Hillsborough County (Tampa) has emerged as an important education center in the Florida School system. The Hillsborough County School System is the 12th largest in the U.S. and third largest in Florida.2000/2001 school enrollment (grades K-12) in Hillsborough County increased 4.7 percent from 1998/1999, 156,424 to 164,224. The increase is largely shown in public school enrollment. Private school enrollment slightly increased despite the smaller number of students enrolled as a whole. In 1996/1997 private school enrollment was 18,861, an increase of 4.6 percent from the previous year.
More than 450 Hillsborough County students received the Gold Seal Endorsement in 1995, leading the state for the third year in the Florida Vocational Gold Seal Program. The National Merit Scholarship Program identified 62 students as semifinalists in 1995.
There are seventeen magnet schools in Hillsborough County, three in Computer and High Tech, one in Environmental Studies and Technology, four International Studies, four in Visual Performing and Communication Arts, two in Math, Science and Technology, and two in Health Services. Adult and community education is available at more than 150 locations throughout the county. Post-secondary Adult Technical programs offer job preparatory instruction for entry into an occupation and supplemental job training skills enhancement. Training classes are offered at Erwin, Brewster and Learey Technical Centers, and Tampa Bay Technical Adult.

Visit the Hillsborough County Public Schools web site.