Summary:
The six schools in Temple's 76504 zip code, all part of the Temple Independent School District (Isd), serve a high-poverty community with an average free/reduced lunch rate of nearly 69%. The schools include three elementary campuses, one middle school, and two high schools, with total enrollment around 4,326 students. Performance varies dramatically within this single zip code, making school choice critical for families.
Kennedy-Powell Elementary is the standout, earning a 4-star rating and ranking in the 73rd percentile statewide—far outperforming its peers despite 61% economic disadvantage. In contrast, Scott Elementary (40th percentile) and Western Hills Elementary (29th percentile) lag behind, with Western Hills scoring just 35.82% proficient in 3rd grade math versus Kennedy-Powell's 67.21%. At the middle school level, Travis Science Academy shows a split profile: its general math scores are below state averages, but its Algebra I End-of-Course exam proficiency (89.29%) far exceeds the district (42.88%) and state (54.03%), indicating a strong advanced math program.
For high schools, Temple High School struggles with a 89.9% graduation rate and low test scores (29th percentile). Meanwhile, Fred W Edwards Academy Aec, an alternative campus with only 77 students, achieves a 95.4% graduation rate despite ranking in the bottom 15%—a classic trade-off where the school prioritizes keeping at-risk students on track to graduate over standardized test performance. Overall, families should note the wide disparity between Kennedy-Powell's academic excellence and the challenges faced by other campuses, as well as the unique strengths at Travis Science Academy for advanced math students.
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