Is Newsome High School a good school?

Newsome is one of the best public high schools in Hillsborough County and ranks in the top 5% statewide. With a 99% graduation rate, an average SAT score of 1210, and 23 AP course offerings, it's the school that drives more home purchases in the Valrico/FishHawk area than any other single factor.

Here's what parents need to know.

The numbers

| Metric | Newsome | County Average | State Average | |---|---|---|---| | Niche Grade | A | — | — | | GreatSchools | 9/10 | — | — | | U.S. News Ranking | #45 in Florida | — | — | | Graduation rate | 99% | ~85% | ~87% | | Average SAT | 1210 | ~1050 | ~1050 | | Average ACT | 26 | ~22 | ~22 | | Average GPA | 3.63 | — | — | | ELA proficiency (10th grade) | 81% | 57% | 58% |

That 99% graduation rate isn't a typo. Newsome's academic culture is strong, and the expectation — from teachers, parents, and peers — is that you graduate and move on to college or career.

Academics and AP courses

Newsome offers 23 Advanced Placement classes, and 72% of students take at least one AP course. That AP participation rate is significantly higher than most Florida high schools.

Popular AP courses include:

• AP Calculus AB and BC
• AP Biology and Chemistry
• AP US History and World History
• AP English Language and Literature
• AP Computer Science
• AP Psychology
• AP Environmental Science

The school also offers dual enrollment through Hillsborough Community College, allowing students to earn college credit while still in high school. Many Newsome seniors graduate with a semester or more of college credits already completed.

Sports and extracurriculars

Newsome's athletic programs are competitive across the board. Recent district championships include:

• Volleyball
• Boys and Girls Cross Country
• Boys Golf
• Boys and Girls Swimming (also County Champions, 3rd at State)
• Boys Soccer
• Boys Basketball
• Boys Track
• Boys and Girls Lacrosse
• Boys and Girls Tennis
• Baseball
• Cheerleading (State Runner-Up)

In a recent year, 27 Newsome athletes signed to compete at the collegiate level. The school has strong booster club support and well-maintained facilities.

Beyond sports, Newsome has active clubs including robotics, drama, Key Club, National Honor Society, debate, and dozens of others. The arts programs — band, chorus, and visual arts — are well-funded and well-regarded.

Enrollment and size

Newsome is a large school with approximately 3,340 students and a student-teacher ratio of 25:1. It's one of the biggest high schools in Hillsborough County.

The size can be a pro or a con depending on your perspective. More students means more course offerings, more AP classes, more sports teams, and more club options. But it also means larger class sizes and a campus that can feel overwhelming for some freshmen.

What parents say

Common themes from parent reviews:

• "The academic expectations are high, but the support is there."
• "College counseling is excellent — they start talking about post-secondary plans freshman year."
• "The campus is clean and well-maintained. You can tell the community invests in this school."
• "It's competitive. Some kids thrive in that environment, others feel pressure."
• "The parent involvement is what makes Newsome different. The PTA and boosters are very active."

The biggest complaint I hear? Parking and drop-off traffic. With 3,300+ students, the morning drop-off line is legendary. Plan accordingly.

School zone — where you need to live

Newsome's school zone covers:

• FishHawk Ranch — The master-planned community that forms the core of the zone
• Lithia — The broader Lithia area east of Valrico
• Parts of southern Valrico — Some neighborhoods on the southern and eastern edges of Valrico are zoned for Newsome

The zone does NOT cover most of central or northern Valrico (those areas are typically zoned for Bloomingdale High or Durant High).

Important: Homes zoned for Newsome carry a price premium. In FishHawk Ranch, the median home price ranges from $450K to $800K+ depending on the section. The school zone is a significant part of that premium.

Feeder schools

Students zoned for Newsome typically come through:

• Randall Middle School — The highest-performing middle school in the area
• Various FishHawk and Lithia elementary schools — Lithia Springs, Alafia, Stowers

This feeder pattern creates a consistent academic pipeline. Kids who come through Randall Middle are well-prepared for Newsome's rigor.

FAQ

How does Newsome compare to Bloomingdale High?

Both are A-rated schools, but Newsome has higher test scores, a higher graduation rate (99% vs. 91%), and more AP offerings. Bloomingdale is still a very good school — the gap is real but not enormous.

Is Newsome hard to get into via school choice?

Very. Newsome is one of the most requested school choice transfers in the district, and spots are extremely limited. If Newsome is your priority, buying in the zone is the most reliable path.

Does Newsome have an IB program?

No. Newsome does not offer the International Baccalaureate program. For IB, the closest option is Plant High School in South Tampa. Newsome's extensive AP offerings serve a similar purpose for college-bound students.

What's the principal situation like?

Newsome has had stable leadership. Check the school's official website at hillsboroughschools.org/o/newsome for current administration details.

---

Barrett Henry is a REALTOR and Broker Associate with RE/MAX Collective. He's helped hundreds of families find homes in the Newsome High School zone over his 23+ year career.

Looking for a home zoned for Newsome? I know the zone boundaries and can identify the right neighborhoods for your budget. Call or text (813) 733-7907 or search FishHawk and Valrico homes at nowtb.com.