Summary:
The Denison Independent School District (Isd) serves about 4,976 students across 9 schools, including 5 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools, and is ranked in the 32nd percentile statewide, indicating overall performance below the Texas average.
For parents, the standout elementary school is Mayes Elementary, which consistently earns a 3-star rating and is the only elementary in the district to exceed state averages in 4th-grade Reading and Math, despite having the second-highest rate of economic disadvantage (67.91%) and the lowest per-student spending ($10,070). In contrast, Terrell Elementary is the lowest-performing elementary with a 0-star rating and only 19.75% of 4th graders proficient in Math. At the middle school level, B McDaniel Intermediate and Henry Scott Middle serve grades 5-8, with Henry Scott Middle showing a striking anomaly: 98.48% of its students taking Algebra I were proficient, yet the school struggles with grade-level math, as only 22.26% of 8th graders were proficient. For high schools, Denison High School has a strong 97.3% graduation rate, while Pathways High School serves at-risk students with a much higher dropout rate (5.5%) and dramatically higher per-student spending ($47,925), though academic outcomes remain low.
Key takeaways include the "Mayes Model," where success is achieved despite lower funding and high economic need, suggesting effective teaching and leadership. The district also shows a concerning decline at Terrell Elementary and Lamar Elementary, which have dropped significantly in state rankings. Additionally, Houston Elementary presents a paradox with high 3rd-grade Math proficiency (61.9%) but very low 4th-grade Math (17.65%), warranting further investigation into its curriculum or teaching. Overall, the district offers a mix of high-performing pockets and schools needing support, with resource allocation not always matching student need.
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