Sidney H Poynter

Sidney H Poynter is a PK-5 elementary school in Fort Worth, TX, serving 418 students within the Crowley Independent School District (Isd), where 76% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, reflecting a predominantly low-income community.

The most exciting news for parents is Poynter's strong upward trajectory. After ranking in the bottom 30% of Texas elementary schools for years, it has climbed to the 38th percentile statewide—its highest rank in nearly a decade. This improvement is especially notable compared to nearby schools like E Ray Elementary and David L Walker Elt, which have both dropped significantly over the same period. A key strength is mathematics: in 2025-2026, 54% of Poynter's 5th graders were proficient in math, far exceeding the district average (36%) and even the state average (47%). This outperforms peers like Parkway Elementary (29%) and J A Hargrave Elementary (27%). The school is also making impressive gains with its Hispanic and African American students, with subgroup ranks rising dramatically. However, science remains a critical weakness—only 16% of 5th graders were proficient, a regional issue shared by Parkway Elementary (6%) and E Ray Elementary (8%).

Interestingly, Poynter's improvement is driven largely by its female students, who rank in the 47th percentile compared to boys at the 34th percentile—a gap that has narrowed from a massive disparity two years ago. The school also stands out for using its resources effectively: it spends $11,550 per student, while the higher-performing Judy Hajek Elementary in Burleson Independent School District (Isd) spends only $8,981, and the lower-performing David L Walker Elt spends $14,478. This suggests Poynter is making smart investments in instruction and support. For parents seeking a school on the rise with a strong math program and a focus on equity, Poynter is a compelling choice, though science instruction remains an area to watch.