Summary
Alkek Elementary is a PK-5 school in the Bandera Independent School District (Isd), serving 574 students in the Bandera, TX area. The school has experienced a significant recent decline, dropping to its lowest overall state ranking in a decade, now in the 24th percentile with a 1-star rating.
Compared to nearby schools, the most striking difference is the performance gap with Fabra Elementary in the Boerne Independent School District (Isd), which ranks in the 90th percentile. For example, in 4th Grade Math, Fabra’s proficiency rate (71.56%) is over three times higher than Alkek’s (21.95%). This academic divide is strongly linked to socioeconomic factors: Alkek has a 59.23% free/reduced lunch rate, while Fabra’s is much lower at 31.99%. Within its own district, Alkek’s performance is mixed compared to Hill Country Elementary, which generally outperforms Alkek in recent years. Notably, Alkek spends less per student ($9,465) than Center Point Elementary ($11,924), a school with similar performance and higher poverty rates, suggesting funding alone isn't the primary issue.
Despite overall struggles, Alkek has a clear strength in 5th Grade Science, where it consistently outperforms the state average. However, the school faces a deepening crisis for its most vulnerable students, with economically disadvantaged students dropping from the 32nd to the 3rd percentile in just two years. Mathematics is a persistent weakness across all grades, with 4th Grade Math proficiency at just 21.95%. In contrast, the Gifted and Talented program is a major success, ranking in the 71st percentile, creating a "tale of two schools" dynamic. Alkek is at a critical juncture and must urgently address its declining performance for at-risk students while building on its bright spots.
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