Leary Independent School District (Isd)

Leary Independent School District (Isd) is a small, single-school district in Texarkana, Texas, serving 119 students in grades PK through 8 at Leary Elementary.

Leary Elementary is a standout for its remarkable turnaround, jumping from the 3rd percentile (0 stars) in the 2024-2025 school year to the 48th percentile (2 stars) in 2025-2026—a leap of over 2,100 places in state rankings. This "phoenix" school now performs at a solidly average level, with strengths in 6th grade reading (71.43% proficient vs. state 53.52%) and 6th grade math (57.14% proficient vs. state 38.57%). However, performance is inconsistent across grades; for example, 5th graders achieved 0% proficiency in math, while 3rd graders hit 54.55% in the same subject. The school serves a high-poverty population (94.96% eligible for free/reduced lunch), yet its low student-teacher ratio of 10.9 and per-student spending of $10,502 suggest significant resource investment that is paying off in several academic areas.

Key metrics include a 0% dropout rate (expected for a PK-8 school) and a district ranking of 309 out of 951 in Texas (68th percentile, 3 stars), which is higher than the school's individual rank. The small enrollment of 119 students makes test scores volatile—a single student can swing grade-level percentages significantly, as seen in the 5th grade math score. Despite this, the school has demonstrated it can overcome socioeconomic barriers, achieving state-average or above results in reading for 3rd, 6th, and 8th grades, as well as math for 3rd and 6th grades. This suggests effective teaching and support systems are driving the recent improvement, making Leary Elementary a compelling choice for families seeking a small, dedicated learning environment with a strong upward trajectory.