Summary:
The Elgin Independent School District (Isd) serves approximately 5,958 students across 8 schools, including 4 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools, and is ranked in the 5th percentile statewide, indicating significant academic challenges that are important for parents to understand.
Among the elementary schools, Neidig Elementary stands out as the district's top performer, achieving the highest state ranking (31st percentile) and the only 2-star rating, with 4th-grade reading proficiency exceeding the state average. In contrast, Booker T Washington Elementary faces the highest economic disadvantage rate (88.24%) and lower test scores. At the secondary level, Elgin High School boasts a strong graduation rate of 92.2%, yet struggles with low academic proficiency, such as only 5% of students proficient in Algebra I. Elgin Middle shows a notable strength in Algebra I, with 42% proficiency, far exceeding the district average, while Phoenix High School, an alternative school, has the lowest ranking (1st percentile) and critically low test scores, including 0% proficiency in core subjects.
Key metrics reveal a district-wide struggle with math, where gaps versus state averages are larger than in reading—for example, 3rd-grade math proficiency is 25.66% compared to the state's 44.33%. Per-student spending varies, with Phoenix High School spending the most ($11,597) and Elgin Intermediate the least ($8,613). The Neidig Elementary anomaly—achieving strong results despite high poverty—suggests effective strategies that could be replicated, while the graduation-versus-proficiency paradox at Elgin High School indicates a focus on credit recovery over deep learning. Overall, parents should note that while some schools excel in specific areas, the district faces systemic challenges, particularly in math instruction from elementary through high school.
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