Summary:
The city of Temple Terrace, Florida, is home to 7 schools within the Hillsborough school district, serving elementary through high school grades, and the data reveals a stark divide in educational outcomes across the city.
The standout performer is Riverhills Elementary Magnet School, which is the only school in the city to earn a 3-star rating and ranks in the 70th percentile statewide. It consistently exceeds state averages in English Language Arts and Math, and boasts the lowest chronic absenteeism rate in the city at just 14.5%. In stark contrast, Woodmont Charter School and Temple Terrace Elementary School are the most challenged, ranking in the 2nd and 5th percentiles respectively, with chronic absenteeism rates of 63.7% and 46.3%. The city's average chronic absenteeism rate of 43.9% (excluding the virtual school) is a major concern, as it strongly correlates with low academic performance. Florida Connections Academy, a large virtual alternative school, reports a 0% absenteeism rate (likely a data artifact) but has below-average test scores and a high student-teacher ratio of 43.2:1.
Other notable schools include Greco Middle Magnet School and Lewis Elementary School, which also face challenges. Focus Academy, the only high school, spends $26,318 per student—double the city average—yet its graduation rate of 87.5% falls below both district and state averages, suggesting it serves a high-needs population. Overall, the data shows that while Riverhills Elementary Magnet is a clear success, most Temple Terrace schools are struggling, with chronic absenteeism emerging as the defining crisis that likely explains the city's poor academic rankings.
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