Temple Independent School District (Isd)

The Temple Independent School District (Isd) serves approximately 7,276 students across 14 schools, including eight elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, and one alternative school, and is ranked in the 22nd percentile of Texas districts, indicating significant challenges compared to the state average.

Within the district, Kennedy-Powell Elementary stands out as a top performer, ranking in the 73rd percentile statewide with strong test scores in reading and math that exceed both district and state averages, despite a majority of its students being economically disadvantaged. In contrast, Hector P Garcia Elementary faces the most challenges, ranking in the 17th percentile with low proficiency rates, such as only 24% of third graders proficient in reading. Among middle schools, Bonham Middle is a rising star, ranking in the 57th percentile and excelling in advanced math, with 97.14% of its Algebra I students proficient. The district’s high schools show mixed results: Temple High School has a graduation rate of 89.9%, while the alternative Fred W Edwards Academy Aec achieves a higher rate of 95.4%.

A key finding is the "Algebra I anomaly," where middle schools like Travis Science Academy show low general math proficiency but high Algebra I success, suggesting targeted advanced instruction works well. The district also shows wide variance in elementary performance, with schools like Scott Elementary performing well in third grade but declining later, indicating inconsistency. The alternative Wheatley Alternative Education Center serves a highly challenging population with intensive resources, spending $39,050 per student, nearly four times the district average. Overall, Temple ISD has bright spots like Kennedy-Powell and Bonham Middle, but struggles with high poverty rates averaging 72% across schools, which impacts academic outcomes.