Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School (BDCHS) is a high performing, A+ rated public charter school that serves a diverse population of students from the Tampa Bay area, who are seeking a quality education in a small, safe and caring learning environment. Students at BDCHS are a name and not a number among our student body of just over 600.
Through our unique college and career preparatory program, students become well equipped to become critical thinkers, collaborative learners, and productive citizens of the local, state, national, and global society. By providing a high-quality, challenging educational program with various acceleration opportunities, Phoenix students are exposed to curricular programming that promotes post-secondary success and supports individual student academic and personal goals.
BDCHS is able to create and maintain its caring, safe, and engaging student-centered learning environment as a result of the dedication and investment of our founders, Board of Directors, teachers, staff, parents/guardians, students, and community members. The relationships and partnerships that we have built with various stakeholders have allowed BDCHS to build a history of success within the curricular programming and throughout our extra-curricular opportunities including athletics, academic honor societies, and many student clubs and organizations.
It was the vision of Hall of Fame Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks and the Edward J. DeBartolo Jr. family to create a learning environment that supported college preparation and career readiness within a small, safe, and caring atmosphere to high school students in the Tampa Bay area. Their goal was to open a tuition-free charter school that would provide a rigorous quality education, similar to that of the private schools in Hillsborough County and to provide a greater opportunity for academic achievement to students who otherwise may not excel in a large school setting. With this strong vision in mind, the charitable organizations of Mr. Brooks and the Edward J. DeBartolo Jr. family joined forces to create BDCHS in 2007 and continue to support the school along with many other valued stakeholders. Our school continues to grow and students soar to new heights every day.
Athletic Programs
In 2008, BDCHS added athletics to its program. The school is a full member of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) and is eligible to participate in the State Championship Series.
BDCHS offers several sports, including: volleyball, bowling, basketball, softball, baseball, cheerleading, cross country, flag football (girls), soccer and tennis. Go Phoenix!
Making the Grade
Currently, we serve the students of the Tampa Bay area at our 11-acre campus with approximately 600 students enrolled and a growing waiting list. We are proud to have earned another “A” grade from the Florida Department of Education and to have been named for several consecutive years as “One of America’s Best High Schools” by the US News and World Report.
BDCHS reached one if its greatest honors by being named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education and a School of Excellence and High Performing Charter School by the Florida Department of Education. Assisting students in their efforts to reach their full potential is central to the mission of BDCHS.
A Mission of Excellence
Our mission statement is as follows, Brooks DeBartolo Collegiate High School strives to be a model collegiate school, offering a broad and rigorous, technology-rich educational program to students from diverse backgrounds. Within a caring and respectful multicultural environment, the school is committed to instilling in each student a desire to learn, to take appropriate risks, and to overcome challenges. The school community is committed to developing students who are life-long learners and responsible citizens who will succeed in the 21st century.
Through our unique college and career preparatory program, students become well equipped to become critical thinkers, collaborative learners, and productive citizens of the local, state, national, and global society. By providing a high-quality, challenging educational program with various acceleration opportunities, Phoenix students are exposed to curricular programming that promotes post-secondary success and supports individual student academic and personal goals.
The core curriculum is taught through college readiness programs, including Honors courses, Advanced Placement (AP), and Dual Enrollment courses. Students have the ability to earn an AP Capstone Diploma and/or an Associate of Arts Degree alongside their High School Diploma. Excellence in academics is promoted across the curriculum through a wide variety of academic honor societies including National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta National Math Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Tri M National Music Honor Society, Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society, and National Art Honor Society.
