Brenham Independent School District (Isd)

The Brenham Independent School District (Isd) serves approximately 4,630 students across six schools—three elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school—and is ranked in the 44th percentile in Texas, earning a 2-star rating that indicates performance slightly below the state average.

Among the elementary schools, Alton Elementary stands out as the district's most consistent performer, maintaining a 3-star rating for three consecutive years with test scores at or above district averages. Brenham Elementary shows a strong upward trajectory, rebounding from a 2-star rating to a 3-star rating in the latest year, with notably high 4th-grade math and reading scores that outperform both district and state averages. In contrast, Krause Elementary faces the greatest academic challenges, with the lowest rankings and test scores in the district, alongside the highest percentage of students on free/reduced lunch. The middle schools present a mixed picture: Brenham J H struggles significantly in 7th-grade math (only 5.71% proficient) but excels in Algebra I, where 96.77% of students were proficient in a recent year. Brenham Middle shows a performance dip when students move from 5th to 6th grade, suggesting a critical transition point needing intervention. Brenham High School is a mid-range performer with a solid 93.5% graduation rate and strong U.S. History scores, though English I and Biology scores lag behind state averages.

A key equity concern is that Krause Elementary, with the highest need and largest class sizes, receives less per-student funding than Alton Elementary, which has lower need. The district's average free/reduced lunch rate is 59.93%, and per-student spending averages $9,670. The most pressing issue is the "middle school math crisis," particularly at Brenham J H, where general math instruction for 7th and 8th graders is alarmingly low, even as the school successfully accelerates advanced students in Algebra I. This pipeline from middle to high school Algebra I is a clear success story, but the district must address the broader math curriculum to ensure all students are prepared for high school.