Friona Elementary

Friona Elementary serves 283 students in grades 2 through 5 in the rural Friona Independent School District (Isd), with over 82% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. Over the past decade, the school has experienced a steep decline in academic performance, dropping from the 52nd percentile in 2015-2016 to the 10th percentile statewide in 2025-2026, after hitting a low of the 2nd percentile in the two prior years. This sustained downward trend suggests systemic challenges that have not been effectively addressed.

Compared to nearby Bovina Elementary, Friona Elementary shows a mixed but concerning picture. While Friona’s 3rd-grade math scores (42.42% proficient) nearly matched the state average (44.33%) and significantly outperformed Bovina’s 20% in 2025-2026, its performance drops dramatically in upper grades. Only 10.94% of Friona’s 5th graders were proficient in math versus 17.39% at Bovina and 47.38% statewide, and just 25% were proficient in reading compared to 58.47% statewide. Friona also has a higher student-to-teacher ratio (14.4:1) than Bovina (11:1), which may limit individualized attention. Bovina has shown more stable, though still low, performance, while Friona’s trajectory has been more volatile.

A notable bright spot is the dramatic improvement in 3rd-grade math from 8.86% proficient in 2024-2025 to 42.42% in 2025-2026, which could point to a successful intervention worth replicating. However, the school struggles with a “5th grade cliff,” where foundational skills fail to carry forward, and all major student subgroups perform in the bottom 10-20% of the state. Per-student spending at Friona (about $10,400) is lower than at Bovina ($11,899) and Friona Pri ($11,353), raising questions about resource allocation. Understanding what worked in 3rd-grade math could provide a blueprint for broader improvement.