Hillsborough County schools named among best in nation: report
WFLA | By Alaina Papazian | October 30, 2025
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Several Hillsborough County Public Schools stood out as exemplary institutions of academic excellence in a newly released 2026 U.S. News & World Report Rankings for best elementary and middle schools.
U.S. News evaluated over 80,000 public elementary and middle schools nationwide and ranked them based on multiple factors. This year, several Hillsborough County schools earned recognition for placing among the top-performing schools not only in the state of Florida but also in the nation.
These rankings were determined based on student proficiency in math and reading using state assessment data, with adjustments made for socioeconomic factors.
“These rankings from U.S. News & World Report are a testament to the unwavering commitment of our educators, students, and families. We are proud to see our schools recognized for the excellence happening every day in our classrooms,” said Superintendent Van Ayres.
The list of Hillsborough County elementary schools that made the top 200 in the state of Florida include:
- Bevis Elementary at #26
- Grady Elementary at #39
- Bryant Elementary at #41
- Roosevelt Elementary (#57)
- McKitrick Elementary (#59)
- Chiles Elementary (#86)
- Mabry Elementary (#88)
- Clark Elementary (#111)
- MacFarlane Park Elementary Magnet (#145)
- Hunter’s Green Elementary (#153)
- Mitchell Elementary (#157)
- Northwest Elementary (#160)
- Fishhawk Creek Elementary (#168)
- Schwarzkopf Elementary (#174)
The list of Hillsborough County middle schools that made the top 200 in the state of Florida include:
- Walker Middle Magnet (#31)
- Williams Middle Magnet (#58)
- Wilson Middle (#60)
- Martinez Middle (#77)
- Coleman Middle (#84)
- Roland Park K-8 Magnet (#85)
- Maniscalco K-8 (#101)
- Farnell Middle(#103)
- Randall Middle (#104)
- Rampello K-8 Magnet (#186)
- Lutz K-8 (#188)
To see the full rankings for the best elementary schools in Hillsborough County, go to: https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/elementary-schools/florida/district-108398
To see the full rankings for the best middle schools in Hillsborough County, go to: https://www.usnews.com/education/k12/middle-schools/florida/district-108398
