An important decision point on the way to college is selecting a high school, and Hillsborough County and the Tampa Bay Area offer youth many different options. In particular, there are several different types of curriculum, such as Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment (DE), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Cambridge (AICE), and it is important to learn more about these pathways so you can choose what is best for you/your child.
Additionally, there are three types of schools in our area: public, private, and charter. And all the different curriculums mentioned above are available at each of these types of school as well.
Public high schools are schools within the Hillsborough County Public Schools system and include your zoned school in your neighborhood or a Magnet High School (IB, Collegiate, Career/Technical, and Arts programs)
– There is no cost to attend public schools.
– Students either walk, take the provided bus to/from school, or have transportation provided by parents.
– Public schools provide breakfast and lunch at school at no cost to families.
– No admission exam is necessary – simply apply to Magnet schools through the HCPS website using your Student ID.
Private high schools in our area include Berkeley Prep, Tampa Prep, Carrollwood Day School, Cristo Rey Tampa (Catholic, coed), Tampa Catholic (Catholic, coed), Jesuit High School (Catholic, all boys) and the Academy of the Holy Names (Catholic, all girls).
– All these schools provide need-based financial aid so tuition cost should not be a deterrent to apply if their programs interest you.
– In addition, the Catholic schools also offer merit-based scholarships.
– Some private schools provide transportation and lunch at a cost, but others do not.
– Admissions exam is required for application.
Charter High Schools, like Patel High School and Brooks DeBartolo, have many wonderful programs as well.
– There is usually no cost or little cost to attend charter schools.
– Charter schools usually do not provide transportation or meals.
– Admission is based on a lottery.
To help you navigate the various public/private/charter options available for high school, and share feedback about the different curriculums (AP, DE, IB, AICE), PrepandMe will hold a webinar about high school selection on Monday, October 5, at 7:30pm:
In addition, to learn more about specific programs, we encourage you to attend Open Houses and Information Sessions:
HCPS High Schools
** Oct 26, 4-7pm, Magnet Expo @ Jefferson HS (learn about all magnet programs in one place) **
Oct 8, 6pm @ Alonso IB
Nov 4, 6pm @ Hillsborough IB
Nov 19, 6pm @ Strawberry Crest IB
Dec 3, 5-7pm, Last Peek Magnet Expo @ Armwood HS
Private High Schools
Oct 7, 6pm @ Berkeley Prep
Oct 14, 5:30pm @ Tampa Prep
Oct 21, 8:15am @ Carrollwood Day School
Oct 25, 2-4pm @ Academy of the Holy Names
Oct 27, 6pm @ Jesuit High School
Oct 29, 5:30pm @ Cristo Rey High School
Nov 5, 4:30 or 6:30pm @ Tampa Catholic
Nov 10, 8:15am @ Carrollwood Day School
Jan 13, 6pm @ Berkeley Prep
Charter High Schools
Oct 15, 5:30pm @ Brooks DeBartolo HS
Nov 12, 5:30pm @ Brooks DeBartolo HS
Nov 19 @ Patel HS
Dec 10 @ Patel HS
Jan 21 @ Patel HS
Please check the school websites for more information and links to register for Open Houses:
HCPS Magnet Schools (click on high schools) HCPS Magnet Schools (click on high schools)
We’re looking forward to discussing the next chapter of PrepandMe Scholars’ academic journey!
Please be sure to attend the webinar on Oct 5.
