Summary:
The city of Gladewater, Texas, is served by 10 public schools across three distinct districts—Gladewater Independent School District (Isd), Sabine Independent School District (Isd), and Union Grove Independent School District (Isd)—covering elementary through high school grades for about 3,321 students, and the data reveals a clear divide in performance and resources.
Union Grove High School and Union Grove Elementary are the standout top performers, both earning 4-star ratings with STAAR scores well above state averages, a high graduation rate of 98.3%, and the lowest free/reduced lunch rates (around 37%). In contrast, Gladewater Middle and Weldon Elementary face significant challenges, each holding a 1-star rating with math proficiency rates as low as 15-17%, far below state averages. Sabine High School stands out for its exceptional 99% graduation rate and very low dropout rate, even though its test scores are more moderate. Spending per student varies widely, from $14,245 at Union Grove High to $9,355 at Weldon Elementary, but higher spending doesn't always mean better results—Gladewater High spends more than Sabine High yet performs worse.
A key takeaway is the strong link between socioeconomic factors and academic outcomes, with Union Grove schools having the lowest poverty rates and highest scores, while Gladewater ISD schools, with poverty rates over 73%, struggle the most. However, there are bright spots: Gladewater Middle achieved an impressive 81.82% Algebra I pass rate in 2024-2025, far exceeding state and district averages, suggesting a targeted program that works. The feeder pattern is also evident—strong elementary schools like Union Grove lead to strong middle and high schools, while early struggles at Gladewater Pri and Weldon Elementary predict later challenges. For parents, this means Union Grove ISD offers the most consistent high performance, Sabine ISD excels at keeping students in school, and Gladewater ISD has pockets of potential but faces systemic hurdles that require attention.
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