Cooper Independent School District (Isd)

The Cooper Independent School District (Isd) is a small, unified district in Cooper, Texas, serving about 903 students across three schools: Cooper Elementary, Cooper J H, and Cooper High School. The district earns a 2-star rating, placing it at the 50th percentile in Texas, but the schools show very different levels of performance. Cooper High School is the clear standout, having jumped from the 49th to the 75th percentile in just one year, and it now exceeds state averages in most subjects, including a remarkable 20-point lead in English I Reading. It also boasts a perfect 100% graduation rate and a 0% dropout rate, making it a strong choice for families focused on college and career readiness.

In contrast, Cooper Elementary faces the biggest challenges in the district. It has the highest rate of economic disadvantage at 76.73%, the largest class sizes with a 17:1 student-teacher ratio, and the lowest per-student spending at $9,623. All of its grade levels in reading and math are performing below state averages, and its state ranking has dropped from the 46th to the 26th percentile. Cooper J H shows mixed results, with 7th grade reading and math above state averages, but 6th and 8th grade math scores have fallen sharply below state levels in the most recent year, indicating some volatility in its academic programs.

A key takeaway is the "feeder pattern paradox": students at the elementary and middle schools generally perform below state averages, yet by the time they reach Cooper High School, they outperform the state. This success is strongly linked to the high school's much higher per-student spending of $16,164 and its very low 8.2:1 student-teacher ratio, suggesting the district invests heavily in its high school. For parents, this means that while the elementary and middle schools may need additional support, the high school offers a proven path to strong academic outcomes and a supportive learning environment.