Best Public Schools in Jefferson, TX

The city of Jefferson, Texas, is served by the Jefferson Independent School District (Isd), which operates four public schools—Jefferson High School, Jefferson J H, Jefferson Elementary, and Jefferson Pri School—serving grades PK through 12 with a total enrollment of 1,125 students. The district is rated in the 30th percentile statewide, reflecting below-average performance, and all schools serve a high-poverty population, with an average of 75.7% of students eligible for free or reduced lunch.

Jefferson High School is the district’s standout performer, earning a 2-star rating for three consecutive years and boasting a 97.3% graduation rate with a 0% dropout rate, despite test scores in Algebra I and English I falling well below state averages. In contrast, Jefferson J H is the most challenged school, with a 1-star rating and severe math struggles—only 9.38% of 6th graders were proficient in math in 2025-2026. However, a small group of 8th graders taking Algebra I achieved 70% proficiency, well above the state average, highlighting a two-tiered math system. Jefferson Elementary shows mixed results, with 3rd-grade math slightly above state averages but reading below. Jefferson Pri School (PK-K) has the highest poverty rate (89.26%) and highest per-student spending ($16,563), but lacks test score data, making it a critical but unmeasured entry point for the district’s most vulnerable students.

Key takeaways include an inverse relationship between spending and performance—the highest-spending school (Pri School) has no outcome data, while the lowest-spending school (High School) is the top performer. The middle school years show a severe academic decline, especially in math, suggesting a systemic issue needing urgent attention. Despite low test scores, the high school’s exceptional graduation rate indicates a strong focus on student retention and support. Overall, parents should note that while the high school excels at graduating students, the middle school struggles significantly, and the primary school’s effectiveness remains unknown.