Ennis Independent School District (Isd)

The Ennis Independent School District (Isd) serves approximately 6,643 students across 11 schools, including eight elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school, and is ranked in the 23rd percentile statewide, indicating significant academic challenges.

For parents, the standout school for academic excellence is Austin Elementary, which exceeds state averages in 3rd-grade reading and math despite a high poverty rate. In contrast, Ennis J H shows a stark split: while 7th-grade math proficiency is a dismal 6.23%, its Algebra I program for 8th graders achieves an impressive 80.39% proficiency, far above the state average. Dorie Miller Intermediate is the only school showing consistent improvement in its state ranking, and its 4th-grade math proficiency (65.57%) outperforms both the district and state. However, the district faces a "math crisis" that is pervasive from 3rd grade through high school, with Ennis High School posting only 22.88% proficiency in Algebra I. A troubling "6th grade wall" emerges: Alamo Middle students perform above state average in 6th-grade math, but proficiency collapses to 6.23% by 7th grade at Ennis J H. The district also shows a paradox with a 97.2% graduation rate and near-zero dropout rate, suggesting a focus on keeping students in school rather than ensuring grade-level mastery. Spending does not correlate with performance—Dorie Miller Intermediate achieves strong results with the lowest per-student spending ($8,896), while Houston Elementary spends more ($10,518) but performs below average.

Overall, parents should note that while the district excels at keeping students enrolled and graduating, academic proficiency—especially in math—is a major concern. Austin Elementary and Dorie Miller Intermediate are bright spots, but the transition from 6th to 7th grade is a critical weak point. The high-poverty G W Carver Early Childhood Center (82.56% free/reduced lunch) may indicate early challenges that compound in later grades. For families seeking strong math programs, the advanced track at Ennis J H is a standout, but the district overall needs significant improvement in core math instruction.