Barksdale Elementary

Barksdale Elementary is a high-performing K-5 public school in Plano, TX, serving 547 students within the Plano Independent School District (Isd), and it stands out as an academic powerhouse in a community where only about 15% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.

What truly sets Barksdale apart from nearby schools is its exceptional performance in Science and Math. For example, in the 2024-2025 school year, 69.51% of its 5th graders were proficient in Science—a staggering 30 percentage points above the district average and 40 points above the state. This "Science powerhouse" effect is unmatched by peers like Brinker Elementary (32.31%) or Centennial Elementary (51.28%). In Math, Barksdale’s 5th graders achieved 84.34% proficiency, far exceeding the district average of 62%. The school also shows a notable "5th grade jump," where Reading proficiency leaps from 67.39% in 4th grade to 85.71% in 5th grade, suggesting a strong final-year teaching team. Despite its elite overall ranking in the top 9% of Texas elementary schools, Barksdale faces emerging challenges: its performance for economically disadvantaged students has dropped sharply from the 90th percentile to the 39th percentile in just two years, indicating a widening achievement gap that needs attention.

Interestingly, Barksdale achieves these results with lower per-student spending ($8,821) compared to nearby schools like Mitchell Elementary ($10,818) and Huffman Elementary ($11,823), highlighting efficient resource use. While its overall ranking has slightly dipped from the 98th to the 91st percentile in recent years, it remains a top choice for families seeking strong academics, especially in STEM subjects. For parents, Barksdale offers a proven track record of excellence, though it’s worth noting the school is actively working to support all its students equally.