Summary:
Refugio Elementary is the sole elementary school within the Refugio Independent School District (Isd), serving grades PK through 5 with 300 students in a high-poverty area where 67.67% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch.
Refugio Elementary has consistently ranked in the bottom quartile of Texas elementary schools, earning a 1-star rating with percentile ranks fluctuating between the 11th and 24th percentiles over three years. The school spends $16,277 per student—significantly above the state average—yet test scores remain low, creating a notable paradox of high investment with low outcomes. The only bright spot is 4th Grade Reading, which outperformed the state average at 58.54% proficient in 2025-2026, compared to the state's 53.04%. However, other grades struggle severely: 3rd Grade Reading and Math scores hover around 22-24% proficient, and 5th Grade Science hit a crisis point with just 12.2% proficiency in 2024-2025, less than half the state average of 29.57%.
Performance varies dramatically by grade and subject, suggesting that outcomes depend heavily on specific student cohorts or teachers rather than school-wide consistency. The 5th grade cohort in 2024-2025 showed systemic struggles across Reading (24.39%), Math (14.29%), and Science (12.2%), indicating a possible multi-year issue. Since the district has only one elementary school, the district's 1-star rating directly mirrors this school's performance, giving its leadership complete accountability for elementary outcomes. Parents should note that while the school invests heavily in resources, foundational skills in early grades and science in later grades need urgent attention.
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