Palmer Independent School District (Isd)

The Palmer Independent School District (Isd) serves 1,351 students across three schools—Palmer Elementary, Palmer Middle, and Palmer High School—and is ranked in the 80th percentile statewide, earning a 4-star rating.

Palmer High School is the district’s standout performer, boasting a 98.7% graduation rate and exceptional STAAR scores in Biology (84.91% proficient) and English II Reading (85.86%), both far above state averages. It also has the lowest student-teacher ratio (14.6:1) and highest spending per student ($13,010). Palmer Middle shines with a remarkable 100% proficiency rate in Algebra I for 8th graders—46 points above the state average—and strong reading scores across all grades, with 8th-grade reading at 74.31%. However, it struggles with 7th-grade math, where only 20.69% of students are proficient. Palmer Elementary shows strong foundational skills, particularly in 3rd-grade math (59.79% proficient, 15 points above the state average), though its overall ranking has dipped slightly in recent projections.

A key takeaway is the district’s “math cliff” between elementary and middle school: while early math is a strength, 6th and 7th-grade math scores lag behind state averages, yet the advanced Algebra I track in 8th grade is elite. U.S. History is a district-wide challenge, with high school scores (62.96%) and middle school social studies (26.61%) both below state averages. Overall, Palmer High School leads in academic outcomes and resource allocation, while Palmer Middle excels in advanced math and reading, and Palmer Elementary provides a solid early foundation, making the district a strong choice for families seeking high-performing schools with targeted areas for growth.