Summary:
The Rusk Independent School District (Isd) is home to three elementary schools serving students from Pre-K through 5th grade, with a district ranking in the 55th percentile statewide and a 3-star rating.
Among these schools, Rusk Elementary (serving 2nd-3rd grade) stands out as the top academic performer, significantly exceeding state averages in both 3rd Grade Reading (71.65% proficient vs. 51.08% statewide) and Math (60.32% vs. 44.33%). This is particularly notable given that 64% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch. In contrast, Rusk Intermediate (4th-5th grade) shows a concerning trend, with its state ranking dropping from the 64th to the 51st percentile over three years, and 4th and 5th-grade Reading scores falling below state averages. Gw Bradford Pri (Pre-K-1st grade) serves the youngest students with a higher student-teacher ratio of 15.5:1 and the lowest spending per student ($10,492).
A key takeaway is the "Rusk Elementary Effect," where students achieve exceptional results before a performance drop at the intermediate level. Rusk Intermediate has the highest spending per student ($12,068) and a favorable 13:1 ratio, yet its academic outcomes are the weakest, suggesting resource allocation may not be the issue. The transition from 3rd to 4th grade appears to be a critical weakness, particularly in reading, where proficiency drops from 71.65% at Rusk Elementary to 49.35% at Rusk Intermediate. This pattern highlights a need for better curriculum alignment and support systems between the schools to sustain early academic gains.
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