Kimmie M Brown Elementary

Kimmie M Brown Elementary is a K-5 school in Dayton, TX, serving 804 students within the Dayton Independent School District (Isd), where about 75% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and the school has historically ranked in the bottom 20% of Texas elementary schools.

A standout strength is the school's exceptional performance with its African American students, who ranked in the 68th percentile statewide in the 2025-2026 school year—a stark contrast to the school's overall 17th percentile ranking. However, this success is not mirrored across all groups; White and Hispanic students ranked in the 9th and 12th percentiles, respectively, and the Gifted and Talented program ranked in the 2nd percentile, suggesting challenges in providing enrichment for high-achieving students. Mathematics is a persistent weakness, with only 24.6% of 3rd graders proficient in math compared to the state average of 44.3%, and the Spanish-language program struggles significantly, with as few as 5.3% of students proficient in reading.

The contrast with nearby Barbers Hill Elementary North, a 5-star school in the 98th percentile just 13 miles away, highlights the impact of resources: Barbers Hill North has a 25.75% poverty rate, higher per-student spending ($12,327 vs. $9,333), and a lower student-to-teacher ratio (11.9 vs. 15). Kimmie M Brown's year-over-year performance is also volatile, with math scores fluctuating significantly, such as 5th-grade math dropping from 51% proficient in 2023-2024 to 32% in 2025-2026. While the school faces substantial challenges, its success with African American students offers a potential model for improvement, though parents should be aware of the inconsistent outcomes across subjects and student groups.