Original Research by School Decision on King High School
King High School is a public high school in Tampa's 33610 zip code, serving students in grades nine through twelve. It sits on the city's eastern side, in a part of Tampa distinct from the more prominently discussed neighborhoods like Hyde Park or Seminole Heights. The school is part of Hillsborough County Public Schools, one of Florida's largest districts.
The student body reflects genuine diversity. Black students make up the largest share of enrollment, followed by Hispanic students, white students, and a meaningful contingent of Asian students, with smaller representation across other groups. A majority of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, pointing to a population where economic need is common. Data on English learners and students with IEPs was not available in what we reviewed.
State assessment results and proficiency data were not included in the information available for King High School. That gap is worth naming plainly: a parent who wants a clear picture of how students are performing on Florida's standardized tests will need to go directly to the Florida Department of Education's school accountability pages or speak with the school, because this profile cannot characterize academic outcomes. Similarly, four-year graduation rate data and chronic absenteeism figures were not available here. Comparison data relative to other Hillsborough County districts could not be generated for any of those metrics as a result.
Program offerings were not reported in the data we received. Whether the school offers Advanced Placement courses, career and technical education, dual enrollment, or other pathways is a question worth putting directly to the school at the address on North 56th Street.
On the housing side, the zip code surrounding King High School sits well below both the statewide and national median home values, which makes this part of Tampa relatively accessible for buyers compared to the broader Florida market. Home values have dipped modestly year over year, mirroring a mild softening pattern seen across Florida. Rents in the area are also somewhat more affordable than Tampa's higher-profile neighborhoods, though the share of income that a typical renter spends on rent is still meaningful. Mortgage rates nationally remain elevated, which shapes the real cost of buying anywhere.
Tampa broadly is in a period of growth and investment. The Water Street development and the Gasworx district are reshaping the downtown core and the corridor linking it to Ybor City, with projects extending through the late 2020s. The city's economy draws on defense, healthcare anchored by Tampa General and the Moffitt Cancer Center, financial services, and the University of South Florida. That employment base creates real options for students entering the workforce or higher education. Walkability and transit vary sharply by neighborhood; the school's east Tampa location is served by HART bus routes, though the area does not carry the walkability ratings of the downtown core.
Hillsborough County voters approved a property tax increase in late 2024, adding a levy that runs through mid-2029, with the money directed toward teacher and support staff pay. Homeowners in the district are seeing that cost reflected in their tax bills starting in 2025. The district also completed a significant boundary rezoning for the current school year, affecting a large number of schools and students countywide. Families considering King High School who are newer to the district should verify their current zoning assignment, since those lines shifted.
The picture that emerges is of a school in a more affordable part of Tampa, serving a diverse and economically mixed student body. The gaps in academic performance data are genuine, and a family wanting to evaluate how students progress academically, or what structured pathways the school offers beyond the standard curriculum, will need to seek that directly from the school or the district.
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