Somerville Independent School District (Isd)

The Somerville Independent School District (Isd) serves 567 students across three schools—Somerville High School, Somerville Elementary, and Somerville Intermediate—in a high-poverty area where over 75% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The district ranks in the 13th percentile statewide, but individual schools show very different trajectories.

Somerville Intermediate is the clear standout, with a state ranking that has climbed from the 10th to the 32nd percentile over three years, earning it the district’s only 2-star rating. Its 8th-grade math proficiency hit an impressive 94.44% in 2025-2026, far exceeding the state average of 47.24%. In contrast, Somerville Elementary is the lowest-performing school, dropping to the 9th percentile with 0 stars, and 3rd-grade reading proficiency at just 18.18% versus the state’s 51.08%. Somerville High School shows a mixed picture: it performs near the state average in U.S. History (71.05% vs. 70.17% state) but struggles severely in Algebra I, with only 13.33% proficient compared to the state’s 54.03%.

A key takeaway is the dramatic "Algebra I cliff"—while 8th graders at the Intermediate school excel in math, High School students fail Algebra I, suggesting a breakdown in math transition. Interestingly, the High School spends the most per student ($14,387) but doesn’t achieve the best outcomes, while the Intermediate school spends less ($11,352) and shows the most improvement. The district’s high poverty rate is a significant factor, but the Intermediate school’s upward trend offers a hopeful model for potential replication across the district.