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Back Elementary

Q: Is Back Elementary a good school?

Back Elementary ranks 2893 rd of 4627 Texas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

Public Grades PK, KG-5

2893^rd

SchoolDigger Rank ?

of 4,627 Texas Elementary Schools

Better than 37% of Texas elementary schools

Summary

Back Elementary in Rowlett, TX, is a PK-5 public school in the Garland Independent School District (Isd) serving 402 students, with nearly 70% of its students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch. The school has experienced a significant and concerning downward trend in recent years, dropping from a 4-star rating and the 76th percentile statewide in 2021-2022 to a 2-star rating and the 37th percentile in 2025-2026—a decline of 39 percentile points in just four years. This sharp drop is not seen in any of its direct peers, making it a key differentiator for parents to consider.

One of the most striking findings is the contrast between grade levels. In the most recent school year, only 32.65% of 3rd graders were proficient in both Reading and Math, the lowest rate among nearby schools and well below district and state averages. For comparison, nearby Keeley Elementary had 77.17% proficiency in 3rd-grade Reading and 80.43% in Math. However, Back Elementary's 5th-grade students are a relative bright spot, with 56% proficient in Reading and 54% in Math—the Math rate actually exceeded the district average (53.82%) and the state average (47.38%). This suggests the school may be struggling more with its youngest students while being more effective at bringing older students up to speed.

Interestingly, Back Elementary spends more per student ($11,818) than many higher-performing peers, such as Keeley Elementary ($9,011) and Norma Dorsey Elementary ($9,241), indicating that declining performance is not simply a matter of insufficient funding. The school also has a history of excellence with "At Risk" students, ranking in the 96th percentile in 2021-2022, but this strength has not been sustained. While other schools with similar or higher poverty rates, like Northlake Elementary (85.55% economically disadvantaged), are outperforming Back Elementary, the school's past success with at-risk students could be a key asset to rebuild upon if it can adapt to its current student body's needs.

402

Students ?

14.8

Student/teacher ratio ?

$11,469

Per pupil spending ?

69.7%

Free/discounted lunch ?

7300 Bluebonnet Dr
Rowlett, TX 75088-6700

(972) 475-1884

District: Garland Independent School District (Isd)

Racial breakdown:

African American:

34.1%

Hispanic:

33.1%

Asian:

13.7%

See top rated Texas elementary schools

Compare Back Elementary to nearby elementary schools!

At a glance

▼ Ranking trend: Declining — 58th percentile in 2016 → 37th in 2026

Worth a look

!Test scores below the Texas average (43% vs 51% meeting standards)

!Ranking has slipped — down 21 percentile points since 2016

!Some student groups rank well below the school's overall statewide standing

Students meeting standards (2025-2026) ?

This school43%

District avg56%

Texas avg51%

2,893^rd of 4,627

Texas public elementary schools ?

Bottom 37%▼ down 21 pts since 2016

From top 42% (2016) to bottom 37% (2026)

See the entire ranking list of Texas Elementary Schools →

★★★★★

SchoolDigger rating ?

34^th of 43Elementary Schools in the Garland Independent School District (Isd)

398^th of 951Garland Independent School District (Isd) among Texas districts

Statewide rank percentile over time (100 = the top-ranked school in the state; click a legend item to add a student group)

Show full rank history (all student groups)

All Students

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	37.9	2893 of 4627	37.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	44.7	2458 of 4651	47.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	47.5	2335 of 4710	50.4%	★★★☆☆
2023	53.2	1995 of 4647	57.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	71.1	1102 of 4581	75.9%	★★★★☆
2021	61.1	1476 of 4578	67.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	61.5	1437 of 4479	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2018	47.6	2110 of 4359	51.6%	★★★☆☆
2017	51.7	1873 of 4329	56.7%	★★★☆☆
2016	59.9	1780 of 4286	58.5%	★★★☆☆
2015	55.1	2067 of 4320	52.2%	★★★☆☆
2014	48.5	2426 of 4260	43.1%	★★☆☆☆
2013	53.7	2089 of 4221	50.5%	★★★☆☆
2012	62.6	1551 of 4206	63.1%	★★★☆☆
2011	70.9	1120 of 4095	72.6%	★★★★☆
2010	60.0	1758 of 3937	55.3%	★★★☆☆
2009	73.1	888 of 3884	77.1%	★★★★☆
2008	74.4	786 of 3768	79.1%	★★★★☆
2007	69.5	1104 of 3724	70.4%	★★★★☆
2006	53.2	1879 of 3476	45.9%	★★☆☆☆
2005	63.9	1328 of 3475	61.8%	★★★☆☆
2004	72.4	840 of 3465	75.8%	★★★★☆

African American

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	47.4	1178 of 2406	51.0%	★★★☆☆
2025	45.4	1006 of 1905	47.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	25.6	2046 of 2443	16.3%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	43.9	1298 of 2443	46.9%	★★☆☆☆
2022	68.8	514 of 2421	78.8%	★★★★☆
2021	63.3	609 of 2444	75.1%	★★★★☆
2019	60.4	768 of 2515	69.5%	★★★☆☆
2018	53.6	985 of 2483	60.3%	★★★☆☆

Asian

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	39.4	734 of 999	26.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2025	41.3	568 of 814	30.2%	★★☆☆☆
2024	21.5	933 of 1045	10.7%	★☆☆☆☆
2023	33.6	807 of 1015	20.5%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	48.9	583 of 957	39.1%	★★☆☆☆
2021	55.4	443 of 967	54.2%	★★★☆☆
2019	52.4	529 of 1009	47.6%	★★☆☆☆
2018	39.9	707 of 1005	29.7%	★☆☆☆☆

At Risk

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2022	90.2	178 of 4461	96.0%	★★★★★
2021	85.4	255 of 4331	94.1%	★★★★★
2019	83.3	326 of 4295	92.4%	★★★★★
2018	38.9	2742 of 4240	35.3%	★★☆☆☆

English Language Learner

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	58.4	587 of 1643	64.3%	★★★☆☆
2025	55.3	1124 of 2918	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	70.1	768 of 3668	79.1%	★★★★☆
2023	70.8	686 of 3556	80.7%	★★★★☆
2022	87.6	183 of 3487	94.8%	★★★★★
2021	81.1	314 of 3446	90.9%	★★★★★
2019	83.7	226 of 3333	93.2%	★★★★★
2018	61.8	954 of 3226	70.4%	★★★★☆

Female

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	43.6	2511 of 4575	45.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	46.1	1956 of 3744	47.8%	★★☆☆☆
2024	45.8	2451 of 4658	47.4%	★★☆☆☆
2023	45.5	2452 of 4588	46.6%	★★☆☆☆
2022	76.9	815 of 4561	82.1%	★★★★☆
2021	54.6	1772 of 4499	60.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	58.9	1556 of 4348	64.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	36.5	2845 of 4306	33.9%	★★☆☆☆

Hispanic

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	39.4	2821 of 4413	36.1%	★★☆☆☆
2025	56.4	1404 of 3644	61.5%	★★★☆☆
2024	76.2	672 of 4465	84.9%	★★★★☆
2023	67.5	1066 of 4401	75.8%	★★★★☆
2022	78.9	563 of 4376	87.1%	★★★★☆
2021	62.4	1239 of 4329	71.4%	★★★★☆
2019	69.1	911 of 4188	78.2%	★★★★☆
2018	48.7	2010 of 4168	51.8%	★★★☆☆

Low Socio Economic Status

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	50.0	2130 of 4520	52.9%	★★★☆☆
2025	50.9	1720 of 3705	53.6%	★★★☆☆
2024	49.6	2245 of 4594	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2023	49.6	2212 of 4521	51.1%	★★★☆☆
2022	80.0	459 of 4477	89.7%	★★★★☆
2021	67.9	958 of 4451	78.5%	★★★★☆
2019	73.4	656 of 4309	84.8%	★★★★☆
2018	61.7	1289 of 4264	69.8%	★★★☆☆

Male

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	34.5	3144 of 4582	31.4%	★★☆☆☆
2025	44.1	2016 of 3739	46.1%	★★☆☆☆
2024	44.2	2560 of 4647	44.9%	★★☆☆☆
2023	57.9	1707 of 4585	62.8%	★★★☆☆
2022	62.3	1463 of 4563	67.9%	★★★☆☆
2021	62.7	1359 of 4498	69.8%	★★★☆☆
2019	60.6	1430 of 4357	67.2%	★★★☆☆
2018	57.6	1615 of 4319	62.6%	★★★☆☆

Multi-racial

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2025	54.8	435 of 975	55.4%	★★★☆☆

Special Education

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	43.4	2214 of 4301	48.5%	★★☆☆☆
2025	35.3	2390 of 3549	32.7%	★★☆☆☆
2024	40.8	2534 of 4292	41.0%	★★☆☆☆
2023	68.4	760 of 4086	81.4%	★★★★☆
2022	66.3	832 of 3952	78.9%	★★★★☆
2021	54.5	1191 of 3799	68.6%	★★★☆☆
2019	41.6	1945 of 3684	47.2%	★★☆☆☆
2018	63.1	797 of 3558	77.6%	★★★★☆

White

Year	Avg score	Statewide rank	Texas percentile	Rating
2026	28.5	2411 of 3006	19.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2024	16.3	2856 of 3108	8.1%	☆☆☆☆☆
2023	22.1	2677 of 3106	13.8%	★☆☆☆☆
2022	44.6	1825 of 3082	40.8%	★★☆☆☆
2021	44.3	1756 of 3082	43.0%	★★☆☆☆
2019	40.6	2018 of 3142	35.8%	★★☆☆☆
2018	38.9	2021 of 3127	35.4%	★★☆☆☆

How student groups rank statewide ? (each group's percentile vs the same group at other schools — higher is better; the +/- beside each compares the group with this school's overall percentile)

At Risk (2022)96th percentile+20 vs school

English Language Learner (2026)64th percentile+27 vs school

Multi-racial (2025)55th percentile+8 vs school

Low Socio Economic Status (2026)53rd percentile+15 vs school

African American (2026)51st percentile+14 vs school

Special Education (2026)49th percentile+11 vs school

Female (2026)45th percentile+8 vs school

Hispanic (2026)36th percentile~ school

Male (2026)31st percentile-6 vs school

Asian (2026)27th percentile-11 vs school

White (2026)20th percentile-18 vs school

By subject vs Texas (2025-2026) ?

Mathematics44%-3 vs state

Reading42%-12 vs state

5.0

7 ratings · 7 written reviews

5★7

4★0

3★0

2★0

1★0

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What people are saying

by a parent
Friday, March 29, 2019

We love Back!!! The teachers, admin, and support staff are committed to every student's success. Close Quote

by a teacher
Wednesday, March 27, 2019

The teachers work very hard to meet every student's needs. They ensure that all students are successful and make growth. Close Quote

by a teacher
Tuesday, March 26, 2019

It is a one of a kind place to work! I love the connections that teachers develop with the students. Our office staff is the best around! Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, March 26, 2019

This is a wonderful school. My student has attended here since Kindergarten, and have never had anything negative to say about the teachers or staff. Close Quote

by a parent
Tuesday, March 26, 2019

This is an excellent school to bring your child to. They have tons of hands on learning going on through out the day! Close Quote

by a teacher
Monday, March 25, 2019

Positive, caring family environment. Our office aide won paraprofessional of the year for all of GISD!!! Close Quote

by a parent
Monday, March 25, 2019

It is an awesome school. I appreciate the teachers and staff for all their hard work. Close Quote

Schools Near Back Elementary

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Ranking:

E Elementary M Middle H High A Alternative P Private

Choose columns to see: Summary School Students/Teachers Ranking Test Scores Finance All

School													Students/Teachers											Ranking (2026)				Ranking (2025)				STAAR Spanish Reading (2026)			STAAR Spanish Mathematics (2026)		STAAR Reading (2026)				STAAR Mathematics (2026)				Per Pupil Expenditures (2024)
Name	Type	Grades	Address	City	Zip	County	District	Is Charter	Is Magnet	Is Virtual	Is Title I	Phone	Enrollment	Full-time Teachers	Student/ Teacher Ratio	Free/Discounted Lunch Recipients	White	Black	Hispanic	Asian	American Indian	Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	Average Standard Score (2026)	Statewide Rank (2026)	State Percentile (2026)	SchoolDigger Rating (2026)	Average Standard Score (2025)	Statewide Rank (2025)	State Percentile (2025)	Rank Change from Previous Year	STAAR Spanish Reading 3rd Grade	STAAR Spanish Reading 4th Grade	STAAR Spanish Reading 5th Grade	STAAR Spanish Mathematics 3rd Grade	STAAR Spanish Mathematics 4th Grade	STAAR Reading 3rd Grade	STAAR Reading 4th Grade	STAAR Reading 5th Grade	STAAR Reading 6th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 3rd Grade	STAAR Mathematics 4th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 5th Grade	STAAR Mathematics 6th Grade	Total
Back Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	7300 Bluebonnet Dr	Rowlett	75088	Dallas County	Garland Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 475-1884	402	27	14.8	69.7%	47 (11.7%)	137 (34.1%)	133 (33.1%)	55 (13.7%)	0 (0.0%)	0 (0.0%)	30 (7.5%)	37.9	2893^rd of 4627 public elementary schools	37.5%		44.7	2458^th of 4651 public elementary schools	47.2%	435						32.7	37.8	56.0		32.7	44.4	54.0		$11,469
Norma Dorsey Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	6200 Dexham Rd	Rowlett	75089	Dallas County	Garland Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 463-5595	571	36	16.0	56.7%	121 (21.2%)	109 (19.1%)	258 (45.2%)	56 (9.8%)	6 (1.1%)	0 (0.0%)	21 (3.7%)	58.3	1688^th of 4627 public elementary schools	63.5%		54.6	1864^th of 4651 public elementary schools	59.9%	176	20.0			0.0		58.2	54.0	53.3		54.8	48.3	50.5		$9,151
Harmony Science Academy - Garland	Public, Charter	PK, KG-6	2302 Firewheel Pkwy	Garland	75040	Dallas County	Harmony Public Schools - North Texas	Yes	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 212-4777	759	47	16.1	61.5%	173 (22.8%)	210 (27.7%)	208 (27.4%)	145 (19.1%)	1 (0.1%)	0 (0.0%)	22 (2.9%)	63.4	1440^th of 4627 public elementary schools	68.9%		59.9	1586^th of 4651 public elementary schools	65.9%	146						52.3	59.3	61.3	66.4	48.2	38.1	58.7	52.6	$10,455
Northlake Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	1626 Bosque Dr	Garland	75040	Dallas County	Garland Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 494-8359	526	32	16.2	85.6%	53 (10.1%)	38 (7.2%)	399 (75.9%)	22 (4.2%)	2 (0.4%)	0 (0.0%)	12 (2.3%)	48.7	2182^nd of 4627 public elementary schools	52.8%		47.5	2289^th of 4651 public elementary schools	50.8%	107	16.7	38.5		14.3	11.1	48.1	46.3	48.5		42.9	60.6	44.1		$9,507
Katherine Stephens Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3700 Cheyenne Dr	Rowlett	75088	Dallas County	Garland Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 463-5790	496	35	14.2	76.2%	66 (13.3%)	90 (18.1%)	284 (57.3%)	20 (4.0%)	3 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	32 (6.5%)	33.3	3206^th of 4627 public elementary schools	30.7%		23.1	3851^st of 4651 public elementary schools	17.2%	645						35.1	35.5	42.7		41.0	46.1	44.8		$12,007
Robert B Sewell Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	4400 Hudson Park	Sachse	75048	Dallas County	Garland Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 675-3050	709	41	17.2	49.1%	205 (28.9%)	149 (21.0%)	174 (24.5%)	135 (19.0%)	5 (0.7%)	1 (0.1%)	40 (5.6%)	54.3	1893^rd of 4627 public elementary schools	59.1%		57	1723^rd of 4651 public elementary schools	63.0%	170						50.5	53.2	56.8		53.7	51.8	38.4		$8,269
Keeley Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	8700 Liberty Grove Rd	Rowlett	75089	Dallas County	Garland Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	No	(972) 412-2140	582	35	16.8	37.8%	208 (35.7%)	121 (20.8%)	161 (27.7%)	44 (7.6%)	3 (0.5%)	0 (0.0%)	45 (7.7%)	94.4	198^th of 4627 public elementary schools	95.7%		89.4	394^th of 4651 public elementary schools	91.5%	196						77.2	76.1	83.3		80.4	75.0	72.6		$8,638
Rowlett Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3315 Carla Dr	Rowlett	75088	Dallas County	Garland Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 475-3380	486	32	15.4	68.9%	98 (20.2%)	79 (16.3%)	273 (56.2%)	16 (3.3%)	3 (0.6%)	0 (0.0%)	17 (3.5%)	37.5	2916^th of 4627 public elementary schools	37.0%		33.2	3242^nd of 4651 public elementary schools	30.3%	326	0.0	40.0				54.7	41.9	47.5		43.8	39.3	36.1		$9,955
Steadham Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	6200 Danridge Rd	Rowlett	75089	Dallas County	Garland Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 463-5887	490	33	14.9	72.2%	77 (15.7%)	167 (34.1%)	207 (42.2%)	20 (4.1%)	3 (0.6%)	1 (0.2%)	15 (3.1%)	52.6	1982^nd of 4627 public elementary schools	57.2%		34.5	3165^th of 4651 public elementary schools	32.0%	1183	23.1	50.0	54.6			49.0	40.0	61.2		51.7	42.5	57.3		$11,388
Vernal Lister Elementary	Public	PK, KG-5	3131 Mars Dr	Garland	75040	Dallas County	Garland Independent School District (Isd)	No	No	(n/a)	Yes	(972) 675-3030	586	40	14.7	79.4%	55 (9.4%)	116 (19.8%)	206 (35.2%)	180 (30.7%)	2 (0.3%)	0 (0.0%)	27 (4.6%)	58.5	1679^th of 4627 public elementary schools	63.7%		46	2388^th of 4651 public elementary schools	48.7%	709	25.0	75.0	55.6			45.1	56.5	69.6		46.0	54.7	46.1		$10,249

Frequently Asked Questions about Back Elementary

What schools do graduates of Back Elementary attend?

Students who attend Back Elementary usually go on to attend:

Middle : Austin Academy For Excell
Middle : B G Hudson Middle
Middle : Bussey Middle
Middle : Classical Center At Brandenburg Middle
Middle : Jackson Technology Center
Middle : O'Banion Middle
Middle : Sam Houston Middle
Middle : Sellers Middle
Middle : Vernon Schrade Middle
Middle : Webb Middle
High : Garland High School
High : Lakeview Centennial High School
High : N Garland High School
High : Naaman Forest High School
High : Rowlett High School
High : S Garland High School
High : Sachse High School

How many students attend Back Elementary?

In the 2024-25 school year, 402 students attended Back Elementary.

Is Back Elementary a good school?

Back Elementary ranks 2893^rd of 4627 Texas elementary schools. SchoolDigger rates this school 2 stars out of 5.

What district is Back Elementary in?

Garland Independent School District (Isd)

What is the racial makeup of Back Elementary?

Students at Back Elementary are 34% African American, 33% Hispanic, 14% Asian, 12% White, 7% Two or more races.

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Latest Texas data All new data »

2025–26 STAAR, STAAR EOC & STAAR Spanish test scoresJun 12, 2026

2021–22 through 2023–24 school spending dataJan 10, 2026

2023–24 dropout rates & graduation ratesSep 17, 2025

2024–25 STAAR EOC & STAAR Spanish test scoresJun 23, 2025

SchoolDigger data sources: National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Census Bureau and the Texas Education Agency.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS: Not all boundaries are included. We make every effort to ensure that boundaries are up-to-date. But it's important to note that these are approximations and are for general informational purposes only. To verify legal descriptions of boundaries or school locations, contact your local tax assessor's office and/or school district.