Luling Independent School District (Isd)

The Luling Independent School District (Isd) is a small, unified district in Texas serving approximately 1,443 students across three schools: Leonard Shanklin Elementary, Gilbert Gerdes J H, and Luling High School. The district is characterized by a high level of economic disadvantage, with over 80% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, and currently holds a 2-star rating.

Among the schools, Leonard Shanklin Elementary stands out as a consistent overperformer, particularly in early-grade math where 3rd-grade proficiency reached 62.63% in 2025-2026, significantly outpacing the state average. In contrast, Gilbert Gerdes J H is a school of extremes, excelling in Algebra I with a 94.44% proficiency rate for 8th graders in 2024-2025, yet struggling severely with 7th-grade math, where only 3.51% of students were proficient in 2025-2026. Luling High School shows a steady upward trend, improving its state ranking from the 26th percentile to the 41st percentile over three years, and boasts a strong 94.2% graduation rate.

Key takeaways include a clear disconnect between elementary and secondary performance, with the elementary school often meeting or exceeding state averages while middle and high schools fall below. The district also faces a systemic weakness in Social Studies, with 8th-grade proficiency rates as low as 13.33%. Despite high poverty levels, targeted programs like the middle school's Algebra I course demonstrate that pockets of excellence are achievable, though the "7th Grade Math Cliff" and a math gap at the high school level require immediate attention to sustain academic momentum.