Hillsborough County Public Schools outlines accelerated learning pathways and opens March 9 application window

Deborah Bellanti, host of the Hillsborough County Public Schools podcast, on the latest episode interviewed Jazeal Lineger, the district's executive director of instructional support, and Brian Hoover, director of accelerated and magnet programs, about the district's accelerated learning options and outreach to families.

Lineger told listeners the district offers multiple pathways for students to earn college credit and gain career-ready skills, citing Advanced Placement through the College Board, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge ACE and dual-enrollment partnerships with Hillsborough Community College, the University of South Florida and the University of Florida. "Not every student is gonna be taking AP, but they could decide that dual enrollment is where they... benefit the most," Lineger said.

Hoover described how the district stacks offerings across grade levels: many high schools provide AP, IB or Cambridge diploma routes and work with career and technical education (CTE) programs, while some middle schools offer IB diploma preparation and a number of elementary sites offer the IB primary years program. He said magnet programs and theme-based learning help prepare younger students with critical thinking and hands-on skills that lead into high-school accelerated coursework.

Both officials emphasized outreach and supports that aim to broaden access. Lineger said feeder-school coordination, master scheduling, teacher preparation and school counseling work together so students and families learn about options early. Hoover noted this will be the second year every high school has an accelerated lead teacher responsible for communicating pathways to middle and elementary schools and staffing expos and open houses.

The district also highlighted outcomes. Bellanti and Hoover cited district data that for the class of 2024 "over 70 percent" of seniors graduated having earned at least one accelerated credential — an AP, IB, Cambridge ACE, dual-enrollment credit or industry certification. "Our acceleration rate through the state of Florida is the highest it's ever been in Hillsborough County," Hoover said. Lineger added that earning college credit in high school can relieve a financial burden for families.

Lineger urged families to start with their high-school or middle-school counselors and to consult school websites for program details. The episode announced a second application window opening Monday, March 9, and encouraged families to attend magnet expos and information nights before making choices for the next school year.

On recognitions, Lineger said the Cambridge Learner Awards list was released and that "200 of our Hillsborough County Public School students" received some form of recognition; she named Lato, Sumner and Wharton as campuses with the highest numbers of recognized students.

Closing the episode, Bellanti thanked the guests and reiterated that families seeking details should contact their school counselors or visit the district website for resources and application timelines. "If you'd like to learn more about our accelerated opportunities at your child's school, start with your school counselor or visit our district website for resources and application timelines," she said.