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| Metric | Hillsborough County School District | National Average | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Student Enrollment | 224,538 | 3,700 | Much larger than avg |
| Number of Schools | 309 | 6 | Varies by district |
| Per-Pupil Spending | $9,718/yr | $13,700/yr | State avg est. |
| District Type | Public School District | Public District | — |
| Overall Rating | 5/10 — Average | — | Near average |
🔢 Show the math behind this rating
Ranked against 74 rated districts in FL → 45th percentile → 5/10.
Source: Florida Dept. of Education FAST ELA & Mathematics, 2024. Full methodology →
About Hillsborough County School District
Families in zip code 33602 (Hillsborough, Florida) are assigned to Hillsborough County School District for public education through 12th. This overview covers the district’s funding levels, scale, rating, and what to expect from the enrollment process if you’re moving to or within this zip code.
Funding and Resources
Hillsborough County School District spent $9,718 per student in the 2019–20 school year (U.S. Dept. of Education CCD finance data), 7% below Florida’s statewide $10,500 estimate. Of the district’s 2019 graduating cohort of 15,509 students, an estimated 90% earned a diploma within four years (EDFacts adjusted cohort graduation rate).
District Scale and Program Breadth
At 297 schools serving grades Pre-K – 12th, Hillsborough County School District qualifies as a major metropolitan district serving students from Pre-K – 12th. Major metropolitan districts operate dozens to hundreds of schools across wide geographic areas. They often include magnet schools, gifted programs, dual-language academies, and career and technical education pathways not available in smaller systems. Within-district quality variation is significant: a school two miles from your address might be rated very differently from your assigned school.
Understanding the 5/10 Rating
With a rating of 5/10 (average), Hillsborough County School District ranks among Florida’s average-rated school systems. Our ratings are based on state assessment results — the share of students scoring proficient or above in reading and math, as reported in Florida’s FAST ELA & Mathematics assessments (2024 school year). We average each district’s reading and math proficiency, then rank it against other districts in the same state to produce a 1–10 score. Because Florida is compared only against itself, the rating reflects how this district performs relative to its in-state peers.
Hillsborough County School District falls near the middle of Florida on state assessment results, with reading and math proficiency close to the state median. Average-rated districts provide foundational public education, and many families find they deliver solid day-to-day learning — particularly when parents stay engaged. If you're considering this area, look beyond the overall rating: visit schools, talk to current parents, and research the specific school your child would attend. Average districts often have individual schools that significantly outperform the district mean.
Enrollment for Families in Zip Code 33602
Children in zip code 33602 are assigned to Hillsborough County School District for public school enrollment, covering grades Pre-K – 12th. School assignments are address-specific — your elementary, middle, and high school placements depend on your exact street address within zip code 33602, not just your neighborhood. Two homes on opposite ends of the same zip code may be assigned to different schools within the same district.
To confirm your specific school assignments, contact Hillsborough County School District at (813)272-4000 or visit www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/. Typical enrollment documents include proof of address, a government-issued birth certificate, immunization records, and any existing school records or IEP documentation. If your child has an IEP or 504 plan, bring that documentation to enrollment — Florida districts are required to continue services within a reasonable period. Fall enrollment windows typically open in late winter or early spring; contact the district for exact dates and required steps.
School Districts and Home Values in Hillsborough
For families considering a purchase in the Hillsborough area, district assignment matters financially. Because Hillsborough County School District serves zip code 33602, buyers should factor school district quality into their overall evaluation of homes in zip code 33602. District boundaries are address-specific — verify the exact district assignment for any property you’re seriously considering rather than assuming based on the neighborhood. A single block can place two adjacent homes in different districts with different ratings and different annual property tax implications.
Use the property tax estimator on this page to calculate estimated annual tax obligations based on your target purchase price. In Florida, property taxes are a primary funding source for public schools — your tax payments directly support Hillsborough County School District programs and staff. Understanding both district quality and the associated tax burden is essential financial due diligence before committing to any home in zip code 33602.
Data Sources and Accuracy
All district information on this page is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data (CCD) 2024–2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s annual census of all public school districts — the same dataset used by researchers, journalists, and policymakers to analyze American public education. District boundaries, school assignments, phone numbers, and per-pupil expenditure figures are updated annually when NCES publishes new data, typically in spring. Always verify your specific school assignment and enrollment requirements directly with Hillsborough County School District before making any housing or enrollment decision based on zip code 33602 data.