Electra Elementary

Electra Elementary is a small, rural PK-6 school in Electra, TX, serving 233 students within the Electra Independent School District (Isd), where about 73% of students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school currently ranks in the 12th percentile statewide (1-star rating), which is significantly below the state average in academic performance. This is a notable decline from just five years ago, when the school ranked in the 60th percentile (3-star) during the 2020-2021 school year, indicating a concerning downward trend.

When compared to nearby Bradford Elementary in the Iowa Park Consolidated Independent School District, just 16 miles away, the performance gap is striking. Bradford Elementary ranks in the 78th percentile (4-star) and has much higher test score proficiency: about 59% proficient in reading and 61% in math, compared to Electra’s 32% and 31%, respectively. While Electra spends more per student ($10,679 vs. $8,610) and has a lower student-to-teacher ratio (10.7:1 vs. 15.3:1), these resources have not translated into stronger academic outcomes. The higher poverty rate at Electra (73.4% free/reduced lunch vs. 41.6% at Bradford) is a key factor, but the data suggests that instructional effectiveness, not just funding, needs attention.

There is a glimmer of hope in science: Electra’s 5th-grade students scored 33.3% proficient in 2024-2025, beating the state average of 29.57%. However, the school struggles systemically, with its lowest-performing subgroup being White students (ranking in the 4th percentile statewide), which is unusual and indicates challenges across all demographics. The school’s performance with "At Risk" students was historically strong (85th percentile in 2020-2021), but this strength has not been sustained. For parents, the key takeaway is that Electra Elementary offers small class sizes and high per-student spending, but it faces deep-rooted challenges that require a focused effort on improving instruction and support for its high-poverty community.