Roy J Wollam Elementary

Roy J Wollam Elementary in Santa Fe, TX, is a PK-5 school serving 618 students as part of the high-performing Santa Fe Independent School District (Isd), which ranks in the top 27% of Texas districts.

This school stands out for its remarkable upward trajectory and exceptional support for all students. Over the past three years, Wollam has jumped from the 69th to the 81st percentile statewide, now ranking in the top 20% of Texas elementary schools. In the most recent testing, it outperformed both the district and state averages in every single grade and subject tested—a rare achievement. The school is particularly effective with students from low socio-economic backgrounds, ranking in the 86th percentile statewide for this group, and with special education students, where it ranks in the 87th percentile. This is a dramatic improvement from just a few years ago. Within the Santa Fe district, Wollam is the clear leader, outranking its peers William F Barnett Elementary (70th percentile) and Dan J Kubacak Elementary (68th percentile) in overall performance and in 5 out of 6 core subject areas. The school also maintains a favorable student-teacher ratio of 13.3, which is significantly lower than the state average.

For parents considering their options, the contrast with nearby districts is stark. While all three Santa Fe ISD elementary schools rank in the top 30% of Texas, schools in the neighboring Hitchcock Independent School District (Isd)—such as Hitchcock Pri and Stewart Elementary—rank in the bottom 7% of the state. For example, 3rd-grade math proficiency at Stewart Elementary is just 15.18%, compared to 64.38% at Wollam. This highlights a significant disparity in educational opportunity within a very short geographic distance. Wollam achieves its strong results while spending efficiently, with a per-student cost of $11,511, which is less than some struggling nearby schools.