Palacios Elementary

Palacios Elementary is a PK-5 public school in Palacios, TX, serving 610 students within the Palacios Independent School District (Isd), where over 77% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, reflecting a high-poverty community.

Despite spending over $11,200 per student annually—more than nearby Blessing Elementary in Tidehaven Independent School District (Isd), which spends about $10,988 per student—Palacios Elementary’s academic performance is significantly lower. The school ranks in the 32nd percentile statewide, while Blessing Elementary ranks in the 97th percentile. For example, only 19.4% of Palacios 5th graders are proficient in math, compared to 92.31% at Blessing. This gap highlights a challenge in turning resources into results, especially in upper elementary math, which is a critical weakness.

The school is also in a decline, with its overall rank dropping from the 41st to the 32nd percentile in one year. While it once showed relative strength in serving low-income and special education students, those gains are fading. The Gifted and Talented program is the weakest area, ranking in the 12th percentile. However, there is a glimmer of hope: 5th grade science scored above the state average in 2024-2025, suggesting a potential strength to build on. For parents, this means the school has dedicated staff and funding, but urgent improvements are needed in math and advanced programs to reverse the downward trend.