Best Public Schools in Bonham, TX

The Bonham Independent School District (Isd) in Bonham, Texas, serves approximately 1,843 students across four schools: one high school, one elementary school, and two middle schools, with a high level of economic disadvantage affecting between 57.7% and 69.95% of students.

The district's standout is Rather L H, a middle school for grades 7-8 that earned a 3-star rating and excels in Reading and advanced math, with 77.78% of its Algebra I students scoring proficient—far above the state average. In contrast, Bonham High School has seen a sharp decline, dropping to a 1-star rating with only 14.08% proficient in Algebra I, though it maintains a 93.5% graduation rate. Evans Elementary (grades 4-6) struggles below state averages, while Finley-Oates Elementary (grades K-3) faces the highest poverty rate at 69.95% and lags in reading and math proficiency. Notably, Rather L H has the highest spending per student ($12,293) and the best performance, while Finley-Oates has the lowest spending ($10,508) and the most challenges.

Key takeaways include a "middle school paradox" where students improve dramatically at Rather L H after weaker performance at Evans Elementary, but this success does not carry over to Bonham High School, creating a "leaky pipeline." The district's overall ranking is 765th out of 951 in Texas (20th percentile), with Rather L H as the only school outperforming state averages in key areas. Parents should note that while the district faces significant academic hurdles, Rather L H demonstrates that strong outcomes are possible, particularly in advanced math and reading, suggesting targeted investments and strategies could benefit other schools.