Wharton High School

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 a student

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.
—Submitted by a parent

Do not send your child to this High School. The bullying, fights and from the principal to all 6 AP do nothing to keep your child safe. Zero is done, even the teachers are scared. My daughter who has to go and is in 11th grade would rather QUIT then go back. I have met with all I can and still No GIRL is safe to walk the school. The stars below will not let me give no stars. I will home school my A student with dual college .
—Submitted by a parent

I do not feel that my children are safe at this school. Drugs, fights, bullying. It seems like the administration is not respected and has no control. There are many AP courses offered, but it is extremely difficult to learn in this environment. I have two children in this school and will do whatever it takes before my other child is ready for high school.
—Submitted by a parent

I'll give you the best advice out of everyone here: If your kid has a choice on what school to go to and is looking for an enjoyable highschool experience don't go here. With all respect for Wharton I would say that our academics are stellar with variety of rigourous course to take. However, being here for almost two years I must say I have not met one student EVER that said that they love this school. There are drugs here and bathrooms reek of them but even so that is not the biggest problem. The main issue is that the school is so big with so many people. Although that can be a good thing, it also causes a social gap between students which has led to violence,bullying, and negative views from students that as result most begging to withdrawl. My experience so far has been horrible and the only reason I'm still here is because its the closest school in my district. There is not really a large wave of school spirit here and the days here are often dull. If you have other schools in mind I reccomend you look at Blake High School and Wiregrass High School. You may choose to listen to my advice or ignore it. But just know I came here extremely optimistic but I'm leaving dissapointed.
—Submitted by a student

Like other people said, every high school is going to have drugs & violence. Yes Wharton is filled with kids from the ghetto parts of Tampa, but the faculty and staff actually care about all kids, they don't just care about getting paid. I've gotten to know some of the principals & they all are so inspiring. All of my teachers so far have wanted to see me succeed, teachers I have and I know of always are there to help students. LIke another person said, if you're not in any honors or AP you will be stuck in a regular ghetto class where you don't learn jack because the teacher is too busy yelling. I had two of those classes last year and I wish I never did. If you really think about it, people should be thankful because their class rank will be even higher with all of the ghetto kids who take up a high percentage of a class and who are at the bottom.
—Submitted by a student

I'm currently a student planning on transfering to another school for the secound semester.School is way to crowded.Too Long.Over an hour longer than pasco county high schools.To many people get bussed in.Some teachers are good but some are bad.Ismelt drugs in the hallway once.Their are quality teachers and classes but as a whole school it needs improving.If you have the choice i advise not going.
—Submitted by a student

I went to Wharton High and to me, it's just like any other high school there is. Of course there are going to be drugs and fights in ANY high school. The teachers I had were incredible people and cared about my progress. Because of one of the teachers there, I was guided to find what I love doing and what my major is in college. I loved the experience of going there. If you want to try and shield your child from drugs and violence, you're going to have to keep them home from any school and away from society in general. Deal with it at home, you can't control other kids, and staff can't completely control that either.
—Submitted by a student

I agree with the last 3 reviews. Even as a new family moving to the area it took 2 weeks to get my son registered. The faculty was very rude and unhelpful. Once he started school it just got worse. Had teachers cursing, no one returns emails or phone calls. tried to get ahold of the AP for a month and he was either at lunch or couldn't meet with me, never bothered to return my calls. The teachers don't care about the students. This is the worse school. We are moving to a different part of Tampa. I refuse to let me son continue to go here and I don't want any of my other kids to have this kind of experience or awful high school education. DO NOT ATTEND THIS SCHOOL
—Submitted by a parent

I agree with the last review.There is also plenty of politics and unfairness among the teachers and administrators.Noone can say anything or ir will be taken out on students.
—Submitted by a parent

too many drug, too many students, teacher and AP's do not care about the student body they are just trying to get paid, and it is getting way out of control. If you had a choice not to come to wharton. Dont!
—Submitted by a student

I recently pulled my child out of this school to attend private school. Although the honors and AP classes are great, the enviroment is greatly lacking. There is way too much drugs and illegal activities among the students there. The administrators and teachers don't seem to be able to control things there. Although it is a very nice area, there seems to be a lot of kids that are bussed in from less desirable areas and tend to have major behavior problems. The office staff is not very helpful at all. They don't return phone calls or emails and it seems as if your child is just a number there. It has way too many students for the amount of staff and if your student is not one of the top students, they will get lost in the shuffle. The school needs to crack down on the drugs(pot smoking at school)
—Submitted by a parent

This school does nothing to help your child succeed. There are too many Indians and not enough Chiefs. No communication between departments, and just plain confusion. If you can avoid this school, do so at all costs.
—Submitted by a parent

Great school, very competitive track and cross country teams

Some of the teachers here do not care and are very unfair to the students. Teachers need to get paid more to behave appropriately at this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I began attending this school in August 2008 and I love it. It has been the best learning system for me and there are barely any discipline problems. The only way you could get into trouble at this school is if you try to get into trouble or if you put yourself in an uncomfortable position.
—Submitted by a student

Wharton is an awesome school. Check the stats. Our athletes have the highest GPA's compared to other schools. Having Mr. Fritz on board is the best thing the school board has done. Most of the kids coming in as freshman this year know him and he knows them. The parents are familiar with him and so are the teachers. Wharton has had a great year in 2008, I only see it getting better. The only negative thing that I can say about this school is about dropping the block schedule. I agree with the other parent who said that they should have kept it. Unfortunately, that call was made by MaryEllen Elia and I can't say I'm too fond of her. Hillsborough county needs a new Superintendent!
—Submitted by a parent

I agree this is not a good school, my daughter could walk to this school but cannot attend this school because she does not feel physically safe. Students are bussed in from other areas, if your child is not in honors or AP classes, they are in 'boomboom classes' where they don't learn anything. My daughter attended for 4 mos and that was enough. She came home complaining the teachers couldn't teach anything because of the discipline problems. A boy tried to put his hand up her skirt and the girls in the class threatened to jump her after school if she said anything and this school is in a nice neighborhood. We have previously lived in Seminole county in FL and we didn't have any of these issues. Good Luck if you move to New Tampa.
—Submitted by a parent

Wharton is a great school however I was extremely disappointed when they came off block schedule. I think this is one of the biggest mistakes the county made for this school. When you have a school that is able to offer as many AP and Honors classes, Block schedule is perfect because you have less subjects so it enables the student to focus and achieve higher results. Big mistake for this school.
—Submitted by a parent

I think Wharton is a great school and has come a long way from when it first opened. It has great parental involvement and has a lot to offer the students with many activities and academics. Wharton has become a big sports school but also offers many AP & Honor programs.
—Submitted by a parent