Juniors and seniors at Lennard, East Bay and other Hillsborough County high schools can meet representatives from more than 50 colleges, universities and technical schools at two free district events in September.
Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) announced the District College Fair Nights on its school websites Aug. 27. Both sessions run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.:
- Night 1: Wednesday, Sept. 9, at Sickles High School, 7950 Gunn Highway, Tampa
- Night 2: Thursday, Sept. 10, at Newsome High School, 16550 Fishhawk Blvd., Lithia
The events are open to all HCPS juniors and seniors and their families.
For Apollo Beach and Ruskin families, the Newsome campus in Lithia is the closer option. Lennard and East Bay students heading to the Sept. 10 session would travel roughly 20 miles east on U.S. 41 and Fishhawk Boulevard. Sickles High sits in northwest Hillsborough County near Citrus Park, a longer drive from South Shore.
The district said the fairs can help families get questions answered about their college options. HCPS has not published a list of which schools will have tables at the events, though the announcement promises more than 50 colleges, universities and technical colleges will send representatives.
The fairs come as the district expands college-readiness staffing funded by a millage referendum Hillsborough County voters approved in November 2024. That measure generates roughly $177 million a year. HCPS said in a June 2026 district announcement that all 29 of its high schools will have a dedicated college and career counselor under the new funding.
Whether students need to register in advance or can walk in was not listed in the announcement. The district directs families to hillsboroughschools.org/collegefairs for additional details.
