Summary:
The Palacios Independent School District (Isd) is a small, rural Texas district serving 1,265 students across two schools: Palacios Junior Senior High School (grades 6-12) and Palacios Elementary (Pre-K through 5th grade). The district ranks in the 37th percentile statewide, earning a 2-star rating, and serves a student population where a large majority (over 69% at the high school and 77% at the elementary school) are economically disadvantaged.
Palacios Junior Senior High School stands out as the district's stronger performer, particularly in U.S. History, where it consistently beats the state average (72.78% proficient vs. 70.17% in 2025-2026). It also boasts a commendable 94.3% graduation rate and a very low 0.7% dropout rate, supported by a favorable student-teacher ratio of 11.1:1. However, this success contrasts sharply with severe academic struggles in math and science; Algebra I proficiency is a critical weakness at just 31.73%, far below the state average. In comparison, Palacios Elementary shows no standout positive metrics, with its state ranking declining from the 41st to the 32nd percentile. Its only bright spot is 4th-grade math, which slightly exceeds the state average at 51.58%.
A key takeaway is the dramatic "middle school slide" in performance. While 4th-grade math is a relative strength, proficiency plummets by 6th grade to just 23.46% and to a staggering 16.95% by 7th grade. This pattern, along with significant year-over-year score volatility (e.g., 8th-grade math dropping from 42.57% to 25%), suggests inconsistent instructional strategies and a critical need for targeted intervention during the transition to junior high. The district's high graduation rate, while positive, raises questions about college readiness given the low proficiency in core subjects like Algebra I and Biology.
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