James L Burrell Elementary

James L Burrell Elementary is a K-5 school in Temple, TX, serving 466 students as part of the Belton Independent School District (Isd), and it offers a stable, average-performing option for families in the area.

Burrell Elementary has maintained a consistent 3-star rating and state ranking in the 51st to 55th percentile for three years, which sets it apart from nearby schools like High Point Elementary and Tarver Elementary, which have seen dramatic declines. However, a growing weakness in Mathematics is emerging: in the most recent data, every grade level (3rd, 4th, and 5th) scored below the state average in math, with 5th grade showing a significant gap (only 34.78% proficient versus the state's 47.38%). This contrasts with Reading performance, which remains at or above state averages. The school also faces equity challenges, with Special Education students consistently ranking in the bottom third of the state and Hispanic students experiencing a sharp decline from the 51st to the 20th percentile. Additionally, Science scores for 5th graders are a consistent weak point, with only 22.06% proficient in 2024-2025.

Compared to the struggling schools in the neighboring Temple Independent School District (Isd)—such as Scott Elementary, Jefferson Elementary, and Western Hills Elementary, which all rank in the bottom third of the state—Burrell is a high-performing option. Yet, it is clearly in the shadow of Lakewood Elementary, a top-performing school just 2.55 miles away that consistently ranks in the 89th-91st percentile. On a positive note, the Gifted and Talented program shows promise, jumping from the 15th to the 58th percentile recently, and the school's low student-teacher ratio of 13.9 supports smaller class sizes.