Ezzell School

Ezzell School in Hallettsville, TX, is a small, rural alternative school serving 128 students in grades PK through 12 within the Ezzell Independent School District (Isd), offering a uniquely supportive environment with a very low student-to-teacher ratio of 9.8:1.

The most remarkable feature of Ezzell School is its perfect track record: it has reported a 0.0% dropout rate for five consecutive years, meaning every student stays through graduation. This is paired with outstanding high school performance on state exams, where students dramatically outperform state averages. For example, in U.S. History, 100% of students were proficient compared to 70.17% statewide, and in Algebra I, 83.33% were proficient versus 54.03% statewide. The 7th grade cohort also shines, achieving 100% proficiency in math (state: 29.41%) and 87.5% in reading (state: 54.04%). Because the school is so small, year-to-year scores can fluctuate—a single student’s performance can swing percentages by 10-20 points—so these numbers reflect the strengths of each unique class rather than changes in teaching quality.

As an alternative school, Ezzell likely serves students who may have struggled in larger settings, and its combination of zero dropouts and top-tier high school scores is a powerful sign of success. The school invests more per student ($12,286) than the Texas average, which supports small classes and individualized attention. While elementary scores are competitive with state averages, the high school consistently excels, suggesting a cumulative benefit from the supportive environment. There are no other schools within 20 miles for direct comparison, but Ezzell’s focus on retention and academic achievement makes it a standout choice for families seeking a close-knit, high-performing educational experience.