Mary Deshazo Elementary

Mary Deshazo Elementary serves 304 students in grades 3 through 5 in the small, rural community of Muleshoe, Texas, and is part of the Muleshoe Independent School District (Isd).

This school faces significant challenges, with about 88% of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch, a key factor in its overall state ranking in the 24th percentile. When compared to nearby schools, the impact of poverty is clear: Sudan Elementary and Walcott Elementary have much lower poverty rates (around 50%) and achieve far higher test scores. For example, in 4th-grade math, Mary Deshazo had 33% proficiency, while Sudan reached 63% and Walcott 53%. However, the school does have bright spots. Its 5th-grade science scores actually exceeded the state average, and its Gifted and Talented program ranked in the 100th percentile statewide. The school also spends about $12,545 per student, which is similar to nearby schools, suggesting the challenge is not a lack of funding but how to best use resources to overcome the barriers of high poverty.

The most critical issue at Mary Deshazo is a significant internal achievement gap. While the school struggles overall, its White students perform exceptionally well, ranking in the 78th percentile, while its Hispanic students rank in the 18th percentile. This 60-percentile-point gap shows that the school is highly effective for one group but not for another. The school’s ranking has also been volatile, swinging from the 9th percentile to the 43rd percentile in recent years, which shows it is capable of improvement. For parents, the key takeaway is that Mary Deshazo is a school with dedicated resources and some strong programs, but its biggest challenge is ensuring that all students, regardless of background, receive the same high-quality education that its highest-performing students already enjoy.