[3] In 1955, philanthropist H. Terry Parker and his family deeded 30 acres (120,000 m2) of property in Arlington for the erection of a public school in the Duval County area.

The project was funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The school has an outdoor pool which is used by the athletic teams and physical education classes during the academic year; then it becomes a free public pool operated by the City of Jacksonville Parks & Recreation Department during the summer months.

Thirty Terry Parker High School graduates, former teachers and former staff members were inducted into the school's inaugural Hall of Fame as part of the school's 50th anniversary festivities April 1, 2005.

Inductees were selected on the basis of their exemplary achievements in athletics, health and medicine, arts and entertainment, public service, business and industry, volunteerism, philanthropy or education.