Paloma Creek Elementary

Paloma Creek Elementary in Aubrey, TX, is a PK-5 school serving 516 students as part of the Denton Independent School District (Isd), and it has experienced a significant decline in academic performance over the past decade, now ranking in the 31st percentile statewide.

One of the most striking findings is the school's severe struggle with 5th Grade Science, where only 9.52% of students were proficient in the 2024-2025 school year—far below the state average of 29.57% and the lowest among nearby schools. This is a persistent issue, with similarly low rates in previous years. In contrast, the school shows a notable strength with its English Language Learner (ELL) students, who ranked in the 74th percentile statewide, suggesting effective programs for this group. However, the school's overall performance is dragged down by its economically disadvantaged students, who rank in the 10th percentile, highlighting a stark internal divide. The school's math scores also remain critically low, with only 32.39% of 3rd graders proficient compared to the state average of 44.33%.

Paloma Creek is situated in a neighborhood with a clear "haves vs. have-nots" dynamic. It is surrounded by other low-performing schools like Providence Elementary and Catherine Bell Elementary, but within 2-3 miles are high-performing schools like Sandbrock Ranch Elementary (63rd percentile) and Miller Elementary (88th percentile). Over 55% of Paloma Creek students are economically disadvantaged, a much higher rate than these nearby high-performing schools. This suggests that the school faces greater challenges due to its student demographics, and while per-student spending ($9,869) is higher than at Miller Elementary ($8,051), the data indicates that resource allocation and instructional strategies need to be more effectively targeted to address the specific needs of its population.