Celina Independent School District (Isd)

The Celina Independent School District (Isd) serves approximately 5,081 students across six schools—one high school, one middle school, and four elementary schools—in a growing suburban area north of Dallas, Texas, and has earned a strong 4-star rating, ranking in the 78th percentile statewide.

Within the district, Tommie Dobie Bothwell Elementary stands out as the academic powerhouse, achieving a 4-star rating and the highest test scores across all subjects and grade levels, including a 74.63% proficiency rate in 5th Grade Math that far exceeds the district average of 60.41%. In contrast, the other three elementary schools—O'Dell Elementary, Bobby Ray & Afton Martin Elementary, and Marcy B Lykins Elementary—have all dropped to a 3-star rating, showing inconsistent performance. At the secondary level, Celina High School is a consistent performer with a 97.2% graduation rate and strong Biology scores (84.68% proficient), though its Algebra I proficiency is a low 35.92%. Meanwhile, Jerry & Linda Moore Middle excels in advanced math, with 89.78% of students proficient in Algebra I, highlighting a notable "Algebra I paradox" between the two schools.

Key metrics reveal significant variation: student-to-teacher ratios range from 13.5:1 at Bothwell Elementary to 18.8:1 at O'Dell Elementary, while economic disadvantage rates vary from 12.6% at O'Dell to 23.26% at Lykins Elementary. Per-student spending also differs, from $9,446 at O'Dell to $11,017 at the high school. The district's overall 4-star rating masks these internal disparities, particularly at the elementary level, where Bothwell's success suggests that replicating its practices could lift performance across the district. For parents, this means school choice within Celina ISD can significantly impact a child's academic experience, with Bothwell Elementary and the middle school's math program being standout options.