Post Elementary

Post Elementary in Post, TX, is a small, rural public school serving 311 students in grades PK through 5, and it is the only elementary school in the Post Independent School District (Isd). With a favorable student-to-teacher ratio of 12.4:1, the school has the potential for more individualized attention, yet it has consistently ranked in the bottom 20-30% of Texas elementary schools over the past decade, earning a 1-star rating from Schooldigger. Nearly 79% of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunch, and the school faces significant challenges in core academic performance, with STAAR exam proficiency rates trailing state averages by 13 to 22 points across most grades and subjects.

One of the most striking findings is the extreme volatility in student performance, particularly in 5th grade. For example, 5th grade math proficiency dropped from 40.48% in 2024-2025 to 25.58% in 2025-2026, while 5th grade science swung from 0% proficient in 2023-2024 to 30.95% in 2024-2025—actually exceeding the state average. This "cohort effect" suggests that the school's results are highly sensitive to the specific group of students in a given year, and that instructional strategies may not be producing stable, long-term gains. A bright spot emerged in 4th grade math, which outperformed the state average in two of the last three years, but this success has not been replicated in other grades or sustained.

Despite increasing per-student spending (from $9,178 to $10,653) and a low student-teacher ratio, these resources are not translating into improved outcomes. Subgroup data reveals a deepening crisis, with low socio-economic status students ranking in the 5th percentile in 2023-2024 and Hispanic students consistently in the bottom 10-14% of the state. The only subgroup to achieve a 3-star rating was "Gifted and Talented Students" in 2018-2019, indicating the school may challenge its highest achievers but struggles to serve the general population. Since there are no other elementary schools within 20 miles, families have limited options, making it critical for the district to review curriculum, instructional strategies, and interventions for at-risk students to reverse this downward trend.