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John J Pershing Elementary

Q: Is John J Pershing Elementary a good school?

John J Pershing Elementary ranks 3233 rd of 4627 Texas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

3233^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 4,627 Texas Elementary Schools

Better than 30% of Texas elementary schools

Summary

John J Pershing Elementary is a PK-5 school in Dallas, TX, serving 457 students within the Dallas Independent School District (Isd). The school has historically been a mid-range performer, but recent data shows a significant decline, dropping to the 30th percentile statewide in 2025-2026. This is a critical concern for parents, especially when compared to nearby schools like Walnut Hill International Leadership Academy (81st percentile) and Harry C Withers Elementary (89th percentile), which serve similar student populations but have found a formula for success. The school also faces a stark contrast with the top-performing Highland Park Independent School District (Isd) schools like University Park Elementary and Hyer Elementary, which consistently rank in the 99th percentile.

A bright spot is Pershing’s bilingual Spanish Reading program, where students consistently outperform both district and state averages. However, the school is struggling in other areas. Mathematics scores have plummeted, with 3rd and 4th graders dropping from around 55% proficiency to just 20% in one year. Science scores have also been chronically low. Additionally, support for high-achieving students is a major weakness, with the Gifted and Talented program ranking in the bottom 20% of the state. The school spends more per student ($13,095) than many higher-performing schools, including George B Dealey Montessori Academy, and has a low student-teacher ratio, suggesting the challenges are more about instructional quality than resources.

The most recent data shows a sharp decline in effectiveness for key student groups, including those from low socio-economic backgrounds and those in special education. This suggests that support systems may have been disrupted. While Pershing has historically been effective with "At Risk" and African American students, the overall trend is concerning. For parents, this school is at a critical juncture, needing a strategic overhaul to reverse the downward trend and provide a stable, high-quality education for all students.

457

Students ?

14.9

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,805

Per pupil spending ?

91.9%

Free/discounted lunch ?

5715 Meaders Ln
Dallas, TX 75230-6657

(972) 794-8600

District: Dallas Independent School District (Isd)

Students who attend John J Pershing Elementary usually attend:

Middle:	Benjamin Franklin International Exploratory Academy
High:	Hillcrest High School

Racial breakdown:

Hispanic:

82.7%

African American:

10.1%

White:

2.8%

See top rated Texas elementary schools

Compare John J Pershing Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 38th percentile in 2016 → 30th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Texas average (42% vs 50% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 8 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school42%

District avg48%

Texas avg50%

3,233^rd of 4,627

Texas public elementary schools ?

Bottom 30%▼ down 8 pts since 2016

From bottom 38% (2016) to bottom 30% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Texas Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

111^th of 149Elementary Schools in the Dallas Independent School District (Isd)

441^st of 951Dallas Independent School District (Isd) among Texas districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	32.8	3233 of 4627	30.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	52.3	2001 of 4651	57.0%	★★★☆☆
2024	58.5	1674 of 4710	64.5%	★★★☆☆
2023	63.2	1453 of 4647	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2022	52.7	2001 of 4581	56.3%	★★★☆☆
2021	42.1	2438 of 4578	46.7%	★★☆☆☆
2019	58.2	1617 of 4479	63.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	45.3	2225 of 4359	49.0%	★★☆☆☆
2017	57.5	1599 of 4329	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2016	42.8	2668 of 4286	37.8%	★★☆☆☆
2015	58.5	1882 of 4320	56.4%	★★★☆☆
2014	60.9	1710 of 4260	59.9%	★★★☆☆
2013	62.9	1564 of 4221	62.9%	★★★☆☆
2012	54.2	2037 of 4206	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2011	51.4	2320 of 4095	43.3%	★★☆☆☆
2010	58.9	1832 of 3937	53.5%	★★★☆☆
2009	37.7	2859 of 3884	26.4%	★☆☆☆☆
2008	51.7	2113 of 3768	43.9%	★★☆☆☆
2007	51.0	2155 of 3724	42.1%	★★☆☆☆
2006	44.8	2292 of 3476	34.1%	★★☆☆☆
2005	28.3	2909 of 3475	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2004	25.8	3010 of 3465	13.1%	★☆☆☆☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	48.0	1159 of 2406	51.8%	★★★☆☆
2025	71.6	342 of 1905	82.0%	★★★★☆
2024	71.3	449 of 2443	81.6%	★★★★☆
2023	66.0	598 of 2443	75.5%	★★★★☆
2022	82.8	211 of 2421	91.3%	★★★★★
2021	42.5	1323 of 2444	45.9%	★★☆☆☆
2019	49.1	1166 of 2515	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2018	59.4	793 of 2483	68.1%	★★★☆☆

At Risk

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2022	74.1	649 of 4461	85.5%	★★★★☆
2021	69.4	766 of 4331	82.3%	★★★★☆
2019	75.5	582 of 4295	86.4%	★★★★☆
2018	71.5	732 of 4240	82.7%	★★★★☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2025	59.0	988 of 2918	66.1%	★★★☆☆
2024	55.4	1388 of 3668	62.2%	★★★☆☆
2023	74.6	563 of 3556	84.2%	★★★★☆
2022	62.8	974 of 3487	72.1%	★★★★☆
2021	61.5	939 of 3446	72.8%	★★★★☆
2019	74.5	466 of 3333	86.0%	★★★★☆
2018	63.8	885 of 3226	72.6%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	20.2	4035 of 4575	11.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	35.9	2488 of 3744	33.5%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.1	2492 of 4658	46.5%	★★☆☆☆
2023	57.5	1716 of 4588	62.6%	★★★☆☆
2022	55.7	1808 of 4561	60.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	35.6	2835 of 4499	37.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	62.8	1340 of 4348	69.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	47.3	2148 of 4306	50.1%	★★★☆☆

Gifted and Talented

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	32.7	2612 of 3075	15.1%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	35.8	2090 of 2619	20.2%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	35.3	2415 of 2980	19.0%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	30.7	2468 of 2958	16.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2021	19.0	2627 of 3006	12.6%	★☆☆☆☆
2019	54.2	1836 of 3184	42.3%	★★☆☆☆
2018	36.1	2447 of 3106	21.2%	★☆☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	38.6	2876 of 4413	34.8%	★★☆☆☆
2025	56.1	1423 of 3644	60.9%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.3	1698 of 4465	62.0%	★★★☆☆
2023	71.2	878 of 4401	80.0%	★★★★☆
2022	54.6	1778 of 4376	59.4%	★★★☆☆
2021	49.0	1993 of 4329	54.0%	★★★☆☆
2019	71.3	807 of 4188	80.7%	★★★★☆
2018	52.3	1803 of 4168	56.7%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	45.3	2483 of 4520	45.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	68.6	801 of 3705	78.4%	★★★★☆
2024	63.1	1303 of 4594	71.6%	★★★★☆
2023	80.1	454 of 4521	90.0%	★★★★☆
2022	70.8	862 of 4477	80.7%	★★★★☆
2021	57.2	1562 of 4451	64.9%	★★★☆☆
2019	70.0	807 of 4309	81.3%	★★★★☆
2018	64.1	1148 of 4264	73.1%	★★★★☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	45.8	2388 of 4582	47.9%	★★☆☆☆
2025	62.9	1171 of 3739	68.7%	★★★☆☆
2024	56.0	1823 of 4647	60.8%	★★★☆☆
2023	65.8	1319 of 4585	71.2%	★★★★☆
2022	47.9	2287 of 4563	49.9%	★★☆☆☆
2021	48.3	2062 of 4498	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	52.9	1836 of 4357	57.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	41.9	2457 of 4319	43.1%	★★☆☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	30.6	3297 of 4301	23.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	61.2	1011 of 3549	71.5%	★★★★☆
2024	52.2	1756 of 4292	59.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	45.0	1954 of 4086	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2022	35.7	2599 of 3952	34.2%	★★☆☆☆
2021	40.8	1991 of 3799	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2019	52.3	1296 of 3684	64.8%	★★★☆☆
2018	53.2	1242 of 3558	65.1%	★★★☆☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2018	47.5	1681 of 3127	46.2%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

At Risk (2022)85th percentile+29 vs school

English Language Learner (2025)66th percentile+9 vs school

African American (2026)52nd percentile+22 vs school

Male (2026)48th percentile+18 vs school

White (2018)46th percentile-3 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)45th percentile+15 vs school

Hispanic (2026)35th percentile+5 vs school

Special Education (2026)23rd percentile-7 vs school

Gifted and Talented (2026)15th percentile-15 vs school

Female (2026)12th percentile-18 vs school

By subject vs Texas (2025-2026) ?

Reading51%+19 vs state

Mathematics33%-14 vs state

3.3

3 ratings · 2 written reviews

5★1

4★1

3★0

2★0

1★1

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What people are saying

by a parent
Monday, October 31, 2016

Very few extra curricula activities for kids. All the other Dallas schools have father-daughter Valentine's Day dances and they don't. Other than that I love the school! Close Quote

by a parent on FaceBook
Tuesday, October 5, 2010

hi my name is lilian Ramirez and i am 21 years old... i went to this school and i loved it... No school can top J.J. pershing because i learned so uch. this school pushed me to learn and i am now using the same techniques with my little sister... also i wonder is mrs. willams is still teaching there because she was the one who truly motivated me to stay in school and do my work. Mrs. Willian is and will always be my role model.. Close Quote

Schools Near John J Pershing Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				STAAR Spanish Reading (2026)			STAAR Spanish Mathematics (2026)			STAAR EOC Algebra I (2026)	STAAR Reading (2026)						STAAR Mathematics (2026)					STAAR Social Studies (2026)	Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	STAAR Spanish Reading 3rd Grade	STAAR Spanish Reading 4th Grade	STAAR Spanish Reading 5th Grade	STAAR Spanish Mathematics 3rd Grade	STAAR Spanish Mathematics 4th Grade	STAAR Spanish Mathematics 5th Grade	STAAR EOC Algebra I End of Course	STAAR Reading 3rd Grade	STAAR Reading 4th Grade	STAAR Reading 5th Grade	STAAR Reading 6th Grade	STAAR Reading 7th Grade	STAAR Reading 8th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 3rd Grade	STAAR Mathematics 4th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 5th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 6th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 8th Grade	STAAR Social Studies 8th Grade	Total
John J Pershing Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	5715 Meaders Ln	Dallas	75230	Dallas County	Dallas Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 794-8600	457	31	14.9	91.9%	13 (2.8%)	46 (10.1%)	378 (82.7%)	0 (0.0%)	9 (2.0%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (2.4%)	32.8	3233^rd of 4627 public elementary schools	30.1%		52.3	2001^st of 4651 public elementary schools	57.0%	1232	41.8	55.3	59.2					66.7	37.5	48.3				21.9	18.0	53.9				$11,805
Preston Hollow Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	6423 Walnut Hill Ln	Dallas	75230	Dallas County	Dallas Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 794-8500	402	25	15.7	85.6%	25 (6.2%)	92 (22.9%)	265 (65.9%)	7 (1.7%)	2 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	11 (2.7%)	30.7	3390^th of 4627 public elementary schools	26.7%		40.7	2727^th of 4651 public elementary schools	41.4%	663	0.0	62.5	71.4	20.0		8.3		29.6	42.9	69.2				24.4	34.8	35.0				$12,402
George B Dealey Montessori Academy	Public, Magnet	PK, KG-8	6501 Royal Ln	Dallas	75230	Dallas County	Dallas Independent School District (Isd)	No	Yes	(n/a)	No	(972) 794-8400	634	38	16.9	26.8%	226 (35.6%)	80 (12.6%)	204 (32.2%)	66 (10.4%)	6 (0.9%)	2 (0.3%)	50 (7.9%)	96.9	99^th of 4627 public elementary schools	97.9%		95.7	160^th of 4651 public elementary schools	96.6%	61							84.2	87.0	81.7	96.5	93.1	100.0	91.7	70.1	78.3	79.0	77.7	100.0	67.9	$9,986
Arthur Kramer Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	7131 Midbury Dr	Dallas	75230	Dallas County	Dallas Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 794-8300	399	31	12.8	74.7%	43 (10.8%)	125 (31.3%)	202 (50.6%)	7 (1.8%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (5.5%)	73.4	1002^nd of 4627 public elementary schools	78.3%		53.1	1962^nd of 4651 public elementary schools	57.8%	960	80.0		80.0					74.2	61.8	74.2				62.2	50.9	48.5				$12,858
Hyer Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	3920 Caruth Blvd	Dallas	75225	Dallas County	Highland Park Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	No	(214) 780-3300	485	35	13.8		407 (83.9%)	3 (0.6%)	36 (7.4%)	10 (2.1%)	6 (1.2%)	0 (0.0%)	23 (4.7%)	98.1	50^th of 4627 public elementary schools	98.9%		98.6	32^nd of 4651 public elementary schools	99.3%	18								86.9	86.7					81.9	82.2					$11,293
Walnut Hill International Leadership Academy	Public	PK, KG-8	3978 Killion Dr	Dallas	75229	Dallas County	Dallas Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 502-7800	516	36	14.4	82.2%	39 (7.6%)	25 (4.8%)	439 (85.1%)	3 (0.6%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	8 (1.6%)	76.6	886^th of 4627 public elementary schools	80.9%		69.8	1144^th of 4651 public elementary schools	75.4%	258	41.7	11.1	71.4				71.2	65.0	51.4	80.4	77.2	75.0	78.9	55.8	52.2	51.9	63.2	67.2	76.9	$10,595
Prestonwood Montessori At E D Walker	Public	PK, KG-5	12532 Nuestra Dr	Dallas	75230	Dallas County	Dallas Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 502-6100	410	26	15.7	57.8%	93 (22.7%)	64 (15.6%)	214 (52.2%)	13 (3.2%)	1 (0.2%)	0 (0.0%)	25 (6.1%)	61.7	1531^st of 4627 public elementary schools	66.9%		53.7	1921^st of 4651 public elementary schools	58.7%	390	44.4		63.6					63.6	49.1	56.7	62.8			52.8	44.1	43.9	65.1			$11,778
Harry C Withers Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	3959 Northaven Rd	Dallas	75229	Dallas County	Dallas Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 794-5000	447	30	15.1	49.4%	136 (30.4%)	9 (2.0%)	267 (59.7%)	13 (2.9%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (4.9%)	86.4	528^th of 4627 public elementary schools	88.6%		71.6	1063^rd of 4651 public elementary schools	77.1%	535								78.7	75.0	73.7	73.2			70.5	65.9	59.0	48.8			$11,813
Michael M Boone Elementary	Public	PK, KG-4	8385 Durham St	Dallas	75225	Dallas County	Highland Park Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	No	(214) 780-4100	464	35	13.1		390 (84.1%)	1 (0.2%)	32 (6.9%)	22 (4.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	19 (4.1%)	98.6	34^th of 4627 public elementary schools	99.3%		98	51^st of 4651 public elementary schools	98.9%	17								89.1	92.2					80.4	84.6					$10,829
Nathan Adams Elementary	Public	PK, KG-6	12600 Welch Rd	Dallas	75244	Dallas County	Dallas Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 794-2600	435	26	16.4	95.4%	17 (3.9%)	61 (14.0%)	349 (80.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	1 (0.2%)	5 (1.1%)	30.9	3381^st of 4627 public elementary schools	26.9%		39.3	2816^th of 4651 public elementary schools	39.5%	565	40.7	47.6			16.7			28.6	44.4	45.2	33.9			31.3	35.7	54.6	33.9			$12,435

Frequently Asked Questions about John J Pershing Elementary

What district is John J Pershing Elementary in?

Dallas Independent School District (Isd)

Is John J Pershing Elementary a good school?

John J Pershing Elementary ranks 3233^rd of 4627 Texas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What is the racial makeup of John J Pershing Elementary?

Students at John J Pershing Elementary are 83% Hispanic, 10% African American, 3% White, 2% Two or more races, 2% American Indian.

What schools do graduates of John J Pershing Elementary attend?

Students who attend John J Pershing Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Benjamin Franklin International Exploratory Academy
High : Hillcrest High School

How many students attend John J Pershing Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 457 students attended John J Pershing Elementary.

Rate John J Pershing Elementary!

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SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Texas Education Agency.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.