Summary
Morton Elementary in Arlington, TX, serves 446 students from Pre-K through 6th grade within the Arlington Independent School District (Isd), operating in a high-poverty area where over 92% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch. The school is currently ranked in the 3rd percentile statewide, earning a 0-star rating, which represents a sharp decline from its historical performance—it has dropped from the 29th percentile in 2016-2017 to its current low, making it the lowest-performing school in its immediate cluster.
Compared to nearby schools, Morton’s academic struggles are stark. While South Davis Elementary and Atherton Elementary both rank in the 30th percentile, Morton sits at the 3rd percentile. Test scores highlight the gap: in 6th grade reading, only 14.29% of Morton students are proficient, versus 46.67% at Atherton and 45.90% at South Davis. In 3rd grade math, just 6% of Morton students meet benchmarks, compared to 50% at Blanton Elementary. Even more concerning, while other schools have stabilized or improved, Morton has seen a precipitous drop from the 11th percentile in 2022-2023 to its current 3rd percentile. A nearby charter school, Newman International Academy Of Arlington, serves a different demographic and ranks in the 49th percentile, highlighting the challenges Morton faces.
Despite these struggles, there are bright spots. Morton’s Gifted and Talented program is exceptional, with students ranking in the 71st percentile statewide—a 4-star rating that stands out against the school’s overall performance. Additionally, 3rd graders taking the STAAR Spanish Reading test achieved a 41.67% proficiency rate, well above the district average of 18.82% and state average of 28.3%. This suggests the bilingual program may be more effective than the general curriculum. However, science remains a persistent weakness, with 5th grade proficiency rates fluctuating between 1.96% and 27% over recent years. Notably, per-student spending at Morton ($10,550) is in line with peers, indicating the issue is not funding but how resources are used. The school’s leadership should focus on scaling the successful strategies from its GT and bilingual programs to address core subjects like reading, math, and science.
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