Big Sandy Independent School District (Isd)

The Big Sandy Independent School District (Isd) serves approximately 649 students across three schools in Texas: Big Sandy Elementary (PK-5), Big Sandy J H (6-8), and Big Sandy High School (9-12). The district ranks 614th out of 951 in Texas, earning a 2-star rating, but each school tells a very different story.

Big Sandy High School is the district's standout for consistent improvement, climbing from the 41st to the 53rd percentile over three years and earning a 3-star rating. It boasts a perfect 100% graduation rate and the lowest dropout rate (1.0%), showing a strong ability to keep students on track. However, its Algebra I proficiency (42.86%) is low partly because its top math students take the exam early at the middle school. Big Sandy J H is a tale of two extremes: it excels at accelerating top performers, with 91.67% of 8th graders proficient in Algebra I, yet its grade-level math scores are critically low (17-24% proficient), roughly half the state average. Big Sandy Elementary is the most volatile performer, dropping from a 3-star to a 1-star rating in one year, though it showed a surprising strength in 5th-grade science (46% proficient vs. 29.57% statewide).

A key concern is resource allocation: Big Sandy High School spends the most per student ($13,822) and has the best student-teacher ratio (9.3:1), yet serves the fewest economically disadvantaged students (47.64%). In contrast, Big Sandy Elementary spends the least ($10,174) with the highest student-teacher ratio (13.3:1) while serving the most economically disadvantaged students (67.19%). This mismatch may contribute to the elementary school's recent struggles. Overall, the district offers a strong high school for graduation and engagement, a middle school that excels with advanced students but struggles with the majority, and an elementary school with potential but significant instability.