Joe E. Newsome High School is a public high school that was established in 2003 on Fishhawk Boulevard in Lithia, Florida, United States. It is named in honor of Joe E. Newsome, a Plant City pharmacist and businessman who served as a board member of the School District of Hillsborough County, Florida, for 24 years.
Serving 3,340 students in grades 9-12, Newsome High School ranks in the top 20% of all schools in Florida for overall test scores (math proficiency is top 20%, and reading proficiency is top 20%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 73% (which is higher than the Florida state average of 52%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 75% (which is higher than the Florida state average of 52%).
The student:teacher ratio of 25:1 is higher than the Florida state level of 17:1.
Minority enrollment is 35% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is lower than the Florida state average of 65% (majority Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: 9-12
- Enrollment: 3,340 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 25:1
- Minority Enrollment: 35%
- Graduation Rate: ≥99% (Top 1% in FL)
- Overall Testing Rank: Top 20%
- Math Proficiency: 73% (Top 20%)
- Reading Proficiency: 75% (Top 10%)
- Science Proficiency: 88% (Top 5%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Newsome High School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Florida for:
Category
Attribute
Overall Rank
Math Proficiency
Reading/Language Arts Proficiency
Science Proficiency
Graduation Rate
School Overview
Newsome High School's student population of 3,340 students has grown by 10% over five school years.
The teacher population of 131 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades 9-12
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
3,340 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
131 teachers
Year Founded
2003
Colors
White, Navy Blue, Carolina blue
School Calendar
School Rankings
Newsome High School ranks within the top 20% of all 3,662 schools in Florida (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Newsome High School is 0.54, which is less than the diversity score at state average of 0.70. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#422 out of 3662 schools
(Top 20%)
(Top 20%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
73%
52%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
75%
52%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
88%
52%
Student : Teacher Ratio
25:1
17:1
American Indian
n/a
n/a
Asian
4%
3%
Hispanic
18%
37%
Black
6%
21%
White
65%
35%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
7%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Graduation Rate
≥99%
87%
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
15%
47%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
3%
4%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), FL Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Newsome High School's ranking?
Newsome High School is ranked #422 out of 3,662 schools, which ranks it among the top 20% of public schools in Florida.
What schools are Newsome High School often compared to?
Newsome High Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Steinbrenner High School, Bell Creek Academy by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
73% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average), while 75% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 52% FL state average).
What is the graduation rate of Newsome High School?
The graduation rate of Newsome High School is 99%, which is higher than the Florida state average of 87%.
How many students attend Newsome High School?
3,340 students attend Newsome High School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
65% of Newsome High School students are White, 18% of students are Hispanic, 7% of students are Two or more races, 6% of students are Black, and 4% of students are Asian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Newsome High School?
Newsome High School has a student ration of 25:1, which is higher than the Florida state average of 17:1.
What grades does Newsome High School offer ?
Newsome High School offers enrollment in grades 9-12 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Newsome High School part of?
Newsome High School is part of Hillsborough School District.
In what neighborhood is Newsome High School located?
Newsome High School is located in the Fish Hawk neighborhood of Lithia, FL. There are 5 other public schools located in Fish Hawk.
School Reviews
5 4/29/2022
This is amazing, the staff is great and very nice and the teachers are great. The classes they offer are not the hardest but they have good choices. The campus is beautiful and the sports teams are really good.
1 3/31/2021
Horrible people here in all grade levels- snobby, full of themselves and make it difficult to even come to school. unbearable lectures taught by unknowledgeable teachers who don't even know what their class is about. Instead, teachers provide busy work or use a powerpoint. administration is ridiculous and disunity support any of the students and makes things difficult. Fish hawk is a bubble of privileged white kids and full of karen's posting abt every little thing that happens inside on facebook. toxic environment. im switching schools for my senior year.
2 10/5/2010
Academic program is not challenging enough unless you are in honors classes. They have a pay to play requirement on any sport and also charge for involvement in other extracurricular clubs. Guidance department is very unprofessional and not knowledgeable with all policies and procedures for the school district. Their secretary is very unprofessional and needs to go to ediquette school. There are several other public high schools as well as private schools in this area. I would check them out before enrolling your children in Newsome.
2 8/11/2009
Administration treats students differently according to parental clout. Many disrespectful students at this school. My child skipped school to avoid bullying. I was never notified by the teacher that he had been out 15 times in one semester. I found out after contacting teacher regarding slip in grades.
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