Summary
Key Elementary is a PK-6 public school in Arlington, TX, serving 391 students within the Arlington Independent School District (Isd), and it has experienced a dramatic and sustained decline in academic performance over the past decade, dropping from a 74th percentile statewide ranking in 2016-2017 to a 15th percentile ranking in 2025-2026.
This decline is most pronounced in mathematics, where only 12.5% of 4th graders and 20% of 3rd graders were proficient in the 2025-2026 school year—roughly half or less than district and state averages. In contrast, nearby Hill Elementary (1.93 miles away) has remained stable at the 62nd percentile, and Wood Elementary (1.38 miles away) ranks at the 41st percentile despite its own recent dip. However, Key Elementary shows a notable bright spot in 6th grade, where 52.27% of students are proficient in reading and 45.45% in math—both above district averages and, for math, significantly above the state average of 38.57%. This suggests effective instruction at that grade level, contrasting sharply with lower grades.
The school serves a high-poverty population, with over 80% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch, and its performance varies widely by subgroup. English Language Learners rank in the 68th percentile statewide, indicating strong support, while Gifted & Talented students rank in the 3rd percentile, suggesting a lack of advanced opportunities. The presence of Corey Fine Arts / Dual Language Academy (2.2 miles away, 89th percentile) likely draws motivated families away, concentrating challenges at Key. Despite spending $10,015 per student and maintaining a low student-teacher ratio of 12.1, outcomes lag behind Wood Elementary, which spends less ($9,009) and has a higher ratio (15.1) but achieves better results, pointing to issues with instructional effectiveness rather than resource allocation.
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