Lee Longino Elementary

Lee Longino Elementary in Ferris, TX, serves 4th and 5th graders within the Ferris Independent School District (Isd), and has recently achieved a remarkable academic turnaround, jumping from the 25th to the 47th percentile in state rankings in just one year. This dramatic improvement is the school's most defining feature, especially given that over 78% of its students qualify for free or reduced lunch, a high poverty rate similar to nearby schools like Pleasant Run Elementary and Eddie Bernice Johnson Stem Academy. Unlike those schools, which continue to struggle, Lee Longino is now outperforming its economic peers and beginning to compete with more affluent schools in the Red Oak Independent School District (Isd).

A standout strength is 4th grade math, where 54.24% of students achieved proficiency in the latest testing year—well above the state average of 49.28% and significantly higher than nearby schools like Wooden Elementary (44.05%) and Eastridge Elementary (46.05%). The school also excels with its low socioeconomic status students, ranking in the 52nd percentile for this group, indicating it is effectively raising achievement for its most disadvantaged learners. However, there is a notable gender gap, with male students ranking in the 52nd percentile while female students rank in the 37th percentile, the largest such gap among nearby schools.

Despite these gains, 5th grade science remains a persistent challenge, with only 17.65% of students proficient compared to the state average of 29.57%, a common issue for high-poverty schools in the area. Additionally, while the school is raising the floor for struggling students, its Gifted and Talented program ranks in the 35th percentile, suggesting room for improvement in challenging its highest achievers. Notably, Lee Longino spends $14,244 per student, significantly more than higher-performing schools like Red Oak Elementary ($10,206), indicating that strategic investments may be driving its recent success.