Turner-Bartels K-8 School
Elementary : Witter Elementary School
Middle : Benito Middle School

Is Wharton High School a good school?

Wharton High School ranks 482^nd of 807 Florida high schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Wharton High School in?

Hillsborough

What is the racial makeup of Wharton High School?

Students at Wharton High School are 31% Hispanic, 31% African American, 27% White, 6% Two or more races, 5% Asian.

How many students attend Wharton High School?

In the 2022-23 school year, 2,289 students attended Wharton High School.

Rate Wharton High School!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Florida Department of Education.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.