All Of Wesley Chapel’s Public & Charter Schools Earn Outstanding School Grades!

Congratulations to all 21 public and charter schools located in Wesley Chapel, none of which earned lower than a “B” grade from the Florida Department of Education (DoE) for 2026, and a record 18 of those schools earned “A” grades!

Perhaps the biggest news was that New River Elementary improved its grade from a “D” last year to an “A” this year, although seven other schools โ€” Double Branch, Veterans & Wiregrass elementary schools, Cypress Creek and Weightman middle schools, Innovation Preparatory Academy and Wesley Chapel High all improved from a “B” to an “A,” and Watergrass Elementary improved from a “C” to a “B.”

Also, not one school located in Wesley Chapel received a lower grade this year than last, and overall, the Pasco School District received its first-ever “A” grade from the Florida DoE.

“This achievement reflects the incredible dedication of our teachers, support staff, administrators, students and families,” said Pasco Superintendent of Schools D. John Legg in a statement released by the District. 

The Neighborhood News applauds the entire Pasco School District’s improvement and the amazing achievements of all 21 public and charter schools located in Wesley Chapel.

Pasco Set To Open New Medical Magnet High School In Wesley Chapel For 2028-29

This map shows the planned location for the future magnet high school off Meadow Pointe Blvd., as well as the location of the future K-8 school planned for the Two Rivers community. (Image credit: Pasco County Schools)

Itโ€™s still a couple of school years away, but Wesley Chapel will welcome another high school to address overcrowding concerns at two of its high schools โ€” as well as help grow the areaโ€™s healthcare workforce. 

Set to open in August 2028, the new school will be a medical magnet high school with an opening-day capacity of 1,300 students and a heavy focus on health care and medical studies, including medical sciences, imaging and nursing. 

Located on the west side of Meadow Pointe Blvd., north of Chancey Rd. (between C.R. 54/ Wesley Chapel Blvd. and S.R. 56; see map), the nearly 75-acre site is close to numerous hospitals, including AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel and especially, the coming-soon Florida Medical Clinic Orlando Health Wiregrass Ranch Hospital.ย 

โ€œWe believe the market in that area would lend itself to that career cluster,โ€ said Pasco County Superintendent of Schools John Legg, Ed.D., at the Sept. 9, 2025, Pasco School Board workshop regarding the proposed magnet school. 

With it being situated between Wesley Chapel (WCH) and Wiregrass Ranch (WRH) high schools, the new school is expected to pull most of its student population from those currently attending WCH and WRH, both of which are over capacity. WCH is currently about 500 students over its capacity and WRH is 600- 700 students over its capacity. 

The new school is part of a broader effort by the Pasco School District to partner with healthcare organizations and hospitals in order to expand the countyโ€™s healthcare workforce. 

In 2025, the district received a $500,000 planning grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies, in partnership with AdventHealth, to build a healthcare-focused high school program, with an opportunity to secure a larger $25-million, five-year implementation grant in the future. We had no further information about that additional grant at our press time. 

The school district also has a great partnership with Pasco Hernando State College (PHSC) through its nursing and health science programs. PHSC officials believe that this new magnet school will be a tremendous benefit to Pascoโ€™s health care industry, as well as its residents. 

โ€œWe are proud to support the new medical magnet high school and help create a seamless pathway for students with an interest in health care to advance into our nursing and allied health programs,โ€ says PHSC President Eric Hall, Ed. D. โ€œThis partnership aligns with our commitment to preparing the next generation of health care professionals and complements the expanded educational opportunities available through our Institute for Nursing and Allied Health Advancement at [PHSCโ€™s] Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.โ€ 

District officials say the approximately $80-million school is primarily being funded by impact fees, which are one-time charges imposed by local municipalities on new residential developments in order to fund public projects like schools and infrastructure. 

We hope to be able to update this story within the next few months. 

Congratsย To The Top-10 Graduating Seniors From Wiregrass Ranch High!

Wiregrass Ranch High School โ€” Graduation Ceremony: Saturday, June 6, at USF Yuengling Center 

1. Gavin Sawall, Valedictorian 

GPA: 4.7368 

Clubs/Activities: NHS, Science NHS, Alpha Theta, Senior Research Officer of Research Club 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Mechanical Engineering 

Best thing about high school: Hanging out with friends & engaging in new opportunities. 

2. Vaishnavi Panchavati, Salutatorian 

GPA: 4.73 

Clubs/Activities: HOSA, FBLA, Indian classical dancer 

College planning to attend: University of Florida Honors Program 

Planned major or future career: Microbiology & Cell Science 

Best thing about high school: Meeting my closest friends and enjoying every single day with them in class. 

3. Nathan Finkel 

GPA: 4.0/4.7077 

Clubs/Activities: SADD chapter president, varsity boys basketball manager & statistician, SAC chairman, FTSDC teen ambassador board member, District Student Congress Representative, girls flag football announcer, NHS, basketball summer camp counselor, Culverโ€™s Crew member 

College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Sports Management/Sports & Media Journalism 

Best thing about high school: Assisting the coaching staff & recording stats for the basketball team as we won four consecutive District championships. 

4. Sarah Khatib 

GPA: 4.67 

Clubs/Activities: Student Council President, Moffitt Cancer Center Intern (Fall 2024), HOSA member & State competitor, Founder of World Matters Human Rights Club, Associate of Arts Degree at PHSC through Dual Enrollment 

College Planning to Attend: University of South Florida Honors College 

Planned major or future career: Physician Assistant specializing in neurology 

Best Thing about High School: The supportive community & the meaningful connections you build along the way! 

5. Carson West 

GPA: 4.0/4.49 

Clubs/Activities: Varsity cross country, FBLA, Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapter treasurer, varsity lacrosse offensive captain & starter, varsity golf starter, Teen Court Regionally Celebrated Attorney, Class of 2026 Treasurer& volunteer coordinator, NHS Service Group member, SADD, Rho Kappa HS, Bulls Nation spirit leader & pep rally lead, Intl. Science & Engineering Fair finalist, Science Research Club co-founder & senior research lead, Red Shift robotics club CAD design team, Stockholm Jr. Water Prize State competitor & honoree, Chemathon chemistry competition selected representative 

College planning to attend: Vanderbilt Univ. 

Planned major or future career: Biomedical Eng. & Human & Organizational Development 

Best thing about high school: Learning more about yourself, your interests & who you want to become in the future. Research, where I developed & tested my own project which ended up leading me to International Science Fair my junior & senior years. 

6. Sophia Zhang 

GPA: 4.68 

Clubs/Activities: Crochet Club (among other things) 

College planning to attend: Yale Univ. 

Planned major or future career: Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology 

Best thing about high school: The wonderful people & teachers I got to meet!

7. Bomin Kwon 

GPA: 3.98/4.66 

Clubs/Activities: Tampa Museum of Art Youth Council member (pd. internship), Green Club (co-founder), piano study (10 years) 

College planning to attend: Univ. of California at Berkeley 

Planned major or future career: Chemistry 

Best thing about high school: Collectively stressing out about school with friends. 

8. (tie) Kylie Glatfelter 

GPA: 3.98/4.66 

Clubs/Activities: Varsity softball 3 years, Student Council, Mu Alpha Theta, Teen Court, Key Club, Red Cross 

College planning to attend: Univ. of Tampa 

Planned major or future career: Major in Business Management, Minor in Law, Justice, & Advocacy in hopes to be a corporate attorney 

Best thing about high school: The support system my teachers & guidance counselor has given me to achieve my goals & succeed in the future. 

8. (Tie) Karl Bufe 

GPA: 4.6604 

Clubs/Activities: President of Spanish NHS, President of English NHS, Co-President of Book Club, secretary of Rho Kappa Social Studies NHS, volunteer at St. Josephโ€™s Hospital & concessions at Dr. John Long Middle School 

College planning to attend: University of Florida Honors Program 

Planned major or future career: Psychology, Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience specialization 

Best thing about high school: Meeting the absolutely amazing people โ€” staff, teacher & friends โ€” who have supported me & helped me get where I am today. 

10. Isabella Stevenson 

GPA: 4.63 

Clubs/Activities: Club ECNLR soccer, varsity soccer, varsity flag football, volunteer with Feeding Tampa Bay & Grace Family Church 

Congratsย To The Top-10 Graduating Seniors From Wesley Chapel High!

Wesley Chapel High School โ€” Graduation Ceremony: Saturday, June 6, at USF Yuengling Centerย 

1. Camden Battey, Valedictorian 

GPA: 4.77 

Clubs/Activities: Mu Alpha Theta, Science NHS, NHS, Varsity Golf (4 years), Moffitt Volunteer, Pepin Summer Nursing Program, Business Club, Speech & Debate, Nat. Merit Scholar 

College planning to attend: University of Florida Honors & Research Programs 

Planned major or future career: Biol. Eng. 

Best thing about high school: Being part of the golf team & creating lasting memories through tournaments & competition. 

2. Christopher Koschman, Salutatorian 

GPA: 4.74 

Clubs/Activities: Varsity Soccer, NHS, Key Club, Academic Team

College planning to attend: University of South Florida 

Planned major or future career: Biology (PA track) 

Best thing about high school: Building friendships in the classroom and on the field while competing in soccer. 

3. Jacob Doonan 

GPA: 4.69 

Clubs/Activities: Varsity Golf (4 years), NHS, Elementary School Volunteer 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major/future career: Civil Engineering 

Best thing about high school: The camaraderie of the golf team & competing together at tournaments & States. 

4. Lena Isheja 

GPA: 4.68 

Clubs/Activities: Cheer, Tutor, Job at Kohlโ€™s, NHS 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Microbiology 

Best thing about high school: Having the opportunity to take college-level courses & prepare for the rigor of the future. 

5. Marc Moua 

GPA: 4.65 

Clubs/Activities: NHS, Science NHS, Tennis, AVID 

College planning to attend: University of South Florida 

Planned major or future career: Business Analytics & Information Systems 

Best thing about high school: Making meaningful memories & spending quality time with friends. 

6. Isabella Prieto 

GPA: 4.61 

Clubs/Activities: Science NHS, Active Hearts, volleyball manager (fresh./soph.) 

College planning to attend: University of South Florida 

Planned major or future career: Med. Biology 

Best thing about high school: Memories made with friends! 

7. Jadon Wilson 

GPA: 4.61 

Clubs/Activities: Football, Wrestling, Track, Soccer, Tennis, Weightlifting, NHS, Science NHS, Student Govt., FCA, Debate, District Outstanding Senior 

College planning to attend: University of Florida or Florida State University 

Planned major or future career: Computer Engineering 

Best thing about high school: Exploring new interests, staying involved & building strong friendships along the way. 

8. Zachary Kurland

GPA: 4.59 

Clubs/Activities: Tennis, BCE Student at Wesley Chapel Elementary, Youth Leadership Pasco, NHS 

College planning to attend: Univ. of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Hospitality Mgmt. (plan to pursue MBA) 

Best thing about high school: The friendships & relationships built that will last far beyond graduation. 

9. Dominic Fusco

GPA: 4.59 

Clubs/Activities: NHS, Key Club 

College planning to attend: Florida State University 

Planned major or future career: Finance 

Best Thing About High School: Challenging myself in rigorous classes alongside friends while supporting & learning from each other. 

10. Kyeli Timothy

GPA: 4.57 

Clubs/Activities: Varsity Lacrosse, NHS, Tutor, Gymnastics Instructor 

College planning to attend: University of South Florida 

Planned major or future career: Biomedical Engineering 

Best thing about high school: Building friendships through classes, clubs & lacrosse while creating unforgettable experiences on the field. 

Congratsย To The Top-10 Graduating Seniors From Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation!

Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation โ€” Graduation Ceremony: Mon., June 8, At USF Yuengling Ctr. 

1. Milla Asenov 

GPA: 4.7429 

Clubs/Activities: HOSA President, Student Government pres., AdventHealth volunteer, tutor, Student Congress representative, dual enrollment, student nurse internship 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Biochemistry 

Best thing about high school: The amazing people Iโ€™ve met & the impact theyโ€™ve had on me! 

2. Jessica Ghobryal 

GPA: 4.621 

Clubs/Activities: SGA, NHS, HOSA, Navigating Our Community 

College planning to attend: University of South Florida 

Planned major or future career: Biomedical Science – Pre-Med, Surgeon 

Best thing about high school: Making lifelong memories. 

3. Katie Franciso 

GPA: 4.5769 

Clubs/Activities: School Advisory Council (SAC) Secretary, Yoga & Meditation Club president, martial arts black belt, Communications internship, Navigator News anchor, editor & writer, NHS, Quill & Scroll HS 

College planning to attend: Florida State University 

Planned major or future career: Dual major Digital Media Production & Marketing 

Best thing about high school: Finding my interests and becoming more independent. 

4. Paisley Murphy 

GPA: 4.5308 

Clubs/Activities: Varsity wrestling, varsity swimming, Scouting America Eagle Scout & Venturing Crew president 

College planning to attend: Columbia University 

Planned major or future career: Environmental Law 

Best thing about high school: Meeting my friends. 

5. Shane McBride 

GPA: 4.4906 

Clubs/Activities: Tournament Paintball 

Planned major or future career: Entrepreneur 

Best thing about high school: Friends, activities – homecoming/prom & teachers. 

6. Katherine Traynor

GPA: 4.4828 

Clubs/Activities: Wrestling, Swimming, Scouting America 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Materials Engineering 

Best thing about high school: Getting out of my comfort zone. 

7. Patrick Durden 

GPA: 4.4811 

Clubs/Activities: NHS, CTF Cyber Team, Childrenโ€™s Church Volunteer 

College planning to attend: St. Leo University 

Planned major or future career: Cybersecurity 

Best thing about high school: Friendships made along the way & memories made through school social activities. 

8. Zaid Isaac 

GPA: 4.4796 

College planning to attend: University of South Florida 

Planned major or future career: Cybersecurity & military 

Best thing about high school: The friends made along the way. 

9. Mischa Groner 

GPA: 4.4706 

Clubs/Activities: Student Government Assn., NHS, VP of HOSA, Student Congress, Nursing Assistant Internship, Volunteer at AdventHealth, Working at the Lagoon, Fully enrolled at PHSC for Dual Enrollment & receiving my Associates in Arts degree in May. 

College planning to attend: St. Leo Univ. 

Planned major or future career: Nursing with a minor in criminal justice. 

Best thing about high school: The friends I made and the patient care program.

10. Jackson Foster 

GPA: 4.4701 

Clubs/Activities: HOSA, PHS, Varsity Swim Captain, Lifeguard, Swim Instructor & Basketball Coach, YMCA 

College planning to attend: University of Florida 

Planned major or future career: Applied Physiology & Kinesiology, Interest in Sports Medicine 

Best thing about high school: The people.