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Needs Improvement

#3742 of 3,777 schools in FL

Florida Connections Academy

School · HILLSBOROUGH

13008 N TELECOM PKWY, Temple Terrace, FL 33637

Charter Virtual

Enrollment

5,731

Student-Teacher

43.4:1

Score

3.0

Grades

Kindergarten – 12th

Updated 2022-23

How this school compares

In Temple Terrace

#7 of 7

public schools

Florida schools

#256 of 260

In district

#285 of 286

HILLSBOROUGH

About Florida Connections Academy

Florida Connections Academy serves 5,731 students from kindergarten through 12th grade as a charter school in Temple Terrace. This virtual learning institution operates with 132 full-time equivalent teachers, resulting in a student-teacher ratio of 43.4:1, which reflects the online educational model where teachers can work with larger groups of students remotely. The school currently faces academic challenges, with 46% of students demonstrating proficiency in English Language Arts and 30% achieving proficiency in mathematics across grade levels.

These scores place Florida Connections Academy in the 9th percentile statewide, ranking #3482 out of 3816 Florida schools, indicating significant room for academic growth as the school works to better serve its diverse student population. As a virtual charter school, Florida Connections Academy provides families throughout the region with an alternative to traditional brick-and-mortar education. Students can access their curriculum and instruction from home while still being part of the Florida public school system.

The school draws from various communities, including the Temple Terrace area where families have a median household income of $55,748 and 35% hold bachelor's degrees or higher. The school operates from its administrative location on North Telecom Parkway in the large suburban Tampa Bay area.

What's said publicly about Florida Connections Academy

Sources: School's website

Synthesized from public, attributable sources. Updated April 2026.

Florida Connections Academy is a tuition-free public online school serving students in grades K–12 1 . The institution is funded by state tax dollars and aligned with state standards, requiring families to cover only typical expenses such as supplies or optional field trips 1 . The school is accredited by Cognia, a global leader in school quality, and holds regional accreditation 1 . It is backed by Pearson and utilizes certified teachers who provide personalized support to students 1 . The program emphasizes building one-on-one connections and fostering a sense of belonging for individual learners 1 .
Sources (1)
  1. www.connectionsacademy.com
Generated by AI from public sources. Every claim is grounded in a cited source. Report inaccuracy

What Parents Should Know

Florida Connections Academy is a large school with 5,731 students enrolled. Larger schools typically offer a wider range of academic programs, electives, and extracurricular activities. Parents may want to ask about how the school maintains a sense of community and ensures students don't get lost in the crowd.

The student-teacher ratio at Florida Connections Academy is 43.4:1, which is higher than the national average. This may mean larger class sizes, so parents should ask about classroom support, teaching assistants, and how the school differentiates instruction for students who need extra help.

Florida Connections Academy is a charter school — a publicly funded school that operates with more autonomy than traditional district schools. Charter schools often have distinct educational models or specialties. Parents should understand the school's specific mission, enrollment process, and how its approach differs from nearby district options.

Score Breakdown

Full Profile · 4/4 metrics
Student Progress3.8Fair25%
Year-over-year improvement in student test scores.
View breakdown
Years of Data3
Annual Change-2.73 pts/yr
Data Period2019–2024
TrendDeclining
Academics6.0Above Average25%
Student proficiency on state tests, adjusted for community poverty levels.
View breakdown
Math Proficiency36%
Reading/ELA Proficiency57%
Math vs. State Avg-24.5 pts
Reading vs. State Avg+1.8 pts
Overall Proficiency47%
Expected (poverty-adj.)52%
vs. Expected-5.5 pts
Adjusted Percentile43th
College Readiness1.1Significantly Below Average30%
Graduation rates, AP course participation, and IB availability.
View breakdown
AP Participation0.6%
IB ProgramNo
Resources & Environment1.1Significantly Below Average20%
Student-teacher ratio, per-pupil spending, and attendance.
View breakdown
Student-Teacher Ratio43.4:1
Per-Pupil Spending$9,837

Florida Connections Academy — Students at Florida Connections Academy score 46% proficient, which is below what's typical for similar communities (expected: 52%).

How we calculate scores →

Equity & Diversity

Shown separately, not included in overall score

Free/Reduced Lunch

44.8%

Students qualifying for federal meal assistance

Test Scores FL FAST (2023-24)

Math Proficiency 32.6%
School
State
55.3%
ELA Proficiency 48.9%
School
State
52.9%

Based on 18 test records from FL state assessments. About our data

Proficiency Trend

↓ Declining

Average proficiency (% at or above grade level) across Math & ELA over time.

2019
Math
43%
ELA
61%
2021*
Math
36%
ELA
57%
2024
Math
30.3%
ELA
46.4%

* COVID-affected year — test participation was uneven nationwide. This data is weighted at 50% in the Growth score calculation.

Source: EdFacts (NCES) and state assessment data. Growth score: 3.8/10.

How Florida Connections Academy Compares

See how Florida Connections Academy performs across key quality dimensions compared to state benchmarks.

Overall Score
3.0/10
1th percentile in FL
Academic
6.0/10
6.0/10
Growth
3.8/10
Below average
Environment
1.1/10
Below average

Funding & Resources

Free/Reduced Lunch
Students eligible for subsidized meals
45%
Teaching Staff
43:1 student-teacher ratio
132 teachers

Location

13008 N TELECOM PKWY, Temple Terrace, FL 33637

Nearby Alternatives

Families considering Florida Connections Academy may also want to explore other schools in the area. PAIDEIA CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (DBA) (rated 8.6/10, 3.3 miles away, in nearby Tampa), which scores notably higher. Another option is HARMON STEM SCHOOL (rated 5.9/10, 2.4 miles away, in nearby Tampa), which scores notably higher. Additionally, AMERICAN YOUTH ACADEMY (rated 5.4/10, 0.8 miles away, in nearby Tampa), which scores notably higher. For more schools in Temple Terrace, see our Temple Terrace schools guide .

Nearby Schools

20 within 3.3 mi
School Distance Rating
GRECO MIDDLE MAGNET SCHOOL Temple Terrace 0.7 mi 4.4
AMERICAN YOUTH ACADEMY Tampa 0.8 mi 5.4
LEWIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Temple Terrace 1.1 mi 5.6
THE GODDARD SCHOOL FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVT Tampa 1.2 mi
IVY GLOBAL SCHOOL Tampa 1.3 mi 2.6
FOCUS ACADEMY Temple Terrace 1.5 mi 5.2
MONTESSORI PREPARATORY SCHOOL Temple Terrace 1.4 mi 6.2
WOODMONT CHARTER SCHOOL Temple Terrace 1.6 mi 3.6
PIZZO K-8 SCHOOL Tampa 1.7 mi 6.6
CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC SCHOOL Temple Terrace 2.0 mi 8.2
FLORIDA COLLEGE ACADEMY Temple Terrace 2.1 mi 5.3
DR. KIRAN C. PATEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa 2.0 mi 8.8
DR KIRAN C PATEL HIGH SCHOOL Tampa 2.0 mi 6.4
TEMPLE TERRACE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Temple Terrace 2.2 mi 6.3
TERRACE COMMUNITY MIDDLE SCHOOL Tampa 2.0 mi 7.9
TAMPA PALMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Tampa 2.4 mi 6.3
HARMON STEM SCHOOL Tampa 2.4 mi 5.9
RIVERHILLS ELEMENTARY MAGNET SCHOOL Temple Terrace 2.9 mi 8.2
FAMILY OF CHRIST CHRISTIAN SCHOOL Tampa 3.0 mi 5.7
PAIDEIA CLASSICAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL (DBA) Tampa 3.3 mi 8.6

Neighborhood Census ACS (2019-2023)

Census data for ZIP 33637 (ACS 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) · Data sources

Median Income

$60,526

Median Home Value

$213,800

Median Rent

$1,531/mo

Population

17,785

College Educated

35.5%

Homeownership

41%

Avg Commute

27.8 min

Poverty Rate

18.2%

Median Age

34.4

Community Profile

The community surrounding Florida Connections Academy has a median household income of $60,526. It is an area where 36% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $213,800, with a median rent of $1,531/month. The area has a poverty rate of 18.2%. The average commute for residents is 28 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.

Similar Schools

Schools in the same state with comparable level, size, and ratings

School Rating
DIGITAL ACADEMY OF FLORIDA Labelle, FL 2.2

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about Florida Connections Academy

What grades does Florida Connections Academy serve?

Florida Connections Academy serves students in grades Kindergarten through 12th.

How many students attend Florida Connections Academy?

Florida Connections Academy has an enrollment of approximately 5,731 students.

What is the student-teacher ratio at Florida Connections Academy?

The student-teacher ratio at Florida Connections Academy is 43.4:1. A lower ratio generally means more individual attention per student. The national average is approximately 16:1 for public schools.

How does Florida Connections Academy rank in FL?

Florida Connections Academy is ranked #3742 out of 3,777 schools in FL.

What is Florida Connections Academy's MySchoolScout rating?

Florida Connections Academy has a composite rating of 3.0 out of 10 on MySchoolScout. This score combines academic performance, student growth, and school environment into a single score. Equity data is shown separately for context.

What are the test scores at Florida Connections Academy?

Based on the most recent state assessment data, Florida Connections Academy has 32.6% math proficiency and 48.9% reading/ELA proficiency.

Is Florida Connections Academy a charter school?

Yes, Florida Connections Academy is a charter school. Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, often with more flexibility in curriculum and teaching methods.

Is Florida Connections Academy a Title I school?

No, Florida Connections Academy is not currently a Title I school.

What does the Free & Reduced Lunch percentage mean for Florida Connections Academy?

44.8% of students at Florida Connections Academy qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. This is a commonly used indicator of economic need and provides important context when interpreting test scores.

11 schools nearby View map →

Neighborhood Context

Walk Score
24 Car-Dependent
Transit Score
25 Some Transit
Bike Score
33 Somewhat Bikeable
City Safety
High (2,073/100K)

Powered by Walk Score

FBI UCR 2024. City-level (Temple Terrace). Data >1 year old.

Quick Facts NCES CCD (SY 2022-23)

Grades
Kindergarten – 12th
Enrollment
5,731
Student-Teacher Ratio
43.4:1
Teachers (FTE)
132
Free/Reduced Lunch
44.8%
Type
regular
Setting
Large Suburb
County
Hillsborough County
Data Year
2023–2024

District

HILLSBOROUGH
District Enrollment
224,152
Schools in District
305
Per-Pupil Spending
$10,590
District Rank
#285 of 286

How We Rate Schools

Every school receives a composite score from 1 to 10 based on four pillars: Academic Performance (50%), Student Growth (20%), Equity (15%), and Learning Environment (15%). Scores are built from publicly available data including standardized test results, enrollment figures, and school climate indicators.

Read our full methodology

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