Wharton High School

20150 Bruce B Downs Boulevard

School District

Hillsborough
Grade

9-12
Teacher/Student Ratio

1:17
Type

public

GreatSchools Rating

The school rating calculation is based on four ratings: the Student Progress Rating or Academic Progress Rating, College Readiness Rating, Equity Rating, and Test Score Rating each designed to show different facets of school success. Learn more about GreatSchools Ratings

Reviews

Submitted by parent on October 11, 2022

This school is hit or miss. Our oldest went all four years had a mostly positive experience and we got very familiar with some great teachers and guidance staff. However, your youngest child has had a nightmare experience over the last four years. Bullying was off the charts, my kid’s mental health seriously suffered, a specific teacher who had the most influence and could make or break my kid’s learning & high school experience chose to participate in the bullying instead of stopping it. This teacher has made countless inappropriate comments in front of his students. When brought to the principals attention, he tried to gaslight my concerns. Unbelievable behavior. While there are some great teachers at Wharton…there are great teachers all over, pick a different school if you can.
Submitted by parent on April 12, 2022

My daughter has had very positive experiences with teachers and peers. It is wonderful to see the number of friends attempting to Choice into Wharton. There are amazing strides by the administration and teachers to make Wharton a very desirable school. As a student athlete, my daughter was able to enjoy being a part of a district-winning varsity volleyball team. These opportunities add to her school spirit, friendships, and involvement in her education. We are excited to witness the new Cambridge journey that my incoming 11th and 9th grade girls will get to be a part of. While all schools have challenges, we are fortunate to have all positive experiences and appreciate all that Wharton offers students looking to compete for the best universities.
Submitted by parent on November 11, 2021

Great schooling and teaching techniques. Supporting staff and helpful environment, Teachers work on overall development of their students.
Submitted by parent on October 29, 2021

I am quite impressed by the school management, great teachers. I really want to suggest to every parent to send their children here.
Submitted by other on September 12, 2021

I went to Wharton from fall 2017 to spring 2021. My freshman year, there were fights every day and if you mentioned you went to Wharton to an outsider, they'd think you were a troublemaker. We got a new principal in 18-19 year I believe and things started to change. We got new lunch periods to deal with the crowding, we had stricter hall rules, and the dread tardy passes (which were more excessive than they should've been.) From my freshman year, the administration in the school has gotten much much better. There were hardly any fights in my last two years, which may be due to COVID though...... speaking of that, the school made an attempt to care about masks and such but it really depended on the individual teacher. The teachers were a hit or miss; there were some fun teachers (love you Ms.Kline, Ms.Gonzalez, Mr.Mikell and Mr.O'B) and there were some not so fun teachers. Some really cared about their students and tried to help them succeed, like Ms.Torres; she let you turn in assignments way after the due date (which some people took for granted but it was really helpful to those with mental issues and stuff.) Some teachers didn't care what the hell you did. The music and arts programs are amazing, I'm glad they brought choir back to the school before I left. Overall, it's a truly "unique" experience, but regarding earlier reviews, the problems it once had have died down drastically, especially after COVID. :)
Submitted by parent on June 08, 2020

This is a great school. Staff cares.
Submitted by parent on May 22, 2018

Our family is just finishing their first year at Wharton having a junior and freshman. Before this year both, along with our older child, were in local charter schools. Our children asked to attend Wharton, our local school, because of class selections being wider. We are thankful we made the switch. Both kids are high achievers and have done extremely well. We are very pleased with the teaching staff (esp with our FABULOUS Algebra II teacher for our freshman). The staff has gone to exceptional lengths to not only make sure our children adjusted-but us, as well. Any time I have emailed a teacher or admin I have received a response within 24 hours. I am becoming more involved in PTA and getting to know the students by volunteering during random lunches to help with spirit wear sales and am happy to say I feel my kids are safe and in a good environment. Both kids have done well academically but also renewed friendships and made new friends. Now, to compare the "looks" of our school to some other local schools-we need some TLC. However, I just attended a school meeting last night and have been told their are some improvements being planned for this summer. That will be very welcome. Overall-I think Wharton Staff is doing an amazing job and my kids will be very successful here and moving forward. There are so many sports and clubs that there isn't an excuse for kids to not get involved. I'm thrilled we made the switch.
Submitted by parent on April 05, 2017

Very poor as far as saftey an overall staff supportOvercrowded .Young people who want to do well are overwhelmed with underachieving students and staff.Weekly fights. Less than a C school!
Submitted by parent on March 13, 2017

Truly a great school that gets a bad rap from mostly current and former students. Prepared my son well for college...I'm glad they "gave too much homework"... it's not a 4 year vacation, it's High School!!!
Submitted by other on August 10, 2015

- a studentLet me preface this with saying that all schools have their ups and downs. Wharton is great if you want to join the music program (orchestra, marching band, jazz band) or join the culinary program (they even have a "restaraunt" that students can go to during their lunch periods which is awesome!) but this school certainly has it's downfalls. Expect lockdowns when you attend Wharton, expect fights when you attend Wharton, expect most teachers who are really only there for a paycheck (and this is speaking as a recent graduate who attending Wharton for four whole years). The location is awkward (next to a Super Walmart) and still somehow great (across the street from two communities). Yes, there are some bad apple students and some LAZY teachers and administrators but overall you're going to get your average american education here. But I will say that they have a great college advisor for when it time to look for colleges!
Submitted by parent on June 18, 2015

Teachers and admin were genuinely concerned about ensuring my sons education was a top priority.
Submitted by student on April 04, 2015

I absolutely loved Wharton. I spent all four years here and graduated last year. It was a great experience. I had fantastic teachers who all genuinely cared. I didn't always get the best grades, but all the teachers did everything they could to help me. If you're nice to the teachers, they're nice to you. In my experience, the only people who think the teachers are bad ,are the students who are disrespectful. The music program is fantastic! While I was there I took a variety of music classes. I could not have asked for better teachers. Though I graduated a year ago, they still continue to help me progress in music. I'm not good at math, but I've had great teachers who actually made me enjoy it! I love all the diversity at the school. It was so fascinating for me to get to know so many people from so many backgrounds. I was looking over the reviews other people have given of this school and some of them are so far from the truth. I never once saw any drugs or weapons. We were on lock-down a few times, but that's the same as any other school in any other place. Yes, there are bad kids, but that doesn't make it a bad school. I had a fantastic experience there.
Submitted by parent on April 04, 2015

They have awesome music teachers (even though there is no chorus program, they have great band, orchestra, guitar, etc.) They also have an awesome culinary arts program, a wide variety of sports, and a wide variety of classes. Like every school, there are problem students, problem teachers, and problem administrators, but the school is consistently one of the better schools in the area. school is what you make of it, and if you choose to make the most of it, Wharton will provide a great education.
Submitted by student on October 13, 2014

I like this school,because we have an elevator where I can take it with my aid.Also,the teachers here at Wharton they are fantastic.This school is a the first on to be great than the other schools around us.Also,the teaching is great and students are learning more better than other schools around us.
Submitted by student on December 07, 2013

I was a student at Wharton and i found it boring. The students dont talk to you, it is ALWAYS hot, the teachers are very strict (except for a few). I didnt like it at all. But there are good things, like the clubs and sports but thats it. oh and the academics are behind. In 9th grade biology we talked about what an ecosystem is. I learned that in 5th grade in my old school!!!
Submitted by student on September 16, 2013

tbh Wharton is a good school I am a student there and the reason why people get mad and start to fight is because most ap's aren't gonna stop them and they know that also most of those students who does drugs smoke drink and cause violence are the main ones that are graduating on time with a2.3 and higher with an athletic academic or rotc scholarship people do not know what half these kids go through most of their lives like some students get shot at they get jumped the day before or they jus have family problems which makes some students want to fight or do drugs or drink alcohol the next day, and also I understand what you are thinking why cant they just move from the environment to keep their kids trained and the answer to your question is because most parents don't think they can do any better and they think if the go to a more calm suburban community they would get in trouble everyday so don't say that Wharton is a bad school full of bad kids blame most of the teachers ap,s and councilors who don't think we will make it because of the every day problems we as students face
Submitted by student on September 08, 2013

It would not me rate the school a zero but that is what it deserves. If you have a choice do NOT go here. I moved here knowing all schools will have drugs, bullying, and fighting but this is what happens daily. The school goes on lockdown very frequently. It is about 20% caucasion and almost everyone does drugs. Terrible school do not go here unless you want your child to fail. Some teachers only care about being paid and that's all. The overlook: This school is awful!!!!!!!
Submitted by student on August 13, 2013

if you want your kid to succeed and have teacher that care, don't send your kid to this school don't get me wrong their debate, lsa,marching band, and rotc program is amazing but form regulars to ap class teachers do not care. SO if your kid doesn't want to do one of does academy's then don't send them.
Submitted by student on October 21, 2012

Great school. Diversity, athletics, good science and AP classes/teachers. Take honors and AP and you'll be fineHad an amazing four years, good memories.
Submitted by parent on June 01, 2012

It is naive to think there are schools that don't have drug or violence problems at the high school level. That's everywhere and is sadly just reality. My child will be a Senior next year and has received an excellent education thanks to some fantastic teachers that continuously go above and beyond to help the kids. It's true that the experience is much better if you are in higher level classes. I recommend taking HOPE through FL Virtual school during the summer. I would, however, like to see the administration focus less on the football/basketball teams and more on the outstanding music/academic achievements they earn year after year. The music program is second to none, the Brain Bowl teams sweeps the awards at MOSI every year, and the math teams consistently place at the top. These are the achievements that make them look good across the district, yet they get very little mention...if at all. The tennis team, state champions, also gets no attention. A well-rounded representation in the spotlight would be a nice change.