Cushing Independent School District (Isd)

The Cushing Independent School District (Isd) is a small, rural Texas district serving 558 students across two schools: Cushing School (grades 6-12) and Cushing Elementary (grades PK-5), with a high percentage of students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Cushing School stands out as the district's academic anchor, particularly at the high school level. It boasts an exceptional 97.1% graduation rate and a 0% dropout rate, significantly outperforming state averages in Biology (81.82% proficient vs. 70.51% statewide) and English I and II Reading. However, the school faces a critical "middle school math cliff," with 6th-grade math proficiency dropping to 0% in the 2025-2026 school year, though 7th and 8th-grade scores improve slightly. In contrast, Cushing Elementary shows more volatile performance but has made a dramatic leap in its state ranking, jumping from the 30th percentile to the 65th percentile in one year. The elementary school struggles with foundational skills, with only 26.47% of 5th graders proficient in math compared to the state average of 47.38%, yet it excels in 5th-grade science, where 42.11% of students were proficient versus 29.57% statewide.

A key takeaway is the district's dichotomy: while Cushing School excels at retaining students and preparing them for graduation, underlying academic gaps persist in math and social studies. Science is a surprising strength across both schools, suggesting effective curriculum or dedicated teachers. The high graduation rate masks these gaps, indicating the school prioritizes student retention and completion. With favorable student-teacher ratios (11.3:1 at the high school and 13.3:1 at the elementary), the district offers individualized attention, but the volatility in elementary scores and the middle school math cliff highlight areas needing targeted intervention.