Best Elementary Schools in Zip Code 33617

This analysis examines five elementary schools in the 33617 zip code (Temple Terrace, FL), serving students from Pre-Kindergarten through 5th or 8th grade, all part of the Hillsborough school district, which ranks in the 36th percentile statewide.

Riverhills Elementary Magnet School is the clear standout, earning a 3-star rating and ranking in the 70th percentile statewide—a dramatic departure from the other four schools, which all rank in the bottom 10% of Florida elementary schools. Riverhills boasts majority proficiency in core subjects (e.g., 75% in 3rd Grade ELA, 77% in 4th Grade Math) and an exceptionally low chronic absenteeism rate of 14.5%, less than half the state average. In contrast, Woodmont Charter School has the lowest poverty rate (21.84% free/reduced lunch) but ranks in the 2nd percentile, with a staggering 63.7% chronic absenteeism rate. Pizzo K-8 School, Temple Terrace Elementary School, and Lewis Elementary School all score 10-20 points below the district average in most subjects, with chronic absenteeism averaging 47.5% across these four underperforming schools.

The data reveals that chronic absenteeism is a systemic crisis, strongly correlating with low academic performance across the area. Spending does not equal results: the two highest-spending schools, Lewis ($13,248) and Temple Terrace ($13,035), are among the lowest-performing, while Riverhills spends less ($12,396) but achieves the best outcomes. The "magnet effect" at Riverhills appears to create a fundamentally different educational environment, while Woodmont Charter's high absenteeism and low performance challenge assumptions about charter schools or poverty rates alone determining success. For parents, Riverhills is the clear top choice, while the other schools face significant challenges that require careful consideration of attendance and support systems.